Chapter 49
First Fight (3)
“Big sis, isn’t Uncle coming today?”
Noah cautiously asked while glancing at the empty seat where Cassel usually sat. The boy’s eyes darted around nervously.
Riena, who had been lost in thoughts about the dream she had the night before, responded a little late.
“…Hm? What did you say?”
“I asked if Uncle isn’t coming today.”
“Ah… Maybe he’s not hungry. Don’t worry about it and eat.”
Noah’s eyebrows drooped at her unfamiliar expression.
Having been neglected while living at the Lorraine estate, Noah had become more perceptive than most children his age. It was entirely possible he’d sensed something had happened between the adults.
Riena almost explained that nothing was wrong, but instead, she cut the sausage on his plate into bite-sized pieces and slathered his bread with butter and jam.
While Noah continued to eat cautiously, Riena didn’t touch a single bite of her own meal. Her throat felt dry and rough; even drinks wouldn’t go down.
Noah shoved the remaining bread into his mouth in one big bite, then poked a sausage piece with his fork and held it out to Riena.
“Huh?”
After chewing and swallowing, he said, “You should eat too.”
“I don’t really have an appetite…”
She had been about to say she was fine not eating, but seeing Noah’s downcast face again, she put the sausage in her mouth. Noah grinned, jam smeared at the corner of his mouth.
Riena wiped his face with a napkin.
“I’m really fine, so don’t worry and eat lots, okay?”
“Okay.”
Riena smiled at him, then glanced across the table again, lost in thought.
She was the one who had suggested they take some time apart. She’d even said she wanted to eat separately until her thoughts were sorted.
Cassel was just being considerate of her.
So why did it still hurt so much?
She had said she needed time to think… but what exactly was she trying to sort out?
After the meal, Riena entrusted Noah to the nanny, then hesitated before pulling out a sheet of stationery. The recipient, of course, was Raul.
She began the letter with an apology, saying there had been a misunderstanding and she was sorry for sending him away so abruptly yesterday.
Then she got to the point.
“Did something happen between you and Cass when we were kids?
I don’t remember anything in particular, but I thought I’d ask just in case.
If not back then, did something happen later?”
She ended the letter saying she would have preferred to ask in person but was too busy to meet.
After sending the letter through Amy, Riena sat on the terrace, gazing out at the garden.
“At times like this, it’s a little sad not having many friends.”
She remembered how the Count of Dyke had once tried to help her make friends when she was younger. Thanks to his permission, she had been able to keep in touch with Raul.
But when the Countess moved into the estate, even that friendship had been cut off. The Count had entrusted all internal matters of the household to the Countess, and Riena’s social life was no exception.
Raul was the only friend who remained in touch—because he made the effort to write regularly.
Still, Riena had thought it was enough. Kids in the village always greeted her warmly, and she had Lucy and Joanna.
Even Bianca, when in a good mood, would spend time with her occasionally.
But now, in this moment, she realized she didn’t have a single friend she could truly confide in.
And now this mess had blown up between the two people she considered closest—Cass and Raul.
She couldn’t confide in Amy. Though they were close, Amy was still a servant—and more importantly, someone from House Winkler.
She couldn’t talk to Lady Donovan either. All it would do was give the lady more worries.
So, in the end, Riena could only stew silently. As she sat staring blankly at the garden, Ryan noticed her and waved his gloved hand energetically. Riena belatedly noticed and waved back.
Ryan ran up below the terrace.
“Were you admiring the flowers, milady?”
“Yeah.”
She replied vaguely. But perhaps her answer wasn’t very convincing, because Ryan looked like he was deep in thought.
“Seems like something’s on your mind.”
He had surely heard about her fight with Cassel, yet he showed no sign of it.
Riena gave a bitter smile.
Normally, she might’ve given an awkward lie like, ‘I’m fine.’ But today, even those empty words wouldn’t come.
Ryan stared at her for a moment, then smiled brightly.
“When I’m troubled, I like to look at flowers. Just staring at them calms my heart.”
“Really?”
“Yes. So how about coming down for a little walk? I don’t think you’ve had a proper look at the garden or the greenhouse yet. I’ll give you a tour.”
Technically, Riena had been in the garden—on her first day at the mansion, when she had run out in an emotional outburst.
But only Cassel knew that.
And besides, she hadn’t really explored it, so Ryan wasn’t wrong.
Still, maybe because she was feeling down, she had no motivation. She just wanted to sit there in a daze.
When Riena didn’t reply, Ryan urged her again.
“Come on.”
Just then, Amy approached the terrace and shouted at Ryan.
“Don’t try anything weird with the lady, Ryan!”
“Weird? I’m being purely considerate! Amy Carrothead! You’re the one with the strange ideas!”
“What did I even do?!”
Riena couldn’t help but chuckle at the two bickering like siblings.
Amy looked surprised, while Ryan beamed with pride.
“See? I told you I could cheer her up!”
“R-Really?”
Amy backed down.
“Lady Riena, how about stepping out for a bit? I’ll also prepare some refreshments in the garden.”
Seeing the two of them so lively helped lift some of the weight in her chest. She still felt heavy, but at least now she had the energy to go out.
“Okay. Thank you.”
While Amy headed to the kitchen, Riena made her way down to the garden. She briefly considered calling Noah, but he was probably in the middle of lessons, so she let him be.
As she stepped into the garden alone, Ryan, who had already removed his dirt-covered gloves and apron, greeted her.
He gave an exaggerated bow. Riena burst into laughter at the sight of him bending deeply and swishing his arm like a noble.
“Where did you learn that?”
“From a book. I think it was titled Noble Etiquette Even Commoners Can Learn or something.”
“There’s a book like that?”
When Riena widened her eyes in surprise, Ryan gave a mischievous grin.
“Kidding. I once saw Madame LaChapelle do it and tried copying her.”
“I thought you were serious.”
“Then let’s say the book really exists.”
He was as smooth as butter. Riena gave him a sideways glance, and he held back a chuckle as he guided her further in.
Deeper inside the garden, there was a white table matching the garden swing.
Ryan spoke with emotion.
“This is the first time I’ve ever used this table.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Usually, it’s used for afternoon tea parties, but the mansion didn’t have a mistress for quite some time. It might’ve been used before I got here, but since I arrived, no one’s touched it.”
“I see.”
“But now that you’ll be using it often, I’ll have to take even better care of this place.”
With Ryan’s awkward escort, Riena sat down. Amy soon arrived and laid a white cloth over the table.
Not long after, maids rolled in a trolley loaded with refreshments.
Whether because of Noah’s fondness for sweets or as a way to lift Riena’s spirits, the spread was more generous than usual. Even the teapots came in pairs.
But there was only one teacup.
“This is a bit much for just me. Why don’t you two join me?”
When she asked Ryan and Amy, they looked momentarily flustered.
“Would that be all right? We’d be honored, but…”
“Why not? It’d be kind of sad to have tea alone in such a nice place, don’t you think?”
Ryan regained his composure faster than Amy and nodded.
“Of course. We couldn’t possibly let you be sad, milady. We’ll join you.”
“Sigh.”
Amy let out a deep breath as Ryan plopped into a seat. But instead of scolding him, she said she’d go fetch more tea sets and headed back toward the mansion.
Riena called out after her.
“And bring some snacks for Noah too!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
