LNU 40

Daffodils are flowers that bloom mainly in the north, so they’d be difficult to find in the capital this season anyway. Hmm, was he trying to get them for the Duchess? That’s admirable in its own way, but impossible regardless.

“Listen, young master. How could you find daffodils in this season? You won’t find even one plant if you search the entire capital. Let’s give up and go back quickly.”

At my words, which were like a finishing blow, even his slight resistance weakened. The Young Duke now moved along with my guidance without needing to be forcibly dragged. This made things easier for me, but… I’m also a complete stranger to him, aren’t I? What on earth makes him follow me so obediently? He truly was a child after all.

After arriving at the public carriage station, I naturally boarded the carriage together with the Young Duke.

“My lords, where shall I take you?”

“The…!”

Grachio Dukedom!” The Young Duke was about to answer reflexively but then he glanced at me and hesitated. Should I consider this fortunate? He seemed aware that his appearance shared absolutely nothing in common with the members of the Grachio Dukedom, who were characterized by their reddish hair.

Pretending not to notice, I asked to be taken to Marquess Howard’s residence. It was a family located near the Grachio Dukedom.

“As it happens, I have business in that area. All the townhouses are in that vicinity anyway, so would it be alright for you to get off there too, young master?”

“Y-yes!”

I could almost see an exclamation mark appearing above his head. That’s how innocent he looked.

“Young master.”

“…?”

“As I mentioned earlier, there’s nowhere in the capital where you can find daffodils this season. Not just in the capital. You won’t find them anywhere in the empire except in the north. Even if fresh flowers were transported from the north, it would take well over a week.”

“…Is that so.”

I didn’t mean to scold him, but his small shoulders and head drooping on their own looked strangely pitiful. It was quite admirable, his courage to sneak out of the mansion in the capital he was visiting for the first time, bravely (actually recklessly) thinking he had to show the flowers to his sick aunt.

“So instead of wandering around dangerous places like this, you’d be better off looking for a painting of daffodils or metalwork inspired by daffodils. If you order your butler, he could find something suitable in less than half a day.”

“Ah…! I hadn’t thought of that.”

He lifted his head so abruptly that the hood he was wearing almost fell back. His innocent, childlike eyes sparkled as if he’d found a solution, and I just found it adorable.

It wasn’t long before the carriage arrived in front of the Marquess Howard residence. Not far from where the carriage stopped, knights with fierce demeanors were bustling about. They must have been sent from the duchy to search for the missing Young Duke.

I opened the carriage door and waited for the Young Duke to get out.

“Are you not getting off here? You clearly said you had business in this area…”

But the Young Duke showed no intention of getting out and instead asked me that question. I had planned to take this carriage straight to the Count’s residence after the Young Duke got off, so I shook my head saying I must have been mistaken.

“Don’t worry about me and please get off quickly, young master?”

“Th-tha…”

“Is there something you want to say?”

“Thank you… I will definitely reward you somehow later. May I ask your identity?”

Ah. I see where this is going. Though it wasn’t a flag from the original story, if I planted one now, it would surely grow into a flag that would nurture his affection.

Pulling back my hood now and leaving my name for him to reward me later would undoubtedly be a shortcut for a quick conquest, but…

‘But once I opened up my heart, I just instinctively trust Noah. As if I’ve known him for a very long time.’

At that moment, those words from Beatrice, who had somehow become my friend, flashed through my mind, her words about instinctively trusting me.

If ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Graham’ were to form a connection here, and somehow the trail were to be followed, it would be troublesome for the Dukedom and Beatrice.

“A passing traveler has neither name nor status, young master.”

“Where on earth is there such a law? I’ve never heard or seen it anywhere.”

“Where is it? It’s right here. Come on, get off quickly. Hurry!”

I pushed his back mercilessly. The Young Duke shook his shoulders frantically but couldn’t resist my force. After making sure he got off, I told the coachman to depart immediately.

“Be careful next time and NEVER venture outside without a guardian. Understood?”

“Wait, just a moment, take this at least…!”

Not knowing what to do, the Young Duke skillfully tossed a brooch through the closing gap of the carriage door. It was an obsidian brooch with a vivid relief of a wolf that looked as if it might growl at any moment.

“Oh, this…”

“We’ve departed as you requested. Where should I take you now?”

“Ah. To Count Hamilton’s residence.”

“Yes, understood.”

This brooch… Isn’t this the one he always gave to Allen? I’m not sure. Anyway, I’ll just consider it as receiving in advance what I was going to lose eventually. I shook my head, brushing away a slight feeling of regret.

Regret it, don’t regret it…

Regret it, don’t regret it…

“…”

Though they weren’t the daffodils the Young Duke had been desperately searching for, I tore off the petals one by one from a wildflower that had bloomed prettily in its own modest way. Sprawled lazily at an outdoor table, I’d been doing nothing but this flower fortune telling for a while now. I’d already torn through at least three or four blooms.

I don’t regret it. I don’t, it was a mature and good decision for my friend’s sake, it really was, but… strangely, I felt disappointed. Even if he didn’t know my name, should I have at least shown my face briefly, so I could reveal later, “Surprise, it was actually me”? Why didn’t I think of that then?

Being human, the fish I let go naturally seemed bigger now. Out of needless regret, I banged my forehead on the table and kicked my legs frantically. Nicole, who had been standing beside me watching my behavior, opened her mouth with apparent disapproval.

“Acting bored like that won’t work.”

“Huh…?”

“Just wait and see. It’s not going to happen.”

“Huuuh…?”

“Argh. Making that cute face won’t work either!”

What is she talking about now? That day, because I deceived her and returned to the mansion first after discovering the Young Duke, Nicole had been completely sulking. For someone who was sulking, she was quite attentive in refilling my empty teacup and bringing snacks at just the right time.

“I’m never going outside with you again, young master. Not even to father’s company.”

“Really?”

“Really!”

“But Mr. Seymour is leaving the capital tomorrow and won’t be back for at least half a year?”

“…Even so.”

“Oh, Nicole. I’m sorry. I just felt like you couldn’t spend much time with Mr. Seymour because of me, that’s all. Look, I came back safely without any problems, didn’t I?”

“Hmph.”

Though she said “hmph,” it was obvious that the tension in her eyebrows had already relaxed. I tugged at Nicole’s collar and slowly started pleading about how we should go to the company together with the nanny as well.

“It’s not like I only have you, Nicole. How could I possibly go somewhere leaving behind even my nanny? Hmm? Hmm?”

“If you ditch me again and go somewhere alone this time…”

“Ah, I really won’t! Promise!”

“…Promise.”

Nicole hooked her pinky finger firmly with mine and only after repeatedly receiving confirmation did she begin to prepare to go out. My returning alone without saying anything must have been quite a shock to her. Ironically, neither my nanny nor my father said anything when they saw me return safely. Come to think of it, she’s the most dramatic person around me.

…Communication protocol blocking in progress…

Except for that silent fellow over there, that is.

The nanny had already prepared an excellent picnic box. She suggested we could at least enjoy ourselves in the rooftop garden of the company building.

I smiled broadly, saying it was a good idea. Anyway, I’d given up on searching the company building and accidentally meeting Lenox. Hmm, indeed. The unchanging truth was that giving up made things easier.

I should urge Mr. Seymour today or tomorrow to gather people, claiming to sponsor those from facilities.

“Mmm, the weather is so nice.”

Looking at the world in a state of resignation, my mind was completely at peace. The weather, neither hot nor cold, was perfect for enjoying a picnic outdoors, and the friendly faces of my nanny and Nicole floated beside me. Mr. Seymour, who had been waiting for our party since hearing that the nanny would be coming along, welcomed us with the utmost hospitality.

Sometimes, this isn’t so bad either…