“Is this for real?”

“Yes. It’s true.”

I was at a loss for words at Roger’s curt reply.

He only saw me for a few hours!

Because of Roger, who always yields to Mrs. Bakus’ words unconditionally, it really seemed like we were going to get engaged.

“Shouldn’t we book the chapel from now on? Hoho.”

“I already have a place in mind.”

“Oh my, where is it?”

Isabel and Mrs. Bakus had a conversation that I couldn’t tell if it was sincere or not. Meanwhile, I glared at Roger and tapped his knee under the table with my foot.

‘Hey, what are you doing?’

Roger shrugged his shoulders and ate as if nothing had happened. Annoyed by his attitude, I stretched out my foot and hit his knee hard.

“Ugh!”

“Roger, what’s wrong?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

I should have refused the offer to teach him violin and just read a book instead! Roger looked at me and raised one corner of his mouth. I have a bad feeling about this. I tried to stop Roger before something happened, but his gaze reached Isabel.

Too late.

“Um. Mrs. Marsen.”

“What is it?”

“I’d like to teach Lize violin once a week.”

It was like adding fuel to the fire. Right now, when the mood was high with the talk of engagement, he stirred up Mrs. Bakus’ excitement even more by saying he would teach me violin.

“Oh, that’s a great idea, Roger!”

“…Violin?”

On the other hand, Isabel’s expression distorted.

“Lize is going to learn the violin?”

Isabel’s tone was harsh.

At Isabel’s changed attitude, my momentarily excited emotions subsided. Isabel, who never let me have a single tutor by my side, would certainly not be happy with Roger’s words! She is the kind of person who shuts things down unconditionally whenever I try to learn something.

This is an opportunity. If Isabel firmly refuses, the mood will dampen… Then the talk about marriage will naturally fizzle out, right?

‘Roger, nice!’

I found myself cheering for Roger.

“Yes, Lize seems to want to learn it too, and I want to teach her.”

“Lize wants to learn the violin?”

“Well, she seems to be interested.”

“Does Lize have a talent for the violin by any chance?”

Contrary to her words, Isabel hoped I had no talent.

“What? No.”

Regardless of Isabel’s business, my pride was slightly hurt.

“If she learns, she’ll be able to do it to some extent. But not to the point of talent.”

“…”

“She’s not skilled at wielding a bow yet either. She’s just ordinary.”

Roger’s firm words made the atmosphere chilly. This… is an unexpected situation.

“Haha. What is this kid saying? Isabel, don’t worry too much. Roger is probably like that because it’s his first time teaching today.”

Mrs. Bakus intervened, taking care of her son’s mess. Only then did Roger read the room and put down the fork he was holding.

“…Ah, I’m sorry. It’s not that she has no talent, but it’s not that she does either, so should I say she just doesn’t have much…”

That’s the same as saying she doesn’t have any at all.

“Roger, you should speak properly. And how can you say Lize has no talent when she just learned for the first time today?”

“…”

“You can’t rule out acquired talent. Don’t you think so? Isabel.”

“Roger. I’d like you to teach Lize.”

When Mrs. Bakus tried to smooth over the situation, Isabel answered. Mrs. Bakus gaped at Isabel’s slightly smiling expression that seemed intrigued.

“Really? Is that okay? Madam?”

“Yes. She should have a hobby like that to make use of later.”

“Then can I set a time right now?”

“Of course.”

“Lize! How about Monday? Or Wednesday?”

Very well. Is he that happy to teach me? Right now, we’re inevitably going to get engaged. Still, I can’t help but feel excited seeing such a bright expression.

There’s no choice. Come to think of it, learning violin from Roger wouldn’t be so bad. I could escape this suffocating mansion and village once a week, so maybe it’s a stroke of luck.

“Thursday is good.”

“Alright, let’s set a time then. I prefer the morning, how about you?”

Before I knew it, I was actively discussing the date and time with Roger. We finally agreed on 11 am on Thursdays.

“Lize, then I’ll be able to see you next week too?”

“Please take good care of me, Madam.”

“I’ll make you something delicious every time you come.”

Mrs. Bakus said, sliding a dessert in front of me. I wondered if she made it herself, as the apple pie had a unique shape. The crispiness and the sweetness of the apples filled my mouth at the same time, making me feel good.

It was the best.

“Sili. Don’t do anything, just open the door, as it might spoil the child.”

“How could I do that? She’s the child who will marry my son in the future.”

“Sili.”

I was looking forward to next Thursday. The marriage issue can come later.

“By the way, I heard from that person last time. He said he met you? Is that why you asked to see me? Isabel.”

“…No. It was just a coincidence.”

Isabel and Sili talked more about this and that. Instead of joining their conversation, Roger and I poked each other with our feet under the table to annoy one another.

If I tapped his foot once, Roger didn’t let it slide and hit my knee hard. I also can’t stand losing, so I stretched my foot out as far as possible and pressed down hard on his thigh.

Unlike the battlefield under the table, Roger and I continued our meal comfortably above the table.

* * *

The maids brought warm tea. The dishes on the table had long been emptied. How long had we chatted while drinking that tea? The sunset had already faded.

“I should get going now. Sili.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s time for the children to come home from school.”

As she said, it was time for Bakus and Felicia to arrive at the mansion. Isabel, who got up first, straightened the slightly crumpled hem of her dress. As I tried to get up to follow her, Roger tapped my foot one last time.

I can’t lose like this. Thinking it was the last time, I stretched my foot out with all my might.

“Lize.”

But I got caught by Isabel right away.

‘I’ll get you next time.’

When I mouthed the words, Roger smiled innocently. That jerk.

“It’s a shame. But it was nice to see you after a long time. Isabel.”

“I feel the same way.”

“Actually, I was worried. I thought Isabel might have changed a lot from when she was young.”

Before going out the front door, Mrs. Bakus smiled.

What kind of childhood did Isabel have that Mrs. Bakus often brings it up? To me, Isabel seemed like someone who never had a pure and innocent childhood, so I couldn’t imagine what her childhood was like.

“Is that so.”

“Back then, you were also stoic and hardly showed any change in expression. Whenever you spoke, you always talked about the future, which was boring. But today, you didn’t say a single word about that, yet you’re still the Isabel I know. I like that Isabel.”

“You haven’t changed at all either, Sili.”

The two talked a lot on their way to the main gate.

I secretly listened to their conversation and glanced at Roger. Although I gave him the final attack today, there won’t be a next time.

‘Farewell, mama’s boy.’

As I waved my hand,

‘Bye, uptight Lize.’

Roger immediately retaliated.

* * *

After getting in the carriage, Isabel and I didn’t exchange any words. In fact, I didn’t even have the energy to talk. Unlike usual, today was a day where I couldn’t foresee the situation at all. Many things happened. Among them, what stuck in my memory was that Isabel and I looked alike.

‘Where do we look alike?’

Our faces, personalities, everything is different.

‘Come to think of it, how did she meet Father?’

I’ve never heard how Isabel met my father, Count Lachis. Isabel wasn’t the type to talk about her past love.

Count Lachis was talkative, but he was always busy with work and came home late to the mansion. So I didn’t hear anything about their marriage.

It definitely wasn’t a fateful encounter. Is it the usual political marriage after all?

‘Then, when Father brought me, how did Isabel feel?’

A very unfamiliar child with different hair and eye colors.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, Isabel turned her head.

“What are you thinking about? Stupidly.”

“I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

“Your lies are getting more skillful. You were probably thinking about Roger.”

“No. I was just… curious about Mother’s childhood.”

I answered honestly. Isabel noticeably faltered as if surprised, then shut her mouth. She turned her gaze back to the window.

“You’re curious about all sorts of things.”

The conversation ended there.

After that silence, I realized how important something I had forgotten today was.

* * *

“There’s something else to forget…”

I had forgotten about the wrapped box on the desk. Today was Yurik’s birthday.

The sun was already setting outside the window. The postman had already received the item and left for delivery. I was anxious about going straight to the Penton Mansion in case Grandfather Yurik caught the item.

I thought delivering the item would be easy, but it turned out to be a difficult mission. The quest deadline is until 11:59 pm today. The reward is Yurik’s bright smile.

“Dammit.”

Do I really have to give it today? No, shouldn’t a birthday present be meaningful if given on the birthday? If I give it a day later, it might seem like I forgot his birthday and only remembered belatedly. I should go out first.

“Young Lady? Where are you going?”

“To the stable! I have to feed them!”

I quickly answered Bitty’s question and went outside. I ran out of breath. The sky was quickly getting dark, and the air turned chilly. When I arrived at the flower garden, I spotted the Penton house far away.

‘Now, what should I do?’

Should I disguise myself as a postman? But no matter how much I think about it, there’s no postman this short and young.

“Lize Marsen?”

Just then, I heard Yurik’s voice from behind. Thinking it was an auditory hallucination, I turned my head, and sure enough, Yurik was standing there blankly. In his hand was a thick book featuring fairies and mermaids. After the auditory hallucination, even a visual one.

“What are you doing here?”

He said that even though it’s his birthday today.

Yurik hesitated before hiding the book behind him. I had already seen the flashy and cute book cover though.

“…I wanted to read it, but Grandfather is here, so I’m secretly reading it here.”

“In this cold? Your hands will freeze.”

“I was about to go inside. You?”

I tightly gripped the box in my hand. Alright, by God’s will, I met Yurik at the right time, and now I just need to hand over the present.

“I… Well.”

“…What’s wrong?”

Yurik tilted his head, looking at me standing still. I was strange too. It’s just giving a present to Yurik, but my heart was pounding.

‘Come to think of it, what right do I have to give Yurik a present?’

We weren’t close. Didn’t Yurik dislike me until recently? Although that misunderstanding was cleared up, we had only met a few times at most.

“Are you sick somewhere?”

“Not at all!”

“This won’t do. It’s cold, so we’d better go inside.”

This can’t be!

“Do you prefer pumpkin cake or chocolate cake?”

“What?”

“No… That’s not it. Actually, there’s something I want to give you.”

I slowly held out the gift box.

“It’s your birthday, right? Congratulations, Yurik.”