CH 13

Today was supposed to be Miriella's birthday dinner party, but her brother's "Repeating a Year Shock" was too great, so the meeting ended early. Miriella herself left the dining room indifferently because her surprise exceeded her tolerance. Miriella herself had exceeded her tolerance for surprise, She doesn't feel particularly sorry, thus she indifferently leaves the dining room.

By the way, for her birthday this year, her father gave her a large amount of red roses, her mother gave a red purple dress that was made by a tailor, and her older brother gave a recently published romance novel.

Leon, who left home three days ago, gave her a manga this year just before he left. This time, in addition to the leather cover, he used thin paper for the inner cover, and the string that binds the pages is well hidden, so it looks like a book that is really on sale. According to Bert, he groaned as he thought about what kind of story to make, and then spent a month drawing it.

It's still early to sleep. Just when she was thinking about what accessories to wear with the dress her mother gave her or whether she should read a novel from her brother, she heard a knock.

Maille, who is close to the door, responds, turns around and reports, "Anessa-sama has arrived." Miriella put her novel back in her hand and nodded.

"We weren't able to talk much earlier, I'm happy for you to have come all the way here."

Miriella smiles and offers Anessa a sofa.

While offering chamomile tea to the guest, the maid Melisa glanced at the daughter of the marquis.

She seems to be the same age as Miriella, but she looks a little younger perhaps because she's small. Her loosely braided chestnut hair looks soft and so does her round cheeks.

Her brown eyes, the same color as her hair, were restlessly moving back and forth on the table. 

It seems that the maid who accompanied Anessa also felt her master's tension, and she was restless and swaying.

".....th.., that"

"Yes"

Looking at Anessa who opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind, Miriella also replied. Take a breather so as not to rush it.

However, as if she didn't have more courage than that, Anessa threw a look at her maid asking for help.

"I'm afraid Miriella-sama. My Master, Anessa, is, well, has a slightly lower voice. If you don't mind, I'd like to talk a little closer, is what she said."

"Ara"

“………………”

"Yes, I don't mind. Melisa, please."

The excellent maids immediately started to move, placing two chairs side by side on the prepared table. Then, immediately bowed and moved the two teacups.

Miriella and Anessa sat side by side so close that their knees touched each other. Anessa sipped her tea and gently moved her face towards Miriella.

"Miriela-sama. I, have always wanted to say thank you to Miriella-sama."

"Thank you? May I know why"

"E, Edmont-sama said. That it was Miriella-sama who listened to Anessa's story and gave him advice he said."

Miriela remembered the picnic she went to after her birthday last year. Come to think of it, she once pointed out her brother's lack of delicacy.

Remembering the letter that said, "My fiancé-dono laughed happily for the first time," Miriella chuckled.

"When I heard about Onii-sama, Its because I thought it was too extreme. Onii-sama invited you to go fox hunting, didn't he? He don't know too much about what's being a lady."

"I, didn't know what to do back then."

"Ufufu. That will be the case isn't it."

"but……"

Anessa looks at her face reflected in the chamomile tea and looks embarrassed.

"From the first time I met him, Edmont-sama, he was a wonderful and respectable person. He began to listen to me, and asked me what I wanted to do. I'm truly happy."

"e, ee...?"

"Edmont-sama, because my voice is soft, he always stays by my side. his kindness always helps me."

"Is that so? That Onii-sama did as such"

Come to think of it, even when she entered this mansion, Anessa was standing right behind Edmont, as if to stick to it. The interpreter thing at the dinner party must have been his form of kindness.

It was the first time that she was praised for her relatives deeds, Miriella was in a strange, itchy, happy mood.

Anessa continued to chat, perhaps because the tea had made her mouth feel better.

"Ever since I can remember, I've been told that I have a fiancée, and at first I was worried. But when I met Edmont-sama when I was eight years old, I admired Edmont-sama who was always bright and dignified. Just the thought of to be the wife of such a wonderful person makes me happy. I asked my father what I should do for bride training."

"Gracious. Bride training! That's so nice isn't it"

"Fufu. I was told that it's still too early for a full-fledged one, but my mother sometimes teaches me something like a rule of thumb."

"I want to know too!"

When Miriella gets excited about the word bride, Anessa responds happily.

They could only hear Miriella's voice alone, but the sight of the two of them talking happily soothed the hearts of the maids.

"Miriella-sama is very kind along with Edmont-sama."

"Is it so? If so, it's thanks to my Oji-sama. Actually, the advice I give Onii-sama is also a second-hand from Oji-sama."

"Oji-sama... Ah, you're talking about Leon-sama."

"it is. He went to teacher training school and now longer living here."

The little two energetically chatted, until time has become late at night and Maille tells them to go to bed.

-----------------

It seems that the duke's office had turned into a scene of carnage when Miriella and the others were having fun chatting. The duke's sermon to Edmont lasted three hours, and it seemed that he himself went to the academy to say hello, demanding strict guidance from the new semester.

However, the duke added to Edmont.

"Prince Alexis will enter middle school this year. Take care of the prince and be ready to help him in case of anything."

"Yes! Father!"

"First of all, make sure think about your own studies first."

-----------------

Three days later, Edmont left the mansion with Anessa.

In truth, Anessa should have only stayed for one day at the Duke's home, but at her own request, she stayed until Edmont returned to the academy.

Miriella and Anessa, who have become good friends, hold their hands together and tell each other how difficult it is to part.

"Come and visit us anytime. For We're already friends."

"Miriella-sama, please come and visit our house. I still want to talk a lot with you."

Edmont, who handed the bag over to the coachman, also approached the two.

"I'll be back for summer vacation!"

"Onii-sama, please do your best in your studies. I don't want to be having thoughts of being in the same class as Onii-sama in high school."

"I certainly don't like that! I'm now feeling very motivated, Miriella!"

"It's more than anything."

Beside her, Anessa's maid was bowing deeply.

Everyone finished their greetings and got into the carriage. The driver closed the door and the carriage slowly departed.

"I'm happy to be friends with Anessa. If it's Anessa, then I'm sure she'll be a good couple with Onii-sama. Right? Melisa."

"I do think so too. I think it suits them very well."

Looking at her new friend leaving, Miriella thought of her first friend.

A beautiful black-haired dancer who danced gracefully in the circus.

Where are you now and what are you doing? Do you captivate the audience with your gorgeous dance? Even now, she can see that figure behind her closed eyelids.

"I want to see you. Noel."