Chapter 62

“…”

Dean, who had been glancing around, also came to a sudden stop.

“Th-that’s… B-Boni. Boni told me!”

“Ah, Boni did?”

“Yes. She said Reina can make anything well. She said you’re amazing and even make flower crowns beautifully.”

“Ah… Boni…”

So Boni even went to the knight order and talked about me like that.

Just thinking about it made Reina’s heart tickle.

Lost in thoughts of her daughter, Reina failed to notice Dean wiping cold sweat from his brow and letting out a quiet sigh.

“Does Boni talk about me a lot?”

“…She always talks about you. Last time, she told everyone she’d become a great knight because she wants to protect you.”

Reina had been picking out pink thread with a warm smile she couldn’t hide, but the moment the topic of knights came up, her heart grew heavy.

‘Knight.’

She had told Bonita she could become one.

But Reina herself felt nothing but anxiety.

What if one day she hits a wall, grows frustrated, and blames herself?

What if she ends up walking the same path I did?

The words she had once heard from Sofia pricked at her like thorns again.

Reina selected colorful spools of thread, an embroidery hoop, needles, and a thimble, placing them into a basket.

Dean glanced at her shadowed expression.

“…Have you told Boni?”

“No.”

Reina gave a bitter smile.

“I know I should. But I didn’t want to make her give up. Honestly, I don’t even know if telling her is the right thing.”

Maybe there would be a better timing.

That was what she kept thinking.

Reina rubbed the back of her neck.

“She’s still young. I want her to do whatever she wants a little longer. Boni’s situation is different from mine…”

“…”

“I don’t want her to learn how to give up.”

Reina picked out several plain white handkerchiefs.

‘If I’m making one anyway, I should make one for Boni too.’

As she took the basket back from Dean and paid before heading out, Dean, who had remained silent for quite some time, finally spoke.

“Then.”

“Yes?”

Reina, who had been walking ahead, turned around.

He looked down at the ground with an unusually serious expression.

“Then, until Boni gets a proper swordsmanship instructor, I’ll teach her.”

His voice was solemn.

Someone listening might mistake it for a once in a lifetime confession.

“But that’s…”

“If you feel sorry toward me,”

Reina had instinctively tried to express how sorry she felt again.

Dean cut her off and continued speaking.

He knew interrupting her was nearly rude, but he was using every bit of courage he had and had no room left to worry about manners.

“Th-then could you give me a handkerchief too?”

Dean, who had been speaking with his head lowered, lifted it.

He wore his usual gentle expression.

“It’s not difficult… but is a handkerchief really enough?”

“Yes. The one I’ve been using is several years old now, so it’s worn out.”

“If it’s worn out, you could’ve just bought a new one.”

“I couldn’t find one I liked as much.”

Reina looked at him with concern.

“I might not have embroidery skills refined enough to suit your taste.”

“That’s impossible.”

The answer came firm and quick.

Reina rolled her eyes.

She had bought more than enough thread and, just in case, several extra handkerchiefs too.

There was no real reason to refuse.

Fortunately, she had paid out of her own pocket, so no one could accuse her of misusing funds.

‘Though I doubt anyone would talk about embezzlement over a few spools of thread.’

“Then what kind of embroidery would you like?”

At Reina’s question, Dean’s eyes widened before he broke into a bright smile.

“A star.”

“A star pattern?”

“Yes. The color doesn’t matter. As long as it’s a star.”

Somehow.

‘That’s strange.’

Both of Dean’s ears seemed red.

‘Is he cold?’

A chilly winter wind blew past.

He must’ve dressed lightly in a hurry.

* * *

After returning to the estate, Reina sketched out designs in chalk.

Bonita, who had been visiting the knight order, and Estelle, who had been reading in her room, were now both glued to Reina’s side.

“Is this kind of flower alright?”

Though the design was very simple, Estelle nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Yes.”

“Mom, will you make one for me too?”

“Yes. I’ll finish the young lady’s first, then yours.”

“Then will mine be flowers too?”

“It doesn’t have to be flowers. I’ll make whatever you want, Boni.”

Reina replied with a small laugh.

Bonita, clearly delighted, hugged her tightly.

“Boni, if you suddenly hug me like that, the lines will get crooked.”

Estelle glanced over before slowly wrapping her arms around Reina from the other side.

“My lady?”

“…I didn’t hug you suddenly. I hugged you slowly.”

Holding a handkerchief in one hand and chalk in the other, Reina let out a soft sigh.

But there was a smile on her face.

“Actually, I’d like anything, even if it’s not flowers. If Reina makes it, I’ll love it.”

“But I already drew flowers.”

Reina teased playfully, and Estelle thought for a moment.

“Then I’ll stick with flowers. They’re the best.”

“Haha.”

“I’m serious. Flowers are the best, but what Reina makes is the best of all.”

Estelle muttered softly as she hugged Reina tighter.

“Pink flowers and white flowers, right?”

“Yes.”

“Mom, don’t do flowers for mine. Do a sun.”

“A sun?”

“Yes. A big one. Not small.”

“Then it’ll take longer. Is it okay if I do yours last?”

“Last? You’re making someone else’s too? Yours?”

“No, I don’t need embroidery. It’s for Uncle Dean.”

“For Uncle Dean?”

“Yes.”

At Reina’s words, Bonita quickly turned her head toward Dean, who stood near the door.

When their eyes met, Dean smiled gently.

“Reina, Reina. What shape are you making for Dean?”

“Mom, why are you making one for Uncle Dean?”

Estelle and Bonita chattered questions at the same time.

Even in the middle of the noise, Reina simply smiled.

“A star pattern. There are many kinds of star patterns.

Sir Dean said he’d be Boni’s temporary instructor, so I decided to make one to thank him.”

“A star pattern?”

“Temporary instructor?”

The two children reacted at once, though to completely different parts.

“It seems Sir Dean likes stars. And Boni, that means your swordsmanship instructor.”

Reina carefully answered Estelle and Bonita in turn.

Bonita’s eyes grew wide, and her mouth opened just as wide.

“I’m learning swordsmanship?”

“Just a little.”

“I can learn?”

“Of course.”

Bonita stared at Reina before quickly turning back to Dean.

When their eyes met again, Dean smiled warmly once more.

Bonita’s cheeks flushed red like midsummer roses.

“When can I start?”

“When Sir Dean is ready?”

“When’s that?”

“Um.”

Reina didn’t know exactly when.

They hadn’t set a specific date.

As Reina shot him a troubled look, Dean nodded.

“That’s something Boni and I will decide. It’s our promise.”

“Wow, really? I like that!”

“However, if I do that, I won’t be able to protect Reina.”

“…Ah, that’s not good.”

“I’ll be taking care of the young lady, so it’s fine. There’s no place safer than around her.

Actually, I’ll feel more at ease if you look after Boni.”

If Dean taught Bonita, it would surely be near the knight order.

There was no better place to respond immediately to unexpected situations.

‘If it’s there, even if the estate’s magic tools suddenly explode again like last time, it’ll be fine.’

When Reina was caring for Estelle, she had no choice but to prioritize her.

“Ah, but there’s one problem.”

“A problem?”

“Yes. There aren’t any swords in a size suitable for a child Boni’s age.

The Winternight Knight Order only accepts members from sixteen onward.”

“Ah, then there definitely wouldn’t be any. Do you know a place that sells swords? I should prepare one.”

“If I’d known, I would’ve bought one while we were in town.”

“It’s alright. But it might not be proper to head out again right away… so it may take about a week.”

“I’m fine.”

Boni answered quickly.

She was worried someone might change their mind.

“You’re okay waiting a week?”

“Yes. I’ll behave quietly until then. Okay?”

Bonita whined in a way that didn’t suit her.

Reina laughed and gently patted her with one hand.

“Just wait a little longer. Mom will prepare a good sword for you.”

“Okay.”

“…Should I learn the sword too?”

As Reina comforted Bonita, a soft voice came from the other side.

It was Estelle.