“If you’re going to be like this, don’t give me gifts anymore. Take back everything you’ve given me so far.”

“What did you say?”

“I said don’t give me gifts.”

Jane said firmly. Cain glared at her incredulously, then stood up.

“Jane, you seem to have forgotten. I’m the kind of person who does more when told not to.”

“What does that mean?”

Cain shrugged and walked out. Jane clenched her hands tightly to keep from chasing after him.

The answer to Jane’s question could be confirmed the next day.

* * *

Why is he really doing this?

Jane frowned at the strawberry cake on the table.

“The master sent it.”

“Ah, Father did?”

Joseph, who had set aside the toy he was holding, blinked his large eyes.

“Ca-Can I eat it?”

“Of course, Joseph. It’s a gift your father sent for you.”

As Joseph stuck his fork into the cake, Norbert cleared his throat loudly. Jane looked at Norbert as if asking if he had something to say.

“It was sent for the young lady.”

Joseph, who had just put the cake in his mouth, froze. Jane quickly pushed Joseph’s chin to close his mouth.

“It’s alright, Joseph. You can eat it.”

“Bu-But it’s Mother’s?”

“It’s fine because I gave you permission.”

Jane patted Joseph’s head gently.

Similar situations repeated several more times throughout the day.

Cain had random, trivial items delivered to Somnium House.

Famous desserts, flowers, vases, quill pens, paintings by unknown artists……

In the end, Jane declared her surrender.

Jane picked up a pen and wrote a letter to Cain.

Thank you so much for the gifts. I ate well, and I’ll use the items well. So that’s enough for today. Because now I know how good you are at giving gifts.

Someone who could give material things regardless of his feelings.

That was who Cain was.

Jane put the letter in an envelope and handed it to Thor. Thor silently took the letter and left.

Jane liked Thor’s taciturn nature.

That’s why she kept him around, even knowing he reported her every move to Cain.

But she didn’t want Cain to find out about last night’s actions, so she asked Thor, swallowing her embarrassment.

To pretend not to know about her going to Hess Company yesterday.

She would know if he granted her request after today passed.

She lied to Norbert that she had overturned the snack basket on her way back.

She also said she threw away the uneaten snacks and the dirtied basket.

With that, Jane decided to erase from her memory both going to Hess Company and the words she heard that day.

The more she thought about it, the more she was at a disadvantage.

“Young lady, it’s almost time for the guests to arrive.”

At Hailey’s words, Jane got up.

“What about Joseph?”

“He’s already downstairs in the lobby. He’s excited because his friend is coming.”

Imagining Joseph waiting for his friend with eyes shining like a puppy’s, her worries disappeared.

Jane quickly went down to the first floor.

Just then, a carriage carrying the guests stopped in front of the entrance.

“Mother!”

Joseph ran over and stood next to Jane. Jane patted Joseph’s small shoulder and stood in front of the entrance.

It was her first time welcoming guests at Somnium House, so her heart was pounding.

“Jane!”

“Teacher!”

As the carriage door opened, Mrs. Merche and Wolfgang, no less excited than Jane and Joseph, practically jumped out.

Wolfgang bowed politely to Jane and went straight to Joseph.

“Did you practice a lot while I was gone?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Tell me.”

“He-Here?”

The two who had already become friends when they met by chance in the square had a secret promise that adults didn’t know about.

Jane watched fondly as Joseph grabbed Wolfgang’s hand and disappeared behind a pillar.

“May the goddess’s blessings be with you. Have you been well?”

“May the goddess’s fortune be upon you. I’m the same as always. How about Merche?”

The two exchanged recent news as they headed to the garden.

Under the shade of a tree, a tea table was prepared.

“Wow, Teacher! This cake shop is super famous! They say you can’t buy it even if you line up from the morning!”

Wolfgang, who seemed to have finished talking with Joseph, shouted as he ran over. Merche tugged on Wolfgang’s collar as if embarrassed.

“It’s alright.”

Jane smiled generously and met Wolfgang’s eyes.

“Have you been reading a lot of books?”

“Yes! I read two just yesterday.”

“I read five.”

Joseph, who had come close, chimed in. Wolfgang raised both eyebrows.

Mrs. Merche became nervous. What if Wolfgang looked down on Joseph for being young?

Judging by how he usually treated his friends, it seemed like he might snap and give him a smack for bragging.

But an unexpected scene followed.

“Wow, really? Five books? That’s amazing!”

Wolfgang praised Joseph. Joseph’s cheeks puffed up happily.

“Mo-Mother. Can I, can I eat cake over there?”

Joseph pointed to the blanket spread out on the open lawn. Joseph’s favorite books and toys were strewn messily on top of it.

They were items he had taken out wanting to show Wolfgang.

“Sure. But Nas will bring the cake over.”

At Jane’s signal, Nas headed to the blanket with the children’s share of cake, tableware, and drinks.

The children followed Nas like baby ducks following their mother duck.

“Ha, ha, I think our son has matured.”

Mrs. Merche’s expression contorted strangely. Then, feeling the gaze on her cheeks, she quickly covered her mouth with her fan.

“He was always a kind-hearted child.”

At Jane’s casual response, Mrs. Merche choked up.

“You’re the first person to say that about Wolfgang.”

“That’s because everyone only sees a part of him. If you watch him for a long time, you’ll know how wonderful and great a child Wolfgang is.”

Wolfgang wasn’t a docile and obedient child. That’s because he didn’t act if he didn’t understand.

Adults wouldn’t like a child who first asks “Why?” to the statement “You should sit up straight and eat properly.”

But Jane acknowledged Wolfgang’s characteristics and persuaded him sufficiently when necessary.

Mrs. Merche used to say Jane had worked magic when she saw Wolfgang behaving properly, but in fact, anyone can do it if they just understand the child’s temperament.

“There’s no chance to show that wonderfulness and greatness. These days he fights with every child he meets.”

“Wolfgang does?”

Jane poured tea into Mrs. Merche’s cup.

“Yes. He’s been attending a reading club lately.”

The reading club was like a social gathering for noble children. When they got a little older, they would build connections in various clubs like riding clubs, hunting clubs, and so on.

Jane also planned to have Joseph experience a club or two before entering the academy.

“He keeps getting into trouble with the older boys. I don’t know why, he won’t say anything……”

Mrs. Merche’s face darkened rapidly. Even positive people lose confidence when it comes to their children’s problems.

Jane listened carefully to Mrs. Merche’s words and gave appropriate advice.

As the two were having a pleasant conversation and about to finish a cup of tea, a loud noise was heard.

“No, no! It’s not!”

Joseph burst into tears. Jane and Mrs. Merche ran out in surprise.

* * *

“Take care going home, Merche.”

“What should I do, the child cried so much. I’m sorry, Jane. Wolfgang! What are you doing? You should apologize.”

Mrs. Merche pushed the back of Wolfgang’s head. Wolfgang looked up at Jane and puffed out his cheeks.

Seeing his face full of indignation, Jane shook her head at Mrs. Merche.

There must be a problem between the children that adults can’t easily notice.

Mrs. Merche sighed deeply.

“I’ll ask Wolfgang what happened.”

“Yes. I’ll ask Joseph too. Wolfgang probably didn’t do anything wrong unilaterally.”

Mrs. Merche nodded and got into the carriage first, and Jane patted the hesitant Wolfgang’s head.

Whether he wanted to apologize or argue his innocence, he clearly looked like he wanted to say something.

But he just fidgeted without actually speaking.

“I’d like to listen to your story, but right now comforting Joseph takes priority.”

Jane gestured to Joseph clinging to her like a koala.

“Will you tell me your story next time?”

Wolfgang nodded his head vigorously as if he understood Jane.

“Wolfgang, what are you doing not getting in?”

Mrs. Merche called from inside the carriage. Wolfgang bowed his head deeply and ran to the carriage.

Jane watched until the carriage was out of sight while patting Joseph’s back.

As an aftereffect of crying his lungs out, Joseph was still breathing in sporadic gasps.

Jane was very curious about what had happened between Wolfgang and Joseph, but she didn’t ask.

Instead, she took Joseph to his room and laid him on the bed.

“It’s, it’s not nap time, not nap time.”

Joseph tightly gripped Jane’s finger, anxious that she might leave him.

“Yes, I know. It’s not nap time. But you cried a lot. I’d like you to drink some water and take a short nap.”

Nas held out water with perfect timing. As Joseph hesitantly sat up, Jane put the glass of water to his lips.

“Wh-Why aren’t you asking?”

Jane laid Joseph back down on the bed and brushed back his hair, wet with tears and sweat.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Joseph shook his head, then nodded. There must be some internal conflict.

“Talk when you feel like talking. I can wait. I’m an adult after all. Do you want to rest for a while?”

Joseph wanted to hold onto Jane, but let her go out of guilt for ruining the meeting with the guests.

Then he suddenly became afraid. What if Jane went out and met those people, and we would be separated forever because of that?

“Mo-Mother, are you a ro-rose? I-I mean, are you go-going to ki-kill Father?”

Jane, who had crossed halfway across the room, froze in place.