Silas’s eyes widened like a surprised rabbit.

The fact that he didn’t leap forward in that moment was an impressive display of patience.

Although Ariante still had a nonchalant smile on her face, if the sky weren’t overcast, Silas might have noticed a slight blush coloring Ariante’s ears.

Silas hesitated and bit his lip.

“Can I be that honest?”

As if asking what that meant, Ariante chuckled, tilting her head.

Silas continued, “Adults are like that. Noble people… it’s said that they shouldn’t reveal their hearts to others. Even if there are things they want or like, they should hide it.”

Ariante shrugged her small shoulders.

“Meiana never said such things.”

Slowly blinking and then smiling slyly, Silas asked, “Then, what did Meiana say?”

“If you want something, you have to say it honestly. Whether it’s something you want to do or don’t want to do. If you don’t say it, others won’t know my heart. Even if it’s scary and difficult, honestly saying it is the best.”

Silas’s gaze, which had been fixed on Ariante, subtly shifted towards the valley.

Meiana is not a noble. Silas doesn’t know if Ariante said such things to her because of that.

Silas has always heard from relatives, “Don’t be too honest.”

After his father married his stepmother, he heard such stories even more frequently. Although Count Alt’s wife treated Silas like a close friend, and everyone in the mansion knew it, relatives didn’t seem to think that way.

They often asked Silas, “Has your stepmother ever hit you?” or “Are you hiding something?” And at such times, Silas wished to speak ‘very honestly.’

“Don’t say anything to your stepmother, Silas.”

“A stepmother is originally someone you can’t trust. If only your mother were alive, would you have ended up in such a pitiful state?”

“In the future, you have to protect your position, Silas. It’s up to you to whom the title of the Count goes. Do you understand?”

Every time he heard such words, Silas nodded quietly. He was a smart boy who knew that doing so was the safest thing. On the days when relatives came and left, his stepmother looked inexplicably gloomy. On such days, Silas didn’t come out of his room all day.

But in reality, he wanted to comfort his mother.

‘I love you, Mother,’ he wanted to say honestly.

“Um… Ariante.”

“Why, Silas?”

Silas, who slowly took a deep breath, raised his reddened face and looked at Ariante.

“I really like Ariante too.”

Ariante’s large eyes blinked. When her long eyelashes prettily descended and then rose sharply, Silas thought once again that he wanted to hug Ariante tightly.

“Honestly saying it.”

When Silas added carefully, Ariante laughed heartily and hugged him tightly. From the girl, there was the scent of earth and leaves, water, and the fragrance of lavender and goldenrod.

“I like you too. I really like Silas.”

“More than Umrose or Chronibo? More than Lucian?”

“Of course! I like you the most.”

At Ariante’s brave answer, Silas exhaled a long breath and laughed heartily.

That’s when it happened.

“Lady!”

The sudden loud voice made the two children, who were holding hands, turn their heads simultaneously. Meiana appeared along the downhill path.

“Meiana, be careful!”

Although Ariante shouted, Meiana had already slipped and tumbled, landing on her backside at the end of the path. But seemingly not feeling any pain, she quickly got up and rushed towards Ariante and Silas.

“Thank goodness…”
Ariante, who was still holding him, noticed that Meiana’s body was shaking more than usual.

“Meiana, are you crying? I’m sorry…”

Ariante said in a subdued tone. Silas, who followed Meiana down the downhill path, held Cissy, who was leaning against a tree, with a sleeping Seidloy in his arms.

Meiana continued to embrace Ariante and Silas for a long time. Trying not to see her tears falling on the leaves, Ariante kept turning her gaze away.

Meiana and Seidloy safely returned to the mansion with the remaining three children. Whether Jemero had contacted them or not, Lucian, Cissy, Umrose, and Chroni’s parents were all present at the mansion.

“Cissy!”

Seeing the bandages on her youngest daughter’s leg, Lady Hyreus, Cissy’s mother, almost fainted.

While the doctor, who had been called and waiting, examined Cissy’s wounds, the remaining children were all brought to the Count’s study. Of course, parents were also present.

The four children stood awkwardly, glancing at each other. Including Seidloy sitting at the desk, everyone’s expressions were serious because it was evident that a big scolding was imminent…

Countess Alt spoke.

“Silas, this is your fault. Still, as the older brother, you should have taken good care of your younger siblings. Don’t you think so?”

Silas nodded with an unchildlike calm expression.

“Yes. I’m sorry, Mother.”

Then, Count Felix, with a dignified personality, spoke.

“It’s not just Silas’s fault, Countess. Lucian! You too. You’re older than Cissy, Chroni, and even Lady Ariante! Moreover, knowing Cissy’s personality, what were you doing not taking care of her!”