Chapter 8
On the way to the Grand Duchy, whenever my hands grew cold, my sister would always warm them with a gentle hoo-hoo breath.
So, I tried the same for Phyllis.
The moment I did, his body jerked as if startled. He swayed, and because he was bigger than me, I nearly toppled over with him.
We’re going to fall!
I squeezed my eyes shut—
Thud!
The sound of a fall echoed, but… strange. My bottom didn’t hurt at all.
Slowly opening my eyes, I realized why.
Phyllis was lying beneath me, those crimson eyes staring up, glittering like jewels.
“Pretty…” I whispered before I could stop myself.
“….”
He blinked slowly at my words, then rose smoothly, still holding me in his arms.
But I was heavy! I ate so much breakfast today! Yet Phyllis didn’t even flinch.
I peeked at him carefully, then asked, “Um… I’m sorry to ask so suddenly, but… do you know the way out?”
“….”
Phyllis didn’t answer. Instead, he reached out and took my hand.
“Hehe.”
His hand wasn’t as big as my sister’s, but it was soft and warm. It made me smile without thinking.
Above us, Berry laughed with a happy pip! before perching on my head.
***
As Phyllis and I walked together, I spotted my sister ahead.
She stretched, her voice drifting lazily.
“Training really clears the mind. A person must practice, must train… Hmm? Veronica?”
“Here! I’m here!” I jumped up and down so she’d notice me, one hand clasped with Phyllis’s, the other holding the flower he’d picked for me.
I’d asked shyly if I could have one.
[Can I… take just one flower?]
[….]
[I want to give it to someone I like. Is that… not allowed?]
His expression had flickered strangely for a moment. But then, with careful fingers, he’d given me the blossom. Its deep purple petals reminded me of my sister’s hair.
Now, as I held it out, my sister extended her hand.
“Bell, come here. And let go of that hand.”
“Big Sister! I brought you a present!”
I placed the flower in her hand.
But… Did she mean Phyllis’s hand? Should I let go of him?
I tilted my head in confusion.
At that moment, Dolce returned from fetching cookies. Seeing Phyllis beside me, she froze, then quickly curtsied.
“I greet you, Lord Phyllis.”
“….”
So he really was the Grand Duke’s brother!
Dolce whispered under her breath, “Truly… so many surprises in just two days.”
Even my sister paused, staring at him again as if realizing something.
Yes! She would see it too—how much Phyllis looked like the Grand Duke!
But instead, she only sighed.
“Forget what I said. Keep holding hands if you want.”
“Big Sister!”
I squealed, hugging her legs with one arm while still clutching Phyllis’s hand with the other. He was pulled along with me naturally.
My sister smoothed my messy curls with a sigh.
“Dolce.”
“Yes, Lady Kallia?”
“Would you arrange some refreshments for us?”
“I’ll tell Hans right away.”
Refreshments!
Since she said “for us,” that meant I’d be sitting with them too!
My sister patted my hair a few more times, then looked at Phyllis with a shadowed expression.
“Let’s go. Phyllis, wasn’t it? You’ll join us.”
Her face looked darker than usual. Had I… caused trouble somehow?
***
Back in his office, the Grand Duke, Noctis, frowned over a letter written in tears by the fairyfolk, scolding him about last night’s chaos.
From the shadows, Dolce emerged.
“Noctis of House Creator.”
At his call, she curtsied lightly. Though a maid, she was also head of the ancient Shadow Clan—sworn to serve the Dukes for a thousand years.
“What is it?”
“Lord Phyllis has awakened.”
“…What?”
Noctis dropped the papers. “Are you certain?”
“I greeted him myself, just moments ago.”
Her calm voice belied the shiver she still felt when she’d seen Phyllis holding Veronica’s hand.
Memories of a thousand years past came rushing back to her—the North covered in lush green, before endless snow.
“…It can’t be. Unless…”
He thought of Kallia—her violet hair, her defiant eyes, full of life. But no, she had been with him all morning.
Dolce shook her head. “Not Lady Kallia. It was… the little one.”
“The little one?”
“Veronica.”
His eyes widened. Impossible. And yet…
If the world outside learned this news, chaos would follow.
Dolce smiled faintly, remembering the sight of the two children.
“They were like the heralds of spring.”
Noctis said nothing. Though she had spoken boldly, he did not scold her. After all, the ancient pact gave the Shadows equal standing.
Finally, he rose. “I must see them with my own eyes.”
“I was waiting for you to say that.” Dolce’s smile widened.
“Woooow.”
Piiiii!
Berry and I gasped together.
My sister had brought us to the “sunroom.”
It felt like a forest tea party, filled with light. Glass doors opened straight into the garden, and the table was already set with tea, sweets, and tiny finger foods.
Berry flitted around happily before landing at the table.
Phyllis and I… were still holding hands. So wherever I moved, he moved too.
“Sit down, Bell.”
“Yes!”
I climbed into a vine-carved chair, struggling a little, until Phyllis simply lifted me and set me down. Then he pulled up his own chair right beside mine.
“If you keep holding her hand like that, Bell won’t be able to eat,” my sister said coldly.
Phyllis looked down at my hand in his, then back at me with sad eyes.
“Oh… um…”
I glanced at my sister for help, but her face was sharp, just like when she scolded our older brother.
She gave a soft laugh. “Bell is a young lady, after all.”
“…Young lady?”
Phyllis frowned, repeating the words as if confused.
I even blinked in surprise.
“M-me? A young lady?”
“Did you forget what I told you?”
“Oh! Right…”
She had said that once I came to the Grand Duchy, I’d be treated as a young lady.
But still—how? I didn’t understand.
“You carry the blood of House Herelda,” she said, sipping her tea. “Thanks to that foolish father of yours, you are a young lady whether you like it or not.”
