Chersion was sitting down crying, surrounded by servants and tutor Mr. Rosier trying to comfort the child, and I noticed the fish tank that Chersion was hugging.

Lastly.

I saw three goldfish floating on the surface of the water, their white bellies turned upwards.

“Mother……”

As expected.

‘So this is what happened.’

When I first saw that scene, surprisingly, what came to mind was how remarkably calm I was.

Thanks to that, I was able to recall what was more important than figuring out how this happened, who caused it, when it occurred, and other such factual matters.

“Big Eyes, Spotty, and Reverse……”

“It’s alright, Chelsea. It’s alright.”

I embraced Chersion, who was already covered in tears.

Patting the child, comforting, grieving together, mourning the death of the goldfish.

But at that moment, I was inwardly breathing a sigh of relief. Thinking it was fortunate that it was just the goldfish that died.

‘Lord Joseph must have known.’

That Chersion’s first pet would die today.

Is that why he recommended goldfish or guppies instead of the puppy that Chersion wanted so badly?

‘If we had brought home Spot, what Chersion would be holding now would be that small white puppy.’

Yes, I am now daring to weigh the value of lives. But it can’t be helped.

I am someone who empathizes and relates more to the pain and sorrow of my beloved son than to goldfish with which I’ve never had an emotional exchange.

I comforted the sobbing Chersion.

Let’s bury them together under the tree tomorrow morning, they’ve gone to a good place, because our Chelsea loved them so much.

Only after those comforting hands rested on the child’s shoulders for quite some time did Chersion finally stop crying and compose himself.

The sleeping Chersion was too heavy for me to carry. How would I get down to the second floor?

“When did you two come?”

“Just a while ago.”

“Not long ago. Is Chersion alright?”

Only then did I notice that Kardiel and Euphemina were also nearby.

It seems they had come out of concern for their sibling while lying in bed.

“Chelsea has fallen asleep. He might need a bit more time though.”

“It must be heavy, I’ll carry him.”

I was about to say it was fine, but Kardiel’s actions were faster.

He stepped forward and easily lifted Chersion, almost snatching him away.

Boys certainly have different strength. Seeing him lift so much more easily and comfortably than I could made me feel proud but also a bit envious.

This worked out well. I took this opportunity to look around at the gathered servants.

“It’s late, so everyone should retire for the night. However, as we need to investigate what happened, don’t clean this room until tomorrow. If anyone knows anything, come to me separately.”

The servants dispersed following my instructions, though their faces showed concern.

However, one person, the children’s tutor, remained standing in place.

Saul Rosier. The white-haired old man in his seventies was a friend of my grandfather and also my teacher since childhood.

Until yesterday, his health wasn’t good.

“Mr. Rosier, has your health improved?”

“Thanks to the Duchess’s concern, it has improved greatly.”

He still seems to have a slight cough, but seeing him walking around, he certainly looks better.

However, I’m still worried as his complexion looks a bit dark.

“By the way, do you have something to say?”

“Hmm……”

Leaning on his cane with both hands, Mr. Rosier paused for a moment to choose his words.

I waited for a moment, but he soon slowly shook his head.

“Young Master Chersion’s distress may be greater than expected, so it would be good to take extra care of him for a while.”

“……I will do so.”

Mr. Rosier left those words and slowly walked away. A servant supported him.

But what was that?

‘It clearly seemed like that wasn’t what he intended to say.’

I was puzzled but didn’t ask on the spot.

The children were still beside me, and if Mr. Rosier didn’t say it, it was probably something not good for the children to hear.

‘Come to think of it, paying more attention to Chelsea for a while……’

Thinking about it, Chersion is the most tender-hearted of all.

I decided to take Mr. Rosier’s advice.

“Kar, I’m sorry, but could you move Chelsea to my room?”

“……To your room, you mean?”

“Yes. He’ll likely be very distressed today, so I think it’s best if he sleeps beside me for a while.”

“Understood.”

Kardiel adjusted his hold on Chersion without further words.

Then Euphemina, who had been standing silently, scurried over to my side and grabbed the hem of my clothes.

“Euphy?”

“Me too.”

“Hm?”

“I want to sleep next to Mama too.”

There’s no reason not to. The bed is certainly wide enough.

Besides, Euphemina will soon start formal etiquette lessons.

This means there’s not much time left for such childish whims to be allowed.

“Alright, Euphy can sleep next to Mama today too.”

I grasped Euphemina’s hand tightly. The child smiling shyly like a pure flower was still lovely.

“Then what about Kar?”

“……If I join too, the bed will be too crowded.”

Honestly, Kardiel’s refusal was within expectations.

I was quite proud of how well he could refuse with such polite words.

So I went down to the second floor to spend the night with the two children. Suddenly, my daughter asked.

“But Mama, why was Chelsea crying?”

I looked down at Euphemina. It seems she hadn’t seen the dead goldfish.

“The goldfish Chelsea brought home yesterday disappeared. That’s why Chelsea is so sad.”

I explained the fact with a bitter expression. Then Euphemina tilted her head and expressed doubt.

“I don’t understand why he’s sad that the goldfish died.”

Ah, so she knew they had died. I corrected my misunderstanding while feeling rather puzzled.

I didn’t know what more explanation I should give.

It’s natural to feel heartache over death and loss, but how can one refine such a natural thing into language?

“Hmm.”

I had to ponder my answer. In my view, this was no ordinary question.

‘What a profoundly philosophical topic. Why should people grieve over someone’s death?’

I thought Euphemina was still just a child, but now I see she’s grown…

“The purple dress you matched with your stepmother yesterday.”

Huh?

“If someone tore it up so you couldn’t wear it anymore, how do you think you’d feel?”

Suddenly, Kardiel threw a strange question at Euphemina.

Isn’t that comparison a bit off? Goldfish are pets, living beings, while a dress is just a consumable item.

“Who would do such a thing to my dress? Of course I’d be angry!”

Just thinking about it seemed to anger Euphemina as she raised her voice abruptly.

My daughter’s demeanor turned so fierce it startled me for a moment. Even the hand holding mine stiffened.

‘Why is Euphy suddenly acting like this?’

However, Kardiel, facing Euphemina’s fierce expression, spoke calmly with an unperturbed face.

“Then think carefully about what you usually do when your emotions run high.”

“…I’m not sure. Did I cry?”

“It seems you did.”

“Ah, I see. So Chelsea cried because he was upset that the goldfish were broken.”

“That could be it.”

Through this brief exchange, explanations and understandings that I couldn’t grasp passed between them.

Hey, children.

Am I communicating properly with you two?

Chersion still lacked energy the next morning.

I covered the goldfish with a handkerchief and placed them in a small box.

Chersion, dressed in black, came out and buried the goldfish box under the large plane tree in the garden.

A servant skilled in handicrafts brought a finger-sized wooden plaque engraved with the goldfish’s names.

The wooden sign, made overnight, became the tombstone for the three goldfish.

“But I heard goldfish can only breathe in water. There’s no water under the tree, what if they can’t breathe when they’re dead?”

When Chersion worried, another servant brought the tank where the goldfish had lived.

The tank was also buried under the plane tree.

“Big Eyes, Spotty, Reverse. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. Next time we meet, let’s be together for sure.”

Thus ended the simple funeral.

Chersion still seemed quite upset, but appeared to be trying to think positively again.

And I.

“Have you found out what happened?”

I called for the butler, housekeeper, and the maids who had been cleaning the third floor at the time.

I needed to determine the cause of the goldfish’s deaths.

I didn’t think it could be a coincidence for all the goldfish to die within just a few hours.

If someone killed them with ill intent, it would mean there was a hidden danger in the mansion I was unaware of. If not, it would mean the goldfish weren’t healthy to begin with.

I rather hoped for the latter.