~Chapter 38~
After leaving the house,
we took a carriage and went on a tour around the Ansi Viscounty.
“Wow, it’s so beautiful…”
The princess was completely mesmerized by the bright blue sea.
“Lady Ansi! The sand is so soft! It tickles my feet!”
“Careful! You’ll fall if you keep running like that!”
As we walked barefoot on the soft, sinking white sand, we laughed out loud together.
We also made sure to stop by the shopping district and bought tons of souvenirs.
“Your Highness, what are you going to do with that shell necklace…?”
“Do I need a reason to buy it? Some things have value just because they’re pretty and useless.”
She said that with a perfectly straight face.
Well… I let it slide. It wasn’t the first time she said odd things like that.
“Ahh, today was really fun.”
Finally, the princess mumbled in satisfaction, like a full-bellied cat.
“You must be tired, Your Highness.”
At that moment, I pulled out my secret card.
“Shall we rest and grab a snack?”
“A snack? Yes, please.”
There was one hot spot in the Ansi Viscounty that I knew the princess would love.
That place was—
“Woooow.”
The princess looked around in awe.
It was a coffeehouse, known for having the prettiest garden in the entire viscounty.
Its wide garden was filled with brightly blooming summer roses, and the sweet scent tickled our noses.
The princess, captivated by the scenery, suddenly turned around with sparkling eyes.
“How did you even find this place? Amazing!”
“I promised, didn’t I? That I’d be your personal tour guide.”
I smiled warmly.
“I put some thought into it.”
Well, I am the daughter of the viscount, after all.
I know all the famous tourist spots and stores here.
On top of that, my experience running errands for Seraphina helped me learn the area really well…
My mouth felt bitter at the memory, so I deliberately kept my voice cheerful.
“When we were in the capital, remember how you took me to that famous brunch place?”
“Huh?”
The princess blinked.
That day — the day we first visited Madame Christiansen’s boutique and the brunch café together — was still vivid in my mind.
It was the first time I truly felt like the main character of my life.
“Then can you shut up and move? I’d like to eat in peace.”
Those words she snapped at Gregory, when he tried to pick a fight with me.
A friend who stood up for me.
Time spent laughing with someone, not just serving them.
That moment meant so much to me.
I looked down shyly, feeling my face warm.
“So I really wanted to give you good memories too, if I ever had the chance.”
“Lady Ansi…”
“Because… that day was really special for me.”
I added awkwardly.
“Of course, it probably wasn’t a big deal for you.”
But even so, I wanted to say it someday.
That her small kindness meant the world to me.
That she was a truly special person in my life.
Just then, the princess suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Me too!”
Her sky-blue eyes, even deeper than the ocean we saw today, looked straight into mine.
“I had so much fun hanging out with you too!”
She raised her voice again, flustered but sincere.
“So don’t think of it as some kind of favor or payback!”
“Huh?”
“I just… I like being friends with you— I mean, it’s technically a contract, but still!”
Her face turned bright red like a ripe tomato as she stumbled through her words.
I stared at her blankly.
‘Is she… getting shy right now?’
The princess bit her lip, then quickly turned away.
“I-I’m going to look at the roses now!”
“Y-Your Highness?”
“Go ahead and sit inside! Order whatever you want, okay?”
And with that, she dashed off into the rose bushes.
I watched her go, half dazed, and let out a small laugh.
‘Now I understand why the Duke treasures her so much.’
At first, I only got close to her to annoy Seraphina — and maybe out of curiosity too.
I thought our relationship was purely calculated, just because we signed that “friendship contract.”
‘But how could anyone not like someone that lovable?’
My chest felt warm and fuzzy.
It was such a happy feeling.
Smiling uncontrollably, I entered the coffeehouse.
At that moment, I couldn’t imagine a better day.
A truly perfect day.
But—
“Oh my, Lari!”
As soon as I stepped inside, a bright voice called out to me.
Wait. This feeling… what is this awful déjà vu?
My shoulders stiffened.
‘No way… this voice—!’
I had a terrible feeling.
When I turned around with a sour look, I saw a group of ladies occupying a large table.
Among them, one sat like a queen.
Wavy light green hair. Deep emerald eyes.
And an elegant smile.
“…”
I lost the words in my mouth.
‘Seraphina?!’
Why is she here?
Wasn’t she supposed to be staying in the Gusto estate?
“It’s been a while, Lari.”
Seraphina smiled sweetly.
“So good to see you again. You seem to be enjoying yourself with the princess lately?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
I replied flatly.
Her smile twitched for a moment.
She clearly didn’t like me talking back — not when I used to always grovel.
But as soon as our eyes met, she quickly hid her irritation with practiced grace.
Meanwhile, I…
‘Why does she always poke at people like this?’
I didn’t want to cause a scene in front of the princess, but…
I stared at her, not even trying to hide my annoyance.
She faltered slightly at my attitude, but pressed on—
“By the way, I heard the princess came to Ansi. Did you come with her?”
Maybe she didn’t want to lose face, because she kept smiling and chatting.
“If so, why don’t you join us? It’s so nice to see you.”
She added sweetly—
“I’ll treat you to tea, okay?”
In the past, I might’ve been touched by this kind gesture.
I might’ve wagged my tail like a fool and gone along with it.
Even at the cost of hurting those who truly cared about me.
But now—
“I’ll pass.”
Her smile cracked ever so slightly at my blunt refusal.
“For starters, I’m not that happy to see you. And I don’t see any reason to sit with you — especially with the princess by my side.”
I added coldly.
At that, the other ladies sitting with Seraphina stood up like a swarm of bees.
