At that time, Countess Alt, who had been watching the interesting argument between the two, burst into laughter.

“Well, that’s enough. Lady, your birthday is in November. It seems similar to Silas. Silas’s birthday is in October.”

With a disgruntled expression, Sisi pretended not to hear Countess Alt’s words. On the contrary, Ariante’s face brightened as if she was happy.

“Really? Do you have a party on Silas’s birthday too?”

“Of course, we have a party. This year, I’ll send you an invitation as well, Lady. Silas might arrange it before I do, though.”

Silas’s birthday! Ariante’s heart had already started to swell with subtle excitement. What should I give as a birthday present? It would be okay to ask Countess Alt, but she wanted to prepare the first birthday gift with her own hands.

As thoughts and various interesting ideas seemed to come and go in Ariante’s mind…

“Sisi, Ariante!”

It was Luzian. Since the two children did not return with Countess Alt, he seemed to have rushed over, worrying that there might be a big scolding or maybe deciding who would go and check the situation in a game where they got the last place.

Countess Alt spoke, “Well, Lady. Now that you’ve explained what happened, go back and have fun. Sisi, you can go too. Shall I ask the maid to bring more cookies?”

“Thank you, Countess Alt.”

Ariante greeted with a cute smile. As the two children came out of Countess Alt’s study, Luzian, glancing at Sisi and Ariante at the same time, rolled his eyes behind his glasses.

“Hey…”

“Luzian, go over there.”

Suddenly, Sisi pointed down the distant corridor while speaking. Luzian opened his eyes wide, as if asking what kind of nonsense it was.

“What are you talking about? I came to take you guys!”

“I know you came to take us! Still, go there! Because we need to talk in secret!”

Secret talk! Luzian made a face expressing injustice. It was a tone that said, ‘How could you do that without me?’ He looked at Ariante with eyes seeking help, but sadly, Ariante did not acknowledge Luzian’s plea.

“Go first, Luzian. Sisi and I have something to talk about.”

“What? If you’re going to be like this, I shouldn’t have come! Sii, I came all the way here for nothing.”

Grumbling, Luzian started to walk ahead, rolling his feet.

When Luzian’s diminished figure disappeared around the corner, Sisi, who had been holding the hem of her dress, suddenly blocked Ariante’s way. Not only did she block the way, but she also opened her arms widely, a rather serious expression.

Surprised, Ariante blinked her eyes, looking puzzled at Sisi’s face.

“What are you doing?”

“What are you? Why did you do that?”

Ariante’s eyes blinked in confusion.

“What are you talking about?”

With a frustrated and confused expression, Sisi spoke again.

“Why didn’t you tell the truth!?”

“If I said that, you would get scolded.”

Sisi stared at Ariante with a slightly suspicious expression.

“… Yeah. Why didn’t I say everything?”

Ariante made a fist. The gaze looking at Sisi did not seem like that of a seven-year-old. At least in Sisi’s eyes, it didn’t… It seemed like an older sister who looked around twelve!

“I thought you’d scold me for that.”

Sisi stared at Ariante with a slightly suspicious expression.
As Sisi, it was hard to understand. However, for Ariante, it was quite an important matter. If Sisi had grown up enough to explain it accurately, she might have been able to convince Sisi. The maids who murmured about her in her childhood, the governesses who ran straight to Joseline every time she made a slight mistake or played a prank…

While experiencing such people, Ariante learned what “vicious” meant before she even became familiar with the word. She was okay with facing fists, but the reason she didn’t want to confess to her mistakes was because of that.

However, this time, it was entirely Sisi’s fault. And Ariante had no intention of forgiving it easily.

“Ouch!”

Ariante grabbed the hair, cute and voluminously tied on both sides, causing Sisi’s eyes to widen. It didn’t hurt, but a scream came out of surprise. After letting go of Sisi’s hair, Ariante said,

“But if you say such things again, I won’t let it go. Have you seen me beating up Luzian? You’ll get the same treatment! Got it?”

Sisi’s mouth fell open. For seven years of her life, it was the first time she had heard the words “I’ll hit you” or “I’ll beat you up” from someone. Moreover, the more serious thing was that Ariante was undoubtedly going to beat her up!

Ariante said,

“Apologize.”

“What?”

“Apologize to me. You said something mean.”

Sisi’s lips twitched. The round cheek turned red with emotions that were hard to express. It was embarrassing and irritating. It was difficult to easily admit that apologizing was the right thing to do.

“I…”

With her lips sealed, tears welling up in her eyes, Sisi mumbled.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Only then did Ariante smile brightly, and after releasing the tight fist she had clenched, she took Sisi’s hand.

“Let’s go play another game.”