Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Thanks to this, Min-ha acted as modestly as possible and drove an atmosphere where the two of them would lose their dignity if they said anything worse to her.

Then, she glanced at Grand Duchess Blaine and Vivian, who were forced to laugh at her own attitude. Even though she really did not want to go this far, when she thought of the two men she loved, she could not get over it.

Her parents had also told her that she had a sore ear — it was true that she had to live a good life, though that did not mean she had to be kind by enduring injustice.

As she thought if this would be all right, Min-ha glanced at the Grand Duchess and Vivian with eyes as if full of ears, in the sense of urging them to accept the apology.

“…Haha, I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of sincerity you will display after saying this.”

“I won’t disappoint you. Right, Sir Percival?”

“Of course. It will never happen in honor of the Duchy of Persen.”

“…I can’t help it since the Duchess is so modest. Your apology, I’ll accept it.”

“Grand Duchess’ generosity is truly deep and wide as the sea. I’m thankful.”

“…You’re welcome.”

Min-ha looked at Vivian, who could not manage her expression at all, and Grand Duchess Blaine, who had crumpled her doll-like expressionless face, before smiling at both of them as if she did not know anything. With her natural expression, she then lowered her hand slightly and rubbed her stomach.

“Oh, my. Perhaps, it’s because I skipped the meal in the morning, but I’m a little hungry after chatting for a long time. I’d like some refreshments… Butler, when can we have refreshments?”

“Oh, yes! I was going to serve it after the three of you finished talking. I apologize for acting tactfully before the Duchess started talking. What would you like to eat?”

“I don’t know. Well, what would be good… I’d like to have the cannoli over there. Noah, shall we eat together?”

Unlike earlier, Noah, who was now full of laughter, answered Min-ha’s question with a big nod.

“Yes! I want to eat, too!”

“Okay! Then, three plates, please. I want to give it to the knight behind me as well.”

“All right, Duchess.”

“…Oh, Duchess. I’m fine.”

“Would you like to eat something else? Then, something else…”

“I don’t mean that, but… thank you.”

“You’re welcome!”

Min-ha smiled at Percival, who awkwardly thanked her, and reached out her hands to stroke Noah’s cheek playfully. The child narrowed his big eyes and smiled softly.

‘…Yes, I wanted a face like this.’

She was genuinely happy to see the child’s bright face, which was 180 degrees different from the appearance of being intimidated a while ago. Because of that, Min-ha followed Noah and smiled brightly as well. The next moment, she could suddenly feel the gaze of someone staring at her enough to prick her face, and she quickly turned her head.

“What’s wrong, sister-in-law?”

“Huh…? It’s nothing, Noah.”

Sure enough, the place where the gaze was felt was where Grand Duchess Blaine and Vivian were present.

While she did not know if they were staring at her to find a quarrel, it was frankly nonsensical. At the thought, Min-ha immediately turned her head and ignored them as soon as she met the Grand Duchess and Vivian’s eyes, who were looking at her with a passionate gaze.

‘By the way, it seemed that I made eye contact with the masked knight standing behind the Grand Duchess… It’s probably a misunderstanding, right?’

Still, it was not unusual if he was staring at her, who was making sarcastic remarks to their master, like Sir Percival did a while ago.

Min-ha kept on worrying about the eyes of the masked knight that kept bothering her, but soon, she passed as if it was insignificant.

Desserts, including cannoli, were placed in Min-ha’s spot, and the butler also distributed the desserts they requested to the plates of others who attended the tea party as well.

Among those who quietly savored the sweet dessert while moving their tableware, only the voices of children who could not understand the atmosphere or the voices asking for tea to be filled occasionally were heard. Nevertheless, there was no friendly conversation. It was because the calm atmosphere continued to subside after a tense nerve battle between her, Grand Duchess Blaine, and Vivian a while ago.

Seeing the children sitting quietly eating their dessert, Min-ha felt terrible. It was because it seemed that the children were being wary because of her and other adults.

“Mother. Now that I’ve eaten it all, is this okay?”

“Edward, please sit quietly.”

“I don’t want to…! You said I could play today!”

Suddenly, a boy that was Noah’s age, who was sitting next to a frail-looking lady, put his fork and knife on an empty plate and got up. As the lady, who seemed to be his mother, stopped him, the child shook her hand before spurring from his seat and storming out of the tent.

“Me, too. I want to go out, too!”

“Eileen! Can’t you behave yourself? Honey!”

“I want to go as well!”

“Wa-wait a minute, young lady! You’ll fall down!”

“Young master! You must bring a hat! The sun is hot!”

As if other children were stimulated by the sight, they left their seats and ran out of the tent one by one. The attendants, who were taking care of the children, also hurriedly grabbed the children’s belongings and followed them.

When Min-ha saw the bewildered ladies and the children who found life away from her grown-ups, she felt her uncomfortable feelings relieved at that moment. Despite the strict etiquette education, even though they looked like adults, they were still children.

Min-ha smiled slightly as she watched the three children playing together before speaking to Noah, who was sitting quietly next to her.

“Noah.”

“Yes?”

“Shall we go out and play?”

“….”

“Why? Don’t you want to go out?”

“…By, by myself?”

At her question, Noah stared at her for a moment. Then, as though he had gained the courage, he held the two dolls in his arms tightly and hesitatingly replied.

Min-ha tilted her head at the sight for a little before immediately muttering. “Oh.” She exclaimed briefly. Come to think of it, he had replied to Sir Percival a little while ago that, ‘Other children hate them’ with a timid face.

She asked, stroking Noah’s hair tenderly.

“Why? You don’t want to go out alone?”

“…Yes.”

“Are you afraid the kids over there won’t play with Noah?”

“….”

At her question, Noah just kept his mouth shut. She seemed to know without even listening to his answer, so Min-ha smiled bitterly and gently brushed the child’s head. Apparently, if the children over there reach out their hands first… no, if they did not at least reject him, she thought Noah was ready enough to open up,

For a moment she thought, ‘Go and talk to them first,’ but she immediately shook her head. Saying such a thing to a child who had already been hurt once was no different from saying, ‘Go and get hurt again.’

Even though Sir Percival told Noah that he had to be a little stronger, he was still a child.

‘Yes, well. We just have to have more fun.’

If they have fun, other children may become curious and gather around. Min-ha thought so, and she opened her mouth to Noah.

“Then, Noah. Do you want to have fun with me?”

“Yes, sister-in-law!”

Min-ha, who smiled at the wide-eyed Noah, secretly turned her head and put her hands together to ask Percival for his understanding. It was in the sense that she wanted to ask him to let it slide just this once.

Percival, with a blunt expression on his face, simply nodded his head politely without any reaction. Seeing that, she roughly interpreted it as ‘You can do whatever you want,’ and took the rabbit doll from Noah and played with the doll so that the two of them could not play together earlier.

“Hey, what’s that doll? Is it yours?”

It was then…

A girl with long brown hair, who seemed to be interested in Min-ha and Noah’s play, approached and spoke to them.

‘After all, I thought they would approach naturally if we were having fun.’

Min-ha did not say anything until Noah answered first so the two children could talk. Noah glanced at the girl who had been talking to him and hesitantly answered.

“…Yes. It’s mine.”

“Is the one the Duchess is holding yours, too?”

“Yes. It’s mine… Why?”

“I want the bunny doll that the Duchess has over there. Can you give it to me?”

“…Huh?”

However, the next girl’s words were a little different from the reaction Min-ha had expected. The girl spoke proudly, pointing her little finger at the bunny doll she was holding in her hand. To that, Noah answered with a tearful face.

“No. It’s mine.”

“How much is it? I can buy it!”

“Never! My sister-in-law made it for me!”

“Don’t lie! How could you make this?”

“It’s real!”

“You’re lying!”

At first, they fought over whether to sell or not to sell the doll, but now, the situation escalated quickly as they raised their voices and fought over who made the doll instead.

‘Ah, this…’

Min-ha, who was watching the scene with a perplexed look on her face, interrupted them when the two children looked like they were about to cry.

“Wait, wait. Don’t fight! Both of you, stop. Okay?”

“…But, she keeps asking for the doll that sister-in-law made.”

“Don’t lie! You’re Noah Persen! And, she’s the Duchess of Persen!”

“So what?”

“Oh, oh wait. Noah, calm down. And um… little girl, what’s your name?”

“I’m not a child!”

When she quickly grabbed Noah in her arms and asked the girl her name, the child screamed. Apparently, it seemed that the word ‘little’ had hurt her self-esteem. Seeing that, Min-ha quickly corrected her words and asked again.

“I’m sorry. Then, what’s your name?”

“…Margaret.”

“I see. I’m sorry, Margaret.”

“…It’s fine.”

In response to her apology, Margaret bluntly turned her head away.

Her coy look was very cute. The child looked at Min-ha, who was hiding her smile, then tilted her head before suddenly turning around her. Margaret asked as she tugged at the hem of Min-ha’s lax dress curiously.

“By the way, why is the Duchess’ dress so flat?”

“Why? Is it strange?”

“I heard that mothers and other noble young girls inflate their skirts like this when they become adults and make their hair very high. So, she couldn’t even sit and play comfortably…”

Min-ha smiled awkwardly at Margaret’s explanation, who was explaining with her arms wide open, and glanced around at the ladies around her.

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