Chapter 70

Bonita and Estelle had already gone off together to choose a book.

From the corner, Reina could hear their giggling as they crouched down together.

Smiling softly at the sound of their laughter, Reina suddenly remembered something important.

“…Um, about the documents you gave me.”

“The ones about the Rudbeckia Guild?”

“Yes, those… Do you happen to have another original copy?”

Damian immediately understood the intent behind her question and asked,

“Were they damaged?”

“…Are you allowing me to apologize this time?”

“Yes.”

“I spilled water on them by mistake. I’m sorry. Even with ten mouths, I wouldn’t have an excuse.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Damian said it in an even tone.

“But information about a guild is relatively easy to obtain, so it’s fine. It’s a relief that the personal records were separated.”

“…”

“So the part you damaged isn’t a serious issue. If it were something critical, I wouldn’t have lent it to you personally in the first place.”

Reina tried to tell whether he was being sincere or simply trying to put her at ease.

But reading Damian’s true intentions was never easy.

‘He wouldn’t lie just to make me feel better.’

There wasn’t really a reason for him to.

“That’s a relief.”

“Well, did you at least skim through it?”

“Ah, yes. The product was impressive. It’s a shame it was delayed for years just because they were commoners.”

“If I’d been the Winternight I am now back then, I would’ve invested without hesitation. Instead, the imperial family got to fill their pockets.”

‘The Winternight he is now?’

Reina didn’t really know what Damian had been like in the past.

She knew only that he’d inherited the title at a young age, met his wife as if by fate and loved her deeply, and that after his wife and infant daughter disappeared, he’d been called the mad duke.

That already felt like a lot to know, but it was information most servants of the ducal house were vaguely aware of.

‘So the imperial authority must’ve been stronger back then.’

Considering that Duke Winternight now stood on equal footing with the imperial family, it said a lot about how much the imperial power had weakened.

It wouldn’t be polite to ask Damian about that directly. As Reina was lost in thought, she heard the children starting a small dispute.

Reina and Damian exchanged a glance, then walked over to them.

“What’s going on?”

The two children were frozen in place, both holding onto the same book.

“W-Well… Boni and I both want to read this one.”

The fairy tale was titled Gold Coins in the Rainbow Jar. Out of all the books, that single one had caught both their interest.

Bonita glanced around nervously.

“But I don’t have to read it right now. I told her ladyship I could read it next time… And this library belongs to her ladyship…”

From the start, Bonita hadn’t really had a choice.

“But I’m really fine. I’ll read something else.”

“No, it’s okay. That book belongs to you.”

“It’s mine, so I can give it up if I want to.”

The two girls kept insisting the other should have it.

The irony of the situation made the tension melt away for the two adults instead.

Reina glanced at the time.

If she let this continue, it didn’t seem like it would ever end.

“Why don’t you read it together?”

“Together?”

“Together?”

At Reina’s suggestion, both children turned at the same time and looked up at her.

“Yes. It looks like you both really want to read it right now. So why don’t we read it here…”

“Then are we all sleeping together?”

Reina had been about to suggest reading it in the library and then choosing bedtime books, but Estelle’s excited shout cut her off.

Estelle looked at Reina with sparkling eyes.

“But weren’t you going to sleep with Father tonight?”

“Ah.”

The pink in Estelle’s eyes wavered.

She wanted to sleep with her father, but she also wanted Reina, leaving her torn.

Damian, reading his daughter’s dilemma, made a suggestion.

“Reina Botn, you read the book. Once Estelle falls asleep, I’ll take her with me. Is that alright?”

“I’m fine with that.”

“So am I.”

Originally, Reina had planned to choose a book just for Bonita. Somehow, things had turned out like this.

She let out a small sigh inwardly.

‘It probably doesn’t matter.’

Bonita didn’t seem to mind either.

Naturally, the four of them headed to the room where the Botn mother and daughter were staying.

Reina lay in the middle, with the two children on either side.

Since Damian couldn’t lie on the same bed, he pulled up a chair and sat nearby.

‘This feels oddly embarrassing.’

She’d read to children many times before, but rarely with another adult watching.

Reina focused and began reading slowly.

Her gentle voice worked like a lullaby for the children.

Combined with the sweet fairy tale, it didn’t take long for them to drift off.

By the time she reached the end of the book, both children were fast asleep.

Damian looked at his sleeping daughter and spoke quietly.

“You have a good voice.”

“…Thank you.”

Reina closed the book and smiled shyly. His praise made her chest tickle.

After confirming that Estelle was deeply asleep, Damian lifted her into his arms.

“You always work hard.”

“This is my job.”

Reina tried to get up to see Damian and Estelle off, but Bonita’s sleeping hand was gripping her clothes tightly.

“…Oh dear.”

“Bonita’s grip has always been strong. You don’t need to get up.”

Reina felt awkward, while Damian seemed amused and let out a small chuckle.

Since she couldn’t wake the child, Reina settled back down on the bed.

“Even though it’s shameless of me, may I ask one favor?”

“What is it?”

“Could you bring me that box over there?”

The box she pointed to was small enough to carry with one hand. Damian nodded and handed it to her.

“Thank you.”

“What’s inside?”

“Handkerchiefs. It’s still early for me to sleep, and I can’t move because Bonita’s holding onto me, so I thought I’d finish the embroidery.”

“Ah, the one Estelle mentioned.”

“You know about it?”

“Yes. She was proudly talking about it earlier, saying she’d soon have her own handkerchief.”

“My skills aren’t that great. It’s a little embarrassing.”

“I know you’re skilled with your hands. No need to be modest.”

As he spoke, Damian adjusted the bedside lamp to make it a little brighter.

“Don’t work in the dark. It’ll strain your eyes, and you could prick yourself.”

“Yes.”

“And don’t stay up all night just because you’re focused.”

“Yes.”

“And…”

Reina hadn’t expected Damian to be this talkative. Wondering if there was more, she looked up at him.

“Sleep well.”

“…”

Reina froze, not expecting those words.

Damian, unfazed, left the room with his sleeping daughter in his arms. Before the door fully closed, Reina hurriedly said,

“G-Good night to you too.”

“Alright.”

The door closed quietly.

Reina stared at it for a while, then turned back and opened the box.

Inside were three handkerchiefs with patterns drawn on them.

“…”

At the bottom lay a single, blank white handkerchief.

Reina looked at it for a moment, then picked up a piece of chalk.

* * *

“…Oh no.”

When she came to her senses, sunlight was slowly spilling in through the window.

Reina rubbed her tired eyes.

“I said I’d just do a little.”

At first, she’d only planned to test a new pattern. She’d meant to sleep right after.

But it finished faster than expected, so she added one more embroidery.

That finished quickly too, and since she was already at it, she decided to touch up the others just a bit.

And that led to now.

In her hands was a fourth handkerchief she’d started as a test.

She looked out the window at the brightening day, feeling hollow.

“You told me to sleep…”

It was already too late to sleep. Or maybe too early.

Watching the sun rise, Reina grumbled to herself as a form of escapism.

“Nnghh…”

As light filled the room, Bonita rustled in bed.

The sunlight tickled her closed eyes.

Reina stood up and pulled the curtains shut.

It was something she always did when Bonita stirred because of the light.

After checking that the child was sleeping soundly and smoothing her bangs, Reina checked the time.

‘It’s a little early, but I can bring food.’

She could go to the kitchen herself and get a meal for the staff.

Since sleeping was no longer an option, she decided to prepare breakfast in advance.