I almost blurted out that she looked different from the first time I saw her, but I held it in. I had discovered Freyrie’s bedroom by chance while exploring the Duke’s mansion under the excuse of going to the bathroom, and revealing that fact would only complicate things for me.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Sasha. Are you feeling better now?”

So, making small talk and casually asking about her well-being, I closely observed Freyrie.

Her skin was still pale, as if someone who hadn’t seen sunlight for a long time, but it was not alien, like a doll with colors baked into it. Instead, it had a healthy complexion. Overall, she resembled the appearance of Lady Vladimir.

Ironically, if Freyrie had been in a good state, smiling with her eyes, would she not have greeted us alongside the Duke with the same smile without Lady Vladimir screaming in agony? It felt like that kind of thought.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Meanwhile, Freyrie answered my question, smiled brightly, and Miranda and Hailey quickly arranged chairs for the new guest. Freyrie’s walking posture seemed a bit uneasy, but she walked slowly with Sasha’s escort.

Drip.

Subsequently, Sasha pulled and pushed Freyrie’s chair until she was comfortably seated.

‘Although Sasha always showed intelligence and proper manners, I’ve never seen her pleading so tenderly to someone.’

Our Sasha has changed, not dramatically, but it was a different appearance. While before, there was a feeling of keeping a slight distance behind her laughter, now she seemed to pay particular attention only to the girl Freyrie.

Chuckle.

“Here is freshly made juice from the ingredients brought in this morning.”

Shortly after, a maid appeared, pouring fragrant juice into the cups for Freyrie and Sasha. I quietly observed the scene and took a bite of a madeleine with my fork.

While it’s comfortable to eat with my hands when alone, in a formal setting like this, even if they’re friends, I need to maintain decorum and etiquette. I took a careful bite, chewing slowly and swallowing.

‘She seems quite curious.’

Since I kept eating only bread, my throat got clogged, so I asked for water instead of juice and gulped it down. It was probably because I had consumed an excessive amount of sugar, continuously sipping on sweet drinks.

Come to think of it, purifying water to a level where it’s suitable for consumption required considerable infrastructure costs.

However, Jeff had streamlined this issue by enhancing the water quality with a mosquito removal device he had developed, making the water purification more effective through alchemy.

It was an achievement accomplished with the collaboration of many technicians, and if this technology were further improved and widely applied throughout the empire, the quality of life for imperial citizens would greatly increase.

“Is Lady Vladimir the younger sister of the Duke?”

Oh, dear, I realized I was unintentionally contemplating seriously, but Ronowe’s voice brought me back to reality.

“Oh, I’m actually older than Sasha.”
Sasha is chatting with Beris and Kallail, while Ronowe, unable to contain his curiosity, turns directly towards Freyrie, his body pivoting, and asks with sparkling eyes.

It seemed as if he were shouting, “I want to thoroughly explore everything about you because I’m curious about everything about you!”

“I have a long-standing illness, so my physique is smaller than Sasha’s.”

Anyway, Freyrie kindly answered the innocent question.

“As I spend a lot of time lying in bed, it seems that my growth has been slow.”

Soon, with a slightly sad expression, Freyrie placed one hand on her chest, gently closed her eyes. For a moment, her forehead twitched as shadows seemed to gather, portraying the misfortunes of the world. However, it quickly cleared up, and her forehead became clear and taut.

“I’ve been unable to go out at all due to my long-term illness, so it’s an honor to attend a gathering of such distinguished individuals, thanks to my brother.”

Was that feeling of suppression just a misconception? Freyrie, in the blink of an eye, raised her eyelids and looked around at the children with her eyes sparkling like blue jewels.

In the meantime, when Sasha and Freyrie’s eyes met, she raised the corners of her mouth with a bright smile.

‘Just as I got used to Jeff and Hecate’s exaggerated expressions, I guess I’ll have to get used to this too.’

Without showing any change in expression, I nonchalantly stabbed a fork into the chocolate shu cake topped with cute mushroom-shaped chocolate. As I did, a gushing sound and the flowing chocolate cream through the small hole stimulated my salivary glands.

‘As always, chocolate never gets old.’

I asked for water, claiming that I seemed to have consumed too much sugar earlier, but then I indulged in chocolate again, so it doesn’t make sense.

‘If my teeth had decayed already, they would have fallen out by now, right?’

Since I brush my teeth diligently, it shouldn’t be a problem. I quickly changed my thoughts and indulged in another chocolate cream-filled shu cake.