Chapter 49
Cain stepped forward and bowed his head toward Estelle and me.
He always carried himself with the dignity expected of a servant of the Ducal family, but today something felt different.
Perhaps it was more formal than usual.
It was a different atmosphere than when we went to the Duke of Xenofesia’s residence for etiquette lessons.
Curious, I asked him with a puzzled expression,
“Cain… why are you here…?”
“There is something Master Claude asked me to deliver to you both, so I came here.”
Ah, that’s right.
Hearing Cain’s words reminded me of what Claude had said—he wanted to send a gift to Estelle.
“So that explains the atmosphere…”
Realizing why he had come, I understood why Cain felt different today.
He had come on Claude’s orders, which temporarily put us on equal footing, even if just for a moment.
That explained his change in demeanor and attitude.
Then I should act accordingly too.
I couldn’t walk gracefully or drink tea elegantly, but I knew the theory. I knew how to behave in this kind of situation.
I should show a demeanor that matches his attitude.
Claude had taught me that in such situations, showing my usual behavior could be seen as ignoring him, while overdoing it could be disrespectful.
So I should match my attitude to the respect he showed me.
“Thank you for coming, Cain. It seems you’ve waited for a while. Won’t you come inside?”
“Thank you. However, I must return immediately, so I’ll take your kind words as sufficient.”
Cain’s eyes sparkled briefly, a result of me adjusting my behavior to match his.
But it was only a fleeting moment.
As if nothing had happened, he quickly dimmed his gaze and spoke to me again.
A seasoned person.
He truly was someone worthy of standing next to Claude.
“First, for Miss Estelle.”
Cain lifted a large box from the carriage.
It was a white box adorned with a blue ribbon.
“This is something Master Claude asked me to deliver to you, Miss Estelle.”
“Thank you. Please convey my thanks to Claude as well.”
“Of course.”
Estelle lifted her skirt slightly and bowed to Cain.
Intelligence: 151 (+7)
Elegance: 60 (+5)
With an intelligence score of 151 and elegance of 60, it was evident in her behavior.
Like me, Estelle’s demeanor had changed, though hers seemed even more natural.
Cain slightly bowed his head with his right hand on his chest.
As expected, a textbook example.
Even such a simple gesture was flawless, just like in the books. Truly impressive.
By the way, that’s a pretty big box. I wonder what the gift is.
No matter how old I get, the word “gift” always excites me.
Though it wasn’t for me, I couldn’t help sneaking a glance inside the box.
At that moment,
“And for Miss Reina.”
“Huh? Me?”
Cain called my name.
Startled, I jumped slightly like a child caught in mischief.
I had been so absorbed in the gifts that I was surprised to be addressed.
Oh no. I was doing so well just a moment ago.
I felt embarrassed for ruining it in an instant.
“There is something for you as well, Miss Reina.”
“For me too?”
“Yes.”
Huh.
I thought Claude had only sent Estelle a birthday gift.
I tilted my head at Cain’s words, curious about what could be for me.
He reached into his coat and handed me a letter.
“This is a letter Master Claude asked me to deliver to you, Miss Reina.”
I accepted the letter in a daze, unsure what reason Claude would have for sending me a letter.
“All the items I was asked to deliver have been handed over, so I shall take my leave now.”
Cain bid us farewell, having completed his task.
I had wanted to ask about the letter but swallowed my words and gave a slight bow.
“Thank you for delivering it. Please return safely.”
“Yes. Have a good evening.”
Cain climbed into the carriage, and soon the sound of hooves faded as the carriage departed.
I wonder what it’s about…
I turned the letter over in my hands, pondering, but there was no way to know without opening it.
Suppressing my curiosity, I tucked the letter into my pocket and smiled as I turned the doorknob.
“Shall we go in? Let’s open the gifts inside.”
“Yes, let’s!”
The door opened, and Estelle dashed inside excitedly.
I watched her fondly as I followed her into the house.
“I didn’t expect Claude to send gifts.”
Estelle said, glancing at the large package in her arms.
“Really? Why did you think that?”
“I thought he would have forgotten since it was mentioned only briefly.”
I was taken aback by her answer.
Claude is being misunderstood…
People might think he wouldn’t care about Estelle anymore.
But it was Claude who first brought up Estelle’s birthday.
I recalled a few days ago when I had met Claude and received his help.
Before I could even speak, he had brought up her birthday and said he would send a gift.
Yet this misunderstanding existed.
I decided to clear it up.
“That’s not true, Estelle. A few days ago, when you met Claude, he was the one who first mentioned your birthday, wasn’t he?”
“You met Claude? You two? When?”
Estelle’s eyes widened as she asked, taking long steps toward me with the gift in her arms.
Caught off guard, I couldn’t step back or push her away, staggering slightly.
“Uh… yes. On the day you entered the academy…”
“The day I entered the academy…”
Hearing my words, Estelle took a step back.
I barely regained my balance, but my heart was still racing.
Tsk.
Then it happened.
In the quiet room with just Estelle and me, I heard a small, dissatisfied tsk sound.
I turned my head toward the source.
It was in the direction where Estelle was standing.
“What is it, Reina?”
…Huh? Did I hear wrong?
Looking at Estelle’s face, I tilted my head.
There was no trace of displeasure or any negative emotion at all.
“It’s nothing.”
I must have imagined it in my surprise.
Shrugging my shoulders, I approached her casually.
“By the way, aren’t you curious about what’s in the box? Let’s open it. I’m curious too.”
“Alright!”
Estelle nodded.
She placed the gift box she had been holding on the table.
“Ugh.”
Though it looked light at first glance, it seemed heavier than expected, making a slight sound as she placed it on the table.
I should have carried it!
Had I known it was heavy, I would have lifted it myself.
I had been fooled by Cain’s effortless handling of the box and the seemingly light white wrapping.
I let Estelle carry such a heavy load…
I inwardly cursed myself as I approached her.
“Then, let’s open it.”
Estelle looked at the box and spoke.
Her slight flinch around her eyes and mouth showed that she too was curious about its contents.
Soon, the ribbon came undone, and the box opened.
Estelle and I looked inside almost simultaneously.
“Oh my!”
The moment I saw the contents, my heart began racing.
Rounded-toe boots, overalls decorated with cute patches, and a bright yellow checkered shirt that shimmered like Estelle’s golden hair in the sunlight.
Such a thoughtful choice.
To send something so adorable…
Claude clearly knew how cute Estelle was. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent such a charming outfit.
