Chapter 08
“Now then, shall we begin the main event? Here you go~!”
Maricel stretched her neck and plucked a round, fluffy white dandelion, handing it to Fleur.
Fleur’s eyes widened in shock.
“It’s alright. It won’t die just because we pick it. Next spring, it will grow again.”
Maricel picked one for herself as well. She took a deep breath and blew hard.
The white dandelion lifted gently into the warm sunlight, floating in the breeze.
Fleur stared at the sight in a daze.
A flower with wings, flying far away on the wind.
His heart began to race.
He watched endlessly as the spring breeze carried it away.
In the child’s eyes, bathed in the spring wind, the emptiness was gone.
Instead, there was only the reflection of a clear blue sky.
Maricel felt tears well up in her eyes.
“Young Master, you should try too.”
Fleur looked quietly at the white dandelion in his hand, then blew with all his strength.
His dandelion also floated up and began to dance in the air.
He took a deep breath and murmured without thinking—
“Pre…tty.”
‘What?’
For a moment, Maricel doubted her ears. The word had clearly come from Fleur.
Emotion rose in her chest.
But she stayed calm, afraid that making a fuss would embarrass him.
She spoke naturally, hoping he might speak again.
“Right? I think it’s pretty every time I see it. The dandelion that flies away will take root somewhere and bloom again. That’s how dandelions live….”
There was no more reply.
‘It was such a cute voice….’
She felt a little regret.
But it was alright.
This was only the beginning of hope.
Maricel stood up, dusted off her skirt, and held out her hand.
“Then shall we continue exploring the garden in our own way?”
“Emma, I think it’s time to change the clothes. Please prepare about eight outfits each in pink and blue tones.”
Maricel had been using daily routines to help stabilize Fleur.
When a child feels anxious, it is best to reduce change and keep the same routine every day.
For that reason, she had prepared several green dresses—since green was said to calm the mind—and wore them daily.
But now that Fleur had grown much more stable, she no longer needed to follow that clothing routine.
The weather was also becoming warmer, and lighter clothes were necessary.
Since she was preparing new clothes anyway, she wanted to change the colors, so she asked Emma.
Emma had been assigned to the room next to Maricel’s and was given permission to freely travel between the Grand Duke’s estate and the Viscount’s house.
She acted as a link between Maricel and her parents.
Since Maricel had voluntarily given up her holidays for the time being, Morgan had arranged this out of consideration for both her and her parents.
With a slight change in their simple routine, Maricel suggested having tea with Fleur.
She hoped that, like during their garden walk, he might naturally find another chance to speak.
Snacks were prepared in a rotunda in one corner of the spring garden, where flowers were in full bloom.
A lovely child with blue eyes like the clear sky and silky black hair like the night sky.
How could he be so beautiful, handsome, cute, and lovable?
He fit perfectly into the peaceful scene of swaying willow trees and roses dancing in the soft breeze.
She felt she could watch him all day.
“Wow—these cookies look so pretty and delicious. I wonder how they make them?”
Maricel admired the lovely cookies.
In her previous life, she had tried making cookies many times but had never once succeeded.
She had been decent at other things, but baking had been especially terrible.
So she concluded that cookies were meant to be bought, not made, and never tried again.
‘Wait. It might be nice to make them together with Fleur.’
Maybe in this life she would have golden hands for baking—or at least silver hands.
And perhaps while making cookies, Fleur might naturally speak again.
“Young Master, have you ever made cookies before?”
Fleur shook his head without hesitation.
“Then… would you like to make cookies with me?”
Maricel’s eyes sparkled.
Fleur’s eyes also brightened.
But soon the corners of his eyes drooped.
“Don’t worry. I will absolutely, definitely get His Grace’s permission. Alright? It’s a promise!”
Maricel held out her right hand with only her pinky finger extended.
Fleur looked between her hand and her face, confused about what it meant.
Maricel smiled reassuringly.
“When you hook your pinky finger with mine like this, it means we promise.”
Even after the explanation, Fleur hesitated. He wondered if something bad would happen if the promise was broken.
Maricel smiled again and reassured him.
“This just means I am that confident. No one will be punished, so you don’t need to worry.”
Only then did Fleur hook his pinky with hers.
As soon as their fingers linked, Maricel raised his thumb to meet hers and pressed them together like sealing a stamp, then shook their joined hands playfully.
As their arms swung back and forth, a small smile slowly curved on Fleur’s face.
Late at night, in front of Morgan’s office.
‘Should I knock? No… maybe I should wait a little longer?’
Maricel raised her hand to knock, then stepped back two meters. She walked forward again, then back, repeating the motion.
‘They said he hates being disturbed while working. I shouldn’t provoke his bad temper and ruin this.’
But how long should she wait? All night? What about Fleur?
She paced in front of the door, unable to decide.
“Morgan, Your Grace!”
“Why are you suddenly using formal speech? It’s irritating.”
Without lifting his eyes from the documents, Morgan snapped at Rino.
“Let’s wrap up. I want to leave early today. My mother might forget what her son looks like.”
“Since when have you acted like a son? Don’t complain.”
“I told Nanny Maricel that Your Grace would happen to have time at this hour.”
“What?”
“I went to see Porle earlier and saw her speaking with Maricel. She said she had something to discuss with you about Fleur. She asked about your schedule, so I told her to come now. She’s outside, struggling over whether to knock.”
“There’s still work left.”
“Your Grace. Meet the nanny first and finish later. You shouldn’t make a lady wait.”
Rino urged him playfully.
Morgan disliked how Rino caused trouble on his own and then shifted the blame.
‘That sly fox.’
Yet strangely, he did not feel annoyed.
Even though it was the kind of work interruption he hated most.
‘What interesting story will she bring today?’
Without realizing it, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
But he did not notice he was smiling.
Pretending to reluctantly allow it, Morgan spoke sternly.
“Tell her to come in on your way out. And I’ll remember this.”
“Petty over something like this. I’m going. And don’t overwork yourself tonight.”
Rino left after giving his advice.
As the door opened, he met eyes with Maricel, who was just about to knock.
He folded his eyes into a gentle smile.
His bright brown hair matched his light brown eyes perfectly, giving him a mysterious air.
Friendly, yet observant. Playful curiosity lingered in his gaze.
Maricel gave him a polite smile.
“Good evening, Sir Rino. You must be working hard so late.”
“Yes. Because I serve a workaholic master, I never know if I’m arriving or leaving work. But thanks to you, tonight I clearly get to leave.”
He grinned.
Maricel nearly laughed but quickly swallowed it.
“His Grace must keep you by his side because you are capable.”
At that, Rino bent slightly closer and whispered near her ear—
