“Oh… haha. People often call small and cute things petty, right…?”

Reunit seemed to realize for a moment that he had deviated from a child’s way of speaking and raised his voice again.

“Anyway, what I mean is that Nelia Sis is cute like a sparrow.”

Duke Hart tilted his head slightly.

“I admit Nelia is cute, but I’m not sure about resembling a sparrow. I’d say she looks more like a squirrel.”

“A squirrel?!”

Reunit shouted as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have.

Perhaps displeased with that reaction, one of the Duke’s eyebrows subtly lifted.

“Yes, a squirrel.”
“To the master, I’ve heard that Duke Hart is an exceptionally intelligent person, but I’m not so sure! To think that I resemble a squirrel, especially being called that by my older sister Nelia!”

In response to Reunit’s provocation, Duke Hart also couldn’t quite conceal his displeasure.

“Nelia, with her chestnut-colored curly hair, small stature, graceful face, and cute voice, resembles a squirrel in every way.”

It was only now that Nelia realized that the Duke thought of her as resembling a squirrel.

So, was that why he asked her last time if she liked nuts and such?… Upon realizing that she had been treated like an animal, it didn’t feel good at all.

However, the two who were unaware of Nelia’s state continued their pointless bickering.

Duke Hart didn’t expect a childish argument like this with someone like Reunit. What was even more unbelievable was that there seemed to be no intention to lose.

“I don’t resemble one bit! My sister resembles a sparrow!”

“That’s only what Reunit thinks.”

As the conversation that couldn’t be tolerated continued, Nelia finally intervened.

“Enough!”

The gazes of Duke Hart and Reunit turned to Nelia.

“Why does it matter so much what I resemble?”

Duke Hart, feigning indifference, started stroking his neck while returning to reading his book, and Reunit, with a puzzled expression, hung on to the window frame, looking outside.

After that, the inside of the carriage remained quiet for a while.

Even though it was just for a while.

The carriage carrying Nelia and her party entered the Duke’s territory and was approaching the Duke’s mansion.

Fortunately, nothing happened during the journey.

However, they realized one thing: Duke Hart and Reunit didn’t get along well.

No, maybe they were too similar to get along.

For instance, when they reached the village, their opinions diverged on where to go first.

Usually, Duke Hart would graciously yield to young Reunit, but since Reunit insisted on doing everything together, there was a clash of opinions on where to go first. Nelia subtly sensed something between the two. There was a time when Duke Hart mentioned that Reunit might get jealous. When she realized that she was treating him like an animal, it didn’t feel good.

But the two who didn’t know about Nelia’s state continued their useless bickering.

When the dialogue that Nelia couldn’t tolerate went back and forth, she finally intervened.

“Enough!”

The gazes of Duke Hart and Reunit turned to Nel
The Duke’s mansion and estate are said to be managed under the leadership of Duke Hart’s wife, and it seems they have been managed very well.

Certainly, there must be many employees assisting her, but it felt impressive that, despite her small and delicate appearance, she had managed the estate tenaciously without her husband.

Eventually, the carriage arrived at the main gate of the Duke’s mansion. The gatekeepers quickly confirmed Duke Hart’s identity and promptly opened the gate.

As the grand gate opened, the Duchess, whom they hadn’t seen in a long time, appeared.

Upon descending from the carriage, the Duchess greeted Nelia first with a bright smile.

“You’ve had a long journey, dear Nelia.”

“Oh, not at all. Thank you for the invitation.”

The Duchess responded with a pleased greeting, then turned her head to look at Duke Hart.

“Sillian, you’ve also had quite a journey coming here.”

“It’s fine.”

Nelia always found Duke Hart’s aloof attitude strange, no matter how many times she saw him.

The Duke, who was usually kind to everyone, especially became dry in attitude only in front of his mother.

‘It’s interesting…’

According to a conversation Nelia had with the Duchess when she visited the mansion before, it seemed that the Duchess cherished and loved Duke Hart very much. Nelia guessed that Duke Hart wouldn’t be much different.

But outwardly, it didn’t seem like an affectionate mother-son relationship at all. They didn’t exchange letters well either.

The Duchess, seemingly accustomed to this dry attitude from the Duke, quickly shifted her attention to Reunit.

She lowered her body and looked into Reunit’s eyes.

“Are you Reunit?”

“Yes! It’s an honor to meet you, Duchess!”

“Oh my! How adorable.”

The Duchess covered her mouth and let out a small laugh.

“I heard about you from Sillian in a letter. Thank you for coming here.”

The Duchess warmly smiled and affectionately patted Reunit’s head.

Whether she genuinely liked children or not, her gaze when looking at Reunit was incredibly warm.

With a slight bow, the Duchess turned to Nelia and Duke Hart.

“You’ve had a long journey. How about we start with some warm tea?”

Swoosh. Today, as well, the one pouring and serving the tea was Duke Hart, the head of this family.

It was ironic that the person with the highest status was personally serving the tea, but this was an order from th
The Duke gracefully poured the tea, following the beautifully arranged tea set. The Duchess, receiving the tea, said, ‘Enjoy your drink,’ and Nelia expressed her gratitude while accepting it.

On the other hand, Reunit seemed not particularly interested in the tea, as his eyes were fixated on the soft pudding placed alongside the tea.

Noticing Reunit’s interest, the Duchess pushed the plate with the pudding in front of him.

“Go ahead, eat it, little one.”

“……Thank you!”

With the Duchess’s permission, Reunit began to devour the pudding eagerly. His cheeks soon swelled up.

With a smile on her face, the Duchess, after taking a sip of tea, placed the teacup back on the table.

“Sillian.”

Then, she slowly addressed Duke Hart while looking at him.

“I’m talking about that unused basement I mentioned to you.”

As soon as the Duchess brought up the basement, Nelia and Duke Hart quickly focused.

“I couldn’t have imagined it. I’ve been in this castle for decades, and I never thought there would be unknown spaces. I was greatly surprised when I discovered the basement.”