Chapter : 17
“Hmm… I think it’d be better to just come here whenever I want to see it. Of course, if my uncle permits.”
“Is that so?”
A sweet fragrance drifted from the flower Benjamin held. All she had to do was help ensure that flower wouldn’t be broken by harsh winds.
Moving it to a sunny spot, catching the bugs that nibbled at its leaves, and faithfully letting it hear the sound of footsteps—that was enough.
The child already had the strength to make his own flower bloom.
Jacqueline’s eyes sparkled as she pointed at the almond tree.
“Oh my? Benjamin, there’s a longhorn beetle over there. Shall I catch it?”
Benjamin, who had been about to nod brightly, hesitated. A small worry flickered in his brown eyes as he glanced at her.
She could guess what he was thinking. Placing both hands on her hips, Jacqueline declared confidently,
“Benjamin, you don’t need to worry. I won’t scream again. I was just startled back then. I’m not some delicate lady who’s afraid of cicada shells.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Only then did the child relax and reach toward the beetle. His small hand stretched out carefully—then grabbed it firmly.
The beetle, struck by sudden disaster, belatedly flailed its legs, but it was already too late.
“Ah! I caught it! It’s a giant longhorn beetle, Miss Somerset!”
Benjamin beamed as he turned toward her. His round eyes narrowed into crescents, and his lips spread wide.
“!”
Jacqueline’s eyes widened in surprise. It was the first time she had seen him smile.
It was far more innocent and radiant than she had imagined—and a smile that made anyone who saw it feel happy.
Soon, Jacqueline found her own eyes softening.
“How brave.”
Benjamin carefully observed the beetle—its wriggling legs, its hard shell, and its bold horns.
Each time its legs moved, Jacqueline oddly felt a ticklish sensation along her back, but she did her best to maintain her composure.
“If a bug flies into my room next time, would you catch it for me? I’m not quite ready to catch insects yet. Not that I’m scared, of course.”
“Yes, Miss Somerset! Please call me anytime!”
“How reassuring.”
The child’s attention soon shifted to a cicada, which he promptly caught with his small fingers.
Jacqueline tilted her head, wondering whether the insects in the Preston estate’s garden simply lacked a sense of danger—or if Benjamin was unusually good at catching them.
After a while, she looked up at the sky and announced the end of their adventure.
“Aren’t you hungry? Let’s go back and have some lemonade.”
“Yes, Miss Somerset.”
Despite having been having so much fun, the child nodded immediately without a fuss. Then he lifted the cloth covering the bucket.
Inside were longhorn beetles and cicada shells mixed together. Benjamin carefully returned them all to where they belonged before dusting off his hands.
Then he looked straight at Jacqueline with his brown eyes, as if to say he was ready.
“Alright. Let’s return to the mansion. Let’s celebrate making it back alive.”
“Yes, Miss Somerset!”
The two walked side by side toward the mansion. Just as they reached the entrance, a carriage crossing the garden came to a stop—it bore the Preston family crest.
Benjamin straightened his posture sharply, standing at attention. He brought his legs together and lifted his chin.
Windsor, who had been stepping out of the carriage, noticed their presence and slowly turned his head. His indifferent gaze passed over Jacqueline and stopped on the child.
Benjamin flinched.
His shoulders stiffened, and tension filled his expression. Only then did he realize how dirt-covered he looked.
It wasn’t a suitable appearance for the future Marquis of Preston. His tightly pressed lips drooped slightly.
The sparkle in his brown eyes vanished in an instant. Lowering his gaze quietly, Benjamin braced himself for the scolding he expected from his uncle.
He was afraid—afraid of disappointing him again.
Afraid that his uncle might give up on him altogether.
But then—
“Welcome back, Lord Preston.”
Jacqueline greeted him with a gentle smile. Windsor’s gaze shifted back to her.
Taking out his pocket watch, he checked the time and spoke curtly,
“I trust the afternoon lesson will proceed without issue, Miss Somerset.”
“Of course, Lord Preston. I’ve even left time for a cup of tea.”
Windsor gave a single nod and walked inside. William, who had been waiting at the entrance, bowed respectfully.
“Welcome back, Master.”
At that moment, Benjamin’s mouth fell open. He stared blankly at the closed door, unable to believe that Windsor hadn’t scolded him.
Then he slowly turned his head toward Jacqueline. His light brown eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
Noticing the emotion within them—admiration—she straightened her shoulders and spoke with a hint of pride.
“I told you, Benjamin. Lord Preston agreed to respect my educational methods.”
“Miss Somerset, are you perhaps…?”
Benjamin’s lips trembled as he spoke dreamily. Jacqueline puffed herself up, inviting him to continue.
“A fairy?”
“Hmm?”
Caught completely off guard, she blinked. Benjamin quickly continued, excited,
“When I was five, I read in a book that fairies can melt even the coldest hearts. Ah—not that my uncle is cold, but… um… so… Miss Somerset, are you a fairy?”
Jacqueline, who had been about to explain that it was simply the result of rational persuasion and logical conversation, instead raised a finger to her lips.
“Shh.”
“!”
“How did you find out? It’s a secret.”
The child’s eyes grew as wide as fists. Jacqueline glanced around theatrically and lowered her voice.
“You mustn’t tell anyone. If people find out, I’ll have to return to where I came from. And I’d like to stay at the Preston estate a little longer.”
Instead of answering, Benjamin covered his mouth tightly with both hands and nodded vigorously.
“Let’s go. If we hurry, we’ll still have time for lemonade before the lesson starts.”
Still covering his mouth, the child nodded repeatedly. Jacqueline led the way, suppressing a smile.
No matter how calm and composed he acted, he was only six years old.
A child who could be completely taken in by an adult’s lie. Perhaps one who still believed in Santa Claus.
That innocence was unbearably adorable.
“Hmm?”
As she passed the carriage, Jacqueline suddenly widened her eyes. A cane had been left standing inside.
Tom, the coachman, scratched his head as he was about to close the door.
“Oh dear. Left it again.”
“I’m heading that way anyway. I’ll bring it to him.”
“Thank you, Miss Somerset.”
Taking the cane, Jacqueline gave it a light twirl—like a fairy casting a spell.
Benjamin’s eyes shone even brighter.
Suppressing another smile, she walked alongside him.
“Of course, you still have to study diligently. That was my promise with Lord Preston.”
“Yes.”
Benjamin nodded earnestly.
“But outside lesson time, you’re free. How about going on another adventure tomorrow morning? There might be different creatures in the other garden. According to a book I read, insects vary depending on the nature of the land.”
“Really?”
The child’s eyes widened as if he had received an unexpected gift. Soon, admiration filled his gaze again.
He truly seemed to believe she was a fairy.
It wasn’t a bad feeling.
Stopping at the entrance, Jacqueline stomped her feet.
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep. And it’s better to shake the dirt off your shoes before going inside—so the maids won’t have a hard time.”
Benjamin followed her lead, stomping his feet as well. His eyes were now filled with trust.
At this rate, it felt like he’d believe anything she said—even if she claimed she could make bread out of sand.
She might even end up becoming the hidden power behind the future Marquis of Preston.
Not that she had such ambitions.
“Young Master Benjamin, what on earth—!”
Mrs. Ritz gasped in shock at the dirt-covered boy as they walked down the hallway.
Jacqueline leaned in and whispered softly to him, the cane in her hand drooping slightly.
“Sorry, Benjamin. Even a fairy can’t do anything about Mrs. Ritz’s scolding.”
Instead of replying, the boy nodded maturely and straightened his shoulders—as if to say he could handle it himself.
“Don’t worry, Ritz. I’ll go change right away.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Only then did Mrs. Ritz stop scolding. Benjamin immediately headed up the stairs to the second floor, with her hurrying after him.
The boy glanced back at Jacqueline, his sparkling brown eyes sending her a conspiratorial look.
At that moment, Jacqueline stopped in her tracks and stared at him.
“….”
Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind.
Perhaps the fairy was him.
Hadn’t he melted her heart from the very first moment?
“…Yes, that could be it.”
Jacqueline let out a silent laugh.
***
Dozens of carriages came and went from the Preston estate every day.
Those who had barely secured an appointment came to meet Windsor one after another.
With exaggerated smiles, they showered him with praise. Only after laying it on thick would they finally say,
“This is something I’d like to discuss only with the Marquis…”
Most of the time, they were requests for investment or proposals for partnership.
Sometimes, they shamelessly asked for donations.
What they needed wasn’t Windsor—it was the Marquis of Preston.
Or rather, the immense wealth of the Preston family.
Those who couldn’t even manage that sent letters instead—filled with long-winded stories and flattery.
Selecting someone worthwhile from among them was like searching for gold in sand.
Or perhaps, there was no gold at all.
“…Ha.”
Windsor let out a quiet sigh as he looked over the pile of documents on his desk.
No matter how diligently he worked through them, just as many new ones piled up again each day.
Then, a soft knock sounded.
He stopped what he was doing and looked up.
The door opened, and Jacqueline entered—now changed into fresh clothes.
Smiling faintly, she spoke,
“You left your cane in the carriage.”
“Ah.”
She stepped forward and held it out. Windsor casually placed it beside his desk.
Jacqueline, who had expected to leave right away, remained standing there.
Windsor looked at her.
“Is there something else you need?”
