Chapter 35

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“…”

“My mother and I each have their own way. My mother has the talent, and now I have to go back and prepare to become the head of the household. There is a lot of education that I need to get to inherit the Duke’s title.”

Nick scratched his head and let out a small laugh.

“…The pictures my mother drew, I can only say now, but they are so beautiful. I hope you don’t waste that talent.”

“I’m flattered. Thank you, Nick.”

Cassia remembered Adolf’s last suggestion to her. He asked why doesn’t she come to the capital and learn how to paint?

“Oh, right. Nick, I have something to give you.”

As she smiled, something came to mind, and she said to Nick. He tilted his head as if asking what it was.

Cassia took out a small pouch she had prepared in advance and handed it to the boy.

“It’s for the lot of hard work for what you’ve been working on. You’ve worked hard all this time trying to help me.”

“Eh, ah, no, no…! I forced to stay at my mother’s house.”

“Still, I feel uncomfortable just sending you away like this. It’s not a lot of money, but I hope it helps on the way back. And you, too, should be rewarded for your work.”

Nick looked at his pocket for a moment as she held it out to him, who was waving his hands in embarrassment.

Soon Nick said “Thank you” softly and accepted it. 

Cassia looked at the child with a happy expression.

“Then I should go now… Ah, though.”

Nick, trying to turn around, stopped walking a few steps and looked back at her.

“If you’re going to stay here, can I come over here to play sometimes?”

“Oh.”

“I know, it’s really nice here. It was so comfortable that I could see why people sometimes come to Lawrencia to relax.”

“Sometimes I want to eat the dessert my mother makes.” Nick blinked his eyes and asked me timidly.

Cassia gave a bright smile.

“Of course, Nick.”

“…”

“Come to play anytime. I am always ready to welcome you.”

Now it really seemed like she could do that. 

Only now, 7 years later.

Cassia looked at Nick’s back for a while as he left with delight.

* * *

After seeing off Nick, Cassia went to the gallery alone after a long time.

She was a leisurely walk while looking at the countryside. She was in a strange mood, so she smiled the whole time she went to work.

After Nick left, she felt empty, but that didn’t disappoint.

In the last conversation she had with the child, she could tell.

That the child and the old feelings for each other in her heart began to melt.

The time Nick was at the gallery.

In the meantime, she was filled with the regrets that she had not been able to take care of Nick and Nick’s regrets that he did not treat her as a mother.

They have been filling in the sense of loss they had for each other over the past time together here.

Now that Nick had left, she felt even more regretful. It was easy to see the boy’s face now.

The next time she sees that child, she will feel lighter because she thought that they will be able to smile brightly at each other.

“…I hope Ken is doing well.”

Suddenly, Ken came to mind. 

After reconciling with Nick, Ken came to mind.

‘Is Ken doing well? Would the child be in the Imperial Palace?’

‘…It would be nice if I could reconcile with that child, too.’

If she could afford it, there was a desire deep down in her heart to have a conversation with Ken.

But that won’t be the case with Ken. 

Ken must have already closed the door to his heart.

Still, if she ever gets to meet him again, she wants to talk about the past.

And she wants to say goodbye, and tell him that he was a sweet child.

Cassia just thought of that.

However, she was cautious about thinking like this was too late, so she stopped thinking about it.

Anyway, it was a really nice day. The divorce papers had been sorted out, and her relationship with Nick seems to have been sorted out.

Arriving at the gallery feeling refreshed, she saw another good news and smiled.

This was because the news of Adolf was on the front page of the morning newspaper placed in front of the gallery.

[The Return of the Third Prince]

Cassia picked up the newspaper and quickly read the contents.

That is, Adolf had arrived at the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor was delighted with his return.

‘You arrived safely.’

The last time he looked at her and moved away, his back was still vividly in her mind.

She imagined him arriving at the Imperial palace and smiling happily.

“Is this the sacred place where His Highness the Third Prince visited?”

“…!”

Cassia turned around, startled by the voice she heard.

A person was standing.

Looking around with curious eyes, a woman standing smiled at Cassia.

“Nice to see you. I am called Hannah Cooper, and I am a journalist working in the capital.”

* * *

Cassia didn’t know what was going on, but the stranger was her customer, so she took her into the gallery.

It was before the morning opening preparations, so she quickly prepared a table and served her a cup of coffee in the cluttered shop.

Hannah looked around the store with curious eyes the whole time, and widened her eyes when she saw the coffee Cassia had given her.

“Oh, is this the coffee that His Highness the Third Prince visited and drank every day?”

“…It is.”

“I was tired after coming down here for a few nights, thank you.”

After she smiled and greeted Cassia, she drank coffee.

Looking at her, Cassia said.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have much time because I have to prepare for the opening quickly. I just want you to keep things simple.”

“Oh, of course.”

A woman named Hannah was an impressive person with a single smile. As she put down her coffee, she said.

“I heard that you hid the Third Prince here for quite some time.”

“Rather than hiding him, he was just a visitor to the gallery.”

“Then you will know more about the Third Prince’s every move than anyone else.”

“…What do you want?”

Cassia looked at Hannah and tilted her head. Hannah still had a bright smile as she spoke to her.

“I want you to do a little interview with me. This is an interview about His Highness Third Prince, that you saw. We are preparing a special article about this place and the story of His Highness the Third Prince.”

“…”

“Of course, I will give you a kickback, and there will definitely be a publicity effect. His Highness Third prince spent time visiting a gallery in the quiet countryside. Isn’t it romantic? It wouldn’t be a bad choice.”

Talking to Cassia with a smile on her face, Hannah felt confident that this interview would happen.

Cassia looked at her like that, then let out her small sigh and gave her a slight smile.

“I’m sorry, but that seems difficult.”

“Yes?”

She tilted her head as if she had heard it wrong. 

Cassia continued.

“I don’t really need a kickback. The same goes for publicity. There are already so many visitors that this place overflows within minutes. There were a lot of rumours saying that it was the place the Third Prince visited.”

“…Ah.”

“I don’t want to bother you anymore. I’m sorry, but I will decline the interview. I have to start preparing for the opening, so I want you to leave.”

At Cassia’s words, Hannah’s eyes lit up with embarrassment.

Cassia stood up and bowed her head slightly to greet her. As she turned around and tried to enter the store, Hannah caught Cassia.

“Come on, wait!”

“…”

“Tell me whatever you want! Whatever it is, I will do my best to accommodate it.”

When Cassia looked back at Hannah’s hand grabbing her wrist, she spoke as if shouting.

“All the people of the Empire are curious about the past history of His Highness the Third Prince. But even after the Prince returns, he doesn’t say anything. Your interview will be of great help in answering everyone’s questions.”

It seemed like Hannah was bright and cheerful all the time, but she had a charm that didn’t feel so hateful.

Perhaps that’s why Cassia somehow came to look at her with warm eyes.

“You can say as much as you want. I won’t force you, so can you help me just once?”

‘But I can’t do an interview. Although the conditions that she suggested are not very pleasing to me.’

…Most of all, she was Adolf’s friend. Cassia knew he wouldn’t want articles like this, above all else.

Cassia looked at Hannah and slowly put down her hand holding my wrist.

“… I’m sorry, Miss Hannah.”

She smiled and said, then she turned around. Hannah’s empty gaze reached her back.

* * *

Hannah handed Cassia a note with the address of her dorm in the end.

[I’m going to stay here for a few days to track the past of His Highness The Third Prince. If you ever change your mind, it’s okay at any time, so please contact me here.]

After Hannah left the gallery, Cassia glanced at the paper with the address written on it for a moment before putting it in the corner of the counter.

She will never contact her. Because she had no intention of betraying her friendship with Adolf.

Of course, it may be too grandiose to attach the word ‘treachery’ to the extent of giving an interview about him.

But she couldn’t judge and talk about him based on the few aspects she had seen.

Besides, Adolf was a person who did not reveal his private life while hiding his identity.

As she prepared to open and start business, people began to flock one by one.

Some people who read the newspaper even brought up stories about the Third Prince in front of Cassia. 

“Did you see that he arrived safely at the Imperial Palace?” Cassia responded in moderation and moved around busily.

While welcoming the customers, the meeting with Hannah completely disappeared from her memory.

When she came to her senses, it was almost time to end the day.

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Kofi shop updated till chapter 40.