I reached out my hand toward Linea.
Then, the child held my hand tightly, more naturally than before.
In the midst of this, Linea's gaze was fixed on the dress she was wearing and her shiny shoes.
She tried not to show it, but just by looking at her, her eyes were sparkling, so it was obvious she liked it.
'It was worth the money. Phew.'
I checked the time and said to Linea.
"If I eat nearby and then head to Count Annexa's estate, the timing will be perfect."
“Are you eating too?”
"I'm so hungry I want to eat, but aren't you hungry, Linea?"
I recalled the touch of Linea's hand subtly tutting at the hem of my dress while I was paying today, not knowing what to do.
Because the mother-in-law keeps talking about money in front of the child, the child feels burdened knowing that even eating a single meal costs money.
"I'm a little hungry, but that's okay."
The moment she said that, Linea's stomach rumbled loudly. At the same time, Linea's cheeks flushed red.
I bit my lip tightly at the perfect moment.
If I laugh now, the distance between us will widen again, right?
I quickly changed the subject.
"I think that's coming from my stomach. I'm sooooo hungry. Let's go eat!"
Eventually, Linea was led by my hand to a high-end restaurant.
This must be Linea's first time in a place like this, too.
No matter how much I thought about it, the current Count Delmore and my mother-in-law were despicable.
"It’s really delicious.”
Linea spoke louder than before and praised the taste.
I smiled at Linea with a curved eye.
"Eat a lot. This is all for Linea."
"Thank you. P- Please have this too!"
Thinking we had gotten a little closer, Linea mustered up the courage and quietly pushed the plate of lamb toward me.
You opened your eyes wide in surprise at how delicious it was the moment you put it in your mouth, yet you gave it all to me without even eating a few pieces.
For some reason, I felt like I had received the most precious thing, so I greeted you.
"Thank you."
Even now, she is a child who eats so deliciously without being picky, even at restaurants she has visited for the very first time in her life.
'Come to think of it, money wasn't the only issue; my mother-in-law even gave Linea less food, saying that a girl needs to look good from a young age.'
Even though I felt even more troubled inside, I looked at Linea and smiled faintly.
After finishing the meal with Linea, I got back into the carriage heading to Countess Annexa's mansion.
"What does Linea like?"
Since we hadn't had much time alone together before, I struck up a conversation because I wanted to know Linea's preferences that weren't mentioned in the original work.
Linea hesitated and paused at the unfamiliar question.
I waited patiently.
However, the answer that came back belatedly was just as I expected.
"...I’m not sure.”
"Yes?"
Then again, you'd need to have experienced it to know what you like and dislike.
I spoke to Linea brightly for no reason so that she wouldn't hide again.
"Not knowing is a good thing. It means we'll have plenty of opportunities to find out what Linea likes from now on."
At those words, Linea raised her head and looked at me.
I smiled at Linea as affectionately as I could.
"I know I might seem strange and hard to believe. But now that I am Linea's stepmother, I will never leave Linea under any circumstances."
"..."
Linea did not answer.
But I could tell. At least that the child had opened their heart to me a little.
Linea opened her lips, which she had been gnawing on, and spoke to me.
"No... I believe."
"Really?"
The child nodded vigorously.
I smiled proudly as I saw the little head shaking.
"Thank you. For trusting me."
To think that she could open her heart to an adult again after being hurt like that. I was suddenly proud of her.
I couldn't do that.
“We have arrived!”
With that sound, the carriage came to a stop.
I reached out my hand to Linea again and asked.
“Then shall we go?”
***
Linea entered the Count's mansion holding her stepmother's hand.
Countess Annexa's mansion, which she had visited before, was different from last year.
The interior decorations and flowers had been changed, as if it had been refurbished in the meantime.
Normally, Linea herself would have come wearing her usual clothes, which wouldn't suit the atmosphere when entering this place.
However, if there is anything different about Linea this year, it is that she wore a new dress, and...
Just like children who come holding their mother's hand rather than their grandmother's, she also attended with her stepmother this year.
Actually, she didn't want to come.
Even if she came, her peers weren't interested in her anyway, and she could clearly see them glancing at her and whispering.
Linea, who had grown up constantly watching her step, couldn't possibly have been unaware that she was an alien presence here, like a stranger.
Although her outward appearance had now become similar to that of the other children, Linea still knew that her inner self was the same.
‘What will be different?'
It would be nice if she could make at least one friend.
Even though she wanted to approach first, she couldn't bring herself to have the courage.
It was then.
"Hello!"
***
"Hello!"
On the other hand, Asha smiled broadly and greeted the people as she entered the greenhouse where the tea party was being held.
"Starting this year, I have come along as Linea's guardian."
In any case, no one did not know about the scandal of Count Delmore dying of a heart attack during sex at his mistress's house a month ago.
And also about the young widow of that family.
Since everyone already knew her anyway, instead of going out of her way to introduce herself individually, Asha smiled brightly.
People still looked at Asha with skeptical eyes.
The reputation of the Count Delmore family was not very good to begin with.
That was because the former Countess of the Delmore family, Yurizella Delmore, had come as a guardian and spent the entire day doing nothing but boasting about herself.
Of course, while high society is fundamentally quite snobbish, there was at least a minimum level of etiquette.
However, Yurizella was considered somewhat lacking in common sense.
"Oh, Countess Annexa. The dress suits you very well today. It is rare to see someone who looks this shade of blue so good."
However, Asha Delmore was different.
Contrary to the rumors circulating, she enthusiastically showered sincere praise.
And fortunately, Countess Annexa, who hosted today's tea party, kindly welcomed Asha.
"Countess Delmore, your dress today is truly radiant. Did you wear matching outfits with Linea?"
"Oh my, how did you know?"
As Asha was surprised and delighted, Countess Annexa also nodded and offered praise.
"Pink suits Linea really cutely, too. And isn't that hair clip in style these days?"
"As expected, Countess Annexa has good taste. I knew this would happen, so I bought the same pin as a gift."
Asha had been diligently studying high society.
Countess Annexa is someone who has a particularly good reputation and a wide network these days.
Otherwise, there is no way the children's first tea party would be held at her mansion.
Asha intended to win the favor of Countess Annexa at all costs.
Make it obvious that you want to get close, but without being overly burdensome.
And the key is providing a reason to naturally get closer.
The first was a stylish gift that was in style.
"After doing it for Linea, I realized that decorating pretty girls with these kinds of pins seems to add to their cuteness."
Asha briefly let go of Linea's hand.
And, stroking Linea's hair, she drew the gaze of Countess Annexa.
Countess Annexa also smiled faintly at Linea.
Linea seemed surprised, but she quietly accepted Asha's touch.
After receiving enough attention, Asha held out the gift she was holding in her other hand to Countess Annexa.
"So, I wanted to give this to Countess Annexa as well to thank her for inviting me."
"Oh, you really didn't have to do that."
Since it was a rather expensive jeweled pin, Countess Annexa refused out of politeness.
Asha struck up a friendly conversation with her.
"I noticed the other day that Countess Annexa is really pretty and has a good character. Actually, our Linea is also a thoughtful and calm child for her age, so..."
In short, it means, "Introduce me to your daughter."
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment