Chapter 81

As the midday sun gradually grew warmer, the melting snow raised the water level of the lake.

The mornings and evenings were still cold, but the midday sun was warm.

The season was about to turn to spring.

The day at the Penzilnia household began in the breakfast dining room.

While the family was having breakfast, Rias would be the first to stand up to go to the castle.

The children would call out, "Have a good day," and Cynthia would stand up to see him off.

"I'll be back soon," Rias would murmur while exchanging a long embrace. — This was a usual routine.

"Daddy, today, you'll bring back madeleines, right?"

Sophia confirmed the souvenir they had agreed on the night before.

"Madeleines, right?"

Marivelle immediately corrected her. Sophia ignored her.

"It's a promise. Two of them."

"Sure. I'll bring them."

On his way back from the castle, Rias would stop by a pastry shop to buy them. It was Sophia's recent favorite treat.

Satisfied with Rias's response, Sophia resumed her meal.

The pancakes were fluffy, topped with plenty of cream and winter berries.

Eidan had pancakes as well, but his were loaded with ham, bacon, and eggs. Despite this, he often asked for seconds, which Marivelle found unbelievable, and she made a sour face.

Marivelle, on the other hand, had only one pancake and ate a lot of salad. Her menu was the same as Cynthia's. She even mimicked her mother's choice of tea.

Sophia knew that Marivelle actually preferred pancakes with plenty of cream and drinks like juice or milk, but she was trying to act tough by imitating Cynthia.

When Sophia pointed this out before, Marivelle had said, "That's how you become a lady," which Sophia didn't quite understand, so she didn't pursue it further.

The idea of giving up something she liked to do something else was incomprehensible to Sophia.

"——So, what are you doing today?"

Cynthia returned after seeing Rias off.

"I have lessons on imperial studies and economics, and in the afternoon, I have a law class with a mock trial, so I'll be at the estate all day."

"Oh. Studying all day? That's tough."

"I have social studies, astronomy, and... what else... magic formulas, I think. Mom, do I really need to learn magic formulas? I don't have any magic power, so it's pointless to learn them."

The class on magic formulas involves studying magic arrays. Unlike specific types of magic like light or earth, magic arrays can be activated by infusing them with magic power.

While it's not necessary to understand all the complex sequences that make up the magic arrays, it's important to know the basics.

"You should know them even if you can't use them. Remember, magic arrays are used in magical artifacts, right?"

"Magical artifacts work with magic stones, so it's fine even if you don't understand how they work."

"It's the basics. You'll regret not knowing this later."

Eidan chimed in, and Marivelle pouted.

Magic formulas require knowledge of mathematics, making them complex and difficult.

Still, Cynthia intended to complete the necessary minimum education, similar to compulsory education in her previous life.

"Get ready with Alro."

"Okay."

Finally, everyone's attention turned to Sophia.

The habit of sharing the day's plans had become a routine, and it made Sophia happy that they asked her as well.

"I'll go for a walk until lunch and play in my room until dinner."

"That sounds nice. Let's have tea together."

"Okay!"

With that, breakfast ended, and everyone went their separate ways.

Sophia was walking alone in the second-floor hallway.

The second floor had rooms for Eidan, Marivelle, and Sophia, with Eidan's room across from Sophia's.

Eidan was busy with studies and training, and Marivelle, who had recently become more serious about her classes, often spent time in the study room working on assignments.

Rias and Cynthia were busy with the work of the Duke's family and the royal army, so they were usually in their offices.

Sophia had a governess, Daria, but since Daria had also been Eidan's governess, she was a significant figure in the Penzilnia household and was busy with other duties besides her role as a governess.

Sophia's range of movement was not very wide, so she was not accompanied by a knight within the estate.

Unlike Eidan, who was always on the move, Sophia was good at playing alone and did not have a personality that craved attention like Marivelle, who often sought interaction.

Sophia had always been good at playing alone and spent a lot of time by herself.

Thus, the sight of Sophia walking alone was not unusual.

Sophia knocked on Eidan's door.

"Big brother."

When she called out, Eidan immediately came out.

She had already confirmed that his teacher of imperial studies had left.

"What's up, Sophia? This is unusual."

Eidan rarely asked to play, so it felt strange.

"I want to play."

"Ah, um..."

Eidan glanced behind him.

His desk was piled high with thick books, and he only had 15 minutes before his next class.

"Not now."

"Oh, really?"

"Big brother, are you a child?"

"Huh?"

Eidan squatted down, confused by the question.

"You can't be an adult."

In Sophia's mind, Eidan was a figure she couldn't quite decide was a child or an adult.

Feeling that he was being seen as an adult, Eidan smiled.

"I'm still a child. I haven't had my coming-of-age ceremony yet."

Hearing this, Sophia looked around cautiously. There was no one around, so there was no need to worry.

"Big brother, do you know? The ghost in the greenhouse."

"......What?"

Sophia spoke in a low voice, looking around. Eidan naturally lowered his voice as well.

"There's a ghost in the greenhouse."

"Ghost...?"

It was so unexpected that Eidan could only echo her words.

"Adults can't see it. It doesn't come out."

"Hmm... a ghost?"

"Big brother, are you strong enough to catch it?"

"Do you want to catch a ghost?"

"Yes."

"What will you do with it?"

"Um..."

Sophia's eyes became even rounder as she struggled to find the right words. Her determination was endearing.

"Be friends with it."

Friends.

Eidan's face, which had been relaxed, became puzzled.

Wondering what a ghost meant to Sophia, Eidan gave an ambiguous response.

Sophia grabbed Eidan's arm.

"Let's go to the greenhouse when it gets dark."

Eidan, who rarely refused his sister's requests, nodded.

"Okay. Before dinner?"

"No. After."

"Got it. Let's go after dinner."

"Okay!"

Sophia was about to run off excitedly but stopped.

"Is Alro a child?"

"Yes. He's the same age as me."

"Then Alro will come too. And Marivelle."

Before dinner, Alro and Marivelle were usually still studying or spending time together.

After dinner, Alro had free time and could be found in the training ground or the study.

"Alro will come too."

The greenhouse was part of the garden, so there was no danger.

Going out at night with just the children might be interesting.

"Got it. Can you tell Marivelle and Alro for me?"

"Okay!"

Sophia immediately headed to the study room.

Alro was the only one in the room.

"Alro."

"Sophia."

When she called out, Alro slowly walked over and bent down. Sophia reached out her hand.

Alro picked her up.

Sophia was still small, so when she reached out, everyone would pick her up.

Alro was initially surprised but now naturally picked her up and carried her.

"Marivelle is back in her room."

"No, it's Alro."

"——Me?"

Sophia nodded and whispered into Alro's ear.

"Hey, we're going to the greenhouse today to see a ghost."

"Okay."

Alro nodded quietly. He was usually calm, so he would always respond with "okay" no matter what Sophia said.

"Will you come too?"

"Me? To the greenhouse...?"

Alro thought he might have misheard the "ghost" part and repeated only the "greenhouse." Sophia nodded vigorously.

"Only children. Adults can't come. After dinner."

Sophia swayed with excitement. Alro, a bit puzzled, nodded.

As a servant to the family, he would follow any orders given to him.

"Tell Marivelle too."

"Okay."

Hearing Alro's response, Sophia left the room, looking satisfied.

That evening, after dinner.

Rias, who had returned from the castle, brought out the promised madeleines.

"Sophia, here are the madeleines."

However, Sophia's reaction was not as expected.

She fidgeted, drank the water after the meal, and got off her chair.

"Thank you. I'll eat them tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow...?"

Rias was puzzled, as he thought she would eat them immediately after all the emphasis.

Eidan explained.

"Everyone is going to the greenhouse after this. Sophia is looking forward to it."

"Greenhouse...? Is there something there?"

There shouldn't be anything new, as he knew the greenhouse wasn't bearing fruit at the moment.

"Something about a ghost—"

"No! It's a secret!"

Sophia looked at him sternly. Eidan stopped and shrugged.

"——That's what she said. Sorry. I'll be right back."

"They're going without adults."

Marivelle said. She seemed reluctant but was probably excited about going out at night with Alro. She had already decided to go with Alro.

"Right now...? It's cold in the greenhouse. Make sure to wear a coat."

Eidan responded, "Okay," and led the children out.

Seeing the children playing together made Cynthia smile as she sent them off.