“Then I’ll relay that message, and send them away saying there’s an outing scheduled for today.”

“Yes, yes! I’ll do that. Then shall I prepare for the outing as planned?”

“Please do. I’ll be out for quite a while, so take it easy in the afternoon.”

The wrinkles finally eased on the butler’s face, which had been stiff with fatigue.

I began my morning preparations, watching the back of the butler as he left the room with a relaxed expression.

“My lady is so popular, all sorts of things happen.”

“It’s not me, but the Daiern duchy that’s appetizing.”

“That must be it too!”

Said the maid who was brushing my hair.

But this one is peculiar too.

Other servants can rest at the mansion while the children and I are out.

But it’s different for maids. They are attendants who must follow me wherever I go.

Yet, I wonder why she looks so happy even after working so late yesterday.

“But my lady, is it really alright to accept proposals like that?”

“There’s nothing wrong with it. I just have to receive them.”

What else can I do? It’s all done according to circumstances.

There’s no law saying this shouldn’t be done in the etiquette books of high society.

Is it obvious? No one has ever experienced proposal terrorism from countless suitors swarming like cattle in a field.

But I’m really concerned.

The maid’s smile I see through the mirror is too bright.

Wondering if she might be misunderstanding something, I opened my mouth.

“Loretta. You know you have to go out with me in a while, right?”

“Pardon?”

“If you were thinking of resting like the other servants, I’m sorry. But you’re my only attendant maid, so there’s no choice.”

“Th-that’s not it…!”

“Then why is your face so full of smiles?”

The startled maid checked her face in the mirror. Then, blushing as if embarrassed, she said:

“Well, honestly, I didn’t like any of the people proposing to you, my lady. They probably only had ulterior motives after seeing your pretty face.”

“What?”

“I hated seeing foolish people targeting you more than staying up all night working, you know? But since you wisely rejected them, I guess I won’t have to see them swarming like insects in front of the mansion anymore?”

Now it was my turn to be at a loss for words.

I just blinked for a moment, hearing such an absurd thing. The maid, Loretta, continued speaking.

“But I feel a bit sorry now that it’ll be quiet in front of the mansion. Honestly, seeing them line up in front of the mansion waiting just for you made me feel good, like our lady is incredibly popular.”

A laugh escaped me. Perhaps because she’s still a young maid in her twenties, her thoughts are quite cute.

“Stop with the unnecessary flattery. I was planning to have a dress made for you too when we go out today. Don’t you need to prepare for winter?”

“It’s not flattery…! But, will you really have one made for me?”

After finishing breakfast, I got into the prepared carriage with the children and headed to the boutique street in the imperial capital.

The butler must have relayed the message well, as most of the proposal groups that had been lined up like ants in front of the mansion had dispersed.

Of course, there were still some who hadn’t read the atmosphere and were lingering around the mansion. Well, that’s not my concern.

Soon, the carriage bearing the Daiern crest entered the boutique street.

It was a morning hour when the weak sunlight couldn’t quite offset the chilly November air.

“We’ll visit the dressmaker’s first.”

Today was a particularly busy day.

I started briefing the children on the planned route before reaching our destination.

“I’ve always had the dressmaker’s madam come to the house to take your measurements and make clothes, but from today, I’ll let you choose the fabrics yourselves.”

The three children had different reactions to my words.

Kardiel nodded expressionlessly, Euphemina looked full of questions, and Chersion’s cheeks were flushed with anticipation.

“Why do we have to do that?”

Euphemina asked with a gentle face.

“It’s a good experience to have clothes made with colors and textures you each like. Until now, you’ve only worn what I had made for you. There might be things you like too.”

In fact, children of noble families would have experienced this long ago.

Because that husband of mine would act wickedly whenever he saw the children, I had to take isolation measures, so there hadn’t been an opportunity until now.

“I prefer what mom makes for me…”

“Is that so? Mom is curious about what Euphy likes. That way I can refer to it when making things for you next time.”

“That sounds good.”

The mole on Euphemina’s cheek stretched as she smiled. I don’t know how her beaming face can be so pretty.

“It’ll take longer than you think. After that, we’ll go buy the necessary items you mentioned yesterday, and lastly, we’ll choose the wood to make furniture.”

“Then what time is the expected return?”

“If we go according to schedule, it’ll be around 9 o’clock. Dinner will be later than usual, so we’ll eat the sandwiches we brought when you start feeling hungry.”

“Sandwiches! It feels like we’re going on a picnic!”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t been able to go on a picnic with you. Shall we go sometime?”

“Yay, picnic!”

“I like picnics.”

“……”

Although he still looks composed, even Kardiel’s cheeks are slightly flushed, clearly showing he’s looking forward to it.

As we were talking like that, the carriage drove through the boutique street and arrived in front of our first destination, the dressmaker’s.

The dressmaker’s is located towards the outskirts of the boutique street.

It seems that being in a highly accessible location is preferred, as it’s the most visited place by people of all ages and genders.

“Wow!”

“Mother! The street is hu-huge!”

The children’s eyes, who got out of the carriage first, widened. Especially Chersion, who was almost falling backwards.

For the children, who had only been to the theater a few years ago for a proper outing, the boutique street must be like another world.

A place also known as the street of luxury to commoners.

Splendid dressmakers and dazzling jewelry shops, shoe stores, hat shops, cane makers for gentlemen, and toy workshops that noble children can’t pass by.

This place was truly for the upper class.

That’s why despite the very wide streets of the boutique area, there are hardly any passersby. Most travel by carriage.

“Stepmother, please take my hand as you descend.”

“Oh my.”

As I was about to get out of the carriage, it was Kardiel who offered his hand.

I, who had been naturally waiting for the coachman’s hand, blinked and looked at Kardiel.

Still the same stolid face showing no expression.

‘Goodness, when did he grow so much?’

Though a belated observation, I felt overwhelmed with emotion.

When I first entered the Daiern duchy, he was just a five-year-old child.

“Thank you, Kar.”

“……”

Without refusing, I took the hand of my son, which had become firm, and alighted.

Now his head rises higher than mine. I wonder where he learned to think of escorting a lady.

Come to think of it, in 3 years when Kardiel comes of age, marriage talks will naturally start circulating.

Though it may seem too early to think about, I became curious about who would take our Kardiel away.

“…Why are you looking at me like that, Stepmother?”

I must have been lost in thought for too long.

Suddenly realizing I had been staring for too long, I reached out and gently brushed back Kardiel’s fallen hair.

“I’m just so proud of our son.”

“…You flatter me.”

He always deflects like this when he’s embarrassed. It makes me want to pinch his cheeks right away.

It was then that the boutique door swung open.

“My goodness, Duchess Daiern. What an honor that you remember to visit us again. This Madam Petrika has been waiting with an excited heart since receiving your message.”

A plump but fashionably dressed woman came out to greet us with quick steps.

Although I had sent word in advance, it was only delivered a few hours ago, yet her face was clearly delighted.

“Thank you for accommodating us despite the sudden reservation that must have been inconvenient.”

“Inconvenient? Not at all. And no matter how busy, isn’t the Duchess’s reservation always top priority for this Petrika?”

Madam Petrika is the dressmaker I visit whenever I stay in the imperial capital.

To be precise, I had entrusted most of my clothes to her even before marriage.

After marriage, I’ve consistently entrusted the children’s clothes to her as well.

Of course, it was in the style of just sending measurements and having her make them. Because it was difficult to go out for various reasons.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time meeting you in person. Young Duke, Young Lady, and Young Master. I am the head dressmaker of this shop, Madam Petrika.”

She then affectionately bowed to the three children as well.