“Because you’re not an ordinary child, Lady. Even if you had come a year earlier, you would have sympathized with me. It’s truly regrettable.”

Ibi shrugged lightly. Although Vaintina always said such things whenever the topic of Ariante came up, honestly, she thought it was none of her business.

The current Ariante is a naive and mischievous seven-year-old, no more and no less.

While Ariante and Swan ran toward the damp bushes, Mayana, who followed them, sat on the edge of the bench and began counting stitches.

She never forgot to glance at what the children were doing, but seeing them sitting together with foreheads touching suggested some secretive plotting.

“It might be a bit chilly to do embroidery outside.”

As footsteps approached slowly, Cedrois’ voice suddenly echoed. Mayana, not taking her eyes off her embroidery, smiled and skillfully embroidered a hibiscus leaf with red thread.

“Not to that extent yet. Perhaps you keep forgetting, but I’m not a lady who wears a tamba even when a little wind blows and has to apply oil to her hands to prevent them from cracking.”

Cedrois’ laughter could be heard. Mayana, considering pulling a seat for him, looked up with the embroidery hoop on her knee.

“What did you say yesterday? To Lady? Frankly, I was prepared to stay up all night, but you came back so calmly. I wonder how surprised you were.”

Cedrois, looking at the two children seemingly engaged in a serious discussion, responded in a light tone.

“I didn’t say anything special. You know better than anyone that I don’t have such skills, right?”

“That’s true… It would be nice if you could show off your sharp and polished diplomatic skills in the house, like a sharp blade and smooth butter. But you did well. Very well.”

After a short silence, Cedrois asked, “You’re not turning it into sarcasm, are you?”

“What are you saying? My goodness. Why would you say such a thing?”

Mayana burst into laughter with her head slightly tilted. She laughed so loudly that the embroidery hoop almost slipped from her knees.

“It’s because you scold me so often. It’s only natural to be concerned reflexively, right?”

“I haven’t had such an incident lately.”

Mayana lightly countered, but Cedrois protruded his lower lip with an expression that did not easily accept it.

“The first impression was so strong. It continued afterward.”

Mayana chuckled.

“I did go a bit too far.”

Cedrois’ eyebrows raised slightly. The phrase ‘went too far’ seemed amusing, and he continued to chuckle.

“That’s right. But it helped. In the end… Many things couldn’t have been done without you. Even last night.”
“He’s an impressive student. You’ve spared no effort in applying what I taught, haven’t you?”

“So, are you going to give me an award?”

The corner of Mayana’s lips curled mischievously.

“I’ll think about it a bit.”

I wonder when was the last time we had such a conversation, Mayana thought. At that moment, Cedrois’ enlarged shadow cast over her forehead. After leaving a short kiss on Mayana’s head, he gently stroked her soft and delicate ear with his fingertips.

“The guests will be here soon.”

Mayana looked at him and asked, “Are they welcome guests?”

“That’s right.”

Nodding, she turned her gaze to the children. Then, she firmly grasped Cedrois’ hand.

“Good. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

On the other hand, Ariante and Swan, sitting under the low bushes, were not plotting anything like Mayana expected.

Ariante, who secretly brought a large brass spoon from the kitchen, looked up from behind Swan’s shoulder and whispered.

“Dad just kissed Mayana.”

Swan, avoiding the damp and black earth that was jumping here and there, shuddered slightly at the side of Ariante.

“I saw it a while ago. But… he just kissed her lightly on the head.”

In other words, Swan’s argument was that there was no evidence to support Ariante’s claim that “Cedrois fell deeply in love with Mayana.” However, Ariante was resolute.

“Whether it’s on the head or anywhere else, you only kiss someone you like!”

“No, but…”

“Look at this, Swan! It’s a worm!”

Seeing a vermilion-colored worm emerging from the tip of the spoon, Swan, disgusted, swallowed hard. However, Ariante, paying no attention to Swan’s pale complexion, tightly held the spoon and tapped her chin.

“Hurry up! Open that!”

Swan hastily opened the lid of the tin can. It was a can secretly taken from the kitchen with the spoon, and the canned plums inside were completely eaten up by the two during class—Ash unknowingly became an accomplice in this theft—long ago.