“Can I go out?”

“Of course. Go and greet your friends quickly.”

Having received Luke’s permission, Bonita dashed out like a squirrel. Thanks to her, the servant who was standing in front of the door followed her, worried that the young lady might stumble.

Bonita, now accustomed to the Duke’s mansion, descended the elaborate staircase. Rather than descending the stairs, it was almost like sliding down.

“Miss, a bit slower, please! You might fall!”

Children often don’t pay attention to the worries of adults, especially when excited. Fortunately, Bonita was a relatively well-behaved child. Hearing the urgent cries of the servant, she started walking a bit slower than before. Still, it was undoubtedly a much faster pace than usual.

Luckily, the precious young lady of the mansion did not fall and burst into tears. Arriving safely in front of the main gate, Bonita stood side by side with Viscount Hyaecinth and his wife, observing three boys squabbling.

“Oh, it’s Bonita! Bonita!”

Alan, the first to spot Bonita, shook hands with a delighted expression. Bonita was about to run towards him when she stopped subtly, glancing at the Duke and his wife who were watching her.

“Hello, Viscountess. Viscount.”

“Long time no see.”

“Nice to meet you.”

The Viscountess and the Viscount greeted consecutively. The Viscount took off his hat upon entering the mansion.

“Did you say your name was Bonita? Thanks for inviting our sons. Congratulations on your birthday, and enjoy the day.”

“Of course, I had to invite them, Father.”

Alan interjected.

“Boni and I have become really close friends.”

“Why only you?”

“I’ll do it second.”

“Childish…”

Cassis, who heard the verbal sparring of his two older brothers, muttered. Just before Alan was about to snap in response, a second carriage slid into the Duke’s mansion.

It was Count Rovigny.

Alan, surprised, asked.

“Oh? Did you invite someone else besides us?”

“Yeah.”

Bonita nodded.

“I also invited Maya.”

“Ugh…”

Alan, who had scolded Maya for tearing her painting last time, made a groaning sound.

Derek, beside him, tapped his complaining brother on the back.

“What does it matter? You apologized, and she said it’s okay.”

“That’s true.”

Alan murmured, touching his own ear. Apparently, meeting Maya again made him feel embarrassed.

Meanwhile, Count Rovigny and his wife approached. They greeted Hazel and the Viscount and then congratulated Bonita.

“It’s our first meeting, but still, happy birthday.”

“Thank you!”

“Well, Maya, you should greet too.”

“Hello…”

Maya, who met Bonita after almost two weeks, timidly greeted. Bonita smiled at Maya.

“Never mind.”

At that moment, heavy footsteps were heard from above the stairs.

A significantly large figure of a duke appeared. The actions of the Rovigny Count’s family and the children momentarily stiffened.

Whether to say something or not.
Already accustomed to living with the fear of others, Luke didn’t pay much attention. However, it was a bit disheartening to receive fear even from Bonita’s friends.

He deliberately tried to put on a friendlier smile than usual.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, hello!”

“Eek.”

“Wow. Uh, hello.”

…It didn’t have much effect.

Catherine, who was behind him, clicked her tongue.

“If you scare the kids, why don’t you step aside and welcome the guests?”

“That’s too much…”

Luke sighed in a displeased tone and then flashed a bloodshot look at the adults.

“All right, everyone, follow me.”

At that, everyone, except Bonita and Hazel, began to tremble.

Luke inwardly rubbed his forehead.

Anyway, his appearance wasn’t helpful.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

“What games should we play?”

Alan, who entered Bonita’s playroom, spun around in a chair.

He seemed to enjoy the spinning chair quite a bit. Cassis, annoyed by the spinning motion, grumbled.

“Brother, calm down. Can’t you sit still for a minute?”

“Hmph, I can’t help it if I want to do something. Nyeh.”

In the midst of their childish quarrel, Cassis chuckled.

Maya, who was standing close to Bonita, cautiously spoke.

“Um, how about asking Bonita? Today is Bonita’s birthday, isn’t it… right?”

“That’s a reasonable idea.”

Derek agreed. He looked at Bonita and asked.

“Bonita, what’s your favorite game? We’ll play that.”

“Well…”

Given the choice of games, Bonita hesitated.

What she wanted to do most today was to disassemble the train toy Luke had promised to give her.

However, she hadn’t unwrapped the gift yet. Luke had mentioned that they would start the birthday party in earnest after lunch.

‘Besides, who else did he say is coming?’

Bonita was curious about the guests Luke had invited but didn’t ask.

“Then let’s play a board game.”

Bonita had decided to try the fascinating and new game Luke taught her last night with her friends.

The four children watched as Bonita chose one of the many game boxes on the bookshelf.

Alan, who was spinning in the chair, marveled.

“Wow, you have so many games at your house. I’ve never seen so many before.”

“Is that so?”