Just in case, the maid who tasted the remaining tea frantically searched for plain water.

As expected, something was off. The tea was indeed properly ruined.

“To think they showed no reaction despite this.”

“Could it be that the royals usually drink it this sweet, butler?”

“That can’t possibly be the case.”

“Then why on earth……”

There was only one conclusion.

They didn’t want to offend Lieselotte by pointing out the taste of Daiern’s tea in front of her.

“What a shame. If madam had been displeased, she wouldn’t have paid any attention to them, royalty or not.”

“Moreover, about that royal, they stayed for an unusually long time.”

“They were even chatting and laughing with madam, weren’t they?”

“How irritating!”

The servants all expressed their displeasure.

In truth, there was a reason they had planned this. They despised those who proposed to Lieselotte.

“Even so, how dare they look down on our madam?”

“To marry madam, even a whole kingdom as dowry wouldn’t be enough. They’d need to bring a continent!”

“Exactly! Who do they think our madam is? Even a royal descendant isn’t good enough!”

“Even an emperor won’t do! It should be at least a wizard king who ruled the magic era. To serve a goddess, shouldn’t one be of at least that status?”

“The butler’s words are absolutely right!”

In other words, they couldn’t acknowledge anyone as worthy of Lieselotte, no matter who came.

Of course, they all knew they had no right to interfere in their master’s marriage.

That’s why they were doing things like this.

To them, Lieselotte meant much more than just their lady of the house.

It wasn’t only the three children who had endured under the tyrannical rule of Duke Daiern all this time.

The servants too were thoroughly oppressed.

Those who had to worry about their daily survival couldn’t quit their jobs out of fear of the duke’s tyranny and retaliation.

‘How has madam treated us?’

‘Even a beast’s offspring knows to be grateful for being raised and fed.’

In any case, the servants couldn’t help but be bothered by the presence of a suitor who didn’t point out the bad tea.

Moreover, a younger man with a rather handsome face, who got along well with Lieselotte, and had impeccable character and status!

“We absolutely cannot accept this.”

“What is it that you cannot accept?”

“Of course, it’s… Oh my!”

The servant who was about to answer reflexively bowed their head in shock.

When did the young master come in here?

The servants who had been chattering away just moments ago suddenly bowed politely.

“Our apologies, young master. It seems we were engaged in conversation among the maids and failed to notice your entrance. I will ensure this doesn’t happen again, so please forgive us generously.”

“I see. Very well.”

The butler courteously covered for the maids’ mistake.

The young master, Kardiel, seemed to accept this explanation and didn’t inquire further.

“Did you attend to stepmother and His Highness the prince throughout their conversation?”

Instead, Kardiel asked the serving maids about what had transpired earlier.

When the maids confirmed, he asked them to report all the conversations they remembered, as well as the expressions and actions of the two.

The serving maids recalled and recounted the conversation between Prince Raphael and Lieselotte.

In fact, the maids who had been secretly exchanging glances while paying attention to the atmosphere between the two were able to explain the situation relatively accurately.

“…You say the prince blushed?”

“Yes, without a doubt. He seemed quite flustered by madam’s words of ‘courtesy’.”

“When madam spoke about you, young master, and Miss Euphemina and Master Chersion, asking him to be friends…”

“He didn’t react much then, but when madam suggested having tea together, his face…”

“He smiled so brightly. Anyone could see he clearly had ulterior motives towards madam.”

“…”

Kardiel’s face remained as expressionless as usual after hearing the maids’ account.

The maids, who had become excited and gossiped freely as they told the story, suddenly held their breath.

They wondered if they had gone too far in their words about the royal.

If they weren’t careful, they could end up in the underground prison for insulting the royal family…

“Well done. I’ll arrange for a separate reward for you.”

“Pardon?”

“Butler. Double today’s wages for these maids and give them three days off.”

“Understood, young master.”

“From now on, whenever stepmother receives guests, observe their conversations as you did today and report to me. I will reward you accordingly.”

Bright smiles bloomed on the maids’ faces.

They bowed deeply in gratitude until Kardiel left the reception room again.

‘As expected.’

‘The young master was on our side too.’

‘To have the young master as our backing. We were right!’

It was an incident that further increased the servants’ loyalty to the Daierns.

“Big Eyes, Spotty, Freckles. Eat well and grow big, okay?”

Chersion, sitting in front of a small fish tank, spoke to the goldfish as he sprinkled food for them.

The goldfish swam up to the surface as if to say ‘thank you’ and opened and closed their mouths to eat the food.

“So cute. It’s a shame I couldn’t bring Kongsam, but I still like you better!”

Kongsam was the name of the white puppy that Chersion had fallen for at first sight.

With its black eyes and nose, it looked like it had three black beans stuck on its face, hence the name…

“No, it’s okay. It’s better for Kongsam to stay with his mother while he’s young.”

Though he tried to console himself like this, Chersion was truly disappointed deep down.

Even though the time they spent together was very short, he had grown quite attached to Kongsam.

If he had brought Kongsam home, he would have first given him a pretty pink ribbon, played with him in the garden, bathed together, and slept hugging him in bed…

That’s what he had planned.

He had thought they would live happily together.

“Sniff.”

But while feeling this disappointment, he also felt quite proud of his decision.

Even if given the chance to go back to last evening and bring Kongsam again, Chersion would not do so.

Chersion knew all too well how sad it is to part with one’s mother at such a young age.

‘It’s alright! Mother and Lord Joseph said they’d bring him in 3 weeks when he’s big enough.’

He could wait that long. He had to wait. He was grown up now!

‘Yes! I’m not a child anymore. I’ll be mature like brother Kar.’

Reassuring himself once more, Chersion watched as Big Eyes, Spotty, and Freckles finished their food and swam back into the depths of the tank.

Their beautiful red and gold fins gliding gracefully through the water was truly mesmerizing.

A smile spread across Chersion’s face as he gazed blankly at the goldfish.

‘So what if we can’t run, bathe, or sleep together.’

From now on, these goldfish were his family too. To be cared for and cherished with love!

“I’m sorry for thinking about Kongsam so much. You must feel neglected, right? I won’t do that anymore. I really do love you!”

So now, what could he do for his beloved family?

As Chersion pondered deeply, he suddenly jumped to his feet.

“I can ask Teacher Rogier!”

The first person who came to mind was the elderly tutor who had been teaching the Daiern siblings for the past 5 years.

It was Teacher Rogier who had given them self-study time instead of lessons since the day before yesterday, saying he wasn’t feeling well.

Apart from welcoming the self-study, Chersion was very worried about the teacher.

So from that day on, he had been visiting Teacher Rogier morning and evening to check on his condition.

Fortunately, thanks to resting well until yesterday, Teacher Rogier had even gone out for a walk this morning, they said. What a relief!

It was just time for the evening visit.

‘I should ask for advice on how to make the fish happy while we take a walk together!’

Come to think of it, he seemed to have forgotten to boast about his new goldfish friends.

He was too preoccupied with rejoicing over Teacher Rogier’s recovery to think of other topics.

There was so much to chatter about. Chersion left the playroom with an excited heart.

And a short while later.

Someone quietly entered the siblings’ playroom.

A green ribbon was held in their hand.

It was late at night, after dinner and tea time had ended and everyone had dispersed to their rooms, when I was informed that there was a problem with Chersion.

Upon hearing the news, I threw a shawl over my nightgown and practically ran down the corridor to the children’s rooms on the third floor.

“Waaaah.”

Chersion’s cries grew louder as I climbed the stairs.

It felt as if my heart was being squeezed. At the same time, I recalled Lord Joseph’s words.

‘I said that Chelsea’s decision then saved the puppy’s life.’

It was a puzzling statement. Yet I admit I didn’t think much of it when he said we’d meet again in two days.

‘I thought I could ask for details when we met again.’

Was I too complacent?

“Chelsea!”

Having reached the third floor, I quickly assessed the situation around me.