REDA | Chapter 58

~Chapter 58~

“Did I arrive too late?”

“No, we just got here,” Ruby and the children said as they stood to greet Ivan.

“Please, sit here, Your Highness,” Barker said, guiding Ivan to the best seat.

Once Ivan sat down, Barker brought the tea tray and placed the cups in front of each guest.

“What kind of tea do you prefer, Your Highness?” Barker asked.

“Anything is fine. Oh, give me the same tea as Ruby,” Ivan said, choosing what Ruby was drinking without even knowing what it was.

Barker paused for a moment, looking at Ivan before turning his gaze to the tea.

Once Ivan was seated, the children sat down as well.

After settling down, Ivan turned his attention to Ruby and her siblings.

“How have you been?”

“Yes, how about you, Your Highness?” Ruby replied.

“You brought Calix and Sasha with you?”

“They insisted on coming, so I couldn’t say no.”

“I figured as much.”

Calix grumbled, “Why can’t I go with you sometimes?”

“I want to go too,” Sasha added, raising her hand.

Ruby was unsure whether it was okay to bring her siblings along since the invitation was for her alone.

Reading her hesitation, Calix immediately made a sad face.

“I want to make new friends too…”

“Me too…” Sasha added, mimicking his expression.

Seeing her siblings like this made Ruby’s heart soften.

“Alright, I’ll ask Barker if it’s okay,” Ruby finally said.

“Yay! We get to go out!”

“Waaah!”

Calix and Sasha clapped their hands in excitement. They had been cooped up in the mansion for too long with all their lessons. Ruby realized she had neglected them and felt guilty.

Fortunately, Barker quickly responded and gave permission for her siblings to come along. However, since Theo wouldn’t be attending, they decided to leave Maria behind.

Ruby repeatedly reminded her siblings as they rode in the carriage.

“Don’t run around, greet people properly, and watch your language!”

Calix covered his ears, annoyed by her constant nagging.

“Don’t worry, sis. I’m seven. I can handle it,” Calix said, but Ruby was still concerned.

“You’re seven, which is exactly why I’m worried,” Ruby replied.

“I’m grown up!”

“The fact that you’re saying that shows you’re not.”

Calix crossed his arms and sulked. Meanwhile, Sasha tugged at Ruby’s sleeve.

“Sasha’s still a baby.”

“No, Sasha, you’re a little girl now. You can’t act like a baby anymore, okay?” Ruby said firmly.

“Hing…” Sasha pouted, feeling a bit upset.

As Ruby continued to keep an eye on her siblings, the carriage made its way to the Land Count’s mansion.

When they arrived, another carriage was already there. Ruby recognized the family crest and approached, greeting the occupant.

“Hello, Lady Sennis.”

“Oh, hello, Lady Ruby. Are these your younger siblings?” Sennis asked.

“Yes, this is Calix, and this is Sasha,” Ruby said.

Both children, still shy, hid behind Ruby when introduced to Lady Sennis, peeking out timidly.

“Come on, kids, greet her properly,” Ruby said sternly.

Calix, still shy, bowed his head. “Hello…” he mumbled, then quickly hid behind Ruby again.

“Hello!” Sasha said bravely, bowing deeply.

“How adorable! I’m Sennis Brensel. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Lady Sennis said warmly, lowering herself to Sasha’s eye level.

Just then, Barker came rushing out from the mansion.

“I’m sorry I’m late to greet you. You’ve already arrived,” he said.

“It’s fine. We just got here,” Ruby replied, waving her hands.

Barker’s eyes naturally turned to Ruby’s siblings.

“And these must be…”

“Yes, my younger siblings—Calix and Sasha,” Ruby introduced.

“Nice to meet you both,” Barker said with a gentle smile.

“Hello,” Calix said softly and immediately hid behind Ruby.

“Hi!” Sasha said brightly, smiling at Barker.

“Welcome to our mansion,” Barker said warmly, his gentle voice making Sasha blush even more.

“My legs hurt. Can we go inside now?” Sennis said with a touch of annoyance, noticing that Barker had failed to greet her directly.

“Oh, Lady Sennis, you’re here too. Please, come in,” Barker said politely, though not warmly.

Ruby and her siblings didn’t understand the tension between the two nobles and just exchanged glances.

They followed Barker inside the grand mansion.

“Wow…” Calix and Sasha exclaimed as they entered.

“It may not be as magnificent as the Grand Duke’s residence, but it’s decent enough, right?” Barker said modestly.

“It’s a beautiful mansion,” Ruby said honestly.

“In fact, it’s newly built. The old one was too worn down, so we decided to rebuild it,” Barker explained.

Ruby was impressed by how much money it must have taken to build such a mansion. She couldn’t help but admire the wealth of the Land family.

Barker led them into the drawing room.

“What kind of tea would you like, Lady Ruby?” Barker asked courteously.

“I’ll drink whatever you recommend. Oh, but could my siblings have rooibos tea, please?” Ruby said.

Her thoughtful attitude made Barker’s expression soften.

“Of course. And Lady Sennis?” he asked.

“Earl Grey milk tea, please. With lots of sugar,” Sennis said.

“That much sugar isn’t good for your health,” Barker said teasingly.

“That’s my choice,” Sennis replied curtly.

“Alright, as you wish,” Barker said with a smile.

Ruby couldn’t tell if the two of them got along well or not. Barker was polite with her, but seemed a little more casual with Sennis.

Barker stood up to fetch the tea.

“You’re not going to make it yourself, are you?” Ruby asked, surprised.

Barker smiled and said, “Actually, I’m quite good at it.”

With that, he left the room, pushing a small cart.

Left alone, Sennis turned her attention to Ruby’s siblings.

“You three look so much alike. You’re all so cute and charming,” she said kindly.

“I—I’m not cute,” Calix said, flustered.

“Of course you look brave! Do you train or exercise?” Sennis asked.

“Oh, Calix is learning swordsmanship,” Ruby explained.

Sennis clasped her hands, surprised. “Oh my! You’re already training with the sword? How impressive!”

“I-it’s nothing…” Calix muttered, feeling awkward from all the praise.

“My brother’s skills are actually quite good,” Ruby said proudly. “And not just because he’s my brother—”

“Sis!” Calix exclaimed, covering her mouth.

Sennis giggled at their sibling interaction. Then she turned to Sasha.

“And your little sister is so adorable—like a doll!”

Sasha didn’t shy away from the compliment. “Sasha’s pretty! Like a princess, right?”

“Sasha, I told you not to say things like that. And remember to use polite speech,” Ruby scolded.

“It’s fine,” Sennis said kindly. “I’m not a princess, so you don’t have to be so formal.”

Sasha giggled, relieved.

“I’m an only child, so I envy you. Having younger siblings must be so nice,” Sennis said softly.

“It is. They give me strength and make me want to do better,” Ruby said warmly, patting both Calix and Sasha on the head.

The two children smiled up at her brightly.

Watching them, Sennis couldn’t help but smile too.

At that moment, the door opened again, and Barker entered, pushing a tray himself.

Ruby immediately stood up. “Can I help you?”

“No, please stay seated. Serving my guests properly is my duty,” Barker said with a smile. “Besides, we have another guest joining us.”

He stepped aside from the doorway, and someone walked in.

“Prince Ivan!” Sennis exclaimed, jumping to her feet in surprise.