Chapter 49

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Almost at the same time that Mary woke up in the middle of the night, Gainas Eldland was receiving a report from a messenger in his private room. However, the reports continued to be unfavorable, and Gainas's expression naturally grew stern.

"…Anna was living in such a terrible place, huh?"

Parfait sighed and muttered. She had been nodding off, waiting for Gainas to finish his work, but now, hearing the messenger's story, she frowned in pain. For Parfait, who had been raised in the Marquis family with care and had a gentle nature, the story of the slums was unbearable to hear. Gainas noticed this and beckoned Parfait over, pulling her into his arms to reassure her.

"If it becomes necessary, as Lord Patrick said, the Eldland family will take charge of the territory's response."

"Is that alright? It will be a problem of another country..."

"We may not have as much authority as the Albert or Dice families, but we do have some. Besides, we can't just leave it as it is."

"Lord Gainas, you are so kind and reliable. …Twenty points."

Parfait's cheeks flushed as she leaned against Gainas. The messenger, who had been discussing the current state of the slums with a grim expression, smiled wryly at this and bowed, saying, "I'll continue the report tomorrow," before leaving. He was a considerate messenger.

Gainas couldn't let this consideration go to waste. He apologized for keeping Parfait waiting and told her his work was done. In truth, there was still a bit left, but he couldn't return to work now.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Let's go to bed."

As Gainas slowly leaned in, invitingly, Parfait looked up at him and closed her eyes in anticipation...

"Stop it! Bring out the food!"

Mary, who had burst in, made both of them widen their eyes in surprise.

"Thieves!? No, Lady Mary!?"

"Gainas, I'm sorry for the late hour. I need you to prepare a meal."

"A meal? Was dinner not enough?"

"It's not that. Anna woke up hungry. We need to feed her quickly and get her back to bed, or it will affect her tomorrow."

Mary explained and asked again. In response, Parfait, who had been blushing and looking embarrassed, offered to help.

"I'll ask someone to prepare it. Please wait a moment."

"Alright, thank you."

Parfait, still blushing, ran off. As Gainas watched her go and took a deep breath, he glanced at Mary standing next to him. In contrast to Parfait, who had left blushing, Gainas's face had turned pale. Though he hadn't said a word, it seemed as if he was silently pleading, "Don't leave me, Parfait."

"Inviting someone to bed before marriage, how bold of you, Gainas."

"N-no, that's... I mean, inviting to bed just means sleeping together... I would never do anything improper..."

"Could you explain in more detail while we wait for Parfait to return?"

"Hahaha...," Mary laughed politely, but Gainas's face grew even paler.

But then he seemed to realize something and quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, the messenger I sent to Sylvin has returned. We can talk to the lord of the territory tomorrow!"

"So that's why you're inviting Parfait to bed?"

"The messenger said the territory is in worse condition than I imagined."

"You said you wouldn't do anything improper. What exactly did you imagine?"

"Fortunately, I have relatives in Sylvin who can manage the territory. It shouldn't escalate into a national issue."

"I don't intend to meddle, but as a friend, I'd like to hear more."

Mary cut through Gainas's desperate resistance. She appreciated that he had arranged a meeting with the lord, but that was a separate matter. Sensing that this was bad, cold sweat trickled down Gainas's forehead. He tried to change the subject again, "By the way..."

"Is this related to your past life's memories?"

"Completely unrelated. But about the 'improper' things you mentioned, could you be more specific? Have you done anything with Parfait before, or how do you plan to handle it in the future?"

"Hahaha...," Mary laughed politely and nudged Gainas with her elbow. To an outsider, it might look like a playful prank from a graceful young lady. However, a closer look would reveal that Mary's elbow was firmly jabbing into his side, and Gainas was wincing with each jab. It was hard to call this a "playful prank."

"...Parfait, please come back quickly."

Gainas's pitiful voice echoed uselessly in the quiet hallway of the Eldland house.

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Parfait had prepared bite-sized sandwiches. Carrying them back to the room, she found Anna waiting with a small light on. Anna's eyes lit up at the sight of the sandwiches, and she started eating happily.

However, after finishing her meal and getting ready for bed, Anna didn't return to her bed but sat on the sofa again. Her call of "Mary-onee-chan" lacked the energy she had shown while eating the sandwiches. Concerned, Mary leaned in to see Anna's eyes, which were brimming with tears.

"What's wrong?"

"...I'm sorry."

Anna's weak, almost inaudible voice made Mary's eyes widen in surprise. She wasn't sure what Anna was apologizing for.

"It's okay, no one will be angry if you wake up at this hour. Occasional late nights are fine."

"...No, it's not that."

"Is it because you ate late? It's understandable if you were tired and fell asleep."

"...No, it's not that."

"Did you have an accident? It's okay, we can borrow a bath and change your clothes. If you're embarrassed, we can blame it on Adi!"

"I knew he wasn't my father... but when I said he wasn't my father, they told me to go home alone..."

"Anna..."

Mary called out to Anna, who was speaking weakly with her head down. Her voice started to tremble, and when Mary gently touched her small shoulder, large tears overflowed from her eyes.

"I... I knew he wasn't my father... but if I said he wasn't, they told me to go home alone..."

Anna sobbed, rubbing her eyes and crying, then rubbing them again. Mary quickly brought out a handkerchief and gently wiped her cheeks. The rough rubbing had made her eyes red.

"I'm sorry... I'm causing trouble for everyone..."

"It's okay, you're not causing any trouble. You tried to help your mother, and no one will tell you to go home alone."

"Mom... I want to see Mom... but she's sick... If Mom leaves too... what will I do...!"

Anna cried, overwhelmed by the thought of being alone. Mary instinctively hugged her, comforting her before even thinking of what to say. Anna clung to Mary, burying her face in her chest and sobbing.

What a small body. The anxiety of being separated from her mother, the uncertainty of seeing her father, and the guilt of calling Adi "father" were too much for her to bear. Without anyone to rely on, Anna had been trying to endure it all alone, suppressing her feelings. Thinking about this, Mary's embrace tightened.

"It's okay. Your mother will get better soon. We'll make sure you can live in peace."

"...Mary-onee-chan"

Anna called out to Mary, sobbing. At that moment, a low voice asked, "What's wrong?"

It was Adi. He seemed to have been woken up by the commotion. His voice was low and his speech unclear, indicating he was still half-asleep. He got out of bed and approached them, moving slowly as if still in a daze.

"It's okay, there's no problem. We were just talking."

"...Let's go to bed."

"Right. Anna, let's go to bed."

Mary spoke in a gentle tone, trying to calm Anna. ...But then, a hand reached out from the side.

It was Adi's hand, of course. He easily picked up Anna and carried her back to bed. Mary had no choice but to follow. Adi's back, carrying a small child, was a familiar sight, but the small hand clutching it tightly was a new sight, giving a strange feeling.

"Let's... go to bed. We have to get up early tomorrow..."

"...Good night."

"Good night, Anna."

Adi patted Anna's futon lightly. However, his hand movements didn't last long, and he soon fell asleep, his breathing becoming deep and steady. He had probably been mostly asleep already. It was uncertain if he would remember this in the morning. Mary smiled wryly and quietly got into her futon, careful not to wake Adi.

Lying down with Anna in between, Mary rolled over to face Adi. Her eyes were still red, but she seemed to have calmed down after being forced to sleep. She didn't seem likely to cry again.

"Adi-nii-chan is already asleep, huh?"

Anna spoke in a low voice, perhaps out of concern for Adi, who was sleeping next to her.

"Yes, he falls asleep quickly."

"...Was Dad as kind as Adi-nii-chan?"

Mary inhaled sharply at Anna's sigh, mixed with a hint of sadness. She gently reached out and stroked Anna's body under the futon. It was small and warm.

"Hey, Anna. If you and your mother are willing, would you like to work for us?"

"At your house?"

"Yes. I want your mother to teach me how to raise a kind and good child."

"Kind and good child?"

"I mean you. I want this child to grow up to be as caring as you."

Mary gently moved her hand from Anna's body to her own abdomen, guiding Anna's gaze. Anna's eyes widened, and they sparkled, despite the tears she had shed moments ago. Perhaps thinking that making noise would wake Adi, she pressed her hands to her mouth and asked in a hushed voice, "Really?"

"Let's keep it a secret for now. It's a promise."

Mary said in a gentle tone, and Anna nodded happily in response. Promises and secrets seemed