Chapter 15

“…”

The overly grand words only made Reina’s face turn pale.

“And someone like you, that benefactor, will become a symbol. If I treat you well enough, people will imagine what they gain by standing on Winternight’s side. And if you were to be retaliated against as you are now, that too would become a symbol, just as intended.”

At the duke’s words, Reina’s hands began to tremble slightly. Noticing this, the duke immediately continued.

“…That’s why I, and this ducal house, won’t allow anyone to touch you or your child again.”

He was planning to formally appoint her as Estelle’s nanny and grant her a title to go with it.

However, she was a commoner with no ties, someone who had achieved no great feat. Granting a title so easily wasn’t possible.

On top of that, Reina was a woman.

If he gave her a title simply for saving Estelle, people would inevitably suspect a relationship between the two.

That wasn’t all. The moment she received a title, there would surely be those who’d target Estelle because of it.

Everything had an order, and it needed a more convincing reason. The duke thought saving Estelle was reason enough, but the world wouldn’t see it that way.

‘This isn’t something to say right now.’

Seeing Reina’s pale complexion, it didn’t seem like the right timing to reveal his plans just yet.

And of all things, why did food with blueberries have to come out then.

“…Th-Thank you?”

Reina looked at the Duke of Winternight with an uneasy expression, as if she were receiving treatment far beyond reason. The duke couldn’t fully understand why she looked so overwhelmed, but he thought that bringing up titles now might make her faint again, so he changed the subject.

“…And there’s something I want to ask of you.”

“…Yes.”

Even now, he couldn’t forget the desperate look on Reina’s face that winter day, the way she begged like a sinner in that silent room.

“So please teach me how to get close to my daughter.”

“…What?”

It sounded like something so unexpected that she wondered if she’d misheard.

* * *

There were people around the duke who served as symbols, and there were also those who raised children. Still, they were mostly people who stayed glued to his side.

The only people in the estate the duke needed to be wary of were those close at hand. Because of that, there was no one suitable to place beside Estelle.

And since Estelle even spoke casually to Reina, he doubted there was anyone who could replace her.

The duke sat in his office, staring at documents that refused to sink in, occasionally glancing out the window. With his back turned, Peter let out a quiet sigh, thinking that his lord looked like he might grab his head at any moment.

“Your Grace, if it’s that worrying, why don’t I take a look instead?”

“…No need.”

Where the duke’s gaze landed, Reina, Estelle, and Bonita were strolling through the garden, admiring the flowers.

For some reason, the duke watched them with a hint of envy.

Peter thought the duke’s way of expressing affection was truly awkward and strange.

He cherished Estelle so deeply, bought anything she showed even the slightest interest in, yet never voiced his affection or asked anything of her.

Peter spoke again.

“Reina Botn seems fully recovered now.”

“It was a food reaction to begin with.”

“Good thing it wasn’t poison.”

When Reina had collapsed from sudden breathing trouble that day, Peter had briefly suspected poisoning. Reina herself didn’t seem to realize her position, but she was the benefactor of Winternight.

If Estelle, who hadn’t yet secured her place, had been kidnapped and anything had happened to her, the House of Winternight would’ve been shaken to its core.

And if someone even a little greedy had rescued Estelle instead, they would’ve demanded all sorts of unreasonable things as her so called benefactor.

Peter felt deeply relieved that such a situation never came to pass.

The maid who had been caring for Estelle hadn’t caved to threats and had been a huge help in identifying the culprit.

Where else could you find such a heartwarming story. On top of that, Reina had almost been kidnapped in Estelle’s place and returned without a scratch.

‘She’s almost too fine, which is strange.’

Even adults would struggle for days after something like that, yet that tiny child was already happily spending time with Reina just days later.

It didn’t feel like thick skinned courage so much as something else. Peter looked out at the three of them enjoying the flowers.

* * *

The ducal garden had grown even more vibrant since Estelle arrived.

The gardener had always kept it well tended, but until now, no one ever came to admire it.

Since the young lady arrived, praise for the flowers never stopped, so this outcome was only natural.

And after hearing that Estelle loved flowers, every magic stone in the garden had been activated, so it was no surprise everything was in full bloom.

‘Even with Star’s Birthday coming up, there are so many flowers.’

Reina led the children along, her thoughts unhurried and calm.

She picked beautiful flowers and placed them in a neat circle on the gazebo table.

Reina was teaching the two how to make flower crowns.

“You twist the stems into a circle like this, then add the next flower…”

Seeing Reina’s practiced hands, Estelle and Bonita’s eyes sparkled. The children tried to follow along, but their small, untrained hands only ended up bruising the petals.

“…It looks weird…”

“…Yeah…”

Estelle and Bonita drooped as they looked at the flowers they’d crushed.

“Everyone’s bad at first. Honestly, yours are much prettier than the first one I ever made.”

“Really?”

“Really?”

“Of course. I made my first one when I was twelve, and I tore the stems right off.”

At twelve, she’d been four years older than they were now.

The children exchanged glances, realizing it wasn’t their fault, and relaxed.

This time, Reina demonstrated more slowly so they could follow along.

When they succeeded in weaving the first part, the two looked at Reina with shining eyes.

“You’re really good at this. You could open a flower crown shop someday.”

It wasn’t quite that good. She could already picture the finished crown being a little lopsided. The children couldn’t control the pressure yet, and some buds were getting squashed, petals trembling.

But Reina had no intention of pointing out their mistakes right away.

As they picked colorful flowers and made crowns, the scent of blossoms and grass clung to her hands. Smelling the greenery, Reina unconsciously lifted the corner of her lips.

A few days ago, after the duke declared he’d protect her from now on, he’d also asked her to teach him how to get close to his daughter.

‘It doesn’t really feel like anything’s changed.’

If anything had changed, it was the room she stayed in. When Bonita heard they could continue living there, her mouth had fallen open, and Reina was just glad she hadn’t done the same.

The way people looked at Reina had subtly shifted, but that was all. She was still the maid in charge of Estelle, with Bonita now staying alongside her.

So… something around her had changed, but Reina’s daily life was mostly the same.

“The crown Reina made is the prettiest.”

“Yeah. Mom’s is the prettiest.”

The children kept comparing their small, uneven crowns to Reina’s neat one.

Despite sharing no blood, their actions and thoughts were so alike that anyone might mistake them for fraternal twins.

Reina held back a smile at the ticklish cuteness.

Both children clearly wanted Reina’s crown, yet they hesitated, each trying to yield to the other.

They were truly lovely children.

“Should I make one more?”

Reina asked casually, pretending not to notice.

“Should we?”

Estelle’s eyes lit up like she’d just realized the obvious. She then checked the number of flowers left on the table and spoke, worried they might run out.

“Th-Then Boni and I will go get more flowers.”

“Make sure you ask the gardener which ones you’re allowed to pick.”

“Okay!”

Of course, even without asking, Estelle could’ve taken whatever she wanted. But if she grabbed roses or strongly scented flowers just because they were pretty, trouble could start.

Reina smiled warmly as she watched the two little girls walk off hand in hand.

The kidnapping, the threats, all of it felt like a lie on such a peaceful day.

“Then I’ll make one with what’s left for now.”

The flowers the children hadn’t touched were pristine. Reina began weaving another crown while waiting.

After a short while, she sensed someone quietly approaching. Thinking it was the children trying to surprise her, Reina smiled softly and lifted her head.

“You’re back alrea…”

“…”

“Oh, y-you’re… here.”

Contrary to her expectation, it wasn’t the children but the duke.

He stood there, looking down at Reina as she sat with the sunlight behind her. Only then did Reina jump to her feet and greet him.

“…S-Sorry.”

“Y-Yes, Your Grace.”

He didn’t say anything. Reina avoided his gaze and went back to weaving the crown.

“What are you making?”

“…I’m making flower crowns.”

The duke looked at the delicate crown Reina had finished, then at the two small, uneven crowns beside it.

“Those two crude ones…”

“Lady Estelle and Bonita made them…”

“Looking closer, they’re quite charming.”

“…”

“…”

An awkward silence fell.

The duke swallowed the silence. Standing under the gazebo roof, it was hard to tell what he was doing.

He stared at the flowers for a while, then saw the children holding hands and running off somewhere, and wondered what they were up to.

It definitely wasn’t that he’d been watching the three of them from his office all day. He’d just happened to see everything by chance.

Why did the gazebo even have a roof. It made it impossible to tell whether they were making crowns, folding flowers, or doing something else entirely.

After observing quietly for a while, the duke finally spoke.

“…Why are you making another crown?”

“Oh, it looks like the kids want one. I can’t give it to just one of them.”

“…I see.”

The duke looked like he didn’t quite understand. Then again, the idea of sharing something like that felt very distant from him.