Chapter 19…
I gave a small laugh.
“It’s a suggestion, sure, but we both know there’s only one right answer. Her whole body’s screaming that I can’t possibly say no.”
After spending some time together, I realized something — Artea wasn’t exactly a child, but she was even less of an adult.
Sometimes she’d surprise me by saying something unexpectedly mature, and other times she’d say things like, “Let’s pick it together,” or “Should I pick it for you?” — sentences that made it impossible to know which she meant.
…Sometimes I think translating foreign languages would be easier than understanding her.
“Sure, Artea. I’d love for you to help me choose. My dear niece has a good eye, after all.”
“Heehee! Heeheeheehee!”
Artea covered her cheeks in bashful delight.
Seeing her body wiggle with excitement, I was glad I hadn’t ruined the mood.
If I’d told her she didn’t need to help, what kind of face would she have made?
That glowing, happy expression would have wilted instantly — like a balloon losing air.
…My mouth had itched to say something teasing, but I’d held it back. Good job, me.
“I’m gonna wear a dress too, at the wedding!”
“Of course! You’ll pick something really pretty too, Artea.”
Even though I hadn’t arrived yet, the preparations at the Duke’s mansion must already be in full swing.
I hadn’t asked, but Erios didn’t seem like the type to enjoy flashy events… Still, if Artea was excited, that was enough.
“Auntie! Auntie! Look outside! Since it’s spring, the flowers are all blooming!”
“They really are. So pretty!”
The carriage rolled briskly across the fields, and before long, the child’s attention was completely captured by the passing scenery.
…Meanwhile, my energy was draining by the minute.
“The sky’s so blue!”
“So many clouds!”
“Amazing!”
I kept replying to Artea’s endless comments, though my answers were getting shorter and shorter.
What kind of creature is a child, honestly?
How do they never get tired…?
“Pretty!”
No, the real problem wasn’t just exhaustion.
I was simply… not good at keeping up conversations like this.
“Mm… yes, it’s so colorful and pretty!”
Even after adding an adverb to sound more enthusiastic, it still came out awkward.
Sure enough, Artea gave me a skeptical look.
“Auntie.”
“Mm?”
“Do you really think it’s pretty?”
“Pfft.”
That laugh didn’t come from me.
It came from Erios — that bastard sitting across from us.
Are you laughing at me right now?
Artea and I were sitting facing forward, while Erios sat opposite us — meaning he was right in front of me.
He’d been resting his chin on his hand, staring out the window all aloof, and now he decided to laugh?
What was I supposed to say about the sky, huh? “Pretty” wasn’t a lie…
I, Bellona Sortis, never back down from a challenge.
Think, Bellona, think. What went wrong?
Maybe my voice was too flat. Should I try raising my tone?
“Waaah↗! Soooo pretty!”
I tried mimicking Artea’s dolphin-like squeal of delight.
Her stiff eyebrows perked up in surprise.
Oh? Did that work?
Encouraged, I put more effort into it.
“It’s sooo sooo pretty! Waaa↗— ack! Cough cough!”
I heard it clearly with my own ears.
It wasn’t “Waaa↗!” — it was “Waaa↗kack!”
A heroic voice crack.
In front of my ex-boyfriend, no less. Perfect.
Who the hell cracks their voice trying to react for their niece?!
I couldn’t even maintain a composed image — instead, my face flushed red from either embarrassment or choking.
“Wahaha! Auntie, was that a crow sound?”
And the adorable culprit who caused this whole mess only laughed louder.
“Caw caw! Cawk!”
No, sweetie, that’s because I choked. You don’t have to imitate that…
But Artea seemed to think I’d done it on purpose and happily copied me.
Well… I didn’t mean to, but I did just make her laugh the hardest she has all day.
Fine. If you’re happy, that’s all that matters.
No need to explain.
But you— you don’t get to laugh.
Erios, the adult in the room, clearly understood everything that just happened.
And yet he had his big hand over his face, laughing his head off.
“Ah, seriously. Auntie really did sound exactly like a crow, didn’t she?”
Weren’t you all stoic and composed just a minute ago?
“Auntie must really, really love Artea. You’re even doing things you’ve never done before—pfft!”
I glared daggers at him where Artea couldn’t see.
So what if my voice cracked? Hasn’t everyone misspoken at least once in their life? Did he really have to laugh that much?
He was acting like it was the funniest thing in the world.
If I could just kill him, all this embarrassment would vanish too…
Fine, let’s see how you handle it, then.
Luckily, the opportunity came quickly.
After our little “crow voice” game ended, Artea turned to Erios with a question.
“Uncle, do you think the blue sky is pretty too?”
“Uncle likes it too. Just like you said, it’s beautiful.”
But then he smoothly added,
“Didn’t you say the sunset last time was pretty too?”
“Uh-huh!”
“Which one do you like more? That sunset sky, or today’s blue one?”
“Hmm, I like… the yellow sky! Or orange…?”
He’d gently flipped the question back at her like some kind of wise sage.
Is he some kind of saint?
Artea, too focused on answering, didn’t notice the trick.
She nodded vigorously with every word.
“You really like the sky, huh, Thea?”
“Hehehe. I do!”
…Well. I guess for every person like him, there’s someone like me.
I was working hard to keep my expression neutral in front of the kid.
Wait a second. Thea?
Did that bastard just call her Thea?!
I wanted to grab him by the collar and shake him right then and there.
But ever since we’d agreed to get married, he’d been acting weirdly serious and distant, so I didn’t feel like starting another fight.
Instead, I turned to Artea.
“Haha… hey, sweetie, why does your uncle call you Thea?”
“He said that when people are really close, they use nicknames!”
Proud that she knew the word “nickname,” Artea said it loudly for emphasis.
“’Cause Uncle Erios looooves Thea sooo much!”
The way she giggled — they looked exactly like a picture-perfect, loving uncle and niece.
What the hell.
And what’s with that warm, sparkly gaze they’re exchanging?
Did he make up with her recently and earn permission to use that nickname again?
I can’t lose this.
I forced a calm smile and asked gently,
“Then can Auntie call you Thea too?”
“Heehee! Of course Auntie can!”
Heh. How do you like that? I got permission too.
I glanced triumphantly at Erios, smirking — but he only shrugged like it didn’t bother him.
Pretending to be calm, huh? I can tell you’re irritated inside.
He’s just spent more time with her, that’s all.
It’s not like he gets along with her better than I do.
I mean, this is the same guy who made her run away from home once. Like I’d lose to that?
Once I’ve spent more time with her, I’ll ask her directly —
Between your aunt and your uncle, who do you love more?
I’ll wipe that smug look right off your face.
Heh. I can’t wait to see his devastated expression then.
I mentally added another note to my “Things to Do at the Duke’s Mansion” list.
***
Eventually, the carriage reached the Duke’s mansion.
I used my newly earned nickname skillfully, patting the child on the head.
“My sweet Thea, you did so well. Even though you got carsick, you hung in there.”
Compared to a smooth car ride, carriages were brutal.
Even I, an adult, ached all over and felt dizzy after stepping down. How much worse must it be for a child?
The journey wasn’t short either — apparently, several other passengers had even thrown up.
Artea had managed to endure it by watching the scenery and saying she’d just sleep if she felt too tired.
“Whose niece is this smart and brave?”
“Your niece, Auntie’s!”
Of course, I knew who probably had it the hardest.
Even sitting forward was tiring, but Erios had insisted on sitting backward the whole time.
Even when I offered to switch, he’d refused. So, no sympathy for him. He chose it himself.
At least we arrived before nightfall. We’ll get to sleep in real beds tonight.
Artea practically jumped out of the carriage, clearly sick of being cooped up.
I quickly followed after her.
“Here we are, Thea! Shall we go sleep together, you and Auntie?”
“Yeah!”
And no, it wasn’t because I found Erios endearing or anything.
I just didn’t want to feel like I owed him.
Plus, spending more time together was the key to bonding with a child.
“But I’m gonna sleep with Uncle too!”
“Huh? I thought you were sleeping with Auntie?”
“I can sleep with both!”
For a moment, I didn’t understand what she meant.
Then she smiled brightly and clarified:
“Auntie, Uncle, and me — the three of us can sleep together!”
Truly…
a shocking statement.
