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‘She could run, after all.’

It was already expected, but it was still surprising. The head maid was always so reserved and quiet that I had never even seen her walk briskly, let alone run. I had even wondered if she was somehow unable to run.

Of course, as the Countess’s closest aide and a noble in her own right, it was only natural for the head maid to maintain her dignity. However, the head maid was meticulous to a fault. If you dressed her in a gown instead of a maid’s uniform, she could easily pass for the lady of a distinguished house.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought so, because the maids who returned with her looked flustered. Even I would be flustered if the head maid, who was always so poised, came running and was gasping for air as she urged me to go somewhere.

“I’m sorry, Young Lady. This may take a while.”

After the maids brought in the tea, Mother turned her gaze to Marghetta. Brewing a new pot would indeed take some time.

“No need to mention it. Rather, I’m the one who should be thankful for being so warmly welcomed despite my sudden visit.”

However, Marghetta bowed her head in reply. Since her visit was unannounced, it was understandable if Mother didn’t treat her with full hospitality. After all, one needed a heads-up to prepare something.

The fact that Mother called back the maids she had sent away seemed to indicate that she was quite pleased with Marghetta’s greetings.

“It’s only right to welcome a friend of my son. Don’t fret over it.”

Our eyes met as I nodded slightly, and Mother smiled faintly.

A friend… From Mother’s perspective, Marghetta was probably the first friend I’d brought home, right? It might not be as significant as bringing a marriage prospect, but it was still a happy occasion.

Strictly speaking, Marghetta was invited by Mother, but let’s not dwell on that. After all, I was the one who brought her.

“Thank you, madam.”

Marghetta seemed pleased by Mother’s hospitality and let out a small smile.

***

Was this a dream? Or was I so overwhelmed that I was finally starting to see hallucinations of the things I wanted to see?

If it’s a dream or an illusion, then I wish it would continue. I’d like to be happy for a moment, even if it’s going to be shattered.

“The front garden was beautiful, but the rear garden is also lovely.”

“It’s the pride of our territory. The gardeners have poured their hearts into it.”

“It doesn’t feel right to hear that from someone who hasn’t been to the territory for a long time.”

“Be quiet.”

However, it wasn’t just my eyes that were receiving signals. My ears were also insisting that this was real and that the moment I longed for was actually unfolding before me.

The two brothers were sitting together amicably, along with the lady Carl brought along. I was there too, not as an intruder but as someone who was rightfully part of the gathering. Just moments ago, such a scene was beyond my wildest dreams.

I looked over at Laura, and she seemed just as stunned. But her smile soon reassured me. Yes, what I was seeing was real.

“Have we been talking amongst ourselves too much? I’m sorry, madam.”

It seemed that Lady Marghetta took it the wrong way as I continued to stare at them. She’s sorry? On the contrary, I was the one who should be the most grateful.

“It’s nice to hear the conversation of the young people these days.”

I shook my head slightly. Indeed, it was nice. It was nice to hear Carl’s voice and to hear Erich’s stories.

Though they weren’t speaking to me directly, the fact that they didn’t mind my presence and freely carried on with their own conversations was so heartwarming.

Lady Marghetta smiled brightly at my response. How could someone be so lovely?

‘Thank you, Young Lady.’

I wanted to take her hands and bow several times to express my gratitude, but doing so might make her uncomfortable.

Anyone with half a brain would see that Lady Marghetta was the one steering this gathering. How could they not? My child, who had just left, returned with her by his side.

Even now, Carl’s gaze frequently turned to Lady Marghetta as the conversation flowed. It must either be because she orchestrated this situation, or because Carl held her in high regard. Either way, it was a welcome development.

Lady Marghetta even made an effort to include me in the conversation, allowing me to naturally engage with the children.

‘She’s so mature at such a young age.’

Was it this year that Lady Marghetta turned eighteen? I gave birth to Carl when I was her age, but I was immature and pitiful back then.

Once she appeared beautiful, everything about her seemed lovely. Her red hair appeared warm, and her green eyes sparkled like jewels. Her smile was beautiful, and her maturity ran deep—she lacked nothing.

‘If only I had known she was such a person.’

I was, in fact, already aware of Lady Marghetta. After the New Year’s Ball last year, rumors had spread quickly amongst the ladies of the social circles.

The rumor was that the Iron-blooded Duke’s beloved youngest daughter had set her heart on Carl and that the Iron-blooded Duke was eyeing Carl to become his prospective son-in-law. As that rumor spread, the flood of marriage proposals to the County of Tailglehen for Carl abruptly stopped.

Who would dare to pursue someone marked by the Iron-blooded Duke himself, especially when the Duke’s daughter was the source of the rumor?

‘I didn’t like it.’

At the time, Billy trusted that Carl would handle his own marriage prospects and did not interfere. He simply forwarded all of the proposals to Carl to let him choose.

I also thought that it was the right approach. It was more fitting for Carl to choose his own partner than for us, who were hardly parental, to choose for him. But the Iron-blooded Duke’s intervention robbed Carl of his opportunity to choose.

It was infuriating. No matter how much she loved Carl, using her family’s influence to rob him of his choice and pressure him as if he were a hunted animal was distasteful.

But did I have the right to be displeased? Did I have the right to protest against it? What if my protest against the duke’s family harmed Carl? What if Carl actually liked Lady Marghetta?

Although I was unable to act one way or the other, it now seemed like doing nothing was the right decision.

“Your cup is empty. Would you like more?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Carl, noticing Lady Marghetta’s empty teacup, picked up the teapot.

Seeing him care for her so attentively made it clear that Carl had feelings for her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here, accompanying her to the same table as me.

I was inadvertently watching this when Carl noticed my gaze and leaned towards me.

“Mother, your cup is empty too.”

“Oh, yes.”

The tea slowly filled my empty cup. It was a simple act, one I’d seen several times today. But why did it feel so special now?

I almost shed tears. When Carl left earlier, I could only stare hopelessly at my empty cup. But now, Carl was filling it for me.

It was the same cup, and yet it felt different. Was it not just tea filling the cup but something more? Or was it not just the cup that was being filled? An indescribable happiness welled up inside me.

“Thank you, dear.”

My voice trembled slightly. I felt embarrassed about showing such an ugly side of me amidst the pleasant atmosphere, but Carl just smiled at me as if nothing had happened.

Suddenly, I wondered. How long had it been since this child smiled at me like this?

“You should have refilled Mother’s cup sooner.”

“Carl, you’ll tire out Erich.”

“Nanny, is there no sparkling water…?”

Erich’s request prompted Laura to pick up a bottle, her expression bright. I probably had the same look on my face.

The impromptu tea party didn’t last long, which was a bit disappointing—

“It was a pleasure to be with you, madam. If it’s alright, may I visit again?”

“Of course, Young Lady.”

My sadness vanished instantly. How could I not be pleased at the thought that my benefactor might return? Apart from that, a faint hope arose that Carl might accompany her again if she came.

With that hopeful thought, I casually looked toward Carl and caught his eye as he was whispering something to Erich.

“I’ll see you at dinner.”

Carl’s words left me momentarily stunned before I hastily nodded in agreement. Right, it was normal for the family to gather at mealtime. That was how it should be.

“Yes. Let’s see each other then.”

Of course. It was only normal.

I bit my lip hard to stop the tears. If I let my guard down, I might cry like how I did in front of Laura.

With that, Carl and Erich left, saying we would see each other at dinner. Then, I briefly held back Lady Marghetta as she was about to leave.

“Madam?”

She blinked as if asking what the matter was, and I cautiously began to speak.

“I was worried about Carl living alone in the capital, but I’m glad that he met someone like the lady at the Academy.”

“You’re being too kind. I’m the lucky one to have met Carl.”

“I feel reassured knowing that you’re by his side.”

And then, I let out a small sigh.

It was funny that I was saying this now.

Ideally, I should have met Lady Marghetta last year when the rumors in society began to spread.

“Spreading that rumor in the social circles must have taken courage, and I’m sorry for ignoring you for a whole year.”

“Oh, yes, yes…”

“I’m not against the Young Lady. I just want you to know that.”

Lady Marghetta bowed several times with a dazed look and then left.

Seeing her like that, I realized that she wasn’t just a deeply mature person. She was also quite cute for her age.

***

Starting today, I’m going to pray three times a day to Enen.

“I feel reassured knowing that you’re by his side.”

“I’m not against the Young Lady. I just want you to know that.”

It was clear that Enen favored me. I could be sure of it. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be happening.

‘Hehe, fufufufu…’

I desperately held back the laughter that threatened to leak out since I was still in the rear garden. I couldn’t let Mother hear such frivolous laughter.

However, something felt off.

‘The social circles?’

And a year? What did she mean? I do remember something about last year, but she said she heard it from the social circles. So, it wasn’t something she had heard from Carl?

‘Why…?’

Why would Mother hear about me through the social circles? If it’s that kind of news, then it could hardly be called good news.

Could it have spread? That Carl rejected me? Was it all over the social circles?

…For real?

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