Upon seeing the two hats engaging in playful banter again, Aria almost burst into laughter. A peculiar smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

However, it wasn’t a situation that could be left as it was. Above all, she needed to explain why the schedule was delayed by a day.

Aria, who withdrew her hand from Bonita’s head, put on a apologetic expression and explained, “I’m sorry. It rained a lot last night, making it difficult for the carriage to depart. Fortunately, the weather cleared up in the morning.”

When they were about to leave after the social gathering yesterday, it unexpectedly started raining as if there were holes in the sky.

For other nobles, returning home wasn’t a big problem. Most of them lived not far from their residences in the capital.

However, the Renaissance Duchy was located at the southernmost part of the kingdom. It took several hours by carriage, and there were many poorly maintained roads, making it possible for the carriage wheels to get stuck or even break in the middle.

Unable to continue, Aria considered finding lodging nearby. At least until Hazel suggested it.

“Shall we stay overnight? Our kids seem to want to play more with the lady.”

“…Would that be alright?”

Aria didn’t outright reject Hazel’s kindness.

Moreover, even if the other party didn’t recognize it, Hazel was one of Aria’s precious friends. It wouldn’t hurt to spend a little more time together.

When the duchess gave her approval, the three brothers hesitated. Derek exclaimed with a bright face, “Great!”

“Well, let me introduce you to our mansion. It’s splendid inside, not just the garden.”

“Stay with me instead of the brothers. They’re noisy, and we’re the same age.”

The three brothers seemed pleased that Bonita liked them. Especially Hazel, who, seeing the proactive Cassis, remarked a bit surprised, “It’s the first time Cassis has shown interest in a peer. Looks like the lady has captured his heart.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Actually, Cassis resembles me a lot in terms of personality. So, I was a bit worried…”

Unlike Hazel’s gentle appearance and the strangely cheerful disposition of the duke’s two children, Cassis, who looked like Hazel, was on the sharp side, both in appearance and personality. He also seemed more mature than his peers, similar to Hazel.

Hazel smiled with a slightly nostalgic smile as she held Bonita’s hand. Although curious about the duke’s peculiar behavior, she couldn’t help but wonder how it would have been if they had been close friends since Elodie’s childhood. She met them in her mid-teens, and now it was an unfounded assumption that couldn’t be verified.
“Heh. Anyway, the brothers are both too childish. Like kids. Don’t you agree, Bonita?”

“Yeah, but we are kids, though…”

A maid intervened among the lively children. With red hair and freckles, she smiled familiarly and spoke to the kids.

“Alright, young masters, and miss. I’ll bring some snacks, so let’s go to the playroom.”

“Snacks!”

“I want a chocolate cake!”

The four children followed the energetic maid, neglecting their caregiver.

That day, the three sons of the duke and Bonita had an enjoyable time.

Meanwhile, Aria had a chance to talk about various things with Hazel alone.

“It’s been a long time since I invited someone in front of me. …After Elodie died, unless it was absolutely necessary, no one was invited.”

“Is that so…”

“Yes. Anyway, it’s not good for the children if outsiders come in too much.”

Of course, she couldn’t express her true feelings as she used to. Aria had no intention of telling Hazel about her current situation.

Hazel, too, occasionally brought up Elodie’s topic but didn’t inquire in detail about how Aria and Bonita had been living.

Despite the superficial conversations, the two got along quite well. Since they were originally close, it was natural.

Even though one party was unaware of this fact.

Hazel also seemed to feel comfortable with Aria. When parting, her attitude became much softer than at the beginning.

“It was a pleasant day, Lady Hilton. Please invite our kids to the duchy when you have time.”

“Of course!”

It was a very enjoyable time.

Spending a day with Hazel, Aria realized anew how exhausted she had been.

Being in the midst of people who didn’t recognize her and were hostile was more mentally exhausting than she thought.

Moreover, they were the family she cherished.

Even though she loved them, and they missed Elodie terribly… not being able to get close to them was so painful.

Especially now that the thought of returning to the happier times was impossible.

Still…

“Tsk. It doesn’t make sense for such a small and fragile kid to run through the rain. It would be a disaster if she caught a fatal illness like Elodie.”

Catherine said with her tongue. Although she gave Aria a jab, she, too, couldn’t go due to the rain last night.

That was why she couldn’t bring the two of them. Especially with the strong currents around the Renaissance Duchy, trying to hitch a carriage in the pouring rain was suicidal.

“You’ve become a bit more honest, Mother?”