ITHMF 24

Chapter 24

“How long are you going to keep looking around?” “Why? Are you bored?” “Yeah. Of course I’m bored when you’re doing that without even talking to me.” “You can just have some alone time.” “Why would I have alone time when there are two of us here?”

Pheron tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled. Then he stood up and walked over to my side.

Without being asked, he took the initiative to offer explanations about the items. I slowly nodded and listened attentively to his descriptions. The objects served all kinds of different purposes.

After touring the reception room with Pheron, I walked over to the balcony. Thanks to the large window, the spacious garden came into view all at once. Furthermore, the ocean visible not too far away gave off an open, refreshing feeling.

Admiring the scenery, my attention was caught by someone walking in the garden.

Her golden hair caught the sunlight, sparkling brilliantly. The woman strolling with a parasol was breathtakingly beautiful, even from afar.

‘Wow, she’s so pretty.’

Wanting to see her from a bit closer, I opened the window and stepped outside.

“Why go outside? To get a closer look?”

Pheron followed me out with a bewildered face. Regardless of what he said, I just stared at the woman standing not far away.

‘…Ah!’

As I was absentmindedly watching her, our eyes met. Curiosity surfaced on the woman’s face as she silently looked back at me. She seemed to wonder who I was.

I saw her whisper something to the maid standing beside her. Only after the maid looked up at me as well did I snap out of it.

“Is that lady perhaps the Duchess?” “Huh? Ah, you’re right, you’re right. I heard she was taking a walk in the garden, and there she is by the fountain.”

As soon as he confirmed it, Kyraan appeared in the garden right on cue. The moment the woman spotted Kyraan, she smiled brightly as if overjoyed to see him.

“She’s incredibly beautiful…”

The Duchess, who was conversing with Kyraan, stole a glance in my direction. When our eyes met, she gave me a gentle smile, and I could genuinely feel what a good person she was.

A moment later, as if coming to meet me, the Duchess slowly walked toward the mansion alongside Kyraan.

Then, suddenly, I caught sight of something strange and narrowed my eyes.

“Huh? What’s that?” “What is it?”

Responding to my words, Pheron turned his head this way and that, surveying the surroundings.

Leaving him behind as he acted frantically, I focused solely on the Duchess. Looking closely, I could see something like black smoke floating near her ankles.

The smoke was wrapping itself around her ankles.

However, just as I tried to look closer, the Duchess vanished inside the mansion. I straightened my upper body, which I had leaned forward slightly.

‘Did I missee it?’

While I tilted my head in confusion, Pheron suddenly popped his head out toward where I was looking and asked.

“What is it? What did you see?” “Ah, it’s nothing. I think I just mis-saw it.”

I glossed over it casually for the curious Pheron. Deciding that I should inspect it further in a little bit, I left the balcony.

“Oh my, are you Serenel?”

The Duchess, who entered the reception room, spotted me and greeted me warmly.

Inwardly, I had worried that our first meeting would happen in a very stern atmosphere, but that wasn’t the case at all. Her cheerfully smiling face was so innocent that the title of a Duke’s young lady suited her better than a Duchess.

“Hello. I am Serenel Edmont.” “I’m Riose. And I’m also Ian’s mother here.”

With a giggling smile, the Duchess poked Kyraan’s cheek with her finger. It was undeniably an attitude reserved for treating a baby.

Well, to a parent, their child will always look like a kid no matter how old they get.

Perhaps embarrassed by this, Kyraan’s face turned slightly red. However, he didn’t push the Duchess’s hand away or tell her not to do it.

He merely spoke with a slightly troubled expression.

“The kids are watching, Mother.” “Oh my, are you embarrassed? Is it because you want to look good in front of the girl you like?” “What’s this? You liked Serenel?”

Ah, he found a chance to tease.

As if he had been looking for a reason to tease Kyraan all along, Pheron burst into a playful grin right on cue.

Kyraan glared displeasedly at Pheron, who was smirking mischievously. Ignoring the pesky Pheron, he answered in a neat, composed voice.

“It’s nothing like that.” “Humm, is that so~?”

Riose’s eyes narrowed. Her smile was full of playfulness, making it clear how much she enjoyed teasing her son.

Watching the two of them, a smile formed on my face naturally as well. Leaving behind the sweating Kyraan, she turned her gaze toward me.

“I really wanted to meet you, Serenel.” “Me?” “Because Ian said he made friends with someone who looks like a fairy, so I was very curious.”

A fairy…?

Suddenly, our very first meeting flashed through my mind. Back then, he called me a ghost, but it seemed he had described me quite nicely when telling Riose.

Well, saying he became close friends with someone who looked like a ghost would be a bit strange…

Riose smiled warmly.

“At the time, I thought he was just making things up, but actually seeing you in person, I think I understand why Ian said those things. You’re enough to fall in love with at first sight.” “Love at first sight?”

My eyes went wide. Riose smiled even brighter and continued.

“Well, Ian said…” “Mother! The tea is going to get cold.”

Flustered, Kyraan hastily interrupted Riose’s words.

Without looking offended at all, Riose looked back at Kyraan with a playful glint in her eyes. Since her eyes were full of mischief, I could easily guess what he must have said to her.

So that’s why he was unexpectedly nice to me—it was because he had feelings for me?

Well, objectively speaking, my face was quite pretty, so that made sense. I should enjoy these kinds of feelings while they last. Anyway, once he gets properly involved with Flora, those feelings will disappear.

Riose asked:

“Hmm, then shall we eat dessert first? What kind do you like, Serenel?” “I eat everything without being picky!” “Is that so? What a good child. Would you like to try this cherry tart? It’s Ian’s absolute favorite, so I’m curious if Serenel will like it too.” “Yes. Thank you for the food.”

When I nodded, a delicious-looking cherry tart was placed in front of me. Kyraan looked at me with worried eyes, wondering if it would taste good to me.

As soon as I took a big bite, a sweet and sour flavor burst across my palate. Wow, this is really delicious! The tart exceeded my expectations and was completely to my liking.

When a smile spread across my lips, Riose laughed along with me, asking if I liked it.

“It’s totally delicious!” “Serenel even seems to have similar tastes to Ian. You two must be a match made in heaven.”

Riose subtly tried to pair me up with Kyraan. She seemed to think that since it was a girl her son liked, it would be great if things worked out well between us.

Even if you push us together like that, Kyraan’s actual partner is someone else. Swallowing the words I couldn’t say out loud, I playfully accepted Riose’s words.

“Is that so? Do we look like a good match?” “Of course. To the point where I’d want to make you my daughter-in-law right now—” “Mother, please try some of this cake.”

Unable to listen any longer, Kyraan cut off Riose’s words. The way his face turned completely red was quite cute.

It’s because you make it so obvious how embarrassed you are that she keeps teasing you.

As if sharing the exact same thought, Riose smiled playfully and slowly took a spoonful of the cake he gave her.

“My, is it because my son gave it to me? It’s extraordinarily delicious.” “Please try this one, too.”

Kyraan kept delivering desserts as if to stuff Riose’s mouth.

Thanks to that, I was able to enjoy the desserts much more comfortably. After taking a bite of strawberry cake, I turned to look at Pheron sitting next to me.

Pheron was gracefully enjoying his dessert. I asked Pheron, who was savoring a slice of pie:

“By the way, you… I mean, why hasn’t Your Highness returned to the capital?”

I had almost spoken casually out of habit, but hurriedly corrected my words upon noticing Riose.

Ha, I just want to speak comfortably. To think that even speaking casually between friends requires walking on eggshells around others.

Suppressing my discomfort with a smile, Pheron chuckled lightly as if sensing my inner thoughts.

“Why? Is it uncomfortable with me here?” “No. I didn’t ask because it’s uncomfortable, I just asked out of pure curiosity.” “At any rate, it means you’re not uncomfortable, right?” “Yes, well, I suppose.”

Pheron smiled, saying that was a relief. Well, was it really something to consider a relief? It was a bit out of the blue, but considering his status, it made sense why he might think I’d feel awkward.

“So why haven’t you gone back?” “Just because I want to hang out with you guys more?” “You must be really free.”

Pheron burst out laughing, perhaps because I spoke a bit too honestly.

Since he laughed so loudly, Kyraan looked over as if asking what was wrong with him. Thinking of Pheron’s dignity, I glossed it over by saying he seemed to have eaten something wrong.

At that, Kyraan clicked his tongue as if it figures.

Regardless, after laughing to his heart’s content, Pheron soon nodded in agreement.

“I’m busy, but right now I’m free.” “Is that so?” “Yeah. But you know, you subtly resemble Ian in some ways.” “Me? Not really… I don’t think so.” “That’s just how it feels to me. Both you and Ian state your inner thoughts very honestly. That part feels quite similar.”

Thinking that could be true, I asked in a quiet voice about what bothered me the most.

“You’re not offended by that, right?” “Of course not. But why are you whispering?” “In case the Duchess hears me speaking casually to you.” “She wouldn’t really care about something like that, you know? Even Ian speaks casually to me openly.”

Still, wouldn’t the look she gives her own son versus me be a bit different?

Unlike me, who hesitated, Pheron brushed it off as if it were no big deal.

For now, let’s just read the room. I casually glanced toward Riose, and at that very moment, my eyes met straight with Kyraan’s.

“What are you two talking about?” “I just asked why he hasn’t returned to the capital.” “So, why did he say he hasn’t gone back?” “Yeah. He said he’s extremely free.” “Hey. Hearing you guys, someone would think I wasn’t even sitting right here next to you.”

Pheron let out a hollow laugh, finding Kyraan and me ridiculous for talking while excluding him. Muttering something to himself, he seemed a bit sulky.

However, Kyraan didn’t bother to coax the pouting prince. So Riose stepped in to settle the situation.

“Ian, you shouldn’t do that to a friend.” “That’s right! You could have just asked me directly. Why are you trying to avoid conversing with me!”

Pheron chimed in as if he had been waiting for the moment.

“…It wasn’t like that. I just asked while conversing with Serenel.”

Only then did Kyraan roughly explain his reason to soothe Pheron.

Leaving the two bickering behind, Riose spoke to me.

“Serenel, where do you live?” “Ah… I live near the beach.” “Oh my, then you can come visit here often?”

Riose’s expression brightened up, clearly pleased that I lived nearby. I nodded my head.

“Um, probably? But coming too often might be a bit bothersome for you…” “I’m completely fine with it, so please come visit often. Let’s hang out together frequently, not just with Ian. Having a daughter has always been a wish of mine.” “A daughter?”

So she wanted to have a daughter.

In the original work, her only child was Kyraan. That was because shortly after giving birth to him, her health deteriorated rapidly, making it impossible for her to get pregnant again.

Perhaps because of that, a bit of bitterness touched Riose’s brightly smiling expression.

“Though it’s something I can’t realize now…” “Ah…”

It seemed the pity I felt showed on my face unintentionally. As if she hadn’t been bitter at all, Riose smiled first to reassure me that it was okay.