Chapter 41

"Truly, I am very sorry!"

After narrowly avoiding the pond in the morning, Amelia bowed deeply to Carol.

Carol's attire was far from the lavish dress; it was a simple outfit that a servant might wear. At first glance, it seemed as if she was tending to the garden, but she was a lady of high standing, a distant relative of Logan.

Being rescued from the pond was a situation that would make any lady blush with embarrassment.

"Thank you so much!"

Amelia bowed even deeper, her apology coming from the bottom of her heart, sincere and heartfelt.

"Don't worry about it. Rather, I'm satisfied to have seen something interesting this morning."

Carol said this with a chuckle.

"Your words are too kind... I am deeply grateful."

"I told you I dislike formality. There's no need to be so formal."

"Y-Yes... I'm sorry... No, thank you."

"Um-hum."

Carol nodded in satisfaction. At the same time, Amelia realized something.

"Um, that...?"

"What is it?"

"Earlier, when you helped me, was your shoulder... Is it okay? I'm worried that I might have hurt you more..."

No matter how small Amelia was, the force required to pull a person in was considerable.

"Oh, that's nothing."

Carol said this while rotating her right shoulder.

"Pulling someone like that uses the body's core and twisting, not just the shoulder. So, it's nothing to worry about."

"I see... That's how it works, huh."

Indeed, the skill and technique of using one's body had been ingrained in her over the years.

Amelia, who often stumbled in open spaces, thought she should learn from this.

"Here, this is the medicine."

Regaining her composure, Amelia handed a small bottle of medicine to Carol.

"Apply this to the sore spot on your shoulder before going to bed. The ingredients will seep in overnight and should make you feel much better by morning."

"Before bed, got it. Thank you."

"Not at all, it's my pleasure."

Amelia smiled at Carol, who was looking at the small bottle with delight.

After that, Amelia and Carol sat on a thick log lying on the ground, admiring the beautiful pond while chatting.

"Isn't this a nice spot?"

"Yes, it is."

Amelia answered immediately.

"The air is so fresh, the pond is clear, and the floating plants are beautiful... It's truly a wonderful place."

"I've never heard anyone praise the floating plants before."

"Hehe... I, well, I have a bit of a fondness for plants... more like nature in general."

"I understand that feeling."

Carol took a deep breath of the fresh air before continuing.

"In my younger days, I worked hard, but now that I'm retired, I find joy in playing with nature. When I come to this estate, walking through the garden has become a daily routine."

"I can understand the joy of being with nature... I love nature too. I love grass and flowers, of course, but also mountains, rivers, and forests. I haven't seen the sea yet, but I really want to see it someday... Oh..."

Amelia realized she had leaned forward without noticing. Seeing this, Carol chuckled.

"You're an interesting young lady, aren't you?"

"I'm sorry, I got carried away..."

"Don't worry. It's good to be able to speak openly about what you love."

"I'm glad you think so... Do you come here often?"

Carol's shoulders trembled slightly.

"This is my favorite spot."

As if recalling a fond memory, Carol looked up at the sky.

"In my younger days, I used to come here often with the current master. He was so small and cute back then."

"Lord Logan?"

"Yes."

Carol nodded.

Amelia imagined Logan as a child.

(He must have been so... adorable...)

Amelia's rich imagination, honed from combining various plants, burst forth. A small, cute Logan with sharp eyes... the contrast was incredible.

"What are you thinking about?"

"N-No... It's nothing..."

Covering her face to hide the blush, Amelia cleared her throat and changed the subject.

"Do you usually come here alone?"

"I don't like noisy places. I wander around freely."

"I see."

(I hope she's okay... She seems quite old...)

As if reading Amelia's thoughts, Carol said:

"Don't worry. If anything happens, I have a way to call for help."

Carol jingled the large bell attached to her waist, which Amelia recognized as the sound she had heard when Carol arrived.

"If I shake this bell vigorously, it can be heard from quite a distance, and someone will come to help."

"I see, that's reassuring."

"One can't win against age, though."

Carol chuckled, not at all pessimistic. It was as if she had lived a joyful and fulfilling life up to this point, and Amelia felt a bit envious.

"Well, I should be going now."

Carol stood up.

"Ah, yes! Thank you again."

"Um-hum. Thank you for the medicine."

With that, Carol turned and left. Amelia thought to herself that she was indeed a mysterious person.

"Well..."

Amelia stood up and looked down at the floating plants on the pond's surface.

It was time to get the floating plants she had been waiting for. She wanted to take some home.

She walked to the edge of the pond and bent her knees, reaching out carefully to avoid falling in again.

"Hmm... Just a little more..."

If she were just ten centimeters, no, five centimeters taller, she could have easily reached them. Her lack of height was surely due to the poor diet at her old home.

How frustrating.

(No, I can do this...!)

Her focus was entirely on the floating plants, and the sounds around her were blocked out. Determined to acquire this treasure she had never touched before, Amelia stretched her arm as far as she could—

"Miss Amelia!"

Amelia jumped at the familiar voice, which came from outside her focused state.

Déjà vu.

"Ah...!!"

As she jumped, her balance shifted, and her upper body was pulled toward the pond.

Déjà vu, part two.

(I'm going to fall...!!)

A firm grip on both shoulders. Her body, which was about to dive into the pond, was firmly pulled back to its original position by an external force.

Déjà vu, the rest is omitted.

"Ha... ha... ha..."

Regaining her shallow breath and calming her racing heart, she turned around.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to be so startled... You almost became a water sprite."

Oscar said this with a relieved tone.