Chapter 82

“So it’s not a bad location, but it’s not particularly distinctive either. There’s no real value in opposing it or blocking it. Well, the territory itself is mostly symbolic.”

“Is it really okay to just hand something like that over because it’s symbolic?”

To begin with, not every noble even owned a territory. Reina was closer to the side that didn’t truly need one.

“Most people are desperate to get one, even if it’s just as a deputy lord.”

“Hm, but having a territory means you have to take care of the people living there. Just taking care of Boni is already hard enough for me.”

“…”

Peter was deeply moved by Reina’s words.

“Reina Botn even thinks about the people of the territory.”

“No, I mean, normally…”

Reina closed her mouth just as she was about to say isn’t that normal.

‘It isn’t.’

Memories from before she moved to the Winternight lands surfaced.

She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut, pushing away memories she didn’t want to revisit.

“Nobility is usually hereditary. Those who own territories often have long histories. Unless they fall into debt or commit crimes, they don’t lose ownership.”

“I think I get what you’re saying.”

At first, they received territory and title to fulfill a duty, but as it became hereditary, that sense of responsibility faded. And it wasn’t just one or two nobles like that.

“Over time, everything tends to fade. Then again, since you weren’t originally a noble, Reina Botn, it’s not strange for you to react differently.”

“But His Grace takes good care of his people too, doesn’t he?”

“If only there were more nobles like His Grace.”

Peter laughed and closed the attache case, then properly handed it to Reina.

“I heard you’re holding a farewell party with the mages.”

“Yes. I have to head to the capital with His Grace, and they’re returning to the mage tower.”

Parting was regretful, but unavoidable.

Reina forced a smile.

“Please introduce Boni properly too. Everyone said they wanted to see her.”

Knock knock knock!

As soon as she finished speaking, a cute knocking sound came from beyond the door.

There was no need to ask who the owner of such an adorable knock was.

Peter smiled, opened the door, and looked down to see Bonita grinning up at him, her hair tied into two cute pigtails.

“Mom, are you here?”

“Yes, Boni’s mom is right here.”

“Can I come in? Are you still working?”

“No, we just finished. You can come in.”

As Peter stepped aside, Bonita bowed at a perfect ninety degree angle, then scurried over to Reina.

Dressed in a bright forsythia yellow spring dress, Bonita was unbearably adorable.

She spun around in front of Reina so her skirt flared, then snapped her feet together.

“Pretty, right? The older sisters helped me.”

“You’re really pretty. Did you thank them?”

“Yeah.”

Bonita giggled and gently held onto Reina’s ring and little fingers. Reina desperately wanted to scoop her up and shower her with affection, but she held back because of the attache case in her arms.

“Then shall we get going?”

Bonita tried to act grown up and behave properly, but her steps bounced lightly as she walked. Reina had been busy even on her birthday, and it had been a long time since they went out together like this.

“Hehe.”

Bonita let out a giddy laugh.

“You’re that happy?”

“Yeah, today’s the happiest day ever.”

Outside the window, the carriage Reina had called was already waiting.

Bonita spotted it and barely managed to hold back the urge to run.

“…My lady?”

When they reached the first floor, they ran into Estelle, who had just come inside.

She seemed to be returning from a walk in the indoor garden with Damian.

“Reina, Boni, where are you going?”

Noticing their outing clothes, Estelle let go of Damian’s hand and hurried over.

“We’re having a farewell party with the people who helped with my research.”

Reina rephrased it, thinking Estelle might not understand the word farewell.

At the word party, Estelle glanced sideways at Bonita.

“B-Boni’s going too?”

“Yes, the people I worked with really want to see her.”

“…”

Estelle pressed her lips together for a long moment, clearly dissatisfied with something.

Fidgeting with her fingers, she glanced at Reina’s smiling face and asked carefully.

“…Can I come too?”

“What?”

Reina was startled by the unexpected question.

“You, My lady?”

“Y-Yeah. I mean… it’s okay if you don’t want me to. I was just curious about the place where you’ve been working… My teacher said what you did this time was amazing, so…”

Estelle listed reason after reason in a soft voice.

In truth, none of those reasons mattered to her. She simply wanted to follow where Reina and Bonita were going.

Reina looked down at Estelle with a troubled expression, then turned her gaze to Damian.

“Your Grace, would it be alright to bring My lady along?”

“Hm…”

Damian let out a low hum, then looked at Bonita.

Bonita had her lips tightly pressed together, her gaze turned elsewhere.

“Isn’t there someone whose opinion matters more than mine?”

“Pardon?”

Damian tilted his head slightly, pointing at Bonita as Reina understood.

Only then did Reina realize and bend down.

“Boni, would it be okay if My lady came with us?”

“Uuuh…”

As Reina met her eyes and asked gently, Bonita rolled her eyes around for a long moment, then nodded.

Reina kissed Bonita’s soft cheek.

“Thank you, my good girl.”

“Yeah.”

Bonita tightened her grip on Reina’s hand.

Watching closely, Estelle carefully took Reina’s other hand.

“Will you come too, Your Grace?”

“No. If I go, I’ll just become a tactless, overbearing superior.”

“…”

For a brief moment, Reina wondered if Damian had developed a sense of tact.

‘That’s disrespectful. Disrespectful.’

How long had she even been his aide to think something like that. Reina hid her thoughts behind a gentle smile.

“…”

Damian narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling vaguely unsettled as he watched her.

“…We’ll be back.”

Avoiding Damian’s gaze, Reina hurried toward the carriage.

Once inside and after tapping the back wall, the carriage slowly set off.

Only then did Reina lean back and let out a deep breath.

“Come to think of it, neither of you have been there since the first day, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Mhm.”

Both girls nodded while sitting on either side of Reina.

‘I really have been neglecting them lately.’

Both Bonita and Estelle were mature for their age and rarely said they felt lonely.

Because of that, and because she was busy every day, Reina couldn’t help but pay them less attention.

‘It’s still just an excuse.’

She didn’t like that children were considerate of adults’ circumstances. Yet even knowing that, she couldn’t escape the reality of being neglectful at times.

As if trying to make up for all the affection she hadn’t given, she gently but thoroughly stroked both of their heads.

‘I can stay with them longer now.’

The merchant group Reina represented planned to sell nothing but magic stone powder.

If she started inventing magic tools as well, she’d have even less time for the children. More than anything, she had started this research to support Estelle. Leaving her side to invent magic tools would be putting the cart before the horse.

‘Being a governess means I can spend more time with Boni too.’

It was the most ideal arrangement.

She wouldn’t neglect Bonita. She’d be able to see her every day, and Bonita wouldn’t be lonely.

“Mom, how much longer?”

“Just a little more.”

“What if everyone hates me?”

“No, everyone really wanted to see you, Boni.”

“Reina, Reina. What about me?”

“Everyone was curious about My lady too.”

The two children clung tightly to Reina, firing off questions without pause.

Outside the carriage window, the sun was setting.

‘We’re heading to the capital soon.’

* * *

“Well then, a toast to Reina Botn, no, Baron of Lian, and her new beginning!”

Even in farewell, the mages were smiling brightly.

They sincerely wished for Reina’s successful future and offered heartfelt blessings.

They raised their glasses high, each adding words of encouragement.

Champagne glasses for the adults, juice glasses for young Estelle and Bonita.

Everyone smiled just as brightly, speaking of parting and promising to meet again.

Reina was buried in their laughter and joy.

It was a pretty good opening chapter.

* * *

“Wow, Reina, look at that.”

“Mom, look at that.”

Inside the carriage, the two children pressed themselves against the window, marveling at the magnificent mansions.

“N-Now, both of you should behave inside the carriage.”

The carriage carrying Damian, Reina, Peter, and the two children had arrived in the capital and was heading toward the Winternight family townhouse.

“It’s fine, Reina. Lively is good.”

Peter, who had grown quite close to Reina by now, looked at the children fondly.

“But His Grace…”

Reina glanced at Damian sitting beside Peter.

He sat upright like a statue, arms crossed, eyes closed.

Every time they rode a carriage, he never spoke a word, so it was impossible not to be conscious of him.

Without opening his eyes, Damian spoke, having sensed Reina’s concern.

“It’s fine.”

“…”

“I prefer lively over quiet too, so leave them be.”

“Y-Yes.”

Reina unconsciously trailed off as she withdrew her hand.

Damian said he preferred lively, yet his tone was cold as ever, and he didn’t even look at the children.