Episode 05
A New Breeze in the Ducal Household
Just as the children and I stood there frozen, Baridas spoke first.
“Good morning, Your Highness.”
His expression—and his eyes—were noticeably gentler than before, which eased me slightly.
But his gaze rested only on me.
As if the children weren’t even there.
He completely ignored them.
The two girls’ expressions dimmed, and noticing this, I tightened my grip on their hands.
“…Good morning, Duke.”
As I returned his greeting, Baridas extended his hand toward me.
Left with no choice, I let go of Ren’s hand.
Ren released me obediently, and he pressed his lips against the back of my hand.
That unfamiliar sensation—one I doubted I’d ever grow used to—lingered briefly before fading.
Only after my hand returned to its place did he look at the children.
“Good morning to you as well.”
Only then did their expressions brighten.
That’s a relief…
He doesn’t seem to dislike them as much as I thought.
After the greeting, Ren grabbed my hand again, clinging to my arm as if she would never let go.
Meanwhile, Jasmine began whining, asking to be held.
Watching his younger sisters, Baridas’s eyes widened slightly—before settling once more.
“It seems you’ve grown quite close to them already.”
If it had been someone else, I might’ve thought he was mocking me.
But with him, it felt more like genuine curiosity.
I smiled and nodded.
“They’re very kind children. They’ve taken to me well.”
At my answer, Baridas looked at the two girls clinging to me.
“I see.”
Then, he extended his hand toward me again.
“If you’re going for a walk, may I accompany you?”
No, thank you! Today is not observation day, dear guardian!
But of course, I couldn’t say that aloud.
Thinking quickly, I tried to use the children as an excuse.
“I don’t mind, but the children—”
I was about to say that their opinion mattered most.
But both girls were already looking at me with sparkling eyes.
…There was no escaping now.
“It seems they’d like that. Let’s go together.”
At my words, their faces lit up.
Meanwhile, my heart sank.
Both of my hands were already occupied by the children—
And now Baridas was offering his hand as well.
And neither girl showed any intention of letting go.
This is a problem…
As I stared at his outstretched hand, footsteps approached from behind.
“Brother?”
“Big brother!”
Turning around, I saw Lemon and Green running toward us.
After greeting us, the twins tilted their heads.
“Are you all going for a walk together?”
Green asked, and Baridas nodded.
Their eyes sparkled instantly.
“Can we come too?”
At their question, Baridas looked at me, as if asking for my opinion.
At that moment, Ren tugged on my hand.
Looking down, I saw the pleading expression on her face.
…She wants to go together, doesn’t she?
Hoping I was right, I nodded.
“Of course.”
Thankfully, I was.
With Baridas’s permission, all four children beamed.
Just then, Lemon’s gaze shifted to our joined hands—mine with Ren and Jasmine.
If only I had more hands…
For the first time, I resented having just two.
Then—
Baridas extended his hands toward Lemon and Green.
But the two hesitated, unable to take them right away.
“Didn’t you want to?”
Only then did they slowly, hesitantly, take his hands.
Just like in the novel… he really is perceptive.
I felt oddly grateful.
And so, the six of us began our walk through the garden.
The children, still awkward around Baridas, kept stealing glances at him.
I, too, felt awkward, unable to say a word.
The silence stretched uncomfortably—
Until Baridas spoke first.
“Do you find your room satisfactory?”
It was a formal question.
But it still felt considerate.
“Yes, I like it very much.”
At my answer, it was the children—not Baridas—whose faces brightened.
Perhaps excited, Jasmine began swinging our joined hands enthusiastically.
“Your Highness, don’t leave… stay for a long, long time.”
At her words, the atmosphere suddenly fell quiet.
The pain hidden within them left me at a loss for words.
All I could do was tighten my grip on her hand and smile.
“Of course.”
Jasmine beamed and hugged me tightly.
After that, no one spoke.
Only Jasmine’s clear laughter rang through the garden as she chased after a butterfly.
Then—
As we had walked about halfway around the garden, a man approached Baridas in haste.
He glanced at us before whispering something into Baridas’s ear.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Baridas turned to us.
“Unfortunately, I must take my leave.”
With a slight bow toward me, he turned and walked away.
The children, who had been so stiff around him moments ago, now watched his retreating figure with downcast expressions.
Seeing that—
An idea came to me.
“Shall we have a tea party?”
Their eyes widened instantly.
The gloom from moments ago vanished without a trace.
“Yes!”
I let out a small laugh at their enthusiasm.
Calling the maids, I had them prepare everything.
Soon, a table and chairs were set, along with beautifully baked cookies and cakes.
Cool black tea was served as well.
The children sat down, their eyes sparkling as they began chatting happily.
Eventually, the conversation turned to Baridas.
After a moment of hesitation, Green spoke.
“Do you think… Brother really hates us?”
Silence fell.
I hesitated, unsure how to respond.
This was something too complicated—too adult—for them to fully understand.
They were half-siblings.
Someday, they might understand.
But not yet.
Then Jasmine, munching on a cookie, spoke up.
“Nooo… Big bwother doesn’t hate us. He held our hands earlier!”
At her words, Lemon and Green laughed softly.
They pinched her cheeks affectionately, though Jasmine pouted mid-bite.
I smiled gently.
“Jasmine is right. The Duke doesn’t hate you. He cares for you in his own way.”
“We know,” Ren said calmly. “If he didn’t, he would have cast us out when our parents died.”
She said it so casually that it made my chest tighten.
Taking a sip of tea, she continued.
“Still… it makes me sad. I know he has his reasons. We might not look pleasant to him. But we’re still family. I wish he would show just a little more care.”
Silence returned.
Then—
“Even so, I like him.”
At Ren’s words, the others nodded.
“Me too!”
“Same here.”
“Me toooo!”
Lemon smiled.
“No matter what anyone says, we are his siblings—and members of the Child family.”
They all looked at one another and smiled.
They were more mature than I had expected.
Stronger, too.
And that made them all the more admirable.
In that moment, I understood.
In the original story, it wasn’t just the heroine who had opened Baridas’s heart.
She had only been the catalyst.
These children—
They had always been lovable.
And they had always tried.
That was why his heart had changed.
I listened quietly as their conversation shifted to lighter topics.
About halfway through our tea, Lemon suddenly exclaimed—
“Let’s play princess!”
Green’s expression stiffened immediately.
“No.”
He refused firmly.
But the others ignored him and began the game anyway.
The children poured tea into their cups, raising their pinkies as they pretended to drink elegantly.
Their attempts to act grown-up were unbearably cute.
“The tea is delightful, Princess.”
“Oh my, I’m glad it suits your taste.”
Ren and Lemon slipped into their roles with ease.
“It’s nice to meet you, little princess.”
Lemon said to Jasmine, who responded with a bright smile.
Watching them, I couldn’t help but smile too.
Then Ren turned to Green.
“And who might this be?”
Her playful tone only made his expression darker.
“He’s the dog we’re raising.”
At Lemon’s shameless reply, I nearly choked on my tea.
Green shot her a murderous glare.
But Lemon remained unfazed, sipping her tea.
Finally, he snapped.
“Why am I the dog?!”
But the girls ignored him completely.
“Oh dear, he needs more training.”
“Our Poppy is still lacking.”
That was it—
I burst into laughter.
The girls continued teasing him, and Green shouted again,
“I’m not playing!”
His adorable rebellion only made his sisters laugh harder.
So cute…
I gently patted his head.
“Sorry.”
Ren handed him her slice of strawberry cake.
Grumbling, he sat back down and began eating it.
Peaceful.
That was the only word that came to mind as I watched them laugh, chat, and enjoy themselves.
Then—
From a distance, a boy with striking red hair approached.
Even from afar, he stood out.
Toma.
A mirror image of Baridas.
And his gaze—
Was fixed on me.
