SMTD 10

For the first time since arriving in Lebunto, Elena crossed the Cress Bridge. She had never been able to cross it alone before—yet here she was, crossing while holding someone else’s hand. Elena swallowed hard.

Clop, clop.

Forgetting her manners, she stretched her neck out to look outside and saw the horse’s hooves step onto the bridge.

It’s really… happening.

It was possible after all. It was nothing, really. Her heart raced. Elena gulped again.

And when the carriage had completely crossed the Cress Bridge, she finally regained her composure. She rubbed her flushed cheeks and sat up straight, stealing a glance at Hazel.

Fortunately, Hazel seemed engrossed in her book. Elena’s chest swelled. A deep sense of liberation bloomed into a smile on her lips. She couldn’t help but tap her feet in excitement.

Even as she adjusted sleeping Leana’s body so the child wouldn’t be uncomfortable, Elena’s heart seemed to be outside the window. She felt like a bird that had finally been let out of its cage to soar into the sky.

She no longer had to wrestle with Cecil’s unreasonable whims. She no longer had to live in constant anxiety, protecting Leana from her. That alone made her feel so much lighter.

Hazel glanced at Elena over the top of her book. She had been watching since their departure—this girl, who had been wriggling in her seat, was now craning her neck out the window. Hazel had to suppress a laugh.

She’s got a surprisingly cute side to her.

Elena was becoming more and more endearing. For someone like Maxime—scarred and hostile toward the world—an innocent, downy-soft girl like Elena suited him perfectly. Just looking at her, she radiated warmth.

The carriage picked up speed.

They were getting closer to the train station.

For the time being, Hazel planned to stay with Elena and Leana at Maxime’s mansion under the pretext of helping Elena find a governess position.

A young man and woman living under the same roof—there was no way nothing would happen. Hazel could already imagine the pleasant sparks flying between them. There might be unnecessary rumors, but since she, a princess, would be in the mansion and Elena would be her “guest,” it could be smoothed over.

Hazel hummed cheerfully to herself.

“Leana, wake up. We’re at the train station.”

“Mmm?”

Leana blinked sleepily and met Hazel’s gaze. Hazel smiled brightly. To be honest, Leana would be a bit of an obstacle to Elena and Maxime’s relationship progressing. It seemed Hazel would have to brush up on her childcare skills during their time in Andres.

Hazel extended a hand to the little girl, who was blinking like a cute rabbit.

“Shall we?”

“……”

“Would you like to ride the train with me? It’s been so long since I’ve ridden one, I’m a little scared. I’d feel much better if Leana held my hand.”

“You’re scared?”

Leana’s eyes widened. She looked exactly like her sister in that moment.

“Of course. It’s terrifying. But Leana’s okay, right?”

“Yes! Leana—cough—Leana is brave! I’ll protect you!”

Leana’s tiny hand slipped snugly into Hazel’s. Hazel twitched her nose. How could she be this adorable? Having only ever raised a big, black-hearted son, Hazel had never experienced this kind of delight.

It seemed her twilight years were finally about to bloom.

Hazel happily opened her parasol. Tilting it toward Leana, she asked:

“I smell something delicious. What kind of candy does Leana like?”

“C-candy? W-wow…”

Leana swallowed audibly. The way she looked at her sister for permission was adorable. Elena, with a helpless little nod, gave her approval, and Leana began tugging at Hazel’s hand.

“This one… and this one…”

On tiptoe, Leana peered at the stall, poking at the candies with her little fingers. Hazel chuckled softly. It was hard to believe such a sweet child had grown up under Cecil Joseph.

Her sister must have worked herself to the bone raising her.

The thought made Hazel’s heart ache. Leana was such a rare kind of child these days. Hazel sighed softly and handed money to the stall owner.

“One of each flavor, please.”

“W-wow!!”

Leana bounced up and down, her pink cheeks glowing.

“Grandma, you’re the best!”

“G–Grandma…”

Hazel swallowed. The word hit her like a jolt down her spine—but in a good way.

She let out a wobbly laugh. Compared to her curt, sword-swinging son who had no interest in marriage, this little girl was like cotton candy.

“Leana, don’t forget to say thank you.”

At Elena’s firm words, Leana bowed her head politely.

“Thank you, Grandma!”

“You should say ‘madam,’ not Grandma,” Elena sighed, straightening Leana’s clothes. Then she picked out Leana’s favorite candy and popped it into her mouth. In the past, Elena could only afford to buy one piece at a time, but now Leana had an armful. Of course she’d be delighted. Elena understood that feeling, but she still felt cautious.

Right now, Elena and Leana were relying entirely on Hazel. One small misstep could ruin everything. Elena carefully gauged Hazel’s reaction. It was hard to read her expression beneath the shadow of the parasol.

“It’s fine, Elena. I like being called Grandma. Leana, didn’t you say Grandma’s the best?”

“Yes!!”

Fortunately, when Hazel tilted her parasol back, her face was lit up with a radiant smile. Elena quietly let out a sigh of relief.

“Let Grandma show you just how great she is! Have you ever ridden a train before?”

Leana shook her head. Hazel grinned mischievously.

“Would you like to ride that train?”

“R–really?”

“Of course. I’ll even let you sit in the biggest seat.”

“Waaah!”

Leana was so excited she stomped her feet, spun in circles, and finally wrapped her arms tightly around Hazel’s leg, unable to contain her joy. She was honest with her feelings, mature in some ways, yet at times adorably childish.

Elena held back tears.

Seeing Leana laugh like that drove it home once again—how rare this was. Leana, who had grown used to tiptoeing around adults because Cecil hated the sound of coughing, was laughing out loud. It had been so long.

Elena clenched the handle of her bag tightly.

Hazel firmly held Leana’s hand and led the way.

Elena followed close behind.

“Would you like to do it yourself?”

“Huh?”

“Buy the train tickets yourself. Grandma will help.”

“Leana can do it?”

“Of course!”

Hazel lifted Leana up. Leana held out the money in her small hand. Hazel whispered in her ear:

“Ask for three tickets to Andres.”

“Three tickets to Andres, please!”

Leana parroted the words brightly.

“Well done,” Hazel chuckled softly.

The clerk took the money and handed over the tickets, and Leana clutched them to her chest, beaming as if she owned the world.

The train was approaching.

“Isn’t that Countess Hazel?”

“Oh my, it is. Is she heading to Andres? Something happening at the palace?”

“Who knows? But who are the young lady and child beside her?”

“Never seen them before…”

People who recognized Hazel—the celebrity of Lebunto’s social circles—began whispering. But their voices were drowned out by the train’s horn.

Elena blinked as the massive hunk of iron rolled in. She was leaving. Leaving Cecil behind. She almost turned to look back—but stopped. And then she boarded the train.

Trying to shake off any lingering attachments.

Cecil hesitated before knocking on the door of the Prestow Count’s estate. The butler came out to meet her but didn’t open the door.

“What is this about?”

His rude attitude—leaving a guest standing on the doorstep—made Cecil narrow her eyes. But she hadn’t forgotten where she was.

“…I urgently need to speak to the Countess. Could you inform her that Cecil Joseph is here?”

The butler cleared his throat. Before departing, the Countess had given strict orders: if that woman, Cecil, came by, under no circumstances was she to be let in, and the guests who had stayed temporarily were not to be mentioned.

Choosing his words carefully, the butler said:

“I’m afraid that’s not possible today. The Countess has a high fever and is resting.”

“Oh my, heavens,” Cecil covered her mouth in feigned concern, but inside, her mind was racing. The Countess, perfectly healthy before, suddenly had a fever? That smelled suspicious.

She took a step back.

“Then I’ll come another time. Please give her my wishes for a speedy recovery.”

“I shall. Thank you.”

Cecil glanced toward the stables. The family’s carriage was still there. She bit her lip. Had she miscalculated? Or were they deliberately hiding something?

She didn’t know yet.

But if the Countess wouldn’t talk, she’d have to find out herself. Cecil hurried off to find a stagecoach bound for Andres.