Chapter 61
The sky was clear, yet snow continued to fall. It wasn’t the kind of heavy flakes that would instantly pile up on one’s shoulders. The snow was light enough that the carriage wheels could roll easily, making it one of the rare days with decent weather during the usual snowstorm cycle.
“Honestly… I hoped it wasn’t true… I even wondered. Could the Baroness of Verbel have been mistaken? Or perhaps someone was impersonating her…”
“Honey, please, just shut up.”
The Kennises had already gone through considerable trouble even before reaching the Nostri estate because of the heavy snowfall. They swore they would never hate snow this much again in their lives, yet as the day to meet Aria approached, they started praying to the sky. They hoped the snow would fall so heavily that it would completely block the path.
Ever since they learned that the protector of a poor, abandoned child in the middle of the forest was none other than the daughter of the Blanche family, the Kennises had been plagued by anxiety every day. As people who had committed crimes that could anger the gods, meeting a woman from a family closest to divinity was certainly a torment.
Even though they hadn’t felt guilt at the time of their crimes, meeting Charlotte suddenly triggered their conscience. Yet, they couldn’t simply refuse to go. Leaving immediately with their luggage might have raised suspicion.
At that point, they started thinking defensively: “Maybe the person is actually a fake, impersonating Lady Blanche?” After all, they had been deceived by lies themselves, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think they could be deceived again. But the moment they arrived at the venue prepared by the Baroness of Verbel, the Kennises realized something:
If someone really intended to deceive them, who could resist? At least until they left Nostri, they had to act as if the story were true.
“I’ve never seen a lady so elegant in my life.”
Just as Charlotte had heard of the Kennises’ deceitful reputation, the Kennises had heard much about Charlotte as well.
“I am Charlotte Blanche. I’ve heard a lot from the Baroness of Verbel. Even though your journey here must not have been easy, thank you for coming in person.”
She was a lady with an ominous aura—born from a mother cursed by black magic. Any approach seemed to invite death itself, and all misfortune seemed to follow her into darkness… Charlotte carried a reputation full of negative whispers. Sometimes it was so extreme that they were curious to see her face.
“Wait… were the rumors about her all fake, just like ours?”
Charlotte was truly beautiful. Her hair was as white as a blizzard yet glimmered silver, and her mysterious eyes were a deep navy, sometimes resembling the sea, sometimes the night sky. Her gaze was slightly sharp, but when she smiled, the corners of her eyes curved gracefully, radiating warmth. Even standing still, the elegance of a high noble emanated from her, enough to make anyone’s presence shrink in comparison.
Unaware of the effect she had, Charlotte assumed the Kennises’ silence was because she was naturally quiet and calm. So she led the conversation proactively, slightly different from her usual personality. Taking a brief pause, she said:
“Aria, you should greet them.”
She smiled at Aria, who peeked shyly from behind her mother’s legs. Aria clutched her skirts and quietly moved her lips. When their eyes met, Charlotte gave her warmest, kindest smile. It’s okay, they’re good people. As soon as Charlotte made the small gesture, Aria seemed reassured and stepped forward.
“I’m Aria. Thank you for coming to meet me today. I’m really happy to see you.”
Charlotte had expected Aria to just introduce herself and hide again. But Aria didn’t stop at a simple greeting. She followed proper etiquette, like young noble girls before their debutante ball.
Charlotte had never taught her etiquette.
Before Charlotte could even react, the Kennises approached Aria with bright smiles.
“Hello, Aria. I’ve seen the portrait the Baroness sent, but you’re even cuter in person.”
“You follow etiquette very well for your age. Such a clever girl. Did Lady Charlotte personally teach her?”
“No! Aria learned it from her mother’s books and imitated them!”
Charlotte remembered the etiquette book she had put in her library just in case it was needed. She saw it… my Aria… truly amazing. Pride swelled in her chest, though she didn’t voice it, since the Kennises had already praised Aria first.
“Really? How clever she is!”
“Our Aria is truly remarkable!”
The Kennises bent down to match her eye level, just like any doting parents would. Charlotte clenched her fists unconsciously.
Aria, delighted by the praise for her solo practice, switched from her polite tone to a cheerful soprano, hopping and running on her precisely positioned little feet to show her joy.
The Kennises encouraged her with every smile, making Aria beam even more.
Watching this, Charlotte saw Baroness Verbel quietly approaching.
“I thought Aria might be shy, but she followed along surprisingly well. I was really worried,” she said.
“I thought the same. I asked Aria first if she wanted to meet the Kennises. She said yes, but I planned to leave immediately if she cried at the sight of them. But…”
“My lady?”
Contrary to their expectations, Aria seemed to like and follow the Kennises well. Charlotte couldn’t bring herself to finish her sentence, her chest burning with emotion.
Aria held the Kennises’ hands and smiled, then turned to Charlotte like a blooming bouquet of flowers. She waved as if saying goodbye, and Charlotte could only respond with a slight lift of her hand.
Charlotte felt her strength drain from her body. Her eyes grew warm, and she had to compose her voice carefully.
“Our Aria looks really happy, doesn’t she? She’ll continue to be happy, right?”
Baroness Verbel looked at Charlotte, who kept her gaze fixed on Aria.
“I hope so…”
Charlotte had been prepared to leave with Aria if she showed the slightest annoyance or displeasure. Experience had taught her that people slowly revealed their true feelings over time.
Even while chatting with Baroness Verbel, Charlotte kept an eye on the Kennises. Observing them, she saw that they spoiled Aria without fault.
They lavished affection on her, as if making up for years of love at once, picked her up when she fell, and brushed off the dirt. Lady Kennises turned pale with concern and even tugged at her skirts to clean her properly. They truly embodied the ideal parents.
As the sun set and they returned to their estate, the Kennises continued to stroke Aria’s hair, using only gentle words and promising to meet again. Their trousers and skirts were dusty from lowering themselves all day to meet Aria’s eye level.
“Aria, how was today? Did you have fun?”
“Yes! The cookies were delicious!”
Aria wiggled her legs with the cookie she received just before parting. She recounted in detail everything she did with the Kennises on the carriage ride home. Charlotte silently stroked her head each time.
After munching on her fourth chocolate chip cookie, Aria suddenly looked up at Charlotte.
“Mom, did you have fun too?”
“Huh?”
“Were you happy?”
Charlotte didn’t know why Aria asked, but she smiled warmly and pressed her forehead to hers.
“Of course. Seeing you smile so beautifully made me happy.”
Aria, delighted by that answer, hummed a cheerful tune. Charlotte hugged her tightly, staying silent. The carriage was filled with Aria’s fresh, clear voice and the rattling of wheels on gravel.
By the time they reached the lord’s castle, Aria had fallen asleep. Charlotte carefully carried her from the carriage. Esh and Anna were there to greet them.
“My lady…”
“Aria is asleep. Take her to her room.”
Charlotte handed the sleeping child to Anna without another word. Anna hesitated briefly, then carried Aria inside the castle carefully. Charlotte watched them leave and then looked at Esh. His expression was grim. Charlotte’s expression reflected in his eyes.
“My lady.”
“They were very kind people.”
Without being asked, Charlotte explained everything.
“They doted on Aria like their own daughter. When she fell, they were almost frantic, as if about to faint! Yet Aria didn’t cry; she just watched them calmly. And Aria followed them closely, even though it was their first meeting…”
Charlotte’s voice trailed off, her throat burning slightly. Esh patted her head awkwardly but reassuringly.
“Her smile… it was almost painfully beautiful.”
“…I see. I can imagine how lovely she looked.”
“She was unbelievably cute. You should have seen her, Duke.”
Esh listened silently, offering light encouragement. That was all he did, but for Charlotte, it was enough. They continued to talk for a while, and she eventually relaxed. She would meet the Kennises three more times afterward.
Three days later, the snowstorm finally ended. As if waiting for this day, a letter arrived from the Kennises. It said urgent business required them to go to the capital.
