Chapter 3

"Good afternoon, Parfait."

Mary turned around and greeted her.

She called out the name before confirming who it was, but as expected, it was Parfait standing there. She sniffled and tightly gripped the handkerchief in her hand, returning the greeting in a thin voice, "Good afternoon." She wiped her eyes with the handkerchief, pinched the hem of her skirt, and bowed, then wiped her eyes again. Compared to the greetings considered proper in society, her movements were a bit excessive, but her gestures were naturally and beautifully flowing.

She, who cried easily, had reached the point where she could display elegant manners even while in a state of crying.

There was no one who would point out her consistent crying at this point. Adi asked a passing waiter for an additional chair and tea, and lifted Roxane, who seemed tired, to sit on the ground. Alicia greeted Parfait cheerfully and then placed her hand on her abdomen, saying, "They're kicking and greeting," and shared a laugh with Patrick.

"What's the matter today? ...Well, you usually come without much reason, but I'll ask just in case."

Mary prompted her to sit in the newly set chair and asked, to which Parfait responded by sitting down, "I wanted to see Roxane." ——To be precise, she sat down, wiped her tears, took a sip of the offered tea, wiped her tears again, took a bite of the cake, and after a slight tremble, gave her answer——

"Roxane?"

"Yes, actually... I had a very strange dream. In the dream, I was having tea, and there was a soft, white bread on the cake stand...!"

"Soft, white bread"

"When I woke up, I realized that the soft, white bread must be Roxane's cute little hands, and that Roxane was calling me!"

Parfait spoke passionately with teary eyes. Mary, taken aback by her enthusiasm, replied, "Is that so?"

Parfait had been coming to see Mary, associating her dreams with her. Whether it was a croquette flying onto her plate while eating in a dream, whipped cream swirling, or a bird landing in a bowl... It was probably the result of her longing to see Mary. Recently, her desire to see Roxane had been added to that. Mary shrugged, but her expression softened.

No matter what the reason was—whether it was a soft, white bread or not—she was happy that her friend came to see her.

If there was a victim, it would be Gyanus, who was woken up for no reason and had to accompany her. He appeared as if following Parfait, talking about the early morning with a wry smile. The fact that he mentioned, "I was sleeping next to her," indicated a good relationship. His expression only showed joy at being dragged along.

"You think about Roxane so much in your dreams. Please enjoy her soft little hands."

Mary took Roxane from Adi, held her in both arms, and said with a gentle smile. Parfait's teary eyes sparkled, and she stood up and approached eagerly. Alicia, for some reason, also came closer, but it was nothing new, so no one pointed it out.

Mary then extended Roxane's left hand, which was small, no more than half the size of Mary's hand, to them. Despite its small size, it was a well-formed human hand. The fingers had joints, and the tips had tiny nails. When gently poked, the fingers would curl and grip.

It was a small but beautiful hand. How adorable it was. Even Adi, who was looking at his daughter, and Patrick and Gyanus, who were watching, had their expressions soften.

"What cute, soft little hands..."

Parfait, with teary eyes, rubbed Roxane's left hand. When tickled, Roxane laughed with a high-pitched "Kyaa" and sometimes grabbed her fingers, making Parfait tremble with affection. Alicia, meanwhile, was touching Roxane's arm, which was as cute as her hands, with a soft, plump texture.

After admiring Roxane's hands and arms for a while, they returned to their seats, looking satisfied. Alicia sat back down, sighed, and took a sip of tea. She held her teacup, pressed her hair with one hand as it was blown by the wind, and turned to Mary, saying, "I kept you waiting."

"You came back so gracefully."

"Admiring Roxane has filled my body and soul. Now, what was the topic again?"

"The plan to demolish half of the Albert family's mansion and turn it into a vacant lot."

"First time I've heard of it!!"

Alicia raised her voice. "Miss! ...I mean, Mary!" Adi called out to stop her.

"Why are you trying to push the vacant lot plan at every opportunity! Give up on demolishing the mansion!"

"I was trying to get the princess's approval and push it through quickly... Roxane, your father is angry with your mother for trying to demolish the mansion for you. What a terrible father."

"Ah, you always use Roxane as a shield... You know I can't be too harsh, and that's so unfair."

Adi complained while glaring at Mary. Mary smiled, feeling victorious even though the plan was stopped. ——Of course, Adi, despite losing, didn't forget to emphasize, "No vacant lots."——

"You say you use Roxane as a shield, but I've never seen Adi be strong with Mary, past or present."

"Sir Patrick, that's a bit too much..."

Gyanus tried to calm down the beautifully and maliciously smiling Patrick. Adi, looking embarrassed, groaned, and Alicia and Parfait laughed.

The lively tea party scene warmed Mary's heart, and she smiled softly. Looking down at Roxane in her arms, she said, "It's fun, isn't it?" Roxane responded with a "Kyaa," smiling happily and moving her right hand beside her face. The cuteness of her small, active body was irresistible.

Looking at Roxane, Mary felt the reality of becoming a mother. A warm, incomparably happy reality. She and Adi would raise Roxane, protect her, and watch her grow. Of course, their family and friends would be there to support them.

Ah, how happy she was.

Mary sighed contentedly...

"By the way, they should be arriving soon! Adi, check the time!"

The next moment, she turned to Adi, forgetting her motherly mood. He took out a watch from his chest pocket and nodded.

"As you say, Miss... I mean, Mary, they should be arriving soon."

"Hmm, what should we do this time? It's a tough decision."

Mary thought seriously. Adi, on the other hand, declared firmly, "I've already decided."

Patrick and Alicia exchanged glances. The handsome couple, with a serious air, nodded in agreement.

"Mary, can we join in on this?"

"Oh, Patrick too? Sure, the more, the merrier."

"Miss Mary, Miss Mary! Me too!"

"Alright, alright. ...You seem quite strong at this."

Patrick and Alicia happily announced their participation, and Mary and Adi also looked excited.

Parfait and Gyanus, however, were left with question marks above their heads. They didn't understand what Mary and the others were talking about. What was coming...?

Parfait, in particular, was trembling in fear, holding Gyanus's hand and asking, "What is it? What's coming...?"

Noticing Parfait's fear, Mary turned to her.

"They're coming soon."

"Coming... What's coming, Miss Mary...?"

"Well..."

Mary paused dramatically.

The tension in the air made Parfait's trembling reach its peak. Gyanus, holding her hand and touching her shoulder to calm her, also swallowed hard, affected by the atmosphere.

"What's coming... It's the brothers! The brothers can't be away from Roxane for more than two hours. They must be searching the mansion right now! Let's bet on who will reach here first!"

Mary declared excitedly, and Parfait and Gyanus's eyes widened in unison. On the side, Adi and the others started making predictions. Mary, not wanting to be left behind, declared, "I'm betting on Lang!"

"Miss Mary, betting on the brothers... That's..."

"The winner gets to decide the menu for the next tea party. They can choose everything on the cake stand."

"I'm betting on Lucian!!"

Parfait's eyes widened, and she declared loudly. Even Gyanus, influenced by her, mentioned Robert's name.

"Hmm. Patrick and I are betting on Lang, Adi and Alicia and Gyanus on Robert, and Parfait on Lucian. It's a good mix."

Mary smiled, looking forward to it.

At that moment, a figure was seen walking towards them.

The chapter title has been changed.

Chapter 8 → The Albert Family's Tiny, Tiny Young Lady