Chapter 84

After breakfast, I went to the Marquis's place.

I thought I would arrange the flowers I had picked in the greenhouse in his room. Since he is a stern old gentleman, I thought red roses would suit him.

When I asked the butler, he said the Marquis was in his study, so I decided to visit.

Since I had seen Blanch with a fluffy smile yesterday, my aversion to him had somewhat diminished.

When the butler knocked on the door and announced my arrival, a bright voice replied, "Hai, Douzo!" This voice belonged to Album.

The door was opened from inside.

"Hey, Pancake Girl!"

"Ah, yes."

Album hung from the doorknob and called out to me. It seemed that Album had opened the door for me.

The Marquis sat at his desk with a stern expression, showing no signs of welcoming me.

"Excuse me."

I bowed and entered the room.

Someone followed me in. It was Amelia.

"Quu~"

She entered the room quietly.

Perhaps there had been a change in Amelia's attitude. She had come to see the Marquis on her own initiative.

"Hey, Pancake Girl, you're free today, right? Album-chan wants you to make pancakes!!"

Amelia stepped on Album with her front paws as he approached me.

"Gaah, this one, this one, Album-chan, kicked three times~"

"Quu!"

Amelia was only applying enough force to restrict Album's movements minimally. It seemed she was holding back considerably.

I could feel the Marquis's cold gaze from the front, so I decided to finish my business quickly.

"Um, these roses were picked this morning in the greenhouse by Amelia, Lise, and me. If you like them..."

I handed them to the butler, thinking my task was complete. However, an unexpected situation arose.

The Marquis stood up and came over to me. He took the roses with an intimidating gaze. Then, unexpectedly, he said,

"...Thank you."

Did he just say thank you!? Is this a sign of an impending natural disaster!?

He didn't exactly smile, but the frown between his eyebrows seemed to ease, and he appeared to be in a gentler mood than usual.

Then, the Marquis bowed to Amelia.

"Griffin, Amelia. I apologize for my rough treatment of you in the past."

"Quu!?"

Amelia was also surprised by this turn of events.

"Since that incident, we have discussed the handling of幻兽. I swear that I will never again force a young幻兽into a leather bag or similar treatment."

"Quu, Quu..."

She fidgeted and said, "W-well, if you say so, I might forgive you."

It was good that there was an opportunity for reconciliation.

At that moment, a faint voice was heard.

"Everyone, while you're feeling warm and fuzzy, don't forget about Album-chan, okay?"

...I'm sorry, I had completely forgotten.

◇◇◇

When I returned to Lise's room, Blanch was there.

"Wow~"

"Quu!"

Blanch had a red ribbon tied around his neck, looking very cute.

"Quu, Quu~..."

To my surprise, Amelia approached Blanch and said, "T-that ribbon is cute."

"Meow, meow"

"Quu, Quu"

It seemed that the maid had tied the ribbon for Blanch. Amelia looked quite envious and circled around Blanch, looking at him.

"Lise"

"Ah, so cute. This must be heaven..."

"Lise"

"Kyaa!"

I tapped her shoulder firmly to get her attention. She had been lost in her own world and hadn't noticed my call.

"Mel, is there something?"

"I was wondering if we could tie a ribbon on Amelia like Blanch. She seems envious."

"Oh, so that's it. I hadn't noticed. Yes, it's possible. I'll ask the maid."

When Lise gave the instruction, the maids came and tied a ribbon on Amelia. Amelia seemed very happy, wagging her tail. She even asked if it suited her. The matching ribbons with Blanch seemed to deepen their bond.

After we were ready, we headed to the Evahart family's mansion by carriage. Amelia flew in the sky, following us.

The Evahart family's mansion had a large garden and a grand estate.

"My grandmother lives here with a lynx. There are only a few servants."

"Why is she alone?"

"After my grandfather passed away, she became depressed and wouldn't let anyone near. I've been turned away a few times when I came to visit."

"I see."

"But it's my fault. I once said I wanted Blanch."

I remember Zara and Lise mentioning something like this when they met.

"I was really self-centered and only thought about幻兽. I was a spoiled and hopeless person."

But Lise has changed.

Perhaps because she feels responsible as a member of the knight squad, she seems more mature. It's a good change.

However, the reclusive lady of the house.

Will things go well? I don't know.

With a pounding heart, I entered the house.

"Meow~!!"

As soon as I stepped into the entrance, a large black cat jumped out.

It charged at Amelia—

"Quu~!!"

"Meow!!"

"Meow?"

Amelia, startled, closed her eyes. Blanch stepped in front of her protectively, and the black lynx, surprised by the interference, stopped in its tracks. They each showed different reactions.

"Oh, Noire, you mustn't jump on guests."

A calm, elderly woman's voice was heard.

At that moment, the black lynx stopped and meowed in response.

"Ah, Grandmother..."

"That's Lise's..."

I was surprised. I didn't expect the mistress of the house to come to the entrance herself.

With her white hair and straight back, she wore a dignified dress. Her expression was stern. This was Lise's grandmother. Her speech was gentle, but her expression was strict. She exuded the aura of a noble lady.

"You must be the famous Mel and Amelia."

"Yes, I'm Mel Lisris. This is the griffin, Amelia."

"Quu~"

Amelia lowered her posture and greeted her.

"Grandmother, it's been a long time."

"Oh, Lise is here too. It's been a long time."

"Yes, it has."

The conversation faltered, creating an awkward atmosphere.

"I have a request for the lady of the house—"

"Let's talk in the room."

She cut me off abruptly.

Would she listen to me? With a pounding heart, I followed her.

We were led to the guest room, and I sat on the sofa offered to me.

I handed over the bouquet of roses I had picked in the morning, but her reaction was lukewarm. Still, it was better than bringing nothing.

A maid, a few years younger than me, came in and served tea. On the table, chocolate pastries were placed.

I drank the tea and ate the pastries in silence, but I was too nervous to taste them.

After taking a deep breath, I was addressed.

"By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Rosalind Evahart."

"It's an honor to meet you."

"Likewise."

It seems Zara had told the lady about me.

"This is Noire. As you can see, she is a lynx."

Noire, in a submissive posture, looked up at Amelia curiously. Lynxes come in various colors. Blanch is white, and Noire is black.

"So, you want the griffin to live here, right?"

"Yes."

She got straight to the point.

Zara had already told her most of the story.

What judgment would she make? I listened anxiously— but the conversation took an unexpected turn.

"There is a condition. You must find a flower called Snowdrop, which Noire loves, and bring it back. If you can find it, you may live here."

"!"

I thought it would be a simple yes or no, but an unexpected condition was given.

"What do you say?"

When asked by Lady Evahart, there was only one answer.

"—I'll do it!"