‘Did she take the initiative to hold my hand?’

Luke’s index finger was gently wrapped by a small and tender hand, yet it felt warm. The warmth of a living being was transmitted to him.

Luke was dumbfounded by the surreal situation.

Then Bonita urged him on.

“Duke, let’s hurry!”

“Ah, yes, right.”

Bonita seemed unaware that she had just reached out to Luke for the first time. This made Luke even happier.

‘Are we getting a bit closer?’

Yes, this must be how a normal child behaves. He hoped Bonita would no longer fear him or feel compelled to act a certain way around him.

Realizing this brought joy to him.

Though he was being led by Bonita, he covered his unheld hand over his mouth, trying to manage his expression.

He must be smiling weirdly right now.

“Ah, but which way should we go?”

Bonita, who had been confidently leading the way, hesitated at a crossroads.

The Duke’s mansion was so vast and complex that it never seemed familiar, no matter how many times one saw it.

Bonita let go of Luke’s hand and tapped her cheek thoughtfully.

Her eyes looked troubled.

‘Getting lost inside the house!’

How could this happen?

It was shockingly unexpected.

“…….”

Meanwhile, Luke gazed at his suddenly released finger, then composed himself and began to walk.

“The mansion is a bit complicated, isn’t it? This way should lead us there.”

“Do you know the entire place by heart, Duke?”

“I have lived here since I was born.”

Luke paid close attention to match Bonita’s pace. Given the significant difference in their strides, he had to take one step for her every five.

“I think it would be hard for me to memorize it even if I lived here for a year.”

“……It’s okay.”

Luke assured her.

“You’ll be living here from now on. Eventually, you’ll get used to it. And…….”

His gaze fell on a servant who paused from wiping and bowed.

“If you ever get lost, just ask one of the servants or maids. Most of them have worked here for a long time and know the place well.”

“I’ll do that.”

Bonita answered with determination.

As they chatted and walked, they soon reached the front door of the mansion. A servant quickly opened the door for the Duke and the young lady.

“Oops.”

As soon as the door opened, a chill breeze blew in. Luke cautiously held back Bonita.

“The night air is cold, we should wear coats before going out.”

A maid quickly caught on to the Duke’s words and moved swiftly. Bonita watched her in amazement.

The maids of the Lysianthus mansion never ran but moved elegantly and quickly.

“How did you bring it so fast?”

“It’s the result of much practice. We are always prepared to comfortably serve you two, Miss.”

The maid, dressed in her uniform, helped Bonita into her coat, speaking in a very kind voice.

“And please feel free to call me casually! After all, you are my young mistress.”

“Um…”

Bonita awkwardly responded.

She was repeatedly told not to speak formally, but it still didn’t feel natural. After all, they were much older adults.

“Let’s go.”

Bonita followed Luke, glancing back. The maid still stood respectfully with her hands clasped.

Gently swaying.

Bonita waved back at her. The maid’s eyes widened.

‘So cute!’

Now in her fourth year at the mansion.

The atmosphere had not been like this when the old mistress was there, but since her arrival, the mansion had been consistently gloomy.

She never imagined that the presence of a young child could change the atmosphere so much.

‘This is real employee welfare!’

She smiled warmly, cheering inwardly.

Although already satisfied, the place seemed like it would become even more pleasant in the future.

The grounds of the Duke’s mansion were vast to the point of being overwhelming. It was more of a forest than a garden.

After wandering for about 30 minutes, Bonita was completely exhausted.

The frightening reality was that this was merely the ‘yard’ of the house, not even the entire estate.

And they were still a long way from the entrance to the main gate.

‘It’s so hot.’

The coat and scarf provided by the maid made her sweat profusely.

Bonita’s hand gently loosened the small scarf around her neck.

Luke, who had been anxiously watching Bonita, spoke first.

“Should we take a break if you’re tired?”

“But…”

Bonita, clutching the brown scarf, trailed off. She was indeed tired and thirsty, but she still wanted to find Aria.

If Bonita were a typical seven-year-old girl, she might have thrown herself on the ground by now, demanding to be carried.

However, apart from being carried as a very young child, Bonita had never been held or carried by anyone.

Aria had briefly held her after she had changed… but that was Aria, not Luke.

For Luke, he had also never experienced holding a child. His fingers twitched several times.

“Bo, Bonita—”

“I, I can walk!”

Her spirited shout halted his attempt to ‘offer a lift’. Luke reluctantly lowered his hand, hiding his disappointment.

Fortunately for them, about five minutes later, they found Aria sitting on a bench.

“Mo—”