“We bumped shoulders while passing by, and it led to an argument.”

“Just because of bumping shoulders?”

“It’s a common occurrence, haha.”

Lord Thompson scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly. His innocent face did seem easy to pick on.

“Get in the carriage with me. I’ll take you home.”

“It’s alright.”

“Get in.”

Despite his strong refusal, I led him back to the carriage. Lord Thompson reluctantly sat opposite me.

After the commotion settled, the carriage moved without issue.

Two days later, during the lesson with Lady Arin, she mentioned the incident with Lord Thompson.

“I heard about it, Veronica. You helped my husband?”

“Did Lord Thompson say that?”

“He said there was no major trouble thanks to you. He wanted to express his gratitude.”

It wasn’t that big of a deal.

“I heard he got into an argument while walking.”

“That happens to him often. Maybe because he looks so kind at first glance.”

Lady Arin cupped her cheek with one hand, looking upset. Veronica sympathized with her concern. She had similar thoughts herself.

“Anyway, I’d like to invite you to dinner. What do you think? Lord Harry too, of course.”

“I’ll ask my father.”

That night, Veronica relayed the dinner invitation to Harry, who gladly accepted. And so, a date was set for dinner at the Thompson residence.

As they got out of the carriage, a modest mansion came into view.

The small but lush green garden and the mansion in the center created a cozy atmosphere.

The Thompson couple greeted them at the front door of the mansion.

Lady Arin smiled brightly at the two of them.

“Lord Harry, Veronica. Welcome.”

“Thank you for the invitation.”

A servant of the Thompson household approached the two to carry their luggage. He was an older man, but with a sturdy build.

An equally aged maid took their hats and coats. While dinner was being prepared, the two were given a tour of the mansion.

Lord Thompson took charge of the tour in place of Lady Arin, who was busy with dinner preparations.

After a brief look around the mansion, the three headed to the garden.

“It’s a small place, so the garden is the only thing to see.”

But even the garden was small and modest. There was a fountain of sorts and an arch covered in vines, but even those were small.

That area was decorated nicely for viewing. But compared to the garden at the Hardness estate, it was a tiny space.

Lord Thompson seemed aware of this and smiled sheepishly.

“It’s a humble space, but my wife decorated it herself.”

“It’s lovely.”

Harry gave a kind compliment. Lord Thompson was naturally pleased. Meanwhile, Veronica looked around the garden without much interest.

The small space made for quick viewing.

Veronica touched the arch created in the center.

Clematis vines climbed the arch, blooming with colorful flower buds in abundance.

It was so lush that standing under the arch blocked out the sky, shading well from the sunlight.

A vegetable garden was visible on one side. It seemed to be used for various purposes.

Not just the vegetable garden, but the flowers in the garden were meticulously cared for. As Lady Arin was said to have decorated it herself, her personality could be felt.

Veronica’s gaze fell on the white flowers planted outside the arch. They were cute flowers with small white petals clustered together.

“Those are marguerites. Cute flowers, aren’t they?”

Lady Arin, who had approached without notice, knelt beside her and explained about the flowers.

She said she planted the flowers herself, while Lord Thompson made the arch. Veronica quietly listened to her chattering.

“Dinner is ready, shall we go?”

Smiling, Lady Arin stood up, and Veronica straightened as well. The three headed to the dining room following Lady Arin.

The dining room was also tiny, fitting the mansion. But the food laid out on the table, though simple in variety, was plentiful.

Knowing that the poor Thompson household only had an old manservant and maid as staff, it was clear how much effort must have gone into preparing so much food.

“I worked hard to prepare it, but I’m not sure if it will suit your taste.”

Lady Arin, seated across from them, smiled shyly. Despite her words, it was evident she had considered their tastes in the preparation.

Harry smiled and picked up his utensils. Veronica followed suit. The food wasn’t extraordinary in taste, but it was certainly delicious.

“Oh, I couldn’t come empty-handed, so I brought a nice fruit wine.”

Harry handed over a paper-wrapped bottle of fruit wine. Lord Thompson reached out with a smile.

“Ahaha. I’ll enjoy it well.”

However, Lady Arin intercepted the fruit wine midway.

“He’s not good with alcohol, so I’ll drink it instead.”

“Oh dear, I should have prepared a different gift.”

“No, no. The thought is enough.”

As Harry became flustered, Lord Thompson waved his hand. He eased the atmosphere by saying, ‘I’m the one who should apologize for not being able to drink together.’

Lady Arin handed the fruit wine to the maid, who brought out glass cups and poured the fruit wine into each.

One glass, two glasses, three glasses, as they kept drinking, the alcoholic mood quickly rose.

After drinking just fruit wine, it felt lacking, so other alcohols were brought out to fill the table.

Harry and Lady Arin were drunk on alcohol, while Lord Thompson was drunk on the atmosphere. Veronica also went along with the lively mood appropriately.

“Veronica. It’s getting late, would you like to stay the night? The room is small, but…”

“If it’s not an imposition.”

Harry heartily accepted Lady Arin’s offer. Veronica sighed.

It seemed he didn’t want to break the current mood.

Having once roamed battlefields, he wasn’t picky about sleeping arrangements, but Veronica didn’t particularly like small rooms.

However, since her father had decided, she obediently followed.

Afterwards, as they drank freely, quite a few empty bottles accumulated on the table.

“Don’t drink too much, Father.”

Father was usually modest, but once he crossed a certain line, he tended to go all out. This was a habit from his long-ago days as a knight.

It was the same with alcohol. Though he didn’t get drunk easily and rarely made mistakes, this wasn’t the Hardness estate. Veronica tried to restrain him.

Harry smiled and said ‘Alright,’ but his continued sipping of alcohol was hardly reassuring.

However, Lady Arin, who had been drinking with Harry, was thoroughly intoxicated. Even drunk, Lady Arin was on the quiet side.

Only, as she reached for a bottle with remaining alcohol with her reddened face, Lord Thompson stopped her hand. After making her let go of the bottle, he gently soothed her.

“You’re drunk, dear.”

“I’m not drunk yet. I’m not.”

“Still, let’s stop drinking and go to the room.”

“I’m perfectly fine…”

Lord Thompson, who had raised Lady Arin as she insisted she wasn’t drunk, gestured with his eyes towards Veronica.

Harry, more sober than Lady Arin, smiled and said it was fine as he drank the remaining alcohol.

At that, Lord Thompson comfortably supported Lady Arin and took her away.

Seeing the maid follow behind, the two guests stood up, and the manservant guided them to the guest room.

The room was modest. It had only the minimum necessary furniture, and just one bed. Harry loosened his tight collar and ran his hand through his hair.

Since neither of them had planned to stay overnight, they hadn’t brought nightclothes. Fortunately, the maid brought them clothes to change into.

Veronica changed clothes with the maid’s help in another room. When she returned, Harry had also changed and was sitting on the bed.

The clothes brought for Harry must have been Lord Thompson’s, as they were too tight.

Seeing him grinning in that state, he seemed quite tipsy despite appearing fine.

“Are you drunk?”

“I wouldn’t get drunk from this much. I just feel good, that’s all.”

“You should go to sleep now.”

Veronica laid him down herself and covered him with the sheet. Then she prepared to sleep and lay down beside him.

The bed was too narrow for two people. Harry had to lie on his side for Veronica to barely fit her body.

Harry pulled the sheet up to cover her to her chin. Veronica stared blankly back at him. His wrinkled eyes curved gently towards her.

“It’s nice to lie down together after so long.”

His low voice scattered by her ear. Veronica smiled faintly too.

His large, rough hand carefully, oh so carefully, stroked her hair and tucked it behind her ear.

It was her father’s touch that she felt after truly a long time.

So gentle, as if afraid she might break if he applied even a little force.

“Veronica. Have you been having any worries lately?”

“Why do you think that?”

“I heard you haven’t been sleeping well since that night you came to this father’s room.”

Who could have told him? Veronica thought, without erasing her smile.

There was no one in the room when she slept, and she hadn’t called for anyone.

“I had a nightmare then. I’m fine now.”

“You really don’t have any worries?”

“What worries could I possibly have?”

“Well, that’s a relief, but…”

“Do you have any worries, Father?”

At those words, Harry laughed silently.

“Are you worried about this father of yours?”

“I just realized I’ve never asked before.”

“What worries could this father possibly have?”

Though he said that, he surely had many worries.

He had to manage the mansion, tend to the estate, occasionally help with the Rining family’s business, please the Emperor’s mood, and indulge his daughter’s whims.

He must have so many difficult things to deal with, yet he had never once shown it to her.

Father, who was so strong. My proud idol.

“As long as my daughter can live happily, this father is alright with anything.”

A traitor to be recorded in history, setting aside honor that could vanish in an instant. Father, still unaware of the misfortune that would befall him, was just smiling tenderly.

His hand was still gently stroking Veronica’s hair. Feeling that touch, Veronica blinked her eyes.

She seemed to have fallen asleep briefly like that.

Bang!

Her eyes flew open at the loud noise. She quickly reached into her pillow and sat up. It wasn’t just her who heard it – Father Harry was also standing with a serious expression, holding his sword.