Chapter 69
Sia was bored. Because the Crown Prince of the Pelles Empire had arrived, she had agreed to Nox’s request to stay in her room and not go out, and was now stuck inside.
“It wasn’t even a request. He practically begged me. Just how bad is the prince’s personality that Lord Nox is this worried?”
Although his expression rarely showed it, Nox had a gentle temperament. If he was this wary of someone, that person’s personality had to be unimaginably terrible. There was another reason for this prejudice too.
Sia grumbled, recalling the Crown Prince she had seen earlier in the evening. She hadn’t been able to get a clear look since she was peeking through the window, but she had clearly seen him subtly distance himself from Nox.
“What harm could black hair possibly cause that he’d treat someone like a walking disease and back away like that? Ugh…”
“…I’m sorry, Milady.”
“Hm?”
While the Crown Prince was staying at the mansion, Marie, who had been assigned to stay in the room with her, apologized with a downcast expression. Behind Marie, who was bowing her head deeply, a small figure flinched.
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Because… I used to think Master and Milady were unfortunate beings too.”
“Even so, I don’t think you’re the one who should be apologizing right now.”
“No, I wanted to take this opportunity to say sorry… I’ve always thought about it. About my mistake.”
“……”
Marie’s sincere words made Sia feel oddly emotional. Still, this was something she wanted to make clear.
“I think it would mean more if you told Lord Nox that. I’ve only… endured it for a few months, but he’s been ostracized much longer.”
“Yes, I’ll be sure to apologize to the Master too.”
“Alright. Thank you.”
Her irritation from the Crown Prince’s behavior seemed to vanish in an instant. Sia looked gently toward the small figure that was hiding behind Marie and refused to come out.
Since Nox couldn’t predict how long the Crown Prince would be staying, he had told her to remain in the room with Marie, and even had Marie bring her younger sister, Anna, from the detached annex, just in case.
Each time she discovered these sides of him, Sia couldn’t help but think Nox was an incredibly considerate man. Their first night together had come suddenly due to a misunderstanding, but ever since, the affection he showed her was so sweet it felt like it might give her cavities.
“Hmmm…”
Sia pondered how to coax Anna out from behind Marie. The child seemed less startled by her black hair and more wary simply because she was a stranger. In that case, all she had to do was convince Anna she wasn’t a stranger.
But first, a bribe.
Looking at the cakes and pies on the table, Sia exaggerated her voice.
“Oh my, isn’t this my favorite shortcake? And there are three slices!”
“……”
Glancing sideways at Anna, Sia noticed the little girl’s body twitch and raised her voice slightly.
“But there’s no way I can eat all three by myself… And eating alone is so boring…”
The small body that had been completely hidden behind Marie peeked out halfway. Seeing her slowly emerge, Sia inwardly celebrated and delivered the climax of her little performance.
“I’d be so grateful if someone ate with me!”
“I-I… I can eat with you…”
“Oh? And who’s this adorable little lady?”
Of course, she’d known from the moment Marie brought her in. She had even tried greeting her once, only to be ignored. But Sia cheerfully introduced herself to Anna again.
“I’m… Anna.”
“Ah, so you’re Marie’s little sister Anna?”
“…Yes! Thister Marie is my close thister!”
“I thought so, you two really look alike. Oh? Then Anna must have seen me before, right?”
“Uh… no, I’ve never theen you before…”
Anna’s lisping speech was so adorable Sia had to fight to keep from laughing. Now, Anna wasn’t just peeking out from behind Marie, but standing right in front of her, openly staring at the cake.
Even the glistening drool at the edge of her lips was so clear that the child’s whole presence felt pure and untainted.
“No, maybe Anna doesn’t remember, but I’ve met you before. Right, Marie?”
“Yes, Milady.”
Marie gently stroked Anna’s head and continued.
“Anna, remember what I told you? That someone saved you when you fell into the valley.”
“…Wow!”
Upon hearing Marie’s words, Anna let out a gasp of admiration, then hurriedly toddled forward, when earlier she wouldn’t come no matter how much Sia called her. Perhaps because she was overwhelmed with excitement, Anna’s cat ears and tail popped out, making her irresistibly cute.
“You really thaved me?”
“That’s right. When Anna was in danger, I appeared like ta-da and rescued you.”
“Wowww!”
To Sia, Anna’s fine brown hair reflected yellow under the lamplight each time she bounced with excitement. Sia tidied Anna’s hair with both hands and lifted her onto her lap.
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