Jediel turned his gaze out the window with his arms folded. It was an attitude that showed a strong will that his thoughts would never change no matter how pitiful an expression Killian made.

“Sigh……”

“Hah……”

Sighs burst out simultaneously from Veronia and Killian’s mouths.

‘This child always gets serious about strange things. What was he thinking about getting 10 points? Is it an aftereffect of the dart game last time?’

‘How could this be…… I thought Jediel would unconditionally be on my side with open arms, but I was too complacent.’

Veronia and Killian closed their mouths in a straight line, unable to utter their disappointed inner thoughts.

“Wow, we’re here!”

Jediel cheered as the huge and magnificent main gate came into view. However, the carriage continued to run for quite a while after passing through the gate, as the well-maintained landscaped driveway adorned with various statues was very long.

Jediel pressed his face against the window, his nose almost flattened, and kept exclaiming, “Wow, whoa!”

Veronia took out a veil from her handbag and hung it on her ears. It was a lace-decorated veil that covered her face below the eyes. Seeing this, Jediel tilted his head and asked.

“Why are you covering up?”

“This is…… You and the Duke see Mother’s scars as beautiful, but people seeing them for the first time might be surprised. So I’m planning to wear this veil for a while. What do you think? Does it suit Mother?”

Jediel seemed displeased that Veronia was covering her face, but still nodded his head vigorously.

“That’s a relief.”

As Veronia smiled broadly at Jediel, he hugged her tightly.

“Mother is the prettiest in the world.”

“Mother knows.”

Veronia chuckled contentedly. Killian, who had been listening to their conversation nearby, cleared his throat and added a word.

“I think the same. Nia, you are the most beautiful in the world.”

“……”

At the ticklish remark, not only Killian’s but also Veronia’s face turned bright red. Then Jediel said in a sulky tone.

“Uncle Killian, why are you copying me? Don’t copy me.”

“Huh? I’m not copying, I just have the same thought……”

As Killian tried to make an excuse that wasn’t really an excuse, Jediel didn’t wait for him. He immediately cut him off and this time narrowed his eyes at Veronia and said pointedly.

“Mother, you too.”

“Mother what?”

“It was the same compliment about being pretty, so why do you like Uncle Killian’s words more?”

“What? When did Mother……”

“Just now. Your face turned red.”

Hup, Veronia, at a loss for how to handle this situation, swallowed a gasp.

“That’s…… It wasn’t that I liked the uncle’s words more, I was just embarrassed. And Jediel.”

Veronia decided to use a topic-changing method. It wasn’t a particularly good method, but it was one she often used when conversations with innocent children became awkward.

“From now on, you shouldn’t call him Uncle Killian.”

“Then what?”

“You should call him Duke Killian.”

“Duke Killian? That’s weird. I think just uncle is more comfortable.”

“It’s unfamiliar now. It will become comfortable as you keep doing it.”

“Tch……”

Displeased at being forbidden from using the familiar title, the child puckered his lips like a duck.

“Let’s practice to get used to it. Come on, repeat after me. Duke, Duke, Duke.”

“Duke, Duke, Duke.”

“Good job! Now do that 10 more times.”

“Duke, Duke……”

Jediel was a child who listened well to his mother. The child spoke clearly, moving his mouth big and wide, while closing his ten spread fingers one by one.

Concentrating on the task given by his mother, Jediel forgot that he had been grumbling with a pouting lip just moments ago and focused on practicing ‘Duke’.

Veronia, who had successfully changed the topic from Jediel’s awkward question, let out a sigh of relief. Seeing this, Killian felt a bit of awe.

‘This skill would be quite useful. I should remember it well.’

By now, the carriage had stopped right in front of the building. The carriage door opened immediately, and the three of them got out one by one.

At this point, Jediel might have shouted ‘Wow! It’s a huge house!’, but for some reason, it was quiet beside her. Veronia glanced at Jediel’s expression. The child looked very nervous.

It was partly due to the enormous size of the mansion, but in fact, it was more because of the employees lined up in front of the entrance. Even though they said only the servants and maids they would mainly encounter had come out to greet them, there were more than 10 of them, so it was understandable for Jediel to be nervous.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Lady Nia and young master Jediel.”

The gazes of the employees, who had bowed at a 90-degree angle with precision, were fixed on Veronia and Jediel. Being the focus of attention from strangers, Jediel’s shoulders shrank tightly. The child clung to Veronia’s skirt and hid behind her.

“Mother…… There are too many people.”

“The mansion is so big, so there are many people working here.”

“……”

“It’s okay. Look. Everyone is welcoming us.”

The employees were respectful and friendly to Veronia and Jediel, whom they were meeting for the first time. Veronia felt strange as she was reminded of her life in the imperial palace 5 years ago, and at the same time, she finally started to realize it.

‘I’ve returned to this world.’

A world full of formality and courtesy, where one has to rely on the hands of employees for everything from A to Z. A world where there are many parties to attend and people to meet, and therefore one must adorn oneself even more beautifully and gorgeously.

“I will guide you to the bedrooms. This way, please.”

An elderly butler led them to the second floor. Veronia’s bedroom and Jediel’s bedroom were next to each other.

“Wow, the room is incredibly big. It’s bigger than our house.”

Jediel was right. The room was larger than the entire two-story house they lived in in Rosler village. The child’s gaze immediately turned to the display case full of toys.

“There are so many toys too!”

“We prepared a variety of toys by type because we didn’t know what kind of toys the young master would like. If there are any toys you want, please let us know. We will prepare them right away.”

“I’m not a young master, I’m Jediel.”

“Yes. Young master Jediel.”

“……”

Jediel, hearing the term ‘young master’ for the first time, mumbled awkwardly, but the butler just smiled gently.

Quickly realizing that his words weren’t getting through, the child let out a small sigh and immediately turned his attention back to the toys.

Killian’s mood also improved as he watched the child’s eyes widen at the sight of unfamiliar toys. Killian approached Jediel and asked gently.

“Jediel, do you like the toys?”

“Yes! I like them very very much!”

“I’m glad to hear that! I ordered all of these to be prepared.”

“Thank you, Uncle Kil- I mean, Duke!”

Jediel remembered well what Veronia had earnestly requested before getting off the carriage. But he seemed to have forgotten that he had to give Killian points.

Killian had hoped Jediel would mention it first, but when there was no word, he opened his mouth. He couldn’t miss this precious opportunity.

“Jediel, wouldn’t you give me 1 point to show your gratitude?”

“1 point? Ah……”

Only then did Jediel remember that he had points to give to Killian, and with sparkling eyes, he said cheerfully but firmly.

“But you can only earn 1 point per day. You already received it in the carriage earlier, so that’s it for today.”

“What? There was no mention of such a rule.”

“That’s why I’m telling you now.”

“Ah…… I see.”

Feeling wronged, Killian’s expression became gloomy again. The butler seemed quite bewildered by their conversation. It seemed he had never seen Killian being treated like this by anyone before.

‘These two are hopeless.’

Veronia had to try hard not to laugh at this farcical situation.

After that, the mansion tour continued for about an hour more, and finally, it was lunchtime. The butler, checking the time with a pocket watch, said.

“It’s almost mealtime. By now, the meal preparation should be complete. Let’s go to the dining room on the first floor.”

The butler was right. The table in the center of the dining room was full of food. Jediel’s eyes grew as round as a rabbit’s.

“Whose birthday is it today? Is this a birthday party?”

“No, young master. From now on, you will always have meals like this in the mansion.”

“Always?”

“Yes, that’s right, young master Jediel.”

Ooh! Jediel kept exclaiming in amazement, rounding his lips. It seemed his tension had eased a lot in the hour since entering the mansion.

As soon as they sat at the table, one servant approached and whispered a report to the butler. Veronia didn’t miss the brief frown that appeared and disappeared on the butler’s brow as he listened to the report.

“The Grand Madam says she cannot join the lunch due to a headache that has persisted since morning.”

“…I see.”

A similar frown appeared on Killian’s brow as well.

“Then how about we go to greet her ourselves after the meal?”

Killian immediately nodded at Veronia’s suggestion.

“That would be good. Go and tell Mother that.”

“Yes, master.”

At Killian’s order, the butler immediately left the dining room.

“It seems Mother needs a bit more time.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Veronia smiled gently at Killian’s worried gaze. This kind of response from the Grand Madam was all too normal. She never thought it would be easy from the start. As Killian said, it just needed a bit more time.

The butler stood respectfully in front of the Grand Madam.

“They say they will come to greet you after the meal, Madam.”

“Tell them it’s not necessary.”

The Grand Madam coldly cut off the butler’s report.

“Say that I’m feeling too unwell to even sit up.”

“…But Madam.”

The butler looked at the Grand Madam with quietly settled eyes.