Inside the box were all kinds of stuffed animals. Ever since I overreacted to a cute teddy bear the other day, all the gifts had been like this.
I looked through the box and picked up one plush that caught my eye. I turned it over in my hands, examining it.
Something about this one felt… a little off.
“…Was this handmade?”
“Y-yes…!”
For the first time in four days, I heard a voice from one of the mysterious gift-givers.
It was just for a moment, but I could tell it belonged to a middle-aged man.
Then came the sound of someone getting hit—whack, whack. And once again, as if on cue, silence fell.
The ones hiding must be the elders. The subtle aura of their pheromones was clearly different from those of lower-ranked workers.
From the fact that they were giving me presents, they didn’t seem to dislike me, so why were they hiding? Wouldn’t it be nicer if we could greet each other face-to-face?
“…This is boring now.”
It had been exciting up until this morning, but I was already tired of it. I think I’ve reacted enough by now. That’s plenty, as far as gift etiquette goes.
Still, the handmade doll was touching so I decided to take it to my room. The rest… my room’s too small, so I’ll just leave them here.
“Miss!”
Just as I hugged the handmade plush to one arm and closed the box, Rita appeared through the garden gate.
“Rita?”
“The lord is looking for you!”
“Daddy? Why?”
“It looks like a guest has arrived?”
“A guest?”
A guest for me? Who? I wasn’t expecting anyone…
I tilted my head, unable to come up with a single person.
“I think you’ll be happy to see them.”
Someone I’d be happy to see? That made me even more confused. The only one that comes to mind is Shirea… but no way she’s here. She’s way too busy.
Wait… could Hale have captured Roel? But does Rita even know who Roel is…?
The more I thought about it, the less sense it made. So I decided to stop thinking and just go see for myself.
I took Rita’s hand and started walking.
“But, uh… what’s that in your hand? Is it… trash? No, I mean, what is it?”
“This isn’t trash. It’s a gift.”
“…That’s a gift?”
“Yeah, I know it looks a little weird, but it’s got way more heart than the others, so I picked it.”
Even though I was talking to Rita, that message was meant for the elders hiding nearby, too.
Since they’d all heard that, I had a feeling the next batch of dolls in gift boxes would be just as oddly made but that was still better than gifts without any sincerity.
I mean, I’m sure they picked all those other gifts with me in mind too… but what can I say? If they didn’t catch my eye, they didn’t.
Even if it’s a little ugly, it’s the thought that matters.
***
“Whoa! What the—!”
The moment I stepped into the sitting room and saw a familiar face, I instinctively pointed.
Then quickly lowered my hand.
Sitting around the round white table were Shirea and the twin siblings of the Yellow Dragon clan.
I didn’t think I’d see them again this soon…!
Overcome with joy, I ran straight to the table.
“Shia!”
“Hey, Sen.”
It had only been two weeks, but Shirea had gotten way taller. We were about the same size at the ball, but now she looked at least a head and a half taller than me.
You’re growing like a weed, huh, Shirea? Well, her appearance might have changed, but she was still Shirea, so it didn’t really matter.
After greeting her, I turned to the twins. Like Shirea, they’d both had a growth spurt too. Was it just me, or was I the only one still tiny?
We weren’t especially close, but the fact they’d come to visit made me happy. Maybe this was our chance to grow closer. That’s probably why they came too.
“Hi!”
“…Hello.”
“Hello.”
When I greeted them first, Rizley and Erisen responded one after the other.
Rizley seemed… shyer than before?
“Your pronunciation’s a lot better now.”
“Kid’s grow by the day, you know.”
“…Not wrong.”
Shirea tilted her head and answered a bit dryly to my comment. She almost looked annoyed.
Did I say something wrong? I read somewhere that kids grow at an incredible pace, and especially when they’re not yours.
Well, anyway—what are you guys doing here? There wasn’t any mention of an event happening today.
“So, uh… what brings you here?”
“The lord invited us!”
Before Shirea could respond, Erisen cut in. When I looked at him, he grinned proudly and elbowed Rizley.
Rizley, who had been sneaking glances at me, quickly dropped his eyes. Huh? Did I do something to upset him?
“Everyone’s here, I see.”
Just as I was about to ask him what was wrong, Hale’s voice came from behind me.
“Eep!”
When I turned around and saw him, I couldn’t hide my shock.
He looked like he’d just come out of the shower. His hair damp, his clothes loose, and his chest peeking through. He looked… very relaxed.
This is… not safe for the children! I know he doesn’t need to be all formal around kids, but still, this is a bit much!
I mean, I’m fine seeing someone that handsome like this, but you’re the lord, you know?! If you’re gonna show off, show off to me only!
“…Lord.”
Seeing the flustered expressions on our faces, Rita quickly stepped in front of Hale.
Then, with a voice full of restrained fury, she buttoned up his shirt for him.
“Ah, I rushed out too fast.”
“Yes, I understand. But let’s… cover up for now.”
“Thanks.”
His chuckle was just so clueless. Well, outwardly clueless, anyway.
With his arms now crossed over his chest, Hale stepped past Rita and approached us.
“Senika, how are you feeling?”
“How am I…? Why are you asking all of a sudden?”
“You haven’t been in the best mood lately.”
Wait—how does he know that?
It was true. I’d been feeling off. My pheromone training wasn’t going well, the constant gifts from strangers were annoying, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Roel.
But I’d been trying not to show it in front of others. I guess… that didn’t work on Hale.
“I brought your friends here for you.”
He spoke with such pride that it made me want to laugh and at the same time, I was so touched and proud of him.
No matter what method he used, he did it all for me. How could I not be moved?
“Daddy, you’re the best!”
I hugged him on the spot. He must’ve expected it, because he’d already knelt down to my level.
He’s sneakily good at playing the long game, isn’t he? Actually, not sneakily—blatantly.
“They’ll be staying for three days. I hope you all have fun.”
“Yeah! I’m so excited!”
It wasn’t just about me being in a bad mood. He must’ve also been worried about how I didn’t have any kids my age at the manor.
Knowing Hale, he probably wanted to keep them around longer. But these weren’t just ordinary kids, they were heirs to powerful clans. So that wouldn’t be possible.
And the fact that they were here for three whole days without their guardians, on a day with no special events, that meant Hale had pulled some serious strings.
Once the adults stepped out, it was just the four of us in the sitting room. Now what should we do?
“What should we play?”
“Hmm…”
We didn’t expect to meet like this today, so I had no idea what to do. Judging by the looks on their faces, they were in the same boat.
“Um… I want to see the Baekryong clan’s territory!”
Again, it was Erisen who spoke up. Not a bad suggestion.
“Wanna go out, then?”
Everyone nodded but I was a little worried, could we really leave the manor just the four of us?
It’d be better if we could, but… it wouldn’t be easy.
Unfortunately, for someone who spoke so boldly, I didn’t have any concrete plan or excuse for getting us out. What should I do?
“You’ve been outside before, right?”
“Shia, come on. I’m a future clan head. Of course I have.”
“You’re still a kid, though.”
“…”
Oof. That hit me right in the chest. And I couldn’t argue with it.
“I’ve been out with Daddy before.”
“So you probably don’t know the way, huh?”
“…I don’t know the roads, but I do know where the good food is!”
Shirea’s verbal jabs, whether aimed at me or others, never get easier to handle.
“…Even if I don’t know the way, just being together sounds fun.”
Breaking the silence, Rizley spoke up for the first time, softly.
He’s reading my mind!
I gave Rizley a soft smile and nodded.
“Yeah! I think so too!”
As soon as we made eye contact, he dropped his gaze. I hadn’t spoken to him much before, but he seemed really shy.
Anyway, I quickly called Joshua.
There’s no way we’d be allowed out on our own, so I needed someone on my side. If we had to bring a chaperone, it better be someone easy to deal with.
After telling Joshua he had no choice but to come with us, I stepped outside and told Rita—who had been waiting for us—that we were going out.
“Just Joshua?”
“Is… that not enough?”
She gave me a look like, “You seriously asking me that?”
Right. There are four of us, so maybe we need four escorts?
“Okay, we’ll bring three more!”
“Hmmm…”
“We just wanna get snacks together. Please?”
“You can ask the chef to make whatever you want.”
“But it tastes better outside, even if it’s the same food!”
Rita clearly didn’t want me going out. But I wasn’t about to give up that easily!
I kept pushing. Since I’d never been this insistent before, Rita looked more and more unsure as time went on.
I mean, it’s not like we’re going far. It’s just a short trip within our own territory! Can’t you let us go just this once?
“…You must keep the escorts close at all times.”
“Of course! Promise!”
I was so happy I started hopping in place.
Rita looked down at me with an expression that said, How can I say no to that face?
“But, should we tell your father?”
“I’ll tell him. You just enjoy yourself.”
“Okay!”
“Be back before sunset, understand?”
“Got it! Don’t worry!”
