Chapter 60
“Kyle?”
The name slipped from her lips before she could stop herself.
One of the children who had been grumbling snapped his head in her direction.
The ferocious way he clenched his teeth, his brow deeply furrowed, made it clear just how angry he was.
She had no idea why.
Since the boy who turned first was unfamiliar, Cecilia’s gaze naturally shifted to a face she recognized.
“Ah—L-Lady…”
It seemed he hadn’t forgotten her face, even after several months.
Startled, Kyle hurriedly lowered his head.
Cecilia, who hadn’t expected such reverence from a child, quickly encouraged him to lift it again.
“It’s all right. You don’t need to be so nervous.”
“Lady?”
A sharp voice burst out, full of disbelief.
The child’s turquoise eyes were wide open.
“Then this person is…!”
“You should say ‘this lady,’ Robin!”
A girl slapped his rising finger down as if bending it away, firing off her words in rapid succession, as though terrified something terrible would happen.
The girl, nervously pushing her glasses up, addressed Cecilia in a trembling voice.
“I apologize, Your Grace the Grand Duchess. Please forgive our rudeness.”
Clutching the hem of her skirt, she bent her knees slightly and lowered her head.
For a child her age, her etiquette was impeccable.
And adorable.
So much so that a pleased smile spread across Cecilia’s face.
She wanted to tease them, but it felt like the girl might burst into tears if she did. Setting aside her mischief, Cecilia stepped closer, crouched down, and met their eye level.
“You’re very clever. That was a perfect greeting.”
She gently brushed the girl’s cheek with her index finger and playfully nudged her glasses up, smiling brightly.
Even if she reassured them not to be afraid, it probably wouldn’t reach their already-frightened ears. Praise seemed the better way to ease their guard.
Her judgment proved correct as a faint blush bloomed across the girl’s cheeks.
Murmuring a small “Thank you,” the girl looked down shyly.
Meanwhile, Cecilia beckoned the boys who had been hovering apart, lifting her brows playfully.
The boys flinched, exchanged glances, then shuffled closer.
“So, why were you fighting?”
“…Well, um. We weren’t really fighting. Just… kind of…”
Robin mumbled his excuse in a shrinking voice, rolling his eyes. His turquoise gaze was full of awkwardness.
Though his freckles and eye color were different, something about him—cornered and flustered—reminded her of Yuri.
Thinking of her husband, Cecilia’s expression softened.
“That’s strange. If that’s true, then why are you still facing different directions?”
Even so, she didn’t let it slide.
Holding out a hand to each of them, she curled her fingers lightly in invitation.
Robin reluctantly took just the tip of her finger, but Kyle accepted her hand readily.
“…Well, you see, we were playing ballroom,” Kyle said.
“Hey!”
Kyle’s confession had barely left his mouth before Robin gasped and tried to cover it.
A glance from Cecilia made him shrink back instantly.
Robin’s face flushed bright red. His lips moved, but no words came out. His ears burned with embarrassment.
“Ballroom play?”
“Yes. Like in books—we bow and dance.”
Kids these days really are mature, Cecilia thought.
Then again, even when she was young, there were always children curious about the adult world.
Pierre was like that too.
She recalled her brother sneaking into a banquet hall, only to be caught and smacked by the nanny—crying in humiliation.
Late-night lights, sparkling decorations, and piles of delicious food—it was only natural children would be curious.
Understanding, Cecilia prompted gently.
“And then?”
“It was supposed to be my turn to be the prince, but Robin kept trying to hold Rike’s hand again…”
The more he spoke, the more tearful Kyle became. His face scrunched up, nostrils flaring as his shoulders shook.
He wiped his eyes bravely with his sleeve.
Cecilia pulled him into a gentle hug and patted his back, deciding it best to soothe him first.
“Robin.”
“…Yes.”
His voice screamed I don’t want to be scolded.
Amused by how much emotion he conveyed in a single syllable, Cecilia carefully kept her expression neutral.
“What do you think makes a gentleman?”
Robin slowly raised his head. No yelling, no punishment—just an unexpected question.
Confused, he thought for a moment, then tilted his head.
“Being strong and handsome like the Grand Duke?”
“Hmm.”
She appreciated the compliment to her husband, but that wasn’t the answer she wanted.
Smiling softly, Cecilia shook her head.
“That’s nice too. But I think someone who understands the weight of their words is very admirable.”
“Words have weight?”
“Of course. And among them, promises are the heaviest.”
She lifted her pinky finger as if making a promise and looked serious.
“Once words are spoken, you can’t take them back.”
“But sometimes you can’t keep a promise, even if you want to.”
“That’s true. Trying your best is already worth praise. But, Robin—”
Her gaze shifted to the side. Robin followed it.
Seeing Rike and Kyle quietly listening, Robin stiffened and quickly looked away.
“Give yourself a score for what you just did. You don’t have to tell me the number. Just thinking about it is enough.”
Judging by his flushed face, no further explanation was needed.
Cecilia simply smiled and waited.
After a moment of thought, Robin hesitated—then stepped toward Kyle and awkwardly hugged him.
“…I’m sorry.”
With his small hand patting his younger brother’s back, Robin stepped away, looking subdued.
Though he’d accepted the apology, Kyle glanced up at Cecilia, unsure if the game could continue.
In that case—
Cecilia signaled Kyle to stay with Rike, then deliberately cleared her throat in front of Robin.
“Ahem. Well then…”
She lifted her chin gracefully and extended her hand with practiced elegance, smiling brightly at Robin.
“I would be honored if this fine young gentleman would be my partner.”
Bending slightly to meet his eyes, she wiggled her fingers invitingly.
Robin blinked, then shyly—and happily—placed his hand in hers.
Behind him, the caregivers looked flustered, but Cecilia reassured them with a brief glance.
Laughing at Robin’s twitching smile, she began to move.
There were no snacks or dazzling decorations, but simply dancing together was enough to delight the children.
Cecilia herself wasn’t very skilled—her health had kept her from many banquets—but no one there would point it out.
And even if they did, no one would notice.
The children, cheeks flushed with joy, clung to her and chatted endlessly, as though their earlier wariness had been an illusion.
“Have you ever been to a real ball?”
“I have.”
She’d only observed briefly—but for the sake of childhood wonder, Cecilia swallowed the rest and nodded confidently.
“Then are there really chocolate fountains? And huge piles of sweets?”
“What about cheese?”
Their eyes sparkled with wonder.
Answering their excited questions, Cecilia felt a quiet smile form.
This might make a pretty good gift for them someday.
