Chapter 25
The area was filled with lush green grass.
And atop it stood a gravestone.
In my hands were a bottle of wine and a bouquet of lilies.
I stood at the long-awaited destination and carefully opened my mouth.
“I’m here again.”
But soon, only silence followed, with nothing but the quiet wind filling the air.
I placed the wine bottle down and looked at the gravestone before me.
This was already the third time I’d visited this place since possessing Rosent, but I could never get used to it.
“…Father is doing well. Don’t worry too much.”
I whispered as I laid the bouquet of lilies before the gravestone.
“I’ll bring forget-me-nots next time.”
Then, as I held down the rising sorrow in my chest, I gave a small smile.
Ah.
Really now.
Why is it that every time I come here, my heart feels so empty and sad?
This feeling probably belongs to Rosent.
‘No.’
Let’s admit it.
It’s not just Rosent’s feeling, is it?
I bent my knees and stared at the gravestone.
Whenever I looked at the duchess’s gravestone on this day…
‘I miss you.’
I started to miss my former family.
One day, I suddenly died. When I opened my eyes, I had become someone else.
Because I died so suddenly, I left without even saying goodbye to my family.
And yet, the grave before me—Rosent’s mother’s—kept overlapping with the image of my former family.
“……”
I lowered my head at the wave of loneliness that surged within me.
Then, as if possessed, I opened my mouth and spoke.
To the family I would never see again.
To the Duchess, on behalf of Rosent.
I had to say this—no matter what.
“I miss you, Mom.”
I’m doing okay.
“I love you.”
As my words ended, a faint breeze brushed through my hair.
For a moment, I wondered if I had imagined it.
But I felt warmth and gentleness at the end of that soft breeze.
Clatter.
After returning from the outing, I carefully stepped down from the carriage.
The first person to greet me was none other than Annie.
“Welcome back, my lady. Did you have a good visit with the Madam?”
“Annie.”
I smiled naturally as I replied.
“Yes, I greeted her properly. I left the wine and lilies nicely too.”
Then, looking around, I continued.
“Where’s Father? Is he still asleep?”
“Yes, as of now.”
At Annie’s kind reply, I smiled bitterly.
Her answer was probably not the truth.
To put it more accurately, it was a tactful way of saying things.
Who could easily get out of bed on the anniversary of his wife’s death?
I sighed lightly and said,
“Okay then. Before Father wakes up, can you go to the chef and ask for a seafood-based breakfast on my behalf?”
Maybe the scent of his favorite food would rouse him from bed.
“Make sure it’s something aromatic. Not raw fish, but grilled—something savory that lingers in the mouth.”
It was a bit childish, but I knew of no better method.
In matters of daily life, especially food, few things are more persuasive.
Would the Duke be able to resist this?
Annie replied readily to my small scheme.
“Yes, I’ll let him know.”
And just as Annie was about to head off—
“Sis!”
A voice called out from afar.
“Noah.”
It was Noah.
As if it were second nature, I spread my arms and bent down.
At once, his warm body filled my embrace.
A pleasant scent came from Noah’s hair.
If I had to describe it—it was like a soft, sweet floral scent.
I leaned my head against Noah’s shoulder and whispered,
“Did you eat breakfast?”
At the gentle question, Noah finally pulled away slightly and replied.
“Yes, it was delicious.”
“Yeah? What was the tastiest?”
“The risotto… and salad! And shrimp too!”
At Noah’s cheerful chatter, I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
‘Ah, he’s adorable.’
The emptiness in my chest just a while ago now felt full.
And then—
“……”
I frowned slightly as a dull ache came from my upper stomach.
My body, now relaxed, finally realized it was hungry.
That’s right—I hadn’t eaten anything all morning.
On top of that, I’d walked quite a bit on the mountain… it was strange that I wasn’t hungrier sooner.
But hearing Noah talk about food made my hunger twice as bad.
I hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Noah’s outfit.
A white shirt, shorts, and a casually thrown-on jacket.
Looking like that, he could definitely go out.
“Shall we go for a snack?”
Going out now wouldn’t look strange at all!
I beamed and invited Noah on a spur-of-the-moment trip.
It was such a sudden invitation that he should’ve been surprised, but instead—
“Sure!”
He readily agreed.
We headed to a salon called Brioche, known as the top dessert spot in the capital.
I suddenly remembered Poffini once saying that their pudding was amazing.
What was it again?
Ah, she said the decoration was gorgeous.
They sliced the fruit and arranged it like a flower after removing the pit.
And the peach embedded in the pudding was soft and sweet…
‘I have to try this.’
Peaches are in season during summer—this is the only time I can eat them.
It means the patissier put a lot of care into that one dessert.
I had intended to just order the pudding.
I really had.
But—
“I’ll take everything here, please.”
In my current state, I felt like even hard baguette would taste delicious.
Ravenous, I ended up ordering everything in sight.
As a result, the table before us was so full, there wasn’t even room to place a spoon.
No—there was no space left at all.
Noah summed up his thoughts in a single word.
“Wow.”
A stunned expression of awe.
I flinched at his tone and glanced around.
Thank goodness Annie couldn’t come today.
It was Rita who tagged along instead—thank goodness!
If Annie had seen this, she’d have scolded me immediately.
‘My lady! The debutante ball is soon, and you’re binge eating?!’
Ah. I could almost hear it already.
Once again, I was grateful Annie hadn’t come along.
I silently picked up my fork.
The first dish I reached for was the red velvet cake topped with a thick layer of cream cheese.
Of course…
“Ahh~”
…it went straight into Noah’s mouth.
He blinked wide-eyed at my action but carefully opened his mouth.
He shyly accepted the bite, then his eyes grew wide.
“It’s delicious!”
He placed both hands on his cheeks.
“I’ve never had cake this soft before. Mmm… it melts in my mouth.”
Noah kept chewing with a blissful expression.
Yes, this is why people make money.
Seeing someone I care about happy from my kindness—it’s so sweet.
Noah kept eating eagerly and soon held out a fork toward me.
“Sis, your turn—ahh~!”
A fork with brownie on it.
Was he copying my earlier gesture?
“……”
I carefully took the bite and leaned away quickly.
Noah beamed and said,
“Isn’t it tasty? It’s even better because I gave it to you, right?”
Oh dear.
Hey everyone, people of the Empire passing by—
My little brother is this adorable!
“…Ugh.”
I held back tears, biting my tongue in joy.
My favorite character—no, my favorite childhood version of him—fed me cake!
Is there any fan in the world more blessed than I am?
While I was enjoying the innocent fork-feeding moment—
“Sis, are you going to the debutante ball this time too?”
Chewing happily, Noah tossed me a question.
Lately, it feels like everyone’s interested in my debutante debut.
No matter what the conversation, the topic always turns to the debutante ball.
Well, it is a major event.
“Of course. I’m sixteen now, after all.”
“Then you’ll have to pick an amazing dress, right?”
“Hmm… Annie’s probably stressing more over it than I am.”
She’s way more invested in the debutante than I am.
She’s already scolded me about dieting…
“Noah, today’s snack trip is a secret from Annie.”
If she finds out, I’m dead.
A chill ran down my back as I straightened my posture.
But Noah, carefree as ever, asked with whipped cream all over his mouth:
“A secret?”
Ahh, adorable.
I quickly grabbed a tissue and wiped his lips, whispering,
“Yes, a secret only between you and me.”
“Hehe.”
“You’ll keep it, right?”
Noah smiled like a fool, not answering.
It was a lovely sight but…
‘Oh ho?’
Was he trying to dodge the question?
Lately, he’s been acting even cuter since getting more affection.
Filled with playful mischief, I lifted my hand toward Noah’s nose.
And then—
“Ow!”
Noah grabbed his nose with a pout.
I’d pinched his nose ever so slightly.
Well, that’s what he gets for avoiding the question.
I gently tapped the tip of his nose and asked,
“Why are you dodging the question? If you break the secret, that’s betrayal!”
“Hmm? Did I not answer?”
Noah asked as he tilted his head, feigning innocence.
This little one is already such an actor…
At this rate, I might actually fall for his act too.
I grabbed both of his cheeks and whispered,
“You’re just too cute, you know that?”
“Yup!”
Noah wrapped his hands around his cheeks and pouted again.
He looked just like a bunny, mad after eating a carrot.
Come to think of it, he really does.
His chubby cheeks and those triangle-shaped angry eyes…
“Pfft.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
‘Ah… I’m so happy.’
Overflowing with love, I felt like my insides were turning pink.
I’d never felt this way before…
If this feeling lasts forever, I’d be truly happy.
No—I will be happy.
“Are you sulking?”
I poked Noah’s back, which was now turned away from me in a pout.
But he just snorted and stayed silent.
I laughed again and hugged his back tightly.
Honestly, isn’t he the cutest little brother ever?
