Chapter 29

Everyone, it's been a while.

I plan to post a few episodes starting today.

Please check the afterword for an announcement!

After that, once the picnic preparations were complete, I called Rebecca back.

Rebecca seemed to have enjoyed walking around the pond and had picked a few flowers.

Rebecca looked so cute holding the flowers; they really suited her.

"Rebecca, what did you pick?"

We sat on the sheet we had laid on the ground and talked.

"I don't know what kind they are, but I thought they were pretty!"

"That's good."

"Yes! I picked three different colors. One for me, one for Mom, and one for Dad..."

Rebecca said this with a slight blush, looking a bit embarrassed.

So cute... Rebecca's cuteness knows no bounds.

"Thank you, Rebecca. Which color is mine?"

"Yellow! Because Mom's hair is such a beautiful golden color!"

"Hehe, that's nice. It matches your hair color, Rebecca."

"Yes!"

I took the yellow flower and smiled at Rebecca.

"What color is Rebecca's?"

"Pink! Because I like pink!"

"Right, it suits you."

"Thank you!"

Rebecca looked really adorable holding the pink flower and smiling.

"Um, I also brought one for Dad... Does he like flowers?"

"I don't particularly like or dislike them, but I might like the flowers you picked."

I wonder if Alan is actually looking forward to the flowers Rebecca picked.

The color of the flower Rebecca offered to Alan was blue.

"Here it is! H-How is it?"

"Hmm... Rebecca, can I ask why you chose blue?"

"Well, I matched it to the embroidery on Dad's clothes."

I see, Alan does wear a black jacket with blue embroidery.

We even specified blue when we made matching family outfits.

Rebecca has a keen eye.

"I see, then do you understand why I chose blue?"

Why did he choose blue? Just because he likes it?

"I kind of understand, but I'm not sure if I'm right..."

Huh, Rebecca knows? She glanced at me for a moment.

"Even if you're wrong, go ahead and say it."

"Well... because Mom's eyes are blue, right?"

"...Huh?"

I was taken aback by the answer I hadn't expected, but Alan's lips curved into a smile.

"Yes, that's correct. You figured it out well."

"Thank you!"

"Thank you, Rebecca. I really like this blue flower."

"I'm glad!"

Alan and Rebecca smiled at each other happily... but, wait a minute?

My eyes are blue?

My eyes are indeed blue, but did he really choose it for that reason?

Now that I think about it, I remember our eyes meeting just before Alan specified the color.

"Since it will wilt otherwise, how about we press it and use it as a bookmark?"

"Wow, that sounds really nice!"

"Good, then. Neo, make the arrangements."

"Understood."

While I was still in a daze, it seems that Rebecca's chosen flower will become a bookmark.

That's nice, but...

"Is that okay with Sophie?"

"Huh? Oh, yes! Of course!"

"What's wrong, your face is red?"

"Well, um...!"

"I chose the color of your eyes, but maybe the color of your blushing cheeks would have been good too."

"Y-You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

"Is that so?"

Even when I glared at him, Alan was smiling very happily.

After that, we enjoyed the picnic leisurely, eating the bento and sweets we brought... but my heart was still racing, and I found it embarrassing to meet Alan's gaze.

This work,

"The Stepdaughter Who Knew the Villainess Would Be Ruined, So I Love Her to Death ~I Was Supposed to Be Indifferent to Me in Our Contract Marriage, But I Ended Up Being Doted On~"

has been decided for publication and manga adaptation!

The label hasn't been announced yet, but I'll let you know soon!

The illustrations are already coming in, and they are wonderful!

Please look forward to it!

And I've also written a new short story!

"【Short Story】My Former Disciple Has Made It Big, So I Want to Watch Over Her from the Shadows ~Even Though She Wasn't Supposed to Notice Me, Why Is She So Obsessed with Me?~"

If the title piqued your interest, please check the link I've provided!