“Of course. There’s a place that sells very delicious stick-shaped snacks. Would you like to go there?”

“Sure.”

When she agreed, Luke casually extended his arm. It was a common way of escorting, but for Maiana, experiencing it for the first time since birth, she was momentarily taken aback.

Before coming to the capital, there was a brief time in her hometown when she had a boyfriend. However, he was a man who didn’t even know what the word “escort” meant.

“Besides, breaking up with him was really the worst. Ugh! He deserved a few more beatings.”

As Maiana sighed unknowingly, Luke noticed and carefully observed her complexion.

“Maiana, are you okay?”

“Oh, yes. Of course. I’m fine. I just had a moment of distraction.”

She gently placed her hand on Luke’s arm extended before her. The feeling of being securely supported didn’t feel too bad.

Luke asked, “What do you do in the Duke’s residence?”

“I’m a maid who serves the lady of the house. From the moment she wakes up in the morning until she goes to bed, I take care of the lady all day.”

“I see… I was surprised when I saw the lady before. She seemed about the same age as my youngest sibling, but she was so dignified.”

Maiana laughed as if finding it amusing. “She’s a very good child, our lady. Sometimes she acts mischievous like a prankster, but… she’s a kind and cute person.”

A surprised expression briefly crossed Luke’s face. “Even being the daughter of such a prestigious family, she plays pranks?”

“Didn’t princes and princesses play pranks when they were young? Children are all the same. They play pranks and cause trouble… that’s how they grow up.”

Luke nodded several times in agreement with Maiana’s words. The two of them had quite a few commonalities, apart from having many siblings. Firstly, both were the eldest in their households, so they had to take care of their younger siblings. Additionally, Luke’s parents had been farming for a long time in the Duke’s residence.

“Now they’ve reduced the scale of wheat farming a lot. Instead, they expanded the orchard. In early autumn, we pick pears, and they’re very delicious because they’re sweet and juicy.”

Maiana reminisced, “Pears! When I was in my hometown, I used to eat pears often. But since working in the capital, I haven’t had the chance to eat delicious pears.”

Seeing Maiana’s bright smile, Luke’s ears turned faintly red.

“After the harvest, I’ll give you some as a gift. If you like pears.”

“I do, but I feel a bit sorry to receive it as a gift. If you’re selling them, I’ll pay for them.”

“No, it’s because I want to give it to you…”
Having paid for the pears, the small workshop of the two people, which had been momentarily awkward due to the issue of the price of the fruit, came to a pleasant end as they arrived in front of the snack store. Although it didn’t seem like a place that used expensive ingredients like in the Duke’s residence, various colorful taffy and caramels, appealing to children, were displayed.

“Is this it? The store Luke mentioned?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s affordable and delicious. When I was young, my parents used to bring me here occasionally. The owner is a very old grandfather who looks a bit intimidating, but he’s a kind-hearted person.”

“I’m looking forward to it more and more. Let’s go in quickly.”

While Maiana was strolling through the village, Cedric was deeply immersed in serious contemplation.

“Father, what are we going to play now?”

There was no sign of fatigue in Arianthe’s sparkling eyes. Cedric, placing his hands on his hips, surveyed the wide garden. They played with toys, took a walk with Arianthe riding on his shoulders, and even played a game where they jumped far in place—a game that Verbos enjoyed.

Now, there was nothing left to play! More accurately, Cedric didn’t know any more games. He regretted giving Maiana a vacation a little.

After a moment of contemplation, Cedric spoke.

“Let’s do whatever you want, Arianthe.”

Arianthe chuckled while pulling at her disheveled hair. Her expression was one of contemplating what to do first.

Cedric had just regretted giving Maiana a vacation, but he quickly changed his mind as if turning over his hand. It was fortunate that Maiana wasn’t here. If she were, she might have said with wide-open eyes:

“Don’t delegate work to a child.”

As if ignoring the fact that the other party was a duke, a threatening voice echoed as if whispering in Cedric’s ear. Cedric, who almost burst into laughter unintentionally, cleared his throat.

Then, Arianthe, who had finally ended her contemplation, extended both hands into the air and said, “I want to play hide and seek!”