“I want to be happy for a long time.”

“I wish the same.”

“I wanted to be happy.”

“I’ve longed for that for quite some time too.”

You need to be healthy for that.

Gillian’s words, although straightforward, kept carrying subtle undertones.

For some reason, Bianca couldn’t bear to look at him any longer and averted her gaze.

“Hm?”

Wondering what he was expecting her to respond to, Gillian untangled one of their interlocked fingers and lightly scratched her palm.

The feeling of his neatly trimmed fingernails pressing into her palm was intense.

Startled by the tingling sensation, Bianca abruptly nodded to him, who was leaning in closer.

“You’ve made a promise.”

“Yes.”

“You’re swearing it, right?”

About what?

But Bianca couldn’t bring herself to ask.

The desperate look on his face was too much.

“I will.”

The ensuing teatime was sweet, awkward, and sufficiently adorable.

Bianca often burst into laughter at Gillian’s words and continued asking and listening to him.

Nothing of great significance.

Everything from the cold weather to the unique smell of the library, to surveying the expenditures of her estate, was all about her daily life.

Despite the trivial matters, Gillian attentively listened to her.

It was an unfamiliar experience for Bianca, who was used to only taking orders.

But it made her quite happy, so she talked more than usual.

As their conversation was winding down, Gillian made a request.

“I hope you won’t overexert yourself.”

“Well, Kreta has managed on her own all this time. Just so you know, I can’t do it alone. I’ll obviously request an assistant.”

“Sounds like a good idea.”

“I think today, I’ll ask Kreta to recommend someone reliable, calm, and trustworthy.”

“Command me.”

“I’d rather ask.”

Gillian looked surprised, but Bianca didn’t waver.

“I’ve always hated taking orders.”

If there’s a predetermined end to this happy time.

If this happiness is false.

If it’s a sweet trap.

She knew that such things would surely turn into poison for her.

But Bianca didn’t want to shrink back, tied to “ifs” or the uncertain future.

Her hesitation died the moment she met Gillian in the reception room of the royal estate.

Every moment since then had been either a burden or a blessing for Bianca.

Her father had wished for her death, her brother had turned away, and the world had wronged her.

She was a person who no longer existed.

She wanted to live the rest of her life without regrets.

Though not entirely convinced, she revealed her innermost thoughts to Gillian for that reason.

When the final moment comes, she wanted to find comfort in having lived without regret.

If the joyful moments permitted to her were now, she wanted to fully savor the present without being selfconscious.

“I don’t want to command. Of course, Kreta can’t refuse me and may think this is a joke. But… I still want to ask.”

“If you wish.”

Gillian slowly nodded in response to Bianca’s words.

It was a cool permission, quite different from his penetrating gaze.

“There are various ways to solve problems, and they don’t necessarily have to be coercive.”

“…”

“You were originally kindhearted.”

Suddenly, her face turned completely red.

Whether the added comment made her happy or embarrassed, she wasn’t sure.

But for some reason, her heart felt itchy, making it hard for Bianca to stay in her seat.

“I should go. I feel like I’ve taken up too much of your time.”

“It’s fine with me.”

“…Upon second thought, I still have things to do.”

“If you say so.”

Gillian released the hand he’d been gripping tightly.

The hand?

Only then did Bianca realize they’d been holding hands all this time.

Oh, my God.

She could feel the heat rushing up to the back of her neck.

“See you later.”
“Can we meet at dinner?”

“Ah, yes. See you then.”

At Gillian’s invitation, Bianca nodded and immediately left the office.

These days, it often went like this.

She knew it looked foolish, but ever since she became aware of her feelings, she struggled to control her emotions.

Even after stepping out and closing the door, Bianca couldn’t easily calm down and had to fan her flushed cheeks.

It was a huge relief that she had left Lapin and Julie behind.

Otherwise, Julie would have laughed her head off at the sight of her reddened face.

That would be unacceptable.

Bianca walked down the quiet hallway, fanning herself diligently.

The plush carpet, sinking to her ankles, was truly amazing.

White, fluffy, and warm.

Walking on such a thing was an unexpected luxury she had never even considered.

Of course, for carpet maintenance, a rule had been established within the castle that everyone must wear dry shoes, but still, it was astonishing.

Stepping on the white fur…

Suddenly, black shoes came into her field of vision and Bianca quickly lifted her head.

“Ah!”

The rabbit leather absorbed not only the cold but also all the noise.

Because Bianca had been unaware that anyone else was present, she was startled by the sudden appearance.

“Hello.”

“Ah, hello, sir.”