Chapter 77

Chapter 77

As Margaret said, she was the only one sitting comfortably while all the other ladies were sitting in chairs in uncomfortable clothes, eating refreshments, or chatting in the tent.

‘Well, it might look like that.’

Min-ha nodded lightly, thinking in her head what she would say to the child before answering.

“I see. Well, I don’t know why I am dressed like this… Maybe, because it’s more comfortable and pretty?”

“Where are you going?”

“Why? Is it not that pretty?”

“Yes.”

“…Haha. Then, I’ll say it’s comfortable. Though there’s a little bit of backlash.”

“What’s with the backlash?”

“Because I don’t want to follow what other people do? Just because everyone does it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right. At least, that’s how I grew up learning from my mother.”

“Hmm… Well, I see. I understand.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“So, did the Duchess make this doll?”

“That’s right. Why?”

“The doll… Can you give it to me?”

Even though her words were easy to understand, Margaret did not seem to be very interested in her answer. Instead, the little girl pointed to the bunny doll in her hand and insistently begged her. So, giving the rabbit doll back to Noah, Min-ha answered.

“I’m sorry. That won’t do.”

“Why? You can’t even sell it?”

“Yes. Because I made this for Noah.”

“….”

“Instead, can I make one for Margaret?”

“…Yes?”

“It’s impossible to make something as big as this rabbit doll, but I think I can make one the size of the palm of your hand in no time. What do you think?”

“….”

As Min-ha explained by drawing a small circle on the palm of her hand, Margaret tilted her head as if doubting her words before she eventually nodded her head.

“…Good!”

“Instead, if you get that, could you then play with Noah?”

“Well, okay!”

“All right… Excuse me, can I borrow some fabric, a needle, and some thread? I only need just a little bit.”

“Yes, Duchess. I’ll bring it to you.”

“Thank you.”

Min-ha, who asked a nearby maid to borrow the sewing tools, waited while playing with her Noah until the maid came. After a while, the maid carrying a large basket full of cloth, needles, and thread, held the basket out to her.

‘Wow, that’s nice.’

She was excited to see the material in the basket, which was much more luxurious than she had thought, and quickly took out the fabric and threaded the needle. Then, she quickly made the shape and started making a doll.

She tried to make it as simple and cute as possible. After making a round shape on a white cloth, Min-ha, who filled it with cotton and stitched it, finally made the eyes with buttons and a small nose and mouth with thread.

Meanwhile, Noah and Margaret, who were staring at her curiously while looking at the almost completed doll, asked.

“Sister-in-law, is this also a rabbit?”

“That’s right. Our Noah’s eyes are really good, aren’t they?”

“Hehe.”

“How do you make this, Duchess?”

“Huh? Well, anyone can do it if they learn.”

“Who can I learn from?”

“…Uh. At first, my mother taught me.”

“…My mother doesn’t know how to do this.”

“If you want to learn later, ask me anytime. I’ll teach you.”

While answering all the children’s questions, Min-ha was busy moving her hands, and the doll was already complete. So, after taking a quick glance at her finished doll, she held it out to Margaret, who was next to her with her eyes sparkling.

“Here you go.”

“…Wow!”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes! Thank you, Duchess!”

The only materials used were a white cloth, black thread, and a red button to make the rabbit doll, but Margaret was purely delighted.

When she saw Margaret, who liked it more than she thought, Min-ha was proud. In her previous life, making dolls was a hobby and a specialty though she was able to make them faster and prettier as she practiced with Wanda.

As she was smiling while watching Margaret playing with the finished doll, she turned to see Noah tugging her sleeve.

“What’s wrong, Noah?”

“…What about me, sister-in-law?”

“What, you want Noah as well? Then, do you want me to make one for you?”

“Yes! I want one, too!”

“All right! So, what should I make for you this time?”

“…Hey.”

Noah, who had a sullen expression on his face, seemed to be sad that she had only made a doll for Margaret, put a bright color on his face when Min-ha said that she would make another doll for him as well.

While she was gently stroking the child’s head because he was so cute, the sound of a voice suddenly called out from behind was heard, and she turned around.

What she saw were the children who had been scattered and playing around a while ago.

Glancing at them curiously, one of the children twisted their body as if they were embarrassed.

“…Hey, Duchess. Can you make a horse, by any chance?”

“Huh? If it’s a small size—”

“Oh, what about a sword? Can you make a fencing sword?”

“If it’d be made of cloth.”

“Could you please make it for me, too?”

“Well, yes!”

When Min-ha readily answered, the children’s expressions brightened.

However, Percival and Noah’s expressions gazing at her were not good. Seeing that, she smiled as if she was okay to the two men as they were worried that she might be overdoing herself.

In fact, Min-ha also had her own purpose.

First, it was her good intentions that those children might get along well with Noah, and secondly, she intended to change the reputations of Seth and Minase Persen, even a little. Even if she was an aristocrat, she had a feeling that they would like someone who treated their child kindly.

‘Will I be guilty of thinking like this about the children?’

Min-ha smiled at the children who insisted on her making this and that for them again and again, as she thought so.

Then, taking some fabric out of the basket, she started sewing again.

“Wow, it’s a horse…!”

“My sword, isn’t it cool?”

“Noah Persen! Do you want to go over there and play knights together?”

“Yes! I want to do it!”

Min-ha, who had been concentrating on sewing for a while, was only freed after the gathered children got everything they wanted. Each of the children held their dolls that she made in their hands and played noisily.

Seeing Noah, who naturally melted among the children, she then smiled proudly.

As expected, no matter how aristocratic they were, children were children, so if you give them an opportunity to get along, they will all get along well.

Since it was his first time playing with children his age, even though the behavior was a bit awkward, Min-ha felt a little sad inside because Noah did not even have time to look back at her.

‘No, I shouldn’t be feeling like this.’

However, after thinking about it while organizing the fabric and needle, Min-ha then raised her head before meeting Percival’s gaze. Looking at him, who gazed down at her with a face as if he had something to say, she opened her mouth first.

“What’s going on, Sir Percival?”

“Thank you, Duchess.”

“Yes?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Young Master Noah getting along with other young ladies and young lords with such a bright face.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Yes, and…”

“Yes?”

“I’m also grateful for how you accepted Grand Duchess Blaine’s rude remarks a while ago. It felt refreshing.”

‘I was just wondering what he was trying to say.’

Min-ha burst into laughter when she saw Percival saying that with a face without a single expression.

“Oh, my. Hahaha.”

“…Did I say anything amusing?”

“No, I just want to be a little surprised. Can Sir Percival say such a thing?”

“I don’t know what the Duchess thinks of me though I’m not enough of a saint to be tolerant of those who speak unjustly to my Master.”

“Haha, that’s right. Yes, me too.”

Seeing him, who was embarrassed by her own words, Min-ha answered with a laughter-filled voice. Then, Percival’s blunt eyes narrowed slightly, though when he saw the children approaching Min-ha, they hardened again as usual.

Following his gaze, she turned as she heard Percival shout when he saw Noah running with both tiny hands outstretched.

“Young Master Noah, slow down! You might fall!”

“Sister-in-law, sister-in-law! Look at this!”

“Huh…? What’s this? Wow!”

Min-ha looked down at the child’s outstretched hand and exclaimed when she saw that the small hand was full of black fruits. Although it looked somewhat like raspberry, it was the first time she had seen a long, dark black fruit like this.

Min-ha pointed to the black fruit and asked Noah.

“What’s this, Noah?”

“Mulburry! Elix, who’s over there, taught me!”

“Oh, okay?”

Mulberry. It was a fruit she had never actually seen or eaten before but had heard of it several times. Meanwhile, Noah replied excitedly, pointing to a brown-haired boy named Elix standing by a tree nearby them.

“In the Shukanian region, the territory of Elix’s estate, they make desserts and pickle alcohol from them! And, it’s also very sweet and delicious to eat as it is!”

“Wow, I see.”

“Is it sister-in-law’s first time seeing this?”

“Yes. It’s the first time I’ve actually seen it.”

“Me, too! That’s why I picked up a bunch of these to show sister-in-law!”

“I see. Thank you, Noah. And, thank you, Elix.”

“Hehe. Let’s eat together now, sister-in-law! This is so sweet!”

As she stroked the child’s small head, she thanked Noah for picking up so many mulberries that his fingers were turning black from them. At that moment, Percival, who had been eavesdropping on the two of them from behind, came to her side before opening his mouth to her.

“Please wait. Young Master Noah, have you eaten this yet?”

“Huh? No. I haven’t eaten yet because I wanted to show sister-in-law and eat it with her.”

“That’s a relief. Well, please hold on. Excuse me first.”

Saying so, he then took one of the mulberries that were in Noah’s hand and brought it into his mouth. As Percival chewed the mulberry with a serious expression, he then spat it out and turned to them.

“Fortunately, it doesn’t appear to contain anything harmful.”

“Then, can I eat them now?”

“Yes. Just in case, eat the fruit near the one I picked up a while ago.”

“Yes!”

Smiling and nodding his head, Noah picked up a small mulberry and put it in his mouth. He said it was so delicious before taking another bite into his mouth with a smile. Seeing Noah eating well, Min-ha smiled happily.

However, she tilted her head and asked at Noah’s action as the child suddenly held out the fruit he was holding in his hand towards her.

“Huh? Why?”

“Sister-in-law, try it too!”

“Oh, shall I?”

Looking at the child’s black tongue after eating the berries, Min-ha giggled and picked up the fruit that Noah held out.

And, it was when she was about to put the fruit in her mouth…

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