Initially, Luke was determined to accompany Bonita, but Catherine held him back.

“There’s no need to make the children cry! No, if I’m not going, neither are you! Just stay home!”

“…That’s too harsh, Mother.”

Eventually, they reached a dramatic compromise. They agreed to pick up Bonita together at the end of the social event.

Consequently, only Aria and Bonita rode in the carriage of the Lysianthus Duke’s household.

Bonita looked utterly fascinated, as if her soul had been captivated by the luxurious carriage she was riding in for the first time. Her small mouth hung open in awe.

‘It’s so soft and cushy!’

In disbelief, Bonita repeatedly pressed down on the carriage seat to test its softness. While not as soft as the beds in the Duke’s house, it was certainly more comfortable than the bed in her previous home.

Moreover, there was a small rabbit toy in the carriage that Luke had bought for her in advance.

Bonita excitedly hugged the pink rabbit and bounced her feet. Aria watched her with a bittersweet smile.

‘Bonita shouldn’t be so amazed by such things.’

It was cute, but thinking about why Bonita reacted this way was heart-wrenching.

‘No, never mind.’

Dwelling on the past, which couldn’t be changed, was pointless. Instead, Aria focused on making the adorable Bonita happier.

“Do you want to see something interesting?”

“Something interesting?”

Bonita tilted her head to one side, curious. Aria’s lips twitched with a grin.

“Ta-da!”

She pressed a button under the seat, and suddenly, the carriage floor opened.

Drzzzz.

A table rose from beneath the floor, laden with sweets and cookies that children would love.

“Is it magic?”

Bonita gasped in amazement, her already large eyes widening like a rabbit’s.

Aria let out a short laugh.

“Of course not!”

“How does it come up then?”

“…Uh?”

Aria was taken aback by Bonita’s serious inspection of the table, not expecting such a profound question.

“Is it gears? Or pulleys? Maybe the button is connected to a spring mechanism?”

“Uh… well…”

Having only ever pressed such buttons, Aria found herself flustered by Bonita’s inquisitive nature.

Bonita crouched down, examining the area where the table emerged.

Drzzzz.

Drzzzz.

Drzzzz.

Click, click, click.

Bonita pressed and released the button several times, then pondered aloud.

“I wish I knew how it was made…”

“Maybe it’s a magical device?”

“Could it be?”

Bonita’s innocent, piercing gaze seemed to see right through Aria, who swallowed nervously.

“Ah! There might be a blueprint at the Duke’s house. That would show how it works.”

“A blueprint?”

“It’s a paper with drawings and words explaining how to build mechanical devices. That’s what a blueprint is.”

“Why do they write it down?”

“To make it easier for others to replicate the device. It’s convenient.”

“Why do others need to make the same device?”

“To mass-produce products.”

“What are mass-produced products? Why do they need to be made?”

“Um, that’s because…”

Overwhelmed by Bonita’s endless ‘why’ questions, Aria’s head spun.

Noticing Aria’s distress, Bonita quickly covered her mouth with her hands.

Then she began to look around cautiously.

“…I’m sorry. Did I bother you too much?”

“No, not at all!”

Aria exclaimed hastily.

“It’s not like that at all.”
When Aria first woke up in her new body, Bonita was extremely cautious and observant of her every move. Compared to those initial days, things had improved significantly. Just as Bonita was starting to feel more at ease with her, Aria couldn’t let things revert to how they were before.

“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

“…I’m getting hungry now.”

But by then, Bonita had already retreated back into her timid self. While Bonita looked adorable nibbling on a cookie, the taste in Aria’s mouth was bittersweet.

‘What should I say to her?’

Aria had resolved to do anything for her beloved daughter. If she couldn’t be her real mother, she at least wanted to be a good caregiver to Bonita. But figuring out what exactly to do for a child was a challenging task.

She recalled how her father and brothers treated her when she was young.

“Our Elodie is the cutest in the world.”

“My daughter cried? Execute that man immediately.”

“Our little sister, for your birthday present, I bought an island. Is that not enough? Then, let’s also buy an airship.”

…Those memories weren’t particularly helpful.

Aria realized she had never had to be considerate of others before. Even when she accidentally broke expensive vases, scribbled on priceless paintings, or glued national treasures to the wall, her family at the Lotwail household would just laugh it off, saying, “Our little lady is going to be an artist!” It was a miracle that Elodie hadn’t grown up to be a complete brat.

Aria pondered again, soon realizing that even this contemplation might make Bonita feel uncomfortable.

She calmed her mind and called out to Bonita in a soft, low voice.

“Bonita.”

“…”

“Sweetheart.”

On the second call, Bonita hesitantly raised her head.