Summer was an odd season.

Contrary to the sprouting and vivid colors, the weather offered discomfort to people with its sweltering heat. Among them, Hosha Village was a notorious region located on the lowland plains with little rainfall and stifling heat.

The Marsen mansion, situated at the center of Hosha Village, was unbearably hot every summer. Though enduring the heat year after year was tough, things were different now. Isabelle and her siblings had temporarily moved to a small mansion at the far end of the Marsen region, where the most trees were found.

At least there was relief from the heat there.

“We won’t stay here for more than a season. Bear it a little even if we don’t have all the amenities. I’ll provide you with everything you need once we get to Polong Manor,” Isabelle explained the situation before we could even complain.

Initially, we were supposed to go to Polong Manor, but there were many issues to resolve in this village, starting from Felicia and Bernard’s school.

We still had to explain the situation to our uncle at Polong Manor.

“And Lise, you said you wanted to go to school, right?”

“…You remember?”

“There’s a prestigious academy in the village where Polong Manor is, which prepares you for entrance exams. Would you like to attend?”

“Really?”

“I don’t lie.”

“I want to go! I want to attend!”

There was no reason to refuse Isabelle’s offer. I was happy to go to school, but more importantly, I was delighted that we would all be able to go to Polong Manor together. Isabelle didn’t leave me alone.

Before heading to Polong Manor, I informed the Fenton family and Count Kito about this news.

They were sad about the distance but still advised me to visit them frequently.

Meeting Count Kito, with whom I had chess classes, posed a problem.

After pondering for a while, Count Kito and I agreed to meet three times a week at the capital city, located halfway between Hosha Village and Polong Manor.

“There’s a small chess tournament happening in the capital. Many skilled people are participating, so it’ll be nice to watch. The capital also has many people interested in chess, so studying there will be helpful.”

“Then I’ll accompany you to the capital when you meet Lise. Is that okay, Lise?”

Yurik promised to meet me in the capital with Count Kito that day. Everything went smoother than I had anticipated.

‘I should inform Roger about this now.’

Coincidentally, today was the day for my violin lessons with Roger.

I found my violin case among the unpacked luggage and headed for the door.

“Oh? Miss, are you going alone?”

Betty, noticing my presence, came out from the dining room. If one were to pick the busiest person in the mansion, it would undoubtedly be Betty. She was the only one who followed Isabelle from Marsen Manor.

Though many maids wanted to accompany Isabelle, their contracts with Marsen Manor prevented it.

Betty was actually brought by Isabelle to assist me when I suddenly appeared.

Now alone in the mansion, Betty took care of housekeeping, running errands for my siblings, and cooking.

“Yes, you’re busy, so I’ll go alone.”

“I’m sorry. I should be going with you…”

Betty said, wiping her sweat hastily. I felt sorry for her.

“Where’s Mother?”

“She says she has to rebuild from the basics for her research, so she’s glued to her desk.”

“Then I should leave a note.”

I grabbed a pen from the nearby table. Then, I noticed a small box on the table, one I hadn’t seen before.

“What’s this, Betty?”

“Huh? What… Ah! Oh!”

“…?”
“I’m sorry! Lord Rodney told me to deliver this to you, but I completely forgot!”

“Is it mine?”

Betty nodded. Rodney had returned to school two days ago, saying he would be back during the summer vacation.

As I opened the box, there was a golden flowershaped hairpin inside. It wasn’t my taste, but since it was hot, I wore the hairpin to hold back my side hair.

Is this some sort of gift to make up for the sins committed?

“Miss, it suits you!”

“…Is this mine too?”

I discovered another envelope beneath the box and asked. Betty’s eyes followed mine and she seemed momentarily shocked.

“Oh no, I must be crazy. This letter was supposed to be sent to Mrs. Bacchus from Madam yesterday…”

So, she forgot. The postman comes early every morning, so sending the letter today was impossible. I looked at Betty’s pale face and grabbed the letter envelope.

“I’ll be heading that way, so I’ll make sure to deliver it to her.”

“Really? Oh, but…”

Betty kept stealing glances, perhaps concerned about me going alone to the Bacchus mansion.

I should have taken a carriage, but since there were none at the mansion, I had to go to the stable at the entrance of the town and pay the coachman.

The Marsen residence may have lacked other things, but it certainly wasn’t short on money. Isabel too, was originally a noble and affluent.

“I’ll be back!”

Before Betty could worry any further, I hurriedly left the mansion with the letter in hand.