“No, no.”

Surprised, Dia quickly put the candy in her mouth. Watching Dia concentrate on the candy that was slowly melting in her mouth, Deborah thought that perhaps this was Dia’s first time eating candy since she was born.

Also, the candy was surprisingly tangy, causing Dia’s previously wrinkled brow to quickly smooth out, melting away beautifully.

Deborah gently smiled.
Dia, enjoying the refreshing and sweet taste in her mouth while looking at the empty space, turned her gaze to Deborah. Deborah, who smiled at her under the sunlight, blushed with a shy pink hue on her face as Dia stared at her absentmindedly.

‘It seems she’s embarrassed to make eye contact with me.’

As Dia lowered her head, Deborah naturally turned her head towards Cedric.

“Please tell Mr. Baker that I’ll definitely pay for the candy.”

“Would it be okay for this candy to be expensive?”

“Oh my. Really? Then I’ll cancel it.”

“Haha.”

Dia saw Deborah, who had regained her courage, playfully teasing Cedric again. Mature attitude, elegant smile – everything sparkled, but the most dazzling was her tenderness.

‘How can she be so tender?’

Everyone around Dia, including Countess Bryce, always found Dia frustrating. It was understandable since Dia was slow to learn and somewhat clumsy. However, Deborah was consistently gentle.

‘Everyone working here is kind, but…’

Cedric, Irene, even the maid who took care of Dia – they were all kind. However, strangely, Deborah’s kindness felt particularly special. Why was that? Dia couldn’t find the reason.

‘Maybe it’s because I’m dull.’

Dia wondered when she might understand Deborah’s uniqueness. Could she find out when she leaves this mansion?

‘I hope so.’

Dia silently wished.

An empty corridor. Cedric, who had been walking gracefully with long strides, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“…Pfft.”

He tried to hold it in, but Cedric couldn’t help it and burst into a refreshing laugh, covering his face.

“Puhaha.”

Deborah’s singing voice had not left Cedric’s mind since earlier. How could a person sing like that?

‘Why did her voice tremble like a wounded lamb?’

Cedric couldn’t imitate such a unique tone. And yet, Deborah sang with an extraordinary skill. Why was she so confident with such a remarkable singing ability?

‘Usually, people who can’t sing well are embarrassed and try to hide their skills, right?’

But Deborah looked perfectly fine. Not pretending to be okay, she genuinely seemed so.

‘Well, she doesn’t look ashamed probably because she doesn’t look ordinary.’

Cedric didn’t think that was a bad thing. On the contrary, it felt comfortable.

At that moment, a voice was heard at the end of the corridor.

“Why are you laughing so cheerfully over there?”

It was Jen. Even with his displeased tone and expression, Cedric couldn’t completely erase his laughter.

Cedric pondered. Should he say he was laughing because of Deborah’s song?

‘Um. Maybe it’s better not to say that reason.’

Having made up his mind, Cedric spoke.

“Just because?”

“Hah.”

With a sound expressing disbelief, Jen approached step by step. When he reached arm’s length, he stopped and asked with a serious expression.

“Is it because of Deborah, by any chance?”
“What? No.”

Cedric narrowed his eyes and immediately responded. Jen, after carefully observing his expression for a moment, sighed and asked.

“How does Deborah seem? How’s her condition?”

“She seemed fine. Oh, and she liked the candy too. She also asked to convey her thanks.”

Cedric, who was speaking brightly, suddenly furrowed his brows.

“But why did you choose only one flavor? Not very considerate. It’s more fun to choose from various flavors.”

“Deborah likes yellow candy.”

“What? Yellow candy? Did you mistakenly mention lemon-flavored candy?”

“No. I said it correctly.”

Jen still vividly remembered. The yellow candies that Deborah dropped because of him. They sparkled and were beautiful.

And Deborah’s eyes, which gazed at the scattered candies on the floor while looking distressed, were also beautiful. Beautiful enough to make him pause briefly in the midst of his busy schedule.

‘I didn’t apologize.’

If he could go back to the past, he wouldn’t tap Deborah on the shoulder. He still didn’t like that their first meeting had been like that.

But if he were to go back to right after tapping her shoulder, he would probably act the same way as he did back then. Like a fool, losing his gaze at first sight and then, embarrassed by his shabby appearance, emphasizing only his pride. Because the Jen of that time and the current Jen, who was still captivated at first sight, were not much different.