Chapter 44
It felt like what a tea party hosted by fairies would be like.
Ror felt as if she had plopped! straight into a fairy tale, and she pressed her hands to her cheeks, shaking her head in excitement.
“You like it that much?”
Kainel, who had quietly approached Ror’s side, smiled warmly. Ror’s eyes were sparkling.
“Yup!”
“That’s good. As long as you like it.”
“Hehe! I like it even more because you’re here, Kainel!”
At those words, Kainel’s eyes widened. Unaware of that, Ror, thrilled, giggled and went to the table that had been prepared in advance, taking a seat.
Kainel quietly sat down next to Ror as well.
“Huh?”
Leikal narrowed his eyes as he watched Kainel and Ror.
It seemed as if a strange atmosphere had just passed between them. More specifically, Kainel’s expression when looking at Ror was different from usual…
“No way…”
To Leikal, Kainel’s impression could be summed up in one word: worst.
His sharp eyes always looked full of displeasure, and his mouth seemed perpetually twisted in a smirk.
Even though he barely spoke, every word that came out was arrogant.
His face was rough-looking, and his personality problematic—it had always seemed odd to Leikal that Ror considered such a person a friend.
But now, when he was next to Ror, Kainel’s eyes softened. And when Ror laughed, the sharpness in his gaze melted away.
Earlier, he had clearly wanted to leave, but then he glanced at Ror and decided to stay for the tea party.
Could it be…!
“How dare you!”
Leikal’s eyes burned with anger. How dare he approach my cousin!
“Huh? My cousin?”
Leikal flinched at the thought but quickly dismissed it. What mattered now was different.
Ror was the Grand Duchess, inheriting the noble bloodline of the prestigious Atelleon family. Someone of unknown origin like that—someone unworthy—shouldn’t be mingling so freely.
And their uncle had even specifically entrusted Ror to him!
So he could not allow that suspicious, unknown boy to hover around his cousin.
While Leikal’s eyes blazed, the two children, oblivious to the strange tension, smiled brightly and began their tea time.
On the table was a tea set designed for children, adorned with pink lace patterns.
The child-sized teapots were small and light, easy enough for five-year-olds to lift.
“Pour, pour.”
Yuren, the host of the tea time, poured tea into Ror’s cup.
Ror’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the pink-colored tea.
The color was so beautiful. Was this how the waters with dissolved gems that fairies drank looked?
I’ve always wanted to go to a tea party like Princess Dyna in the fairy tale books!
Though she knew she couldn’t enter the storybook world, every night before bed, she’d clasp her hands together and make a wish:
“Please let me go to a tea party with Toto!” Holding Toto tightly, afraid he might disappear in dreamland.
And now she was at a tea party!
Hiyah…
Of course, since she came alone, only half her wish was fulfilled.
Thinking of that, Ror pouted.
“Toto, sorry I can’t bring you to the tea party.”
Toto had listened to their mother read the fairy tale with her too. He must have been curious about the tea party as well.
Thinking of Toto naturally brought thoughts of her mother, who had read the stories to her.
Ror’s eyes grew warm as the memory of her mother stirred in her.
Kainel noticed.
The usually cheerful, bright smile on Ror’s face was clouded over.
And Kainel had a rough idea of what she was thinking, because Ror had the same expression when watching Alkaid leave the training grounds last time.
“Again…”
Disliking the look on Ror’s face, Kainel furrowed his brow.
He picked up a piece of meringue cookie from the plate on the table and gently poked Ror’s slumped shoulder with the other hand.
Ror quickly turned to look at him.
“Kainel? Why?”
She opened her mouth slightly, and the meringue cookie slid in.
“Ah?!”
Ror’s eyes widened in surprise.
“W-what is this…!”
As she moved her mouth to speak, the light, delicate meringue crumbled and melted in her mouth.
The broken pieces dissolved like little clouds in the sky.
The subtle vanilla scent and sweetness spread through her mouth, and Ror’s eyes brightened.
“……”
Kainel silently watched Ror’s change.
Her drooping eyebrows returned to their place, and her cheeks flushed pink.
Ror opened her eyes wide in astonishment and covered her mouth with her small hands.
“…So tasty…”
She murmured as she lowered her hands.
The meringue melted instantly. Along with it, her sadness and gloom seemed to melt away. Not that her longing for her mother disappeared completely, but…
With her face brightened, Ror looked around at everyone at the table.
“What is this? It’s so tasty!”
“Right? Hehe. It’s meringue cookies! My favorite.”
Seeing Ror’s renewed cheer, Yuren also spoke in a lively voice.
She had specially ordered these meringue cookies, so she felt extra proud.
“I prepared them to eat with Ror.”
“Wow! Yuren, you’re the best!”
Ror clapped her hands. Yuren, slightly intimidated by Kainel’s presence earlier, seemed to relax and smiled brightly.
“No way, that kid dared to stuff a meringue cookie into the Grand Duchess’ mouth?”
Ror didn’t know proper etiquette, but Yuren probably didn’t dare to protest.
Leikal wanted to say something. This was an outrageous act that could not be ignored.
But…
“Kainel, try it too! It’s delicious!”
Leikal couldn’t say a word.
Ror, smiling happily, brought the meringue cookie to Kainel’s mouth.
“If I get angry, Ror might cry again.”
Recalling the time Ror had burst into tears in the dining hall, Leikal felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
No matter how annoying Kainel was, he didn’t want to see Ror cry.
Leikal frowned and turned his head, swallowing the words that threatened to spill.
Next time… if this happens again, he wouldn’t hold back.
Seeing Ror so gentle, he resolved to be strict himself.
Suddenly, Kainel stiffened, jumped up, and began scanning the area sharply.
“What is it?”
Leikal asked, but Kainel didn’t answer, only looking around as if searching for something.
He couldn’t wait any longer.
Bang!
“You—!”
Leikal slammed both hands on the table and stood, and Kainel’s sharp gaze immediately turned toward him.
Then, like a predator snatching its prey, Kainel quickly grabbed Leikal’s wrist and pulled.
“What are you doing?!”
Leikal shouted, trying to pull his hand back, but…
Thud!
Something pierced the backrest of the chair where Leikal had just been sitting.
A small dagger.
A weapon sharp enough to seriously harm young Leikal.
“Uh?”
Leikal’s eyes widened. If he had stayed in his seat, it wouldn’t have been the chair pierced—it would have been his head.
A chill ran down his spine.
“I messed up.”
He shouldn’t have sent the knights and maids outside the glass greenhouse after Yuren’s instructions.
Who would dare to target the Archduke’s estate, aiming at his nephew and the crown prince? He had forgotten that their uncle wasn’t present.
Nervously, Leikal looked up. In front of him was Kainel’s back.
Though much smaller than him, Kainel stepped forward.
“What… is this?”
Seeing that small back, a strange emotion welled up in his chest.
At first, he thought it was gratitude.
If Kainel hadn’t pulled his wrist, he would have really died.
But soon doubt and suspicion mingled with that feeling.
She was clearly younger than him—how could she react so quickly?
“Who… what are you really?”
