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Chapter 46
“Achoo! How cold.”
Daisy brushed her nose lightly before hugging her whole body.
Fortunately, unlike Daisy, Luciana and River had changed into warm clothes and fell asleep under the blanket. After playing with water, they fell asleep and went to the dreamland even before the carriage set off.
“So why did you play with water when it’s not summer? Don’t be mistaken, it’s autumn now.”
“The bursting water from that hidden fountain was so pretty, that’s why I took you there.”
“It’s not pretty, but chaotic.”
“It’s pretty. It’s prettier today than in the past. I didn’t know it could burst like that.”
She didn’t expect that water would splatter everywhere like that. Unknowingly, she just acted as her whim had led her.
“Still, wouldn’t it be a pity if we just leave like that?”
She tried to allay his worries about the children. She knew the autumn wind was chilly these days, but she couldn’t tell the children who were so excited to return.
Then, Carlyx put a blanket around her shoulders. He gathered both ends of a wide blanket to her chest, and briefly glanced at Daisy before letting go.
“Hold it over your chest and cover yourself well.”
Carlyx covered the children with a blanket and laid the last blanket on Daisy’s lap.
Surprised by the three blankets that appeared from nowhere, curiosity flashed in Daisy’s eyes.
“Where did you get this? When I asked earlier, you definitely said there was only one blanket.”
“I bought it when you went to change with the children.”
“Ah….”
Daisy smiled, and narrowed her eyes mischievously. Then Carlyx raised one brow.
“What’s with that look?”
“Nothing, I just think this is the first time I’ve received your kindness.”
“I don’t think I’m doing this purely out of kindness.”
“Yeah, of course you don’t.”
She knew it well since she heard the same thing before. Still, she was thankful for his gesture whatever the reason might be.
Daisy didn’t spread the blanket he dropped on her knees and instead watched Carlyx.
Something had changed. She felt it for sure during this trip.
He rarely interrupted whenever she, River, and Luciana were doing something, and his behavior was not as harsh as before. His tone was still dry and he was still expressionless as ever, but it wasn’t that bad.
“I brought blankets for you to use.”
Carlyx took the blanket, which was still finely folded, and spread it out with his left hand. Now a soft, warm blanket covered Daisy’s legs.
Daisy observed him quietly and chuckled.
“I don’t think there’s anything to laugh at.” Carlyx said, as his lids shook finely above his purple eyes.
Daisy slightly turned her head and recited.
“I know.”
“At this rate, it’d be bad if you transmit your sickness to River and Luciana. As I said earlier, it wasn’t an act of pure kindness.”
“Yes, I know.”
Still, Carlyx was unable to understand Daisy’s laugh. But Daisy only shrugged lightly since she knew what he was thinking without his explanation.
But the reason she smiled was because there were two blankets, not one. He seemed to recognize her as Luciana and River’s mother now.
“The blanket is so big, shall we use it together?”
Daisy offered gently and lifted the blanket on her lap. Carlyx had gotten wet also when the three of them played in the water. She recalled his lower body was also sprayed with water.
“I’m okay. Unlike you who are careless, my clothes are all dry now.”
“But you probably don’t have clothes to change into.”
The horseman left the clothes for tomorrow at the hotel, so Carlyx would have to keep wearing those uncomfortable pants.
Daisy smiled, she was confident that he wouldn’t be able to counter this time, but Carlyx spoke calmly.
“My clothes were in the suitcase left in the carriage. I had a feeling that I would need it today.”
Daisy was immediately disappointed, but Carlyx continued calmly.
“I didn’t change my top because I didn’t bring another jacket, but I changed my pants.”
Huh? Look at him?
Daisy sighed and drew her eyebrows together. Upon closer look, there was no water mark on his pants.
‘You bought blankets and changed your clothes in that short time? Even though your right arm is broken?
She was stunned for a moment, but she resumed her kind smile after a brief thought.
‘I’ll have to smack that damn mouth one day. I don’t even plan to let you speak!’
Daisy made yet another resolution this day.
As dawn broke, Daisy had already draped herself in luxurious dresses. The hotel maids helped her put on an elegant velvet dress.
Dark red. It was a color that fit her like a glove, but to her, it was just a dress that added dignity.
“Madam, please raise your hand.”
The maid, who served the VIP guests in the most expensive suite room, was very polite.
Daisy lifted her hand, and the maid put on the satin gloves. She wore white gloves with elegant ruffles circling the wrist and a light yellow hat.
“It’s done, Ma’am. How beautiful.”
“It’s definitely not bad.”
She checked her appearance from head to toe in the mirror for the last time. It looked good on her—no, it was pretty.
The preparation was complete. She could set out while Luciana and River stayed in the hotel with Carlyx.
“Please get in.”
The carriage door opened and Daisy went inside, but the door didn’t close right away.
“Is there a problem?”
The horseman continued to hold the door open as if waiting for someone else.
‘Do you think Carlyx will come, too?’
As she was busy ruminating, a familiar figure came into view.
Carlyx was wearing a white blouse, a coat and the white gloves that he loathed so much. He even wore a luxurious cravat and a cumbersome hat.
He looked perfect.
Daisy briefly lost her mind and stared at the noble-looking Carlyx. She didn’t blink until he got in the carriage.
She was astonished by his noble appearance. Even if the servants helped him, it must be uncomfortable to move around with a broken arm.
“Don’t just look at me like that. It’s unpleasant.”
“Rather than that, where are Luciana and River?” Daisy asked after barely regaining her senses.
Reading the worries in her tone, Carlyx frowned annoyedly.
“Do you think I didn’t take care of Luciana and River?”
“My bad. Forget what I just said.”
“I couldn’t forget what I already heard.”
“Still, just forget it. You’re supposed to just overlook it if someone is making a mistake. I’m sure you can if you have the will to do it.”
At Daisy’s brazenness, Carlyx heaved a deep sigh. Then Daisy asked with a gentle smile.
“Luciana and River, where are they, with whom, and what are they doing now?”
“Only your tone is gentler this time, but it still feels like I’m being interrogated.”
Then what do you want me to do? When Daisy stared at him with an annoyed look, Carlyx blurted out.
“I’m leaving them to Belia. I thought it would be better for me to accompany you, rather than sticking a few knights to escort you.”
Just as he said, Daisy planned to go to the maid school with Marquis Jean’s knights, so she didn’t expect him to accompany her at all.
“I need to know how you will exercise Marquis Jean’s authority.”
Carlyx spoke in a hushed voice as it was to be expected. So Daisy lightly set her hair back at his declaration to observe her.
“Look forward to it, then. See how I exercise that authority clearly.”
The Maid School was relatively close by. It wasn’t in the center of the capital, but it was not in the corner either. It was built in a vast and secluded place. It was a place where aristocrats come and go.
The galloping horse slowed down, and soon a small house could be seen. A black roof and white wall surrounded by trees.
Soon the carriage stopped. It was right in front of that small house.
“I think we’ve arrived at the Maid School.”
“Yes. To be exact, it’s a school sponsored by Countess Tonstain.”
Daisy swung the bell on the door as she revealed important information. Soon after, the door opened slowly as if it had waited for them. Then, a woman in her thirties welcomed them.
“Oh my, you’re here? I’m Sera who greeted you through a letter. You’re Marquis Jean’s wife, right?”
After Daisy nodded, Sera turned toward Carlyx.
“Are you perhaps Marquis Jean?”
Sera was a little taken aback when she saw Carlyx in a bandage. His black hair already stood out, even more so in his noble outfit.
Even if there were many noblewomen who came with knights, only a few were actually accompanied by their husbands. Now it was quite burdensome to welcome two high-ranking people at the same time.
Noticing Sera’s reluctance, Daisy said lightly.
“Something inevitable happened to the knight who was supposed to escort me today. You can treat him comfortably because he came here with me as a knight rather than a Marquis.”
Daisy took a step forward so Sera wouldn’t be able to refuse them. She spoke gently, but firmly.
“Shall we go in?”
At Daisy’s gesture, Sera was forced to escort them inside.
The inside was just as she expected. The laughter of girls echoed through the hallway. Portraits of Count Tonstain hung in large hallways.
Creak, the sound of old wood every time they took a step echoed, and girls in worn out clothes appeared at the end of the hall.
And a woman with orange hair.
This was where Daisy would choose Marquis Jean’s maid.
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