Chapter 9

Happy New Year! ^^

The serialization is restarting!

"Is this okay?"

"Yeah."

Cecilia sat on the sofa, with Gilbert's head resting on her lap. His legs were draped over the armrest, and he gazed up at Cecilia while playing with her honey-blonde hair that fell around them.

"I've been tired lately. I just wanted to relax."

"Come to think of it, you've been called by the teacher quite often lately, haven't you?"

"Yeah. It's about my old house."

By "old house," Gilbert meant the Coleston family, his birth family. The Colestons were a distinguished family, related to the Sylvie family, and had produced many high-ranking officials like ministers over generations. However, this also made them elitist, often looking down on others. The current head of the family and his wife were even more inclined this way, and they didn't send their sons to Vruehel Academy, where most noble children attended, fearing that "bad influences" might affect them.

"Is something wrong with the Colestons?"

"It seems there are various issues."

Gilbert didn't elaborate further and lowered his gaze. He didn't seem depressed, but he definitely looked exasperated.

(Something must have happened...)

Due to his background, Gilbert didn't seem to think highly of the Colestons. He had cut off contact with them and didn't like talking about his birth family, so Cecilia had never brought it up. But perhaps he was secretly going through a lot of trouble that she didn't know about.

She stroked Gilbert's forehead comfortingly, and he smiled, his eyes narrowing in pleasure.

(Gilbert is still a child in many ways...)

She was delighted that the usually mature Gilbert could be so affectionate with her, and a smile spread across her face.

"Hey, you said you'd give me all your summer vacation, right? Is that true?"

Gilbert took Cecilia's hand, which had been stroking his forehead, and asked. Cecilia nodded with a smile.

"Yep! But, except for the days when I have something to do!"

"What do you mean by 'something'?"

"Well, I have training sessions with Hans and study sessions with Donny. I also plan to learn cooking from Becky and Lena, and help El with weeding. And..."

Cecilia counted off her summer plans on her fingers. Hans was a soldier of the Sylvie family, and Donny was the son of the Sylvie family's steward. Becky and Lena were maids, and El was a young gardener. For Cecilia, who couldn't socialize and make friends, they were more than just servants; they were good friends.

"Will you have any time left for me?"

"Of course! ...Probably."

Gilbert intertwined his fingers with hers at Cecilia's vague answer.

"Cancel all of that."

"Huh?"

"If you're going to indulge me, cancel everything."

Gilbert brought Cecilia's hand to his lips. The slight touch of his lips made her cheeks flush.

"Are you going to let me have you all to myself?"

His affectionate voice tickled her ear. She couldn't pull her hand away, as he showed no sign of letting go.

(No wonder he's a target in a dating sim! This charm is incredible!!)

She touched her flushed cheek with her free hand. If this was how he acted with his sister, the heroines who fell for him must have had a tough time.

(Recently, Gilbert has been so clingy...)

If she had said "I'll take care of you" a while ago, he would have just laughed it off. It was nice that he could be so affectionate, but it made her feel flustered.

While looking at Cecilia, Gilbert murmured,

"...I'm starting to think that two weeks might be enough."

"For what?"

"I'm not sure."

With a confident smile, he left her puzzled.

She had never really understood what he was thinking.

"But! I can't cancel Lean's plans, okay?"

"Lean?"

Gilbert blinked as if he had just remembered.

"Right! Lean is staying at our house for a few days! We're having a sleepover! I'm looking forward to it."

Cecilia's beaming smile made Gilbert's eyes narrow.

"Hey, I heard you revealed your true identity to Lean. Haven't you two been getting a bit too close lately?"

"Eh!?"

Her voice rose unnaturally.

"R-really...?"

"Yeah. Are you hiding something?"

"I'm not hiding anything!"

"What are you hiding?"

The calm atmosphere was gone, and a tense aura emanated from Gilbert.

As he leaned in, Cecilia averted her gaze.

"You say you'll help me, but you're keeping important things from me. If you keep hiding things, I might have to take action too."

His gaze pierced her turned face. She couldn't escape, with his arms on either side of her. When she looked up, she met Gilbert's fierce eyes.

He was scary.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Seizing the opportunity, Cecilia called out, "Y-Yes!"

It was the maid, Lena, who entered.

"Miss Cecilia, your afternoon—!"

Lena froze at the sight of the two of them. Her cheeks flushed, and she covered her face with her hands, saying, "S-Sorry!" and tried to leave.

"Wait a minute!"

"Huh?"

"You have something to tell me, right? What is it?"

"Talk now?"

Her cheeks still flushed, Lena's gaze darted around.

"Can't you?"

"It's not that I can't, but... I'm not as experienced as Becky, so..."

Lena blushed and glanced at the two of them.

"I am prepared to follow Miss Cecilia wherever she goes and to take care of such matters, but... I'm not mentally ready yet..."

"Is something wrong?"

Gilbert urged her, as her explanation was slow.

"Miss Cecilia, someone claiming to be your friend is here to see you."

"Huh? Who?"

"A young lady from the Lazarroa family, who goes by the name Lean..."

Cecilia's eyes widened in surprise.