Chapter 21
Solphy bought the bird guide and binoculars, determined to create her very own bird encyclopedia.
“I’m a future bird doctor~”
Humming her little tune, Solphy continued exploring the early childhood education exhibition. The venue was so huge that no matter how much she walked, new booths kept appearing.
“Hey there, little lady! Come see these hand-knitted balls. Each stitch was made by an artisan. They’re great for sensory play and help kids recognize various colors.”
A vendor waved at Solphy, trying to attract her attention. Promotional phrases like “certified for stability” and “educationally effective” were displayed at the booth.
“Let’s see…”
At that, Marcelo, half-tempted, peeked at the hand-knitted balls. They were quite expensive, but if they were educational…
“Solphy’s father.”
Just then, Serena suddenly intervened. Her voice came so close that Marcelo straightened up stiffly.
“Y-yes?”
Whether she noticed Marcelo’s flustered reaction or not, Serena lowered her voice, whispering into his ear.
“The hand-knitted balls are pretty, but they’re not toys for Solphy. They’re for younger children, maybe two- or three-year-olds.”
“Ah…”
Convinced by Serena, Marcelo put the balls back. The vendor, disappointed at losing a potential sale, clicked his tongue.
Next, Marcelo’s attention was caught by a math tool that helped practice multiplication easily.
Unlike childish, colorful toys, the neat number board with ordered digits looked advanced.
“How about this one?”
“This is too difficult for Solphy. At her level, she’s still learning multiplication through repeated addition.”
Every time Marcelo showed interest in a teaching tool, Serena gave her advice.
“If it weren’t for the Giraffe Class teacher, I would have bought a bunch of useless, expensive toys. Thank you.”
“I’m happy to help. You’ve been carrying all my bags, after all.”
A warm atmosphere flowed between Marcelo and Serena.
“I’d like to find a toy Solphy can play with at home. Could you recommend one?”
“Of course. I think…”
Serena walked briskly toward a booth she seemed to have her eye on. The quiet booth was strangely empty except for a few dust particles flying around.
“How about these blocks? I saw them earlier. You can build freely with them. Perfect for Solphy, who enjoys creative play.”
After telling Marcelo, Serena introduced the toy to Solphy.
The booth displayed blocks for anyone to play with, and Serena combined a few to make a small giraffe.
“Teacher made a baby giraffe. Solphy, what will you make?”
“Hmm… a mommy giraffe!”
Solphy built a giraffe much larger than the one Serena made. The mother and baby giraffes stood side by side.
Seeing this, children slowly gathered around.
“I want to make a giraffe too!”
“My giraffe is the biggest!”
Suddenly, a giraffe-building competition broke out, filling the booth with activity. The vendor, who had been frowning due to lack of customers, brightened up.
The vendor appreciated the gesture.
“Look at all these customers… Thank you! I’ll give you a building kit as a gift.”
“Oh, that’s fine. It’s a good toy; I’d like to pay full price.”
“If you insist… Ah! I’ll give you the giraffe you made as a gift.”
So Solphy received both the mommy and baby giraffes, and Marcelo ended up with an extra paper bag.
Grumble.
No matter how long they had walked, Solphy’s stomach growled loudly, even though she had eaten a hearty breakfast.
“Oh! Solphy’s belly clock went off?”
“You didn’t eat the snack I offered earlier.”
Marcelo chuckled, teasing Solphy.
‘Dad doesn’t know, but I’ve been holding off snacks for this moment.’
The chocolate-dipped madeleines and banana ice cream still lingered in her mind, but Solphy held back. Opportunities to meet outside were rare.
“Going around the exhibition together? That’s nice. But it’s not enough.”
Solphy’s real goal was a meal. But if she directly suggested eating together, Serena might feel uncomfortable.
So a clever child acts immediately!
“Teacher, you must be hungry too. I’ll buy you a meal!”
“Huh? No, you should eat first.”
Hehe. Gotcha!
Which adult could resist a child offering to buy them a meal? Serena’s response was exactly what Solphy expected.
If who pays became the issue, the meal was already settled—they would eat together.
Serena realized too late, her expression showing a hint of regret.
“Really? Please get us something delicious!”
Solphy, pretending ignorance, raised both hands high.
Of course! She couldn’t let Serena pay. Solphy subtly glanced at Marcelo.
“Giraffe Class teacher, I’ll handle the meal. If you’re free afterward, let’s eat together.”
Marcelo smoothly resolved the situation.
“Shall we? But my meal…”
“What do you mean? You’ve helped a lot today, so it’s my treat. Instead.”
‘Instead?’ Solphy tilted her head in curiosity.
“I’ve actually reserved a restaurant. You’ll have to follow me for the location.”
“No problem.”
And so Solphy arranged to have lunch with Serena.
‘Just as planned.’
Anticipating this, Solphy had already begged Marcelo to reserve a top-tier restaurant.
‘Hehe…’
Joshua’s golden giraffe strategy had failed because it was at the kindergarten.
‘Outside the kindergarten! Now I can flaunt Daddy’s wealth!’
Top-tier restaurant! Private room!
No need to say “My dad’s rich” a hundred times; she would show it instead.
Should she have refused the meal?
Stepping out of the carriage, Serena grew anxious at the sight of the luxurious building.
“Is… this the place?”
She asked, hoping for a “no.”
“Yes. Solphy likes the children’s set here. She says it’s delicious.”
Marcelo calmly crushed Serena’s hopes. It was casual, like they just happened to be having dinner after a visit.
Serena looked dazed at the sign. A Feast for You—a place so exclusive that even booking three months in advance was difficult, and only certain people were accepted.
[Teacher! My dad is rich.]
That had really been true.
Most children attending the palace kindergarten were from wealthy families. Their parents were often high-ranking imperial officials.
‘No wonder the kindergarten has such a large property.’
Yet it hadn’t been obvious at the kindergarten. Meeting outside, the gap was stark.
“Teacher, you’ll enjoy the food. The chef here is excellent.”
“Haha…”
Serena regretted accepting the lunch invitation, unaware she had fallen for Solphy’s scheme.
Solphy ran ahead, and a staff member waiting at the door opened it.
“We have a reservation!”
Inside, a woman in a neat uniform greeted them politely.
“Welcome, Marchioness Freya. Please, this way.”
Feeling overwhelmed by the courteous greeting, Serena instinctively lowered her gaze. She wasn’t dressed for such a place.
The Barons of Lioris were nobles in name only. Serena had never had a chance to visit a place like this.
“Sis! Where’s our seat?”
“You’ll be guided to the usual private room.”
Private room? Serena braced herself, worried she might make a mistake.
Shortly after, they arrived at the private room, overlooking a gorgeous nighttime view.
“Solphy, your children’s set will be served first. Giraffe Class teacher, what would you like?”
“Teacher Serena likes everything! She loves cucumbers and carrots too,” Solphy chirped.
“Still, there must be favorites, like meat or seafood.”
“Actually… I eat everything except seafood.”
“Then remove seafood from all the dishes.”
Marcelo nodded and informed the staff.
“Any allergies? Some ingredients may contain small amounts of seafood.”
“No, it’s fine! I’m just picky, not allergic.”
Flustered, Serena added,
“I just don’t like the fishy smell.”
At the kindergarten, she had eaten everything because of the kids, but here, she preferred to avoid seafood.
Especially in front of Marcelo—she couldn’t risk gagging.
Why?
‘Because it’d be embarrassing. Naturally.’
The thought struck her, and she offered a small excuse to herself.
Soon, salads and bread arrived.
“Huh? Is that watermelon in the salad?”
“Yes. It goes well with feta cheese. Try the bread too. The butter here is—Solphy! If you eat all the butter by yourself, what will happen?”
“I’m not eating it! I’ll give it to you, Teacher!”
Watching the mother-daughter bickering, Serena smiled.
Solphy held out bread with a playful “Teacher ah~,” spreading butter and strawberry jam generously, showing her affection.
“Delicious! Bread from Solphy!”
“Earlier, I saw the bird guide. Mother birds feed their chicks like this.”
In the fancy restaurant, with exquisite food, Serena felt like an outsider, yet enjoyed being with the two of them.
‘Somehow… it’s comfortable.’
Solphy, sitting next to her, clung like a cicada and smiled brightly.
‘Cute too.’
Serena thought of her younger sibling—exactly that age.
And that made her realize she couldn’t help but love children this age.
[Wait patiently. I’ll have a snack party for you!]
[Yes! Definitely!]
Though Solphy promised even with fingers crossed, Serena couldn’t keep her promise.
“…”
Thinking of her sibling, Serena felt a pang in her chest. She bit her inner cheek to hold back tears.
“I’ll just touch up my makeup for a moment.”
“Please do!”
Using the excuse of fixing her makeup, Serena briefly left the private room.
‘I’ll just calm my mind for a bit and come back.’
She walked briskly, and as she turned the corner after leaving the private room—
“Oh?”
At the table ahead was a familiar face to Serena.
