Chapter : 38
“Selie…”
Seeing the large figure standing at the door, holding it in place, I felt a little pity. If left like that, he’d probably stand there like a statue all day.
“‘I’ve heard some people recharge their energy by going outside… maybe Arcus is that type too…’”
I pouted and lifted myself up.
“You can drink tea at home, you know.”
“You’ll feel better if you go out.”
Going out this often… what’s happening to the world?
I muttered to myself as I followed Arcus. I was about to go out without bothering to dress up properly when Yurie, who was passing by, stopped me.
Wearing a simple outing outfit and pulling my bonnet low over my face, I looked surprisingly cute in the mirror—a perfect example of “your face completes the outfit.”
We rode the carriage for a short distance and arrived at a quiet hill.
“Wow, the view is beautiful.”
Considering how much I had complained about not wanting to come, my inner voice sounded surprisingly positive.
The hill wasn’t too steep, so it was easy to climb, and the wind blew refreshingly, making the air crisp.
A large tree provided shade so the sunlight wasn’t harsh, and Arcus had even prepared a blanket and cushions, so we could lie down comfortably.
“Mm… this is relaxing.”
Arcus leaned against the tree, while I lay down next to him, watching the clouds and eating a sandwich from a plate.
The scent of flowers floated to my nose with the wind. Lying comfortably under the open sky, I couldn’t deny that it lifted my mood.
“‘I think I recently talked about having a picnic…’”
As I blinked against the drowsiness, I remembered my conversation with Sirinew.
“‘I think Sirinew would have liked to come on a picnic too… would they like it here…?’”
This was my first time here, and I wondered if I could come again. I glanced at Arcus, who had brought me here.
“Hmm?”
Arcus, staring off into the distance, looked unusually dark.
I recalled how he had been strangely insistent on going out today and unusually quiet during the carriage ride.
“‘Did something happen when you went to hunt monsters?’”
Sensing my gaze, Arcus looked at me.
“What’s wrong, Selie?”
“And why do you look like that? Did something happen?”
Arcus forced a smile at my question, though it was obvious it wasn’t natural.
“Selie, you are…”
Without answering my question directly, Arcus called my name and continued in a low voice.
“You are truly remarkable.”
Suddenly?
I tilted my head in confusion and looked at him. The wind ruffled his hair.
“Do you remember how brave and spirited you were even as a child? When you climbed a tree without hesitation to return a fallen chick to its family?”
Of course I didn’t remember. I laughed awkwardly.
“Did I? I don’t remember very well…”
“Your parents were always worried about how energetic you were.”
“….”
Arcus’s mention of my parents referred to people who weren’t really my parents. I only knew their faces from pictures, with no memories or real emotional connection.
Naturally, I had no real thoughts or nostalgia about them.
“I’ve never told you this before, but your parents only wished for your health and happiness until the very end.”
For Arcus, these were his real parents, with memories and attachment. Though I could have ignored his words, his eyes looked so sad.
And I… tend to tear up when talking about parents or pets.
I thought if I started crying here, it would make the atmosphere even more awkward. So I forced a cheerful tone.
“I’ll live even more spiritedly from now on. They’ll be watching over me, right?”
As I finished speaking, Arcus’s eyes glistened with moisture.
‘Damn it.’
I hurriedly got up and rummaged through the basket beside the blanket. Taking out a handkerchief and a sandwich, I handed them to Arcus.
“Do you want a sandwich?”
Arcus looked at my hand.
When I brought the sandwich to his mouth, Arcus took both the sandwich and the handkerchief in his large hands.
“I always thought you’d do great things because you’re such a brave child.”
“While lying at home all the time…”
Seeing my awkward expression, Arcus laughed and ruffled my hair.
“Selie, no matter what you do, I’ll always protect you… and if ever you face something difficult and want to run away…”
“Run away?”
Startled, I looked at him. Arcus’s gaze met mine squarely. Seeing my puzzled look, he spoke again.
“If you ever feel like running away… promise me you’ll tell me first.”
I didn’t know why he suddenly said this, but at least I knew I had someone I could rely on.
I nodded at Arcus’s gentle gaze, and his expression brightened.
‘He must have had a hard time…’
Arcus, despite being the head of the Weddon family with a viscount title, was still very young. Losing his parents at such a young age, and being left alone with his younger sibling, it was understandable he had been lonely and struggling.
He had also been separated from his sibling until I arrived.
I didn’t know how long we’d stay here, but while we were together, I wanted to do my best as a sibling.
I reached out and patted Arcus’s shoulder. He took my hand and smiled.
“Shall we go home now?”
Great idea.
I nodded, trying to look slightly reluctant so he wouldn’t feel bad, though I was happy to hear it.
Arcus picked up the basket and reached out his hand to me. I tilted my head slightly.
“Huh? Are you holding hands?”
“Yes. Don’t like it?”
“Ah, hands… really.”
Even though I had just decided to be nice, holding hands felt a bit much…
Seeing me hesitate, Arcus grabbed my arm and linked it with his, saying,
“We used to hold hands a lot. I’m disappointed.”
“At our age, isn’t that kind of embarrassing?”
“No matter how old you get, Selie, you still seem like a little kid to me.”
“What do you mean by that?”
I looked at him incredulously, and Arcus laughed, pinching my cheek.
On the way back in the carriage, laughter and conversation flowed constantly, unlike before.
Although I was tired, seeing Arcus’s mood improve made me feel pretty good too.
But it wasn’t enough to go out twice. I was thinking about quickly washing up and lying on the bed as we entered the mansion.
The butler at the door bowed and said,
“Your Excellency, a guest has arrived. They are waiting in the reception room.”
Arcus handed the basket to the butler but froze for a moment.
“Who is it?”
I, too, had not been informed, so I stared blankly towards the reception room.
The butler handed Arcus a business card-sized paper on a small tray.
Leaning over to look at the card in Arcus’s hand, I saw the name: Baron Calat.
‘Baron Calat…?’
Calat was Eloi’s family name. Could it be that Eloi’s father had come?
“For what purpose…”
Arcus headed toward the reception room, and I followed.
The butler opened the reception room door, and a man seated inside, along with a familiar pink-haired girl, stood up.
“Ah, Viscount Weddon. You’ve returned.”
A gentleman with a stylish mustache extended his hand to Arcus.
“You didn’t have an appointment, so may I ask why you came here?”
Arcus’s voice dropped low. I glanced at his face.
From the side, Arcus looked cold, eyes lowered toward Baron Calat.
‘Do they not get along?’
Despite Arcus’s frosty reaction, Baron Calat smiled repeatedly as he approached.
“I came to meet you, Viscount, since you’ve returned from the expedition.”
“Do you have something specific to discuss?”
“Of course. Also, since my daughter is acquainted with Lady Weddon, I brought her along. Eloi.”
Baron Calat grabbed Eloi’s arm and drew her forward. His thick fingers held her slender arm firmly.
The grip was rather rough. Even though it might have hurt, Eloi smiled and lifted her skirt slightly.
“I am Eloi Calat.”
Her tone and expression were like a doll practicing speech, which made me flustered.
Some people behave differently in front of their parents…
Eloi didn’t meet my gaze, staring into empty space. Baron Calat patted her back and said,
“She came up from the countryside too. Since she has things in common with Lady Weddon, I hope they become close.”
“If you want to build a friendship, a tea party or gathering would have been better,”
Arcus said stiffly. The baron fiddled with his mustache, murmuring softly.
“I have something to give Viscount Weddon. Could you spare some time?”
“Please tell me what it is.”
“I can’t show it here.”
Baron Calat glanced at me.
What is this… is it related to me?
