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“Tiana, that is…”
“Is it not possible?”
“No, um…”
Lucius’ expression didn’t change much, as if he had expected my sudden words. After a thoughtful pause, he let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“I think it would be okay for you to see the child. They’re in a slightly more stable state now. However, since we can’t predict how they might act at any given moment, you’ll need to be careful when meeting them.”
“I’ll be careful. I’ll make sure not to provoke the child… even observing from a distance is fine. I just want to confirm that they’re safe.”
That day, I was the one who had been with the child. I had saved the child who nearly died, though I had ultimately failed to find their younger sibling. The child had clung desperately to me, begging for their sibling’s life. Seeing me might even trigger a seizure. Maybe it would be better not to look.
Still, I wanted to see that the child was truly alive. Even if I could only watch unnoticed, that would be enough.
“Perhaps it’s because I feel guilty for not saving the child’s sibling… It was unavoidable, but that’s why…”
“Tiana…”
“That’s why I want to see the one I saved alive and well.”
“I understand. We’ll need help from the three people over there. I’ll contact them and set up a meeting in a few days.”
“Thank you.”
Feeling grateful that he had agreed so easily, I smiled at him. He returned my smile and kissed my forehead. Rolling the blanket down to my waist and leaning comfortably against him, he spoke slowly, having kept his mouth shut for a while.
“However… there is something I haven’t told you yet, Tiana.”
“What is it?”
“It concerns that accident… there is an important fact.”
“An important fact?”
Was there something else he had kept from me? Curious, I looked at him, but he didn’t speak easily. What could it be? Surely it can’t be…
“Does this important fact have to do with the child?”
“…Yes.”
He nodded seriously, looking troubled. My vague suspicion had been confirmed. I had felt he was hiding something significant for another reason.
It seemed that the fire accident in the garden was related to the child who had survived. Seeing him hesitate even more than before, I asked carefully.
“Can you not tell me now?”
“If I tell you all at once today, it might be too much for you. Earlier, you nearly lost consciousness, didn’t you?”
“That was just for a moment, without me realizing it…”
“Even so, it’s not allowed.”
“…I understand.”
I obediently accepted his stance. After all, it was my concern that caused this. If he insists so firmly, it must be something truly shocking.
Feeling a little disappointed, I frowned slightly. He smiled faintly and kissed my forehead again.
“You’ll find out when we go to Sinadelle in a few days. I hope it doesn’t shock you too much.”
His soft murmur carried a faintly bitter smile.
The trip to Sinadelle was arranged sooner than expected. Lucius quickly received a positive response after exchanging letters for a few days with Marquis Grasel, and a date was set.
“Tomorrow? Is it really okay to go so soon?”
“Yes, it’s fine. Tomorrow happens to be the weekend, so there’s no court business. Marquis Grasel, Marquis Ezac, and Baron Bien plan to spend the whole day in the conservatory with the child.”
“Really? They coordinated their schedules on purpose, it seems.”
“During weekdays, they all have duties, so it would be impossible to stay with the child all day. They chose a holiday to ensure that. Normally, either Marquis Ezac or Baron Bien would need to attend work, but since it’s the weekend, it’s fine.”
“Anyway, both will be in the conservatory. If anything happens, they can respond immediately. Alright, I’ll prepare.”
Though the trip was sudden, we wouldn’t stay long, so I didn’t need much luggage. Jane and I quickly finished preparing and briefly stopped by the study.
“…Just in case…”
I noticed a glass jar on the desk. It contained blue rose petals that the child had grown. I could take it without consequence, but I felt compelled to bring it along as a sort of charm—maybe it could be useful somehow.
I placed it in a thick, soft velvet pouch and sealed it. Small and light, it wouldn’t be inconvenient to carry. I tied the strap securely around my wrist. The knot was sturdy, and the weight was light, so I just had to be careful not to drop it. Adjusting it to stay snug around my wrist, I quietly removed it, satisfied, and left the study with a smile.
The next morning, we departed from the Grand Duke’s mansion in a carriage. Once we quickly passed through the capital’s main gate, a dense forest path stretched ahead.
This was the second time leaving the capital. Returning to a place I had visited before, under these circumstances, made me a little tense.
As we rode in silence, Lucius seemed to notice my tension and asked cautiously,
“Tiana, are you nervous?”
“A little. It’s my first visit since the accident, and the circumstances are quite different now.”
“True, but it will be alright. Don’t worry too much.”
“Alright. Thank you, Lucius.”
He held my hand reassuringly, and I smiled in gratitude. He smiled back at me.
“By the way, we had promised to visit again.”
“Yes, we did.”
“I never expected we’d come back like this. I’d like to have lunch with the children… though that might be difficult.”
“…It would be nice if there’s an opportunity.”
I said this with some regret, and he didn’t answer directly, holding my hand tightly with a bittersweet expression. It might be possible with the other children, but eating with that child would be difficult.
Still, this wasn’t the only chance. I smiled brightly at him, determined.
“Next time, I’ll bring a picnic mat.”
“…And a lunchbox too?”
“Yes. Near the restored garden, we could sit on the mat with the children and eat together. That would be wonderful.”
“Indeed. Next time, we will do just that.”
Lucius’ golden eyes shimmered quietly. Even without words, he understood my feelings and intentions, and I was grateful and happy. I hoped our wishes would not go unfulfilled.
About two hours after leaving the capital, we arrived in Sinadelle. Opening the window, I welcomed the familiar scent of flowers.
After roughly three months since the accident, Sinadelle was unchanged, still lively. Though it was summer, the weather was pleasantly cool.
Petals drifted inside the carriage and settled on Lucius’ and my lap. Among the small petals was a single striking red one.
“Rose…”
I had brought the pouch with the glass jar on my wrist when leaving the mansion. Carefully, I removed the jar, opened it, and placed the red rose petal inside on top of the blue ones. Seeing the large red petal atop the blue ones unsettled me slightly, so I quickly closed the jar and returned it to the pouch.
Lucius quietly watched me. I met his gaze and smiled, asking softly,
“Shall we go straight to the conservatory?”
“Yes. By now, the three of them should be waiting to greet us.”
“Really? It’s been a while for them too. I look forward to seeing them.”
I wondered if they had been well. Though not much time had passed, seeing their faces would be comforting. Especially since the three had a unique bond.
The carriage swiftly crossed the city center toward the conservatory. Passing the shopping street, the conservatory came into view. Soon, we arrived at its entrance.
As Lucius had said, the three were there to meet us. Smiling brightly, I opened the carriage door. Just as I expected, they greeted Lucius with the same expressions as before.
“Welcome, Your Grace, Your Grace. Thank you for coming such a long way.”
“It’s been a while.”
I greeted Marquis Grasel, who spoke on behalf of them, with a nod, then approached Marquis Ezac and Baron Bien who were waiting.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“Of course, Your Grace. And you as well? I’ve heard news from time to time, but it’s wonderful to meet you like this.”
I carefully observed Marquis Ezac’s smiling face. While the two men seemed fine, her face appeared thinner, which made me concerned.
“I’ve been well. But Marquis Ezac, you don’t look well.”
“I’ve had a few things to worry about… but don’t worry. I’m feeling better now.”
“…Was it because of the child?”
The only matter that could have made her so worried was that incident. And indeed, she smiled faintly, confirming my suspicion.
“It’s fine. Compared to before, I’m much better now. Just not staying up all night anymore is a relief.”
“That serious… Your Grace, I heard about it, but it must have been really bad.”
Keeping watch every night would inevitably exhaust her. As a girl, she couldn’t easily have Marquis Grasel or Baron Bien take shifts, and her personality wouldn’t allow her to entrust it to others. It must have been very tough.
Still, it was good to hear she had improved. It was hard to imagine how severe it had been.
“Where is the child…? Can we see them now?”
“…I’ll show you. This way, please.”
She hesitated briefly, then led Lucius and me. Following her carefully, we arrived at a small greenhouse. Turning to the right inside, we saw a side wall thick with tangled vines.
“Do you see it there?”
“…!”
Through the transparent greenhouse, among the densely planted roses, the child was visible, smiling brightly.
