Chapter 89
“Oh my, Professor Bob. Hello?”
Almost immediately, a relaxed voice drifted up from below, and at the same time a pale blue shadow popped into view.
The person who had been hovering over Estelle just moments ago had stood up from her seat.
“Hello. You said you’d be busy for a while, so I thought I wouldn’t be able to see you. But here you are.”
“Haha. It’s good to see both of you.”
Aris extended his hand toward Bob.
Bob laughed heartily and clasped his hand.
“But how did you know about that, Aris? Hardly anyone knows yet.”
“And where do you think I heard it from?”
Bob narrowed his eyes and asked, and Aris simply shrugged, replying nonchalantly.
Haboni… was it? Then that child is…?
The assistant Claude had mentioned?
Quietly, I bent down and moved closer to Estelle.
It must have been a harder fall than I thought—Estelle was still unable to stand, letting out small groans.
I gently took her by the shoulders and helped her up.
Even as I did, I kept sneaking glances at the pale blue–haired girl, Haboni.
“….”
Perhaps sensing my gaze, Haboni turned her head and looked at me.
Then she smiled brightly and gave a small nod.
“Oh, now that I think about it, I completely forgot to tell Sial about that.”
Midway through the greetings, Bob suddenly struck his palm with his fist.
Turning toward Sial, who was standing behind him, he continued,
“Maybe it’s because I’m holding an exhibition for the first time in a while. Someone from the imperial family came looking for me. Ha ha.”
“Really? Wow, that’s amazing! Congratulations!”
Sial’s eyes widened with delight.
At that, Bob let out a deep sigh.
“I appreciate your enthusiasm, but there’s a problem. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ll be able to look over your paintings for a while.”
“Ah…”
“Looking at your work is my greatest pleasure, so I’d like to at least hold lessons… but it seems I won’t be able to do that either. So for now, I’ve arranged for a temporary instructor.”
Despite the disappointing news, Sial smiled and said it was fine.
Seeing that, Bob let out a choked sound and tightly grasped Sial’s hand.
“I’m sorry for being so irresponsible. But I promise you this—when I return, I’ll devote myself even more to guiding you! Enough to take you in as my disciple!”
Bob raised their clasped hands high, as if he were on a stage.
Sial’s eyes widened in surprise as his hand was lifted above his own height, but soon he broke into a broad smile and nodded.
Bob, looking satisfied, released his hand.
Then he turned back toward Aris and Haboni and asked in a lowered voice,
“By the way… where might Ryan be…?”
“Oh, Ryan is with Countess Kadifos.”
“Come to think of it, I think the Countess was looking for you, Professor.”
“Oh! Then I must hurry over at once. Thank you for telling me!”
After waving his hand energetically, Bob dashed off.
Watching him go, I thought,
What? Weren’t you going to explain?
And why is only Sial considered a student while our Estelle isn’t?
Why tell only Sial about the temporary instructor and not our child?!
Well… it sounded like he was giving Sial some kind of extra instruction, but still!
Holding Estelle close, I stared at the spot where Bob had disappeared.
That was when Claude approached me and whispered,
“The Kadifos family sponsors Professor Bob.”
It seemed Claude thought I was curious about where Bob had gone.
…That’s not really what I was wondering about, though.
But I didn’t bother correcting him.
If I complained about favoritism toward Estelle, I might come off as an overbearing parent.
So, swallowing my sulky feelings, I simply nodded.
***
I had just finished collecting myself after nodding at Claude when—
“Hello! Are you Lady Reina?”
A head of pale blue hair filled my vision, and a relaxed voice addressed me.
It was Haboni.
When she saw me looking at her, she beamed.
“My name is Haboni Anax. I’ve heard so much about you from Estelle!”
“About… me?”
I tilted my head and looked at Estelle.
Estelle’s face instantly flushed bright red, and she grabbed my hand tightly before bowing her head.
What did she say? What did she tell her?
I blinked repeatedly, staring at Estelle.
But she showed no sign of explaining.
Instead, she firmly closed her mouth and turned her head away from me.
What a shame. I wish she’d told me herself.
With no other choice, I turned back to Haboni.
“Yes! She said you’re incredibly kind and gentle!”
Haboni nodded vigorously as she answered.
Her cheeks were flushed, her lips curved in a playful smile, and her eyes sparkled with affection.
The moment I saw that expression, I understood.
Ah. Haboni thinks the same way I do.
She’s one of my people!
I gestured to Haboni, asking with my eyes if Estelle wasn’t adorable when she got embarrassed.
Haboni sent me an agreeing look in return.
We were exchanging glances instead of words when—
“Haboni.”
Claude, who had been standing beside us, called her name.
Reluctantly, our silent conversation came to an end.
Still, even young as she was, a noble was a noble.
“Oh, my brother is here too. Hello.”
Unlike me, who felt disappointed, Haboni greeted Claude calmly.
“Oh, right. Father asked me to pass along a message if I ran into you, Brother Claude.”
As if she’d just remembered, Haboni spoke up.
“To me?”
“Yes. He said he has something to discuss with you and asked that you visit the estate when you have time.”
“Hm. I understand.”
Claude nodded, letting out a small hum.
Judging by his expression, he seemed to have an idea of what it was about.
For a moment, I grew curious—but the instant I met Haboni’s gaze, that curiosity melted away.
“Um, Lady Reina, if it wouldn’t be rude… could I walk around with Estelle for a bit?”
Her blue eyes sparkled as she asked, clearly eager to continue the conversation about Estelle that we hadn’t finished earlier.
I looked down at Estelle, who was still holding my hand.
Estelle glanced at Haboni with mild displeasure, but the moment her eyes met mine, she smiled sweetly.
Ah. She’s just too cute.
How can someone smile that adorably?
I can’t help it. I need to share this cuteness with someone immediately.
Turning to Haboni, I nodded firmly.
“Of course.”
“Thank you!”
Haboni laughed happily at my answer.
“Have you been over there? That area has—”
She moved closer to me and began guiding us around the exhibition hall.
All the while, we continued exchanging looks that said far more than words ever could.
***
By the time we finished appreciating the artworks while conversing through glances with Haboni, we had made a full round of the hall.
That was really fun!
I didn’t feel like I’d properly focused on the artwork, but still—we’d shared stories no one else knew!
And thanks to Haboni, I even learned about Estelle bravely standing up against injustice at the academy!
Such precious, invaluable information.
I should definitely stay close with Haboni from now on.
“Oh my, they sell things like this too.”
As we exited the exhibition hall, a small stand caught my eye in the lobby.
Postcards and teacup sets were decorated with the paintings from the exhibition—it seemed to be a souvenir shop.
“May we take a look?”
Sial asked, his eyes sparkling.
Since he’d enjoyed Bob’s artwork so much, he was probably curious about how the paintings had been turned into merchandise.
When Claude nodded, Sial took Estelle’s hand and headed toward the stand.
Should I take a look too?
I was curious, but I knew myself well enough to realize that browsing would inevitably turn into buying.
But if the two kids look around alone, that could be dangerous.
I had no choice.
I’d just look—purely to keep an eye on Estelle and Sial.
After telling Claude I’d be right back, I followed after them.
