<Episode 17>
When I asked Annabelle and Lana what they thought of Master Solomon, they both replied, “He’s just for decoration.”
“It’s nice, but it’s not my style.”
“It’s important to be able to talk about the same things you do ladies and it doesn’t really matter who you’re talking to.”
I felt a little sorry for Master Solomon for his relentless words. But I’m sorry to say, I’m more relieved that I didn’t have to fight with the two of them.
Then their asked me about my story with Master Solomon, digging down to the root of the matter.
I can’t speak anything about his magic and color changes, so just the parts what I can.
Also, I denied the rumor that Master Solomon is loose with women.
Master Solomon is not a dishonest man.
Even though we’ve only known each other for a short time, I can say that with certainty.
Annabelle raised her eyebrows in amusement and said “Heh,” while Lana turned away with a sulky look.
* * *
And the next day.
On short notice, they were to attend a tea party at the Duke of Rimmel’s house, which has ties to Lana’s family.
I couldn’t refuse the sulking Lana’s request, although I’m not sure how often I should play around with her.
I was told, “You won’t be able to see me as often after you get married, so I want you to hang out with me at least for now.” or “Chelsea, you don’t feel lonely even though you can’t see me,” etc.
I was really whiny.
I can’t resist the line, “Who’s more important, Master Solomon or me?!”
I couldn’t resist when she said it like a lonely lover.
When I agreed, she was in a very good mood, as if she had forgotten how to sulk.
A little selfishness is also part of Lana’s charm, so well, let’s call it good.
“I’m so glad you could make it, Lana. And Miss Annabelle and Miss Chelsea, it’s nice to see you all after such a long time.”
The hostess, Duchess Rimmel, greeted us with a kind smile.
Perhaps it was the warm personality of the lady, or perhaps it was the fact that the people who had gathered there were all very calm and collected.
The time passed leisurely in a friendly atmosphere.
As we strolled through the stunning garden, we too engaged in idle chitchat about trivial things.
“?”
Suddenly, something moves at the edge of my vision.
The hedge behind Lana was swaying even though there was no wind.
I found a black shadow at my feet and wondered if an animal had wandered in.
But you soon realize it’s not the case.
(Child?)
The tip of a tiny shoe protrudes from the hedge.
If you look closely, you will see a child on his knees, hiding in the shadows of the hedge.
“Chelsea, what’s wrong?”
“Uh, …… Um.”
I quickly remove one of the earrings by pretending to put my hand on my cheek.
She forced herself into the cuffs and then laughed with a troubled look on her face.
“I think I lost one of my earrings.”
“Oh, my God. Chel look for it together.”
“Yeah, let’s split up.”
“It’s okay!”
I now remember that I had made a similar mistake before.
(Come to think of it, my friend was a beautiful goddess and angel, both outside and inside.)
“I know where it is, so go back to the venue first.”
“Are you sure you’re okay on your own?”
“Yeah, I’ll catch up with you soon.”
After hastily covering it up, the two reluctantly leave.
After seeing it off, I squatted down by the hedge and called out to him.
“What’s wrong? Did you get lost?”
“……!”
She didn’t think that I was talking to her, but after a few seconds pause, she jumped and her little body bounced.
In the gap between the hedges was a little girl about five years old.
I see her large, wide-open eyes slowly moisten, and I am impatient.
“Eh, sorry.”
“I’m sorry.”
The girl was quicker than I could apology for being upset.
I froze with my mouth half open, and she continued to apologize.
“I’m sorry for going out into the garden without permission.”
The sight of a small child tearfully apologizing is terribly heartbreaking.
Confused, I put my hands on both sides of the girl and picked her up.
“Huh?”
“I’m sorry I startled you.”
I gently hugged the stiffened body and patted it on the back to appease it.
As I continued to patting at regular intervals, the tension slowly released.
When I looked into her eyes, the corners of her eyes were red, but no tears were spilling.
She didn’t seem intimidated and let out a breath of relief.
“Will you forgive me?”
The girl nodded her head cockily and small.
The childish gesture and the reddish nose were so cute that I couldn’t help but break down into a smile.
Summing up the calm girl’s story, she is apparently the child of a noble family from a neighboring country.
She is visiting her sisters at their relatives, the Dukes of Rimmel, and has been staying there for a few days.
They promised to be quiet during the tea party and play in their room but ……
“My sister hate Dahlia. That’s why she gets angry all the time.”
As we continue down the hedge pathway, we listen to what the girl ……
Dahlia-chan is saying. Dahlia-chan, who had been speaking frantically in a broken voice, sniffled gruffly.
“She gets angry when I’m around her, she gets angry when I go outside,…… and she always has a scary look on her face. I’m sure she’s happy right now that Dahlia is gone.”
“Really?”
“That’s right”
Even though I was telling myself this, I felt like I was about to cry even more.
You may think she don’t like you, but she don’t want you to hate her.
“You won’t know unless you ask, right?”
“I know.”
The nasal voice with a muddled tone is pitiful and adorable.
“Because Dahlia is a slow learner……”
“My friends sometimes get mad at me because I’m also laid back person. We’re the same here.”
Lana and Annabelle often scold me for not being cautious. Daria rolled her eyes at me at I smiled.
“Don’t you hate it when people being scolded at you ……?”
“My friend got mad at me because they were worried about me. So I don’t mind”
“Worry …….”
Dahlia-chan mumbles in a small voice and ponders.
With her in my arms after she fell silent, I handed towards the mansion.
I was on my way around to the side of the house, thinking that the main entrance was a bad idea.
Voices came down from second floor.
“Dahlia!”
Leaning out from the balcony railing, looking desperate, is another adorable little girl.
The child, who looked like a dignified version of Dahlia, seemed to extend her hand toward us, but then quickly pulled it back.
The sound of hurried footsteps and doors opening and closing reach here.
“Big Sister Pamela ……”
After all, that girl is probably Dahlia’s sister.
It doesn’t look like she hates her by any means, and I’m sure Dahlia has noticed that.
I’m kind of glad that little heartbreaking problem seems to be going away.
(I just hope they understand that I am not the kidnapper.)
From what I saw earlier, it is very likely that I was judged as a bad person who dared her precious little sister.
(If this is going to happen, I should have learned from my father how to effectively get down on my knees.)
I wonder if this is how the Reed family’s unintelligible secret rituals are passed down.
While I was thinking about such a ridiculous thing, I saw a little girl running from the other side of the room with holding the hand of a tall man.
She lowers Daria-chan to the ground and runs off with unsteady steps.
Pamela opened her arms and hugged Dahlia.
“I’m always worrying about you! You diot Dahlia!”
“I’m sorry.”
I raise my hands to my side, beside I watch the touching reunion.
Turning to the man with the complicated look on his face, I said.
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
I was not sure what to say, and I think I chose some pretty dubious words.
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