Chapter 36
After finishing all the errands, before I knew it, the sun was already setting.
On the way back in the carriage, I thought back on the fun things that happened today. On the way here, it had been awkward with Gilbert, but now, it wasn’t nearly as uncomfortable.
It was my first time visiting the town today, and I really enjoyed it.
In the streets, people of all ages were walking around happily, and I even saw kids around my age. The whole town was full of smiles.
After being rocked in the carriage for a while, I started to feel sleepy. Maybe it’s because of this child’s body—so, so tired.
But if I fall asleep here, it’ll be rude to Gilbert, won’t it? I have to force myself to stay awake.
…Ah, no good. My eyelids are getting heavy.
I have to… stay awake… I really have to…
Though Tiana fought against the drowsiness, there was no way she could win, and she drifted off to sleep.
“Ah, Tiana fell asleep. Well, we did walk a lot today.”
Gilbert noticed that Tiana had dozed off.
Rattle!
The carriage suddenly shook hard.
Because of that, Tiana’s small body nearly slid off the seat.
“Whoa.”
Gilbert instinctively caught her. Tiana didn’t wake up. After confirming she was still asleep, he moved from his seat across from her to her side, and let her lie down on his lap like a pillow.
“Driver, was there some kind of problem?” Gilbert demanded sharply.
“No, my apologies. It seems the horse stepped on a stone.”
“I see. Then there’s no issue with the carriage itself?”
“None at all, sir.”
After that, the driver slowed the pace of the carriage.
“Welcome home.”
A crowd of servants had gathered to greet them.
“Lord Gilbert, I will take Lady Tiana.”
Mariana stepped forward, sounding flustered.
But Tiana, exhausted, showed no sign of waking and was peacefully asleep. Seeing this, Gilbert held her in his arms and carried her toward her room.
“No, I’ll take Tiana myself.”
“…Understood. Then I leave her in your care.”
Mariana bowed and stepped back.
“Lord Gilbert, the Duke has requested that you come to the study afterward,” Vice reported.
“Tell him I’ll come after I take Tiana to her room.”
“Very well. I’ll inform the Duke at once.”
When Gilbert left with Tiana, followed by Mariana and her three maids, the servants who had come to greet them began whispering among themselves.
“Did you see? Lord Gilbert was carrying Lady Tiana.”
“Yes. I’ve heard he usually isn’t interested in people at all.”
“That’s right. And lately, I heard Lady Tiana has also grown closer to young master Liam and Lady Ellie.”
“Then maybe the real problem was with Lady Isabella and Lily? They were even spreading nasty rumors, weren’t they?”
“Indeed, there were many malicious ones. But in the end, they were nothing more than rumors.”
“All right, enough idle chatter. Back to work, all of you!”
“S-sorry!”
The servants quickly scattered back to their duties.
Tiana still didn’t know.
That among the household staff, the image of her was gradually beginning to change—for the better.
