The first person to speak was the Lady Alt, Silas’s stepmother. She was Silas’s stepmother, who gave birth to Silas for the Duke Alt and remarried a year after giving birth and losing her first husband to illness.
Contrary to the various misconceptions commonly associated with the label ‘stepmother,’ she was an affectionate person who cherished Silas, despite having three children of her own. She was also one of the few people who knew a bit about Verbo and Liria.

Cedelois smiled and raised his teacup. At that moment, someone else interjected, saying, “But, as far as I know, Your Grace doesn’t have a wife yet….”

Instantly, the gazes of those sitting at the table converged in one direction. The young lady sitting at the table showed a momentary expression of confusion, but soon tried to regain her original composed demeanor.

Cedelois, who had been silent for a while, moved only his lips, forming a sly smile before responding, “What is known to the public and the actual truth often differ. I am aware that there are various speculations about me, and after today, they will likely only grow. However, let me clarify one thing; Arianthe is my daughter and the sole heir to the Falterminster Ducal House.”

His voice was low, and it couldn’t be heard all the way to the children’s table. However, those present understood clearly what Cedelois intended to convey.

He added, “So, I ask all of you to regard Arianthe as my daughter and the sole heir to the ducal house. Not only today but in the future as well. As for other matters… well, it seems there’s no worth discussing them here. Regardless of what is said, today is a suitable day to share a conversation with all of you after a long time.”

Cedelois’s gaze was fixed on one person. It was the young lady who had asked, ‘Don’t you have a wife?’ She blushed as if angry, but she wasn’t foolish enough not to know where she was sitting.

“Of course, Your Grace. It is a fact known to us all that Lady Arianthe will someday govern this duchy. Don’t we all think so?”

Everyone nodded at Lady Alt’s words. While some had a troubled expression, there was no one attempting to refute.

The weight of the name Falterminster, combined with the actual momentum of Lady Alt, the wife of Duke Alt, who had the most say and influence among the nobles within the duchy, silenced even the most impudent and curious person.

Cedelois took a sip of tea, his eyes firmly fixed on the lively children’s table. Then, he met eyes with Meianna, who had just come down.

She too was clearly aware that Cedelois had seen her. As soon as she felt his gaze, she immediately turned her head to look at Arianthe.

Deliberately feigning ignorance of her expression, which showed eagerness and a lot of questions after he had just descended from the horse, Cedelois continued to observe the events unfolding in the garden.
Perhaps after the tea party ends, or when Arianthe falls asleep, she will come running like an angry elephant to scold and make a scene…. The thought made Cedelois burst into sudden laughter.

“Your Grace, do you have anything interesting going on?”

Asked Count Gilmore, who was sitting across from him. Cedelois continued to smile slowly.

“Nothing at all. The children seem to be getting along well.”

Lady Alt nodded in agreement.

“It will be good practice. Lady Arianthe has provided such an opportunity, and we are fortunate. Silas is still young, and he has only played with peers until now. He has never participated in such an event.”

“He will probably play here too. Children are all the same, aren’t they?”

Cedelois’s words were accurate. Arianthe, who had become familiar with the faces and names of the other children, chatted with them and seemed to be contemplating what to do after finishing her tea.

“I’m very good at hide and seek. No one can find me!”

A boy named Umbrose opened his eyes wide when Arianthe spoke. Umbrose looked very young because his face and features were round, making him appear younger than Arianthe, though he was actually two years older.

“No one can find you? Really?”

“Really! I don’t hide in the same place twice.”

This time, a girl named Chronie, with dark black hair adorned with a red ribbon, spoke.

“Where did you hide? I’ve never played hide and seek. Mother always says not to dirty the dress……. Hanyang says the same.”

Arianthe responded, “My father doesn’t say that. And Meianna makes me clothes whenever I play hide and seek or play in the garden.”

“Where’s Meianna?”

In response to Chronie’s question, a boy named Lucien, with eyes narrowed and a mischievous grin, mimicked punching while saying, “A servant, right?”

Arianthe looked at Lucien for a moment with an annoyed expression.

“Meianna is not just a servant.”

“All servants are servants. What’s different about her? Does she become a lady’s maid?”

“No! Meianna is…”

All the children stared at Arianthe. Lucien had a mocking expression, and a few others seemed ready to pounce at any moment, lips pursed as if preparing to catch her words.