Chapter 83

Zara-san declined when I offered to stay overnight and take care of her. I had imagined she would react this way, given her reserved nature.

So, Liette suggested an alternative. She proposed leaving Blanche in the care of the Marquis family. Perhaps because she knew they were a family that adored幻獣 (mystical beasts), they were quite accommodating about this.

---

"Blanche, let's stay at Liette's house today."

"Meow"

For the time being, we put a collar on her and led her with a leash when we went outside. Blanche followed without any resistance, as if she were a well-behaved child who could stay home alone at the Evhardt Marquis family's residence. I reminded her not to follow strangers, as I had a feeling she might say "Yay!" and follow someone who offered her "honey water."

Blanche easily climbed into the carriage. Liette was trembling with excitement, whispering, "Will you be my child?" in a small voice. She seemed very happy. Although Liette usually acts mature and adult-like, she becomes like a little girl in front of a mystical beast.

Blanche sprawled out on the carriage floor, taking a comfortable position. Liette's eyes were moist, and she seemed to be debating whether to touch Blanche or not.

Still, would Amelia and Blanche get along? The last time they met, Amelia had been upset when Blanche licked her beak.

The carriage arrived at the Marquis residence.

"Welcome back, Miss Liette, Master Mel, and Lady Blanche!"

It seemed the news of Blanche's arrival had been reported in advance, as all the servants came out to greet us.

"Quack quack quack quack~!!"

With a flapping of wings, Amelia also arrived.

"Quack~!!"

She had been coolly watching from a distance, but it seemed she had been lonely, as she came to rub against me. Unlike Blanche, she was gentle, careful not to push me over.

"Quack quack?"

Lowering her posture, she looked up at me with her eyes, as if asking, "Was I good while you were away?" Of course, I answered that she was.

"Meow"

"!?"

At this moment, Amelia seemed to notice Blanche's presence. Although she had grown larger than before, she hid behind me, observing the situation.

Blanche, sensing Amelia's hesitation, walked into the house without even glancing at her.

"Quack..."

She clearly looked relieved. Well, you're bigger now, and there's no need to worry about the "licking" anymore, right? Perhaps childhood memories are deeply ingrained.

Tonight's dinner at the Marquis residence was also lavish. The Marquis's stern face had become familiar by now.

After dinner, I consulted Liette about various things.

"What kind of person is the matriarch of the Evhardt family?"

"Grandmother? Well... she's quite stubborn and strict."

"I see."

She sounds like the female version of the Marquis. Hmm, I can't imagine asking a person who isn't friendly to let me live in their house.

"If she refuses, you can stay here," Liette said.

"Well, that's true."

"Wait, you really mean it!?"

She latched onto my casual response.

"What's the matter?"

"Because, Mel always holds back, right? I thought you might refuse even if I invited you."

"So that's how you saw me."

If I held back, living with Amelia would be impossible. There's no other place like the Lichtenberger family, where the master and servants understand mystical beasts.

"Still, we can't go to the Marquis family empty-handed. Does the matriarch of the Evhardt family like sweets?"

We can't visit a house empty-handed.

"Yes, I think she does. Should I have the confectioner make some?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure."

I want to make something myself, but no one would be happy with amateur cooking. On the other hand, it would be bad to rely on the Marquis family's confectioner.

"Why don't we pick some winter roses from the garden as a gift? Grandmother loves flowers, so she'll surely be pleased."

"Thank you. If you can share the roses, I'd like to do that."

"Then it's settled. I'll wake up early tomorrow."

Liette declared this with a determined expression. I hope everything goes well.

"By the way, where's Blanche?"

"She seems to be wandering around the house."

"She's very curious."

A servant was accompanying her, so there was no problem. I was encouraged to take a bath, so I called out to Amelia, who was lounging in front of the fireplace. As we walked down the corridor together—

"This painting is of the seventh head of the family, Eubait."

"Meow~"

A familiar, stern voice and a cat's meow. Could it be... I peeked around the corner.

"He was a womanizer, with seventeen mistresses."

"Meow"

"Yes, he was quite a character. That room is a library, and the next one is where the previous head stored his collection of vases."

"Meow~"

...The Marquis was giving Blanche a tour of the house with a serious face.

He gently stroked her head along the way.

"Meow~"

Blanche was being petted obediently. Then, the Marquis—wow, he smiled! It seems he can smile gently.

"Quack~"

Amelia also seemed surprised by this.

"Amelia, the Marquis isn't just a mean person."

"Quack~"

I had a feeling, but I still couldn't forgive him for hitting me.

"I'm not holding a grudge anymore."

"Quack?"

"The Marquis has been very kind to me."

"Quack~"

As I stroked Amelia's neck, I continued talking.

"I'm just saying that, but you should do what you feel is right. You don't have to force yourself to overcome your fears or forgive someone."

The Marquis and Blanche walked away, their backs to us. It seemed they got along well.

◇◇◇

The next morning, I woke up with the sunrise.

"Liette, Amelia, wake up~!"

I invited them to pick winter roses together.

"No..."

"Quack~"

Both of them groaned sleepily, saying they needed a bit more time. I mercilessly pulled off the sheets.

"No way!"

"Quack~"

"Even if you make sexy sounds, it won't work. Come on, let's go pick roses!"

I quickly got dressed. Today, I borrowed a deep green dress. The ribbon at the waist was cute. Amelia was being brushed by the maids. Liette chose a red-rimmed glasses from a tray held by a maid and put on a chocolate-colored dress.

We put on our coats and headed to the rose garden. Guided by the old gardener, we explored the vast garden.

"The white roses are in full bloom this season."

"Wow, they're beautiful!"

The flowers were larger than my fist, all in full bloom and very beautiful. The strong fragrance made me feel elegant even in the morning.

"The light pink roses are about seven-tenths bloomed."

"These are also hard to pass up."

All the roses were beautiful. I couldn't choose just one. I turned to Liette and Amelia to ask which one they preferred.

"Uh, they're all beautiful."

"Quack~"

They gave a vague answer. I didn't expect much, though.

"Hmm, I'll go with the white ones."

Using gardening shears, I carefully cut the stems, avoiding the thorns. The maids held a tray for me to place the roses. I picked about ten and finished the selection. Next, we made a bouquet. We went to a glass greenhouse, which was warm and comfortable, unlike the snowy outside. Various flowers, including roses, were being cultivated here. There were also trees with fruit. The flower arches were beautiful and fragrant. We brought a table inside to work on the bouquet. I carefully removed the thorns, adjusted the stem lengths, and wrapped the bouquet in paper and tied it with a ribbon.

"Liette, Amelia, look, it's done!"

"Mel, that's amazing."

"Quack~"

Both of them had half-closed eyes. They must have been very sleepy. However, the gift for the matriarch of the Evhardt family was complete.

"Let's have breakfast now."

"Huh?"

Liette clapped her hands, and a table and chairs were brought in, followed by the food.

"Hey, Liette, is this...?"

"I asked if we could eat here."

"Wow, that's great."

Since everything was ready, we took our seats. A fluffy rug and a platter of fruit were also prepared for Amelia.

Then, breakfast began—

"Hmm?"

It was something I had never seen before. A square piece of bread topped with cheese and smoked meat, with a round object on top, covered in a cream-colored sauce and black pepper. It seemed to be a type of bread that you cut with a knife and fork.

"Liette, what's the round thing on top of the bread?"

"It's an egg."

"Really?"

Liette cut into the round object with her knife, and a runny yolk spilled out. I followed her example, cutting the egg in half and taking a bite. The bread was crispy, the cheese added a smooth flavor to the sauce, and the smoked meat had a nice saltiness. The yolk gently enveloped all these flavors. I was moved. The beautiful flowers around us made it even more delicious. It was a wonderful breakfast.

不定期更新となりますm(__)m

(Note: The last line is a Japanese phrase meaning "Updates will be irregular." It is often used in web novels or blogs to inform readers that the author will not be updating on a regular schedule.)