“I’ve always been honest!”

Watching the two, it wasn’t as painful to be in the duchy as it used to be.

Moreover, Aria had Bonita now. So, despite longing for the past, she didn’t wish to go back to those times.
At that time, Bonita wasn’t there.

“Did you enjoy the social gathering, Bonita?”

Ignoring his energetic mother, Luke bent his knee. The tone of his question to the child was warm.

“Yes…!”

Bonita nodded with a remembered expression.

“We saw a cookie house, drew pictures, and Cassis, Alan, and Derek introduced us to the inside of the Duke’s mansion. There were a lot of magical empire train toys and books in the playroom. Oh, and balls. And also…”

Luke looked at the lively Bonita with affectionate eyes.

He asked, “So, what did you like the most?”

“Um…”

Bonita pondered, lips smudging with hesitation.

Every time, her slightly chubby cheeks moved shockingly cutely.

“There were a lot of paper, paint, and crayons. And canvases.”

“Canvases?”

Luke asked with a puzzled expression.

There were no separate canvases or sketchbooks in the Duke’s playroom.

Standing behind Bonita, Aria quickly whispered to him.

“My Lord, I have something to tell you about that.”

“What is it?”

“Well, actually…”

Aria wondered when would be the right time to bring it up.

She decided to speak. Even though she couldn’t imagine that Bonita would draw so well.

It was quite awkward when other ladies asked how she started drawing, whether someone taught her directly, or if there was a professional artist guiding her.

It was a lamentable thing not to know anything about the child she gave birth to.

“Let’s discuss it separately later.”

As she paused, Luke said so.

He decided to concentrate on Bonita in front of him rather than Aria.

Luke spread his arms toward Bonita.

It was a signal to be hugged.

“…?”

However, Bonita didn’t understand that earnest signal.

Catherine, seeing her bewildered granddaughter, laughed at her son.

“Heh. Can the child understand if you do that? Anyway, it’s awkward because you’re clumsy.”

“…I don’t want to hear those words from you, Mother.”

Luke glared at Catherine with angry eyes.

Ignoring her son’s gaze, Catherine gestured toward Bonita, offering her hand.

“Hmm. Cough, cough!”

She purposely coughed as if she wanted Bonita to notice.

“…?”

However, just like before, Bonita completely failed to grasp Catherine’s intention.

She just looked at the old lady with innocent eyes, as if wondering what the meaning was behind her actions.

Seeing the two inexperienced individuals, Aria smiled softly. She decided to help the struggling Catherine.

“Bonita.”
Bending her knees slightly, she placed her hand on Bonita’s shoulder and whispered.

“It seems the lady wants to hold your hand. What do you think?”

“Ah…!”

Finally understanding Catherine’s intention, Bonita let out an exclamation.

With rabbit-like vibrant pink eyes, Bonita hesitated, then cautiously reached out her hand. She seemed like a small creature full of caution.

Sssip.

Bonita’s hand, so small that it felt like a toy, touched Catherine’s wrinkled index finger.

‘How can a person be so small?’

It was endlessly fascinating that this warm and small hand moved with determination.

Catherine bit her inner lip tightly at the fatal cuteness.

Even though she was old and walked with a cane, Catherine was still a tall figure towering over average height.

As the tall Catherine and the unusually small Bonita walked hand in hand, the servants watching them from the garden all had warm expressions, observing the two with affection.

A harmonious relationship between generations was always heartwarming whenever seen.

‘So cute.’

Aria, also looking at Bonita’s back with warm eyes as she walked, noticed one person who was displaying a dissatisfied expression.

It was Luke.

Looking at his furrowed brow, Aria playfully spoke.

“My Lord, are you jealous?”