A gentle breeze touched the tips of her ears. Upon realizing it was Cedrois’ breath, the hairs all over her body seemed to stand on end.

Something is strange, Meiana thought. What am I doing right now?

The morning air in the forest was refreshing and invigorating. The moist coolness brushing against her cheeks felt pleasantly chilly, as if the waning summer was scattering its fresh blueness into the air. An open field came into Meiana’s view. It was the place where Ariante and she had come before to play catch with a ball.

“Ariante is…”

At that moment, Cedrois’ voice cut through her thoughts. Meiana tried to turn her head to look at him, but her gaze didn’t quite reach. Only Cedrois’ body temperature and a slightly warm scent became a bit closer.

“I hope you won’t leave. I’ve been wishing that since you turned sixteen. I need you.”

“Of course, you’d think that now. But, in reality, Lady, your thoughts might change after you grow up. At that time, you won’t need a maid to hold hands and play with you anymore.”

“For Ariante, you’re not just a maid to play with, after all.”

This time, Meiana turned her head to look at him straight on. The speed of the conversation felt a bit slower. It was clear that Cedrois had pulled the reins to make the horse walk at a steady pace.

“Is that so?”

Meiana asked, “Do you really consider me a true friend, Lady?”

“No, not a friend.”

Cedrois said, tilting his head slightly. There was a rare smile on his lips. It seemed like a mischievous expression.

“For Ariante, you’re already a presence like a mother. You also know that. No matter how old Ariante gets, your love and concern for that child will never diminish. Because your affection for Ariante is likely similar to what the child feels. Just like a mother cherishes and loves her daughter, wouldn’t you do the same?”

Meiana stared at him with a vacant expression, then abruptly turned her head forward again. The hand holding the reins, which had become slightly cool, suddenly felt warm as if she had touched charcoal.

The blazing cheeks and ears felt warm, as if they would never cool down even if touched by the chilly wind.

“As the Duke said, I cherish and love you more than anyone, Lady. Anyone would feel the same. If anyone observes Lady closely… anyone would find it impossible not to love you.”
In the early morning, Ariante came to mind, who had leaped onto the bed to wake herself up, still asleep. The sensation of fullness when hugging the squirming child. The indescribable joy and loveliness that overflowed in her heart when she kissed the soft curls and cheeks.

“But even so, it doesn’t mean I can be by the Lady’s side as her mother. I…”

“My thoughts are a bit different.”

Cedrois said in a subdued voice. Meiana turned her head to him as if asking what he meant.

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, think about it for a moment. Ariante’s words and my response.”

After circling the courtyard once, Cedrois took the reins and began to drive the horse towards the mansion. Meiana remained silent, just staring ahead. Cedrois was the same.

The strange silence turned into a subtle heat, creating a sensation that was difficult to articulate, like gently stroking the ankles, confusing Meiana.

Past noon, around 2 o’clock as indicated by the clock, the front gate of the Valthamster Duchy opened wide. Then, grand and small fancy carriages formed a line and entered the central path of the garden.

Ariante, wearing a fairy-like dress that Meiana had made for the tea party, sat with a tense expression, watching the carriages closely.

The lively appearance from the morning seemed to have disappeared somewhere, and the person who now sat quietly with both hands folded on her lap appeared as if she had become someone else.