“This is why we should have a tea party every day.”

Mayana suppressed her laughter and replied.
“Do you want to wake up two hours earlier every morning? Do you know how Lady woke me up earlier? She rolled over me as if she were riding a pony. If we have a tea party tomorrow, it will be your turn.”

“Hey, I thought you woke up obediently. Lady messed up my hair!”

At that moment, Arianthe, who had been listening attentively to the two whispering, shouted as if she felt unjust.

“That’s because you slept in! That’s right, it would have been better if you had gotten up when I knocked on the door!”

“What if you tried tying your hair to the bed? If I had grown it a little longer, there would be a mark the size of a coin here.”

Mayana intervened.

“Now, Lady. If you’ve finished your meal, you should wipe your mouth and read a book. You promised to read a book in the morning even if there is a tea party. Venti, you tidy up the plates a bit.”

Having separated the bickering two, Mayana took Arianthe outside. That’s when it happened.

“Mayana, look over there.”

Arianthe, who had run eagerly to the balcony that opened into the garden, pointed fervently with her finger.

“Look! Father is riding a horse.”

In response to her words, Mayana also looked out of the window. In the garden, bathed in the newly started morning, she could see Cedilloy taming a horse. Since there was no one else but Cedilloy who could handle the horses in the stable, it seemed that they were causing a lot of trouble by not being able to run between the capital and the estate.

“Mayana, can you go to Father?”

Arianthe, who was looking down with her hands on the railing, asked. It seemed that she also wanted to avoid reading a book today.

‘Let’s see today.’

Mayana nodded.

“Alright, Lady. But since the horses are out, you have to go with me. It’s dangerous to kick them, you know.”

“No way! The horses are nice. I’ve fed them before.”

Arianthe said, jumping up and down.

When the two went down to the garden, Cedilloy was trying to mount the last remaining horse among the horses led by the stable keeper. The horses that had circled the garden a few times returned to the stable, seemingly relieved, and now there was only one left to ride.

“Father!”

Cedilloy, who was about to start holding the reins, turned his head and looked at Arianthe.

“Arianthe, what’s going on?”

“I saw Father riding a horse… I came to see. Can I watch?”

Cedilloy smiled gently.

“Want to try riding together?”

“Really?”

Arianthe’s voice heightened. When Cedilloy signaled to the stable keeper, he carefully picked up Arianthe and seated her in front of the saddle.

Arianthe, holding the reins, looked back at Mayana.

“Mayana, look! I’m riding a horse!”

“Be careful, Lady. You shouldn’t move the horse too much.”
Cedilloy spoke.

“Mayana is right. Arianthe, be careful. Our horses at home are all gentle, but they might jump suddenly if they get surprised.”

“I know, Father. I read it in a book before. You shouldn’t make loud noises near horses, and if you startle them from behind, they don’t like it.”

Arianthe, who was jingling the reins, gently held the horse’s mane. Despite its imposing appearance, the large black horse was gentle, and as Arianthe affectionately stroked it, it made a purring sound, seeming to enjoy it.

“Father, it seems to like me.”

Cedilloy replied, “Yes, it seems so. Hold on tight, Arianthe.”

He moved the reins slightly, making the horse walk slowly. Holding Arianthe firmly between his arms, Cedilloy, who was riding the horse, said, “Are you excited about the tea party?”

“Yes, I’m really looking forward to it. Will Father come too?”

“Sure, if you want me to.”

“Mayana made really pretty dresses for me.”

Arianthe looked at him happily, and Cedilloy smiled warmly in response.

“Do you like the dresses Mayana makes?”

“Yes, I like them. Mayana makes dresses really quickly. And she does everything I ask for. She even adds lace and ribbons, just like Mother.”

Cedilloy’s fingertips holding the reins paused for a moment. However, Arianthe continued to be excited, not noticing the fact.

“Mayana promised to make dresses for me even when I’m ten years old or sixteen. Father, she said that even when I’m sixteen, she’ll continue to be with me. Did Mayana promise? ”

Cedilloy raised his head with a gentle expression.

“No, I haven’t asked her yet. But I promise to ask her. ”

“I hope Mayana continues to be with me. It would be so nice if Mayana were my mother, wouldn’t it?”

The child’s voice was as sweet as a dream, free of any ulterior motives. However, hearing those words, Cedilloy couldn’t help but feel a flicker in his heart, and his gaze naturally shifted towards Mayana, who was already quite far away.

Arianthe, playing with the reins, said, “It would be nice if Father married Mayana.”