Chapter 17

"Miss Grace... You care for my brother so much...!"

"Huh?"

"I'm surprised you were watching Zain so closely. You might know him better than I do, his childhood friend."

Maribelle, moved, wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and Boris-sama looked at me with admiration. It seems my passionate feelings were conveyed, and I felt relieved.

With the resolve to work hard for Zain-sama, for the world, and for myself, I smiled.

Meanwhile, Zain-sama wouldn't even look at me. Boris-sama chuckled and patted Zain-sama's shoulder.

"Hey, Zain, stop being shy and say something."

"...Shut up."

Not denying it means he might really be blushing. But since everything I said is true, there's no need to be shy.

"Zain often gets judged by his appearance, so I think he's happy to be praised like this."

"You can be a bit quiet, can't you?"

Eventually, Charlotte will understand everything about Zain-sama and love him, I'm sure! I gave a thumbs up in my heart.

After that, although Zain-sama didn't say much, the four of us enjoyed tea together, and the conversation eventually turned to the garden.

When I said I wanted to see various things, Maribelle immediately offered to show me around and stood up.

"Then, I'll guide you, Miss."

"Ah."

"Go ahead. The two of us will take it easy."

Thus, Maribelle took my hand again, and we left the gazebo to walk through the beautiful garden.

"There are really so many varieties."

"Yes. These ranunculus over here—"

A little distance away, two maids were visible.

Noticing my gaze, Maribelle told me that they served as both guards and maids.

"...My brother is very anxious."

Although there was no detailed description, I remember that after the Duke and Duchess Winslett died in an accident, many greedy people tried to take advantage of them.

Given how adorable Maribelle is and the kidnapping incident, I can understand why she is so overprotective.

I myself have no ulterior motives for getting close to Zain-sama and just want to become better friends with Maribelle.

"Maribelle, you don't really like sweets, do you?"

I asked casually, and Maribelle stopped abruptly, lowering her eyebrows and smiling in a troubled way.

"...I can't eat anything made by someone else."

"Huh?"

"After my parents died, a relative who tried to take over the dukedom put poison in the food. Since then, I've been afraid to eat anything."

"Such a thing..."

The poison was intended for Zain-sama, but Maribelle accidentally ingested it.

Although she survived, she suffered so much that she begged to be killed.

"Of course, I know that the food is now thoroughly managed and safe under my brother's orders, and I trust the servants."

"...Yeah."

"Still, even though I understand it intellectually, when I face the food, I can't help but feel afraid. I know I shouldn't, but I can't help it."

Maribelle said this, lowering her long lashes.

Her current diet consists only of raw vegetables, fruits, and bread from a store she has eaten since childhood. At fourteen, such a diet will surely damage her health eventually.

Hearing this story for the first time, which was not written in the novel, my heart ached so much I wanted to cry. Why does Maribelle have to suffer so much?

Zain-sama must also know this isn't good, but he can't bear to make Maribelle, who took the poison for him, do something she finds difficult.

"I'm sorry for bringing up such a dark topic."

"...No, thank you for telling me."

I squeezed her small hand tightly.

I desperately thought about what I could do for Maribelle, something only I could do.

After a moment, I looked up.

"Hey, Maribelle. If it's okay, would you like to cook with me?"

"...Cook?"

"Yeah. The two maids and the chef can watch us, and I'll taste everything right in front of you every minute. That way, it will definitely be safe, right?"

With support, if Maribelle makes something herself, her feelings might change a bit. I'm sure no one has ever made such a proposal to a duchess's daughter.

Eventually, her large golden eyes wavered.

"But... I've never cooked before..."

"Looks can be deceiving; I'm actually good at it. Leave it to me."

When I smiled, Maribelle looked confused and then bowed her head. Maybe I was being too pushy.

"Of course, if it's too much trouble or you don't like it, you can say no."

"No, no! I'm very happy that you invited me, Miss!"

Biting her lip, Maribelle continued.

"But I feel bad if it doesn't work out..."

"That's nothing to worry about. Just trying to cook is enough; you don't have to force yourself to eat. Besides, cooking can be surprisingly fun."

Her kindness made my heart ache. I strongly wanted Maribelle to have a warm meal.

"I'll eat a lot, and I'm sure Zain-sama will be happy to eat it too. I bet Boris-sama will too."

"..."

"Also, I want to show Zain-sama my good side by serving him a home-cooked meal and make him like me. Would you help me?"

When I asked playfully, Maribelle nodded, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Great! Thank you. What does Maribelle like?"

"The tomato soup my mother used to make."

"Then let's start with soup."

"Y-Yes...!"

Her cute smile warmed my heart. Since it was close to lunchtime, we decided to head to the kitchen right away.