The condemned villainess aims to regress and become a perfect villainess - 15 - The villainess opens up the future

The villainess opens up the future

Although I could not remember how I came back from the school, a cup of tea should have calmed me down.

However, the reflection comes to her mind, and she can’t help but scream at the terrible things she has done, and she holds her head.

“Claudia-sama, what is it?

Helen is surprised at Claudia’s uncharacteristically distraught state, but cannot hide her concern.

Claudia took her hands in hers.

“Helen, listen to me.”

She could no longer handle her feelings on her own.

Helen, the sister of her heart, was the only one she could rely on.

Thus, Claudia told her the story of her foolish acts.

Helen, who had finished listening to her story, put her hand on her forehead with a difficult expression.

“That’s …… not very like you to act like that, is it, Claudia ……?”

“Tell me frankly that I’m being foolish.”

“Yes, I think it’s too much. It’s not my place to say, but I feel sorry for your highness.

“I know… …… I’m sorry that I’ve trampled on your good intentions.”

I can’t believe I did something that made him hate me as soon as he realized I liked him.

It’s like a complete waste of time and money.

I have nothing but regrets, but at that time, I didn’t like it even if it was a part of the performance.

“I wanted your feelings. ……”

For Sylvester, marriage is only politics.

There were no feelings.

He might have felt for her if he had lived with her, but he had seen the bad examples of political marriages up close and personal.

Maybe that’s why.

I foolishly wanted to have feelings…” Claudia sighed and looked dejected.

Helen tilted her head as Claudia sighed and looked dejected.

“Well, Claudia, what do you mean by feelings, ……?”

“I wanted Sylvester to be aware of me. Not as a duchess, but as me.”

Helen’s eyes move busily at Claudia’s answer.

Then, perhaps realizing that thinking about it was not going to help, she said she would go to Virgil for confirmation.

“I’ll be right back.”

Helen leaves the room with blinding speed.

Is there something that bothers her so much?

I wonder if she might have come up with a plan to repair the relationship, even if only a little.

After all, they have betrayed an impressionable young man so cruelly.

Sylvester would have gone to such lengths only if he had read the situation and expected Claudia to nod her head.

It was no wonder that Sylvester was displeased with me for not being able to read the air.

I was constantly reminded of this.

(Thinking back, I had feelings for Sylvester for a long time.)

I just didn’t know it.

I blamed it on my youth and ran away from facing my feelings.

The truth is that I have always liked Sylvester.

(I have no idea what to do. ……)

This was my first love.

The previous Claudia also had feelings for Sylvester, but I can’t decide if she was attracted to him herself or not.

At least, he was not as preoccupied as he is now.

His hostility towards Fermina was stronger than anything else.

A sigh was the only thing that came out of his mouth.

He could only hope that Helen would come up with some answers in a little while.

Just as I was about to let out another sombre breath.

The door to the room was opened.

I looked up to see if it was Helen.

It was Sylvester.

I think I am seeing an apparition of someone who is not supposed to be here.

And yet Sylvester is standing there, not only angry, but even with a pitifully lowered eyebrow.

He looks younger than ever.

“While I was visiting Virgil about you, a lady attendant came to me and told me …… something I couldn’t believe. So I couldn’t stand still and …… hope you will forgive me for coming on such short notice.”

I spoke.

(Illusions do talk, don’t they? ……)

Not only do they talk, but they also approach me.

The phantom came up to Claudia, who was trying to escape from reality, and took her hand.

The warmth of her body is gradually transmitted to Claudia, and she finally realizes that this is reality.

“Do you think I made such a confession without feelings for you?”

“Wasn’t that …… an attempt to cheer me up?”

“No. I was trying to encourage you. No. I was trying to encourage you, but I was offering to be engaged to you from the bottom of my heart.

“But that precedent was your brother’s fiction, wasn’t it?”

“Virgil told you that?　It is true that there was a precedent. What do you think was the reason for your mother’s visit to the academy with the inspection team?”

If you ask me, Claudia just thought so on her own, I didn’t hear that she made it up.

If that were the case, would you ……?

“She was not opposed to the idea, but she wanted to see you at the school before she made an offer to your fiancée. They left satisfied. My parents have no objection to our engagement. I didn’t think that you, of all people, would be unaware of my feelings. ……”

Sylvester gets down on one knee again, still holding Claudia’s hand.

Once again, Claudia is face to face with the golden eyes.

The eyes she had fallen in love with.

“Claudia, I love you. I don’t want anyone else to take you away from me, so you have to save my narrow heart.

It’s not possible for me to save the Dauphin’s life.

The duchess’s rationale appealed to her, but her vision was wavering and her blue eyes were about to spill a drop.

The heat of her emotions burned her nerves.

“If I …… can do it,” he said.

“Only you can.”

I answered in a trembling voice, and he assured me.

He kisses the back of my hand.

I want you. I am the only one who can live in your heart.”

Next, Sylvester’s lips touched the tips of her fingers.

Each finger was a gift of love, and a fire ignited in her body.

“Sylvester-sama ……!”

“Syl,” he said. I shall call you Dia. My dear Dia, save my heart.”

The contact was slight.

If I recall, it was nothing more than a child’s play.

But…

Claudia’s love was too much for her.

All her experience was useless and she felt herself turning red.

“Syl, I can help you. Please give me your hand.”

I couldn’t say, “Please let go of me.

He held my hand and sucked my lips.

“I love you, Dear. I don’t kiss people I don’t care about.”

I know I’m being accused, but I’m too hot to think.

And the heat is suddenly cooled by the intruder.

“It’s a lie. …… It’s a lie!”

Fermina was standing in front of the room, out of breath, probably running from somewhere.

Sylvester’s back immediately covers her.

“Do you want to be cut down too?”

From Claudia’s back, Sylvester’s expression was not visible.

But the sound of his voice alone sent a shiver through me.

It was not particularly low or cold.

It was just so emotionless that I wondered if a person could make such a voice.

Still, I fearfully reached out my hand to Sylvester.

“Syl, I don’t want to…”

The appearance of the thugs confirmed Fermina’s involvement.

The report will force her father to make a decision.

The touch of his fingertips on Sylvester’s hand brought him back to his emotional state.

“……If Dear says so, then I’ll drop the matter. Either way, you won’t get away with this.

There is a light in his golden eyes as he looks back at her, and he is relieved beyond recognition.

Claudia has her own anger towards Fermina, but now is not the time to be punished.

“Please go back to your room, Fermina.”

I tell her to stay quiet, but Fermina barks like a beast.

“You’re going to put me under house arrest for saying that!　Your Highness, she’s playing a trick on you!　I’ve been running for my life!

From whom?　Just as I was wondering who it was, Martha, the head chambermaid, showed up.

It seemed that she had been sent as Fermina’s chaperone.

“I’m sorry, Miss Claudia. I’m sorry, Miss Claudia. She shook me off and ran away. I’ll take you right away.”

“No! Don’t touch me like a servant!”

Fermina tries to enter the room with some resistance, but Sylvester’s guards are waiting for her.

“Give her a hand!”

As one of the guards makes a move, Fermina reaches for Sylvester.

However, the distance between the two does not close, and the guard restrains her.

The whole event took place in the blink of an eye, but Claudia could see it all in slow motion.

Her lovely eyes have changed shape horribly, and her pinkish-brown hair is flying in the air.

Fermina was pushed down to the floor and bound behind her back.

“So, Your Highness, I didn’t do anything!

Then who did it?

A female student from the aristocracy! I have proof!

Fermina resists and shouts, “Well, that’s good news!

“Well, that’s interesting, isn’t it?　The agents will be here soon and they’ll want to hear about it. Take him away.

Wait!　No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

She looks as if she is delirious as she is being led away with her hair in a messy mess.

The distorted expression on Fermina’s face was ugly and …… pathetic.

Worse than the previous Claudia.

“How can a person fall to such a level?”

“It would seem so. ……. Sir, are you expecting an agent?

“Yes, even though we arranged it, we invited the thugs into the academy. You and your collaborators will be punished severely.

Sylvester sat down in an empty chair and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll think of a way to make this public.

Helen immediately prepared a cup of tea.

“By the way, I also told you that I was impatient, why did you doubt my feelings?”

“What?　Are you going back to that?

Dear, who’s in front of you now?

“Syl, but ……”.

I answer, and she smiles at me.

Apparently, he wants me to get Fermina out of my head as soon as possible.

The sudden turn of events had my head spinning, but I guessed that Sylvester was being considerate in his own way.

I’m not afraid of her anymore.

“I hope so. I told you I was narrow-minded, didn’t I?　Why did you doubt my feelings?

(That’s what you have to ask, isn’t it?)

I had a memory that Sylvester had told me he was impatient with me after the tea party where I presented Fermina to him.

“I thought he was teasing me.”

“I thought you were teasing me,” he said, “but you were sure you meant it.”

But you have always been amused by my reactions, haven’t you?

Sylvester, who seemed to be a bit of an eater, told me that you were funny.

That made such an impression on me that I thought all the other words were a play on words.

“Did you mean everything you said?”

“The one to you, yes, but …… don’t tell me you didn’t get a single thing?”

We both look at each other and stop moving.

I can’t believe it.

Claudia is aghast, while Sylvester, as if he had noticed something, covers his face with one hand.

“So you were saying. You told me to be careful not to get caught in my sleep for the fun of it.

“You mean in the carriage.”

Sylvester dropped me off.

I warned him not to play with people too much.

So it was you…

So you were amused at first?

“I was fed up with the childishness of the daughters of my age, and then you came along, who was the talk of the town at the time. It must have been refreshing, right?”

He did not deny it.

Then I asked the question that came to my mind.

What made you change your mind?

“I honestly don’t know. I thought it was interesting during our one-on-one tea ceremony, and I was longing for you to leave without showing any lingering feelings for me.”

(I wanted to leave as soon as possible then. ……)

It seems that her desire to be free from Sylvester was showing in her attitude.

He was a failure as a potential fiancée, but it would have been good if he had attracted her interest as a result.

“When I noticed that you were the only one I was following with my eyes, but you didn’t even look at me.”

“That’s not …… true.”

I was not aware that Sylvester was watching me that much.

If he said he was not consciously looking at me, he might be right.

“The first kiss was just to get his attention. The second kiss convinced me that the feeling was somewhat mutual.

Sylvester is right, Claudia had feelings for him at that time.

But she denied them because of her youth.

She felt guilty and her gaze wandered.

“Dear, I like you because you are mature. I like you because you are mature. But sometimes I get jealous that you are used to men. While you are saving my heart, can you help me with this question?”

Claudia’s breath caught in her throat as her heart was shaken to the core.

This is why Sylvester is so tricky.

“I am surrounded only by my brother.

“Yes, I also checked with Virgil, and he is usually attached to the lady-in-waiting, and there is no sign of a man at all, is there not?

Then you have your answer, don’t you?

That’s why I don’t understand. Where did you learn this trick?

That’s strange.

The air was sweet until Fermina arrived.

Sylvester is all in pursuit.

But if I tell him that I used to be a prostitute, I have a feeling that I’m going to get into trouble.

Claudia had no choice but to deceive.

“I don’t understand. What did you find out about the trick, Sil?”

“She would deliberately take your sleeves and spoil you, she would press her b*****s against you…”

Even a lady-in-waiting would do something like that to attract the ladies’ attention.

I am relieved that only direct actions seem to have left an impression on her.

But I made a mental note to be careful from now on.

So you are saying that the lady-in-waiting is the source of the information?

Don’t you ever listen to what someone has to say in order to get their attention?

“That’s what I do, but I don’t ……”

Apparently, there is more to it than just listening.

Sylvester’s keen intuition is beyond impressive and sends a chill down my spine.

“I swear it. I have never and will never touch another man except Syl. Except for my family, of course.

With these words, Claudia now took Sylvester’s hand in both hers.

“I swear also to your late mother. You know how serious my oath is, don’t you?”

“Yes, that’s why I was converted. Does …… not include your family?”

“I trust you are not that narrow-minded.

What, not even your brother?　I look at Sylvester and he gently averts his gaze.

Sylvester was more possessive than I had imagined.

The father solemnly accepts the agent’s report.

“Okay. Fermina’s registry will be transferred from the Duchess of Lindsay to the abbey.”

Thus, Fermina received the same sentence as Claudia before her.

The only difference was that she was to leave the school before Virgil’s graduation party.

Lilith, Fermina’s mother, did not object to this decision, although she was moved to tears.

She was not imprisoned because of the royal family’s concern that a criminal should not be sent from the house of Sylvester’s fiancée.

Nevertheless, the life in the convent is said to be harsh. Sylvester said with a gentle smile.

“Please make sure you have plenty of guards on the way.”

“Dee, are you still concerned?”

“Just in case we are attacked by wild thieves.”

Virgil shakes his head in concern.

Since we don’t know if the previous thief who attacked Claudia was sent by Fermina, I wanted her to enter the monastery safely.

I don’t want the aftertaste to be bad.

It was a long time ago when I could close my eyes and see Fermina’s smile full of joy.

Now my vision is only darkened.

And when you open your eyelids…

“What’s wrong?”

A bright, silver light burns my eyes.

I was just thinking about you, Fermina.

“She left yesterday, didn’t she? But is she still inside you?

Don’t worry. She’s just about to disappear.”

After the engagement, if you mentioned someone’s name in front of Sylvester, he would always raise his eyebrows, not bothering to hide his jealousy.

I am a serious case of jealousy, too, if I find more pleasure in it than annoyance.

“I wish that were the case. But how long do we have to meet in secret now that we’re engaged?”

“On the surface, you’re still a potential fiancée.”

Today they had rented out the theater and turned the stage into a café.

The tea we drink while looking out at the empty auditorium is tasteless because of its sheer size.

（I wonder how much they are spending in the name of inspection.)

Claudia’s sense of money was different from that of a commoner, but she was able to calculate money, since she had lived a reasonably wealthy life even when she was a prostitute.

She vows to ask not only the owner but also each and every person working in the theater to make sure that they are paid their daily wages.

“But you were exempted from the engagement period, weren’t you?”

“Yes, you can get married once you graduate from the academy.”

According to the precedent, the period of betrothal was also set aside in accordance with customary practice, but it was waived at Sylvester’s request. It is said that the royalists, who respected the custom, had made arrangements so that there would be no dissatisfaction.

“I hope nothing will happen in the next two years.

“Don’t be so ominous. Thanks to Miss Fermina’s evidence, the aristocrats have been nailed to the wall, so they should be fine.

After all, Fermina’s collaborator was a female student from the aristocratic school.

As she shouted as she was leaving, Fermina had the evidence about the female student.

But it was the same with the female student, and the investigation was soon over, thanks to their mutual betrayal and the evidence they had.

(With a lousy result, …… that schoolgirl was a former crony of Claudia’s, wasn’t she?)

More specifically, she was the one who encouraged the thugs to attack Fermina.

She was cooperating with Fermina before, but this time she and Fermina had a falling out.

At that time, Claudia was not interested in her cronies and did not even remember their names except that one of the girls was an aristocrat, so she was unaware of their existence.

Thinking back to the time before the regression, she realizes that she had been guided.

(I can’t make excuses for it because I was the one who made the decision. ……The conflict between royalists and aristocrats is deep-rooted.)

The aristocratic schoolgirls were motivated by antipathy towards the royalists.

They especially didn’t like the fact that the old aristocrats, who have only a long history but no managerial skills, are living a life of elegance.

This alone may not seem to concern Claudia, but she was annoyed that the Duchess of Lindsay, who was a member of the royalist faction but also had a good relationship with the aristocratic faction, seemed to be the only one who was taking advantage of the sweetness of the situation.

The girls approached Fermina in order to make the Duchess of Lindsay fall in line with the aristocratic faction, and to make the Duchess of Lindsay join only one faction.

The only saving grace for the school is that the perpetrators, including the perjurers, were outsiders and not students.

Needless to say, each of them was severely punished.

“It’s a good thing that you didn’t make a bad impression on Louise.

She was involved and then dumped the Dauphin right in front of him.

I had a hard time finding an excuse for her, which would have been unforgivable for Louise, a true royalist and a traditionalist.

But her interpretation differed from Claudia’s.

She thought that I had turned down her offer of engagement because I respected Louise, the other potential fiancée, and to maintain fairness during the candidacy period.

The moment he heard this idea, Claudia was the one who wanted to marry her.

(I swore I would never touch a man, but not a woman, right?)

) Although she had found a connection with Sylvester, she still lacked the vigor of youth.

However, I did not do it because I did not want Sylvester to find out.

Even now his eyes were already hurting.

“You and Miss Louise seem to be getting along well these days, don’t you?

“We are good rivals.

“But you’re not ……

Syl, I’ve been thinking…”

I see the swagger in those golden eyes and change the subject.

Sylvester, perhaps curious about the rest of the story, reluctantly agreed.

“What is it?”

“If Fermina is a bad girl, I was going to be even worse than her.

I thought it was the only way to get back at her.

What makes a woman “evil”?

She was trying to fight Fermina without thinking carefully about what was wrong with her.

You don’t have to fall too.

“You’re right, Sil. I have finally realized that.

Sylvester speaks out the answer that Claudia had arrived at in the face of the villain without hesitation.

Is it because of his keen intuition, or is it simply the way he looks at it from a third person’s point of view?

Either way, it took Claudia a while to find the answer.

“You have changed your mind now, haven’t you?

“Yes. I am not a good person, but I do not want to fall.

She finally realized what she had witnessed in Fermina’s viciousness.

She was unaware of her own “evil.

So was Claudia before her.

Because she was unaware, she could not realize her foolishness and could not correct it.

（If you want to be more than a bad girl, you must never fall.)

(If you want to be more than a bad girl, you must never fall.) In order to do so, you must know “evil” and be wise to evil intentions.

After thinking about what to do, Claudia found the answer in going back to her roots.

“So I have decided to become the perfect lady that your mother wanted.

You’re already a model of what a lady should be, but you want to take it up a notch?

“I think it’s better to have high aspirations, don’t you?”

“I have no complaints about that. ……

I’m glad you agree.

Sylvester wonders if Claudia has made her point.

It was easy to imagine that he was thinking fast.

“You know, Syl, that in aristocratic society, chastity is highly esteemed, don’t you?”

Sylvester, who knew what Claudia wanted to say, twitched at the edges of his mouth.

“You want me to endure this until we are married?”

“It’s hard for me, too.

It is hard for Claudia not to be able to touch the person she loves.

But she has made up her mind.

She decided to be disciplined, to learn righteousness, to become wise to evil.

And prepare for the second and third Fermina.

（I know I am forcing you to be patient, but I don’t want to lose.)

I have someone to protect.

I have someone I love.

I look back into those golden eyes, more beautiful than jewels, and my heart grows fonder.

Someone who is exposed to envy and malice more than anyone else.

But she does not feel it in the slightest.

They were drinking tea on the stage, but both Claudia and Sylvester were living in the moment.

（I’ll go beyond a bad girl to live with you.)

Beyond the bad girls.

They knew they could never be saints.

（I don’t have the power to make everything right.)

I’m just a little person.

That is why I could not choose the means.

I would do whatever I could to achieve my goal, to protect myself and those I cared about.

Even if people call me a “bad girl”.

（I will not fall like Fermina.)

I will be a person who knows right from wrong.

I was a fool before, but now I have the vision to see.

“Dia, sometimes men like bad women.”

A hand is gently extended and rests on Claudia’s hand.

I will not deny you contact that you would not be ashamed to make in public.

Claudia smiles lazily into Sylvester’s golden eyes.

“I know. You have two years of patience.

It was the smile of a perfect lady, the kind of smile that would make even a bad girl run for her life – the kind of smile that would make a perfect bad girl strive for even greater heights.

In the future that opens up.

As winter came and went, the year passed and congratulations arrived from the Kingdom of Bari, located to the south of the Kingdom of Harland.

The news of the birth of the first child of the King of Bari quickly spread to the surrounding countries.

The king’s brother is demoted to second in line of succession to the throne.

Sylvester thinks about his royal brother who is the same age as he is.

Until the birth of his first child, he was, like Sylvester, the heir to the throne.

“Raoul, how do you plan to move?”

The young brown man in my mind’s eye always had a cheerful smile on his face.

I can’t imagine him lying face down.

A bitter thought raises his eyebrows.

“I don’t think I’m going to be able to sit by and watch.”

The news in my hand was that Raul was going to study at the school in the spring, which meant, in effect, that King Bari was going to throw out the king’s brother.

In the time before starting over

At the end of the back alleys of the aristocratic district, there was a section of the so-called “night district.

We walked through the noisy streets lined with bars, relying on the lights.

Ignoring the calls of the revealing women, we walked further and further.

When you finally take a break from the hustle and bustle, you feel as if a hotel suddenly appears in front of you.

This was the place we had come for.

I show my letter of introduction to the doorman and enter the restaurant.

The glow of the chandelier burns my eyes, and for a moment, I frown.

It was as bright as daylight, even though it was already late at night.

“Welcome, my dear. May I show you to your room immediately?”

The doorman must have received a report, because the person who greeted me was the manager of the brothel.

The manager tries to introduce me to other women, but I politely decline.

“I can’t have her hearing about this and being in a bad mood.”

Dee is not that narrow-minded, but if she were a customer, she might be jealous.

We are led to the top floor of the brothel.

The entire floor was her room.

“I have already informed her that you are coming. Please enjoy the rest of your stay.

The manager also leaves the room.

As he was leaving, the manager told him that one of the pleasures of the hotel was to open the door with his own hands.

Unsure of what this meant, I turned the doorknob with my head tilted.

The full extent of the room exposed took my breath away.

No, to be precise, he stopped when he saw the owner of the room turn around to face his visitor.

“I see you have a new visitor.”

The voice was not too high, not too low, but just the right tone to caress the ears.

The interior was calm. Considering the glamour of the brothel’s entrance, it was like being in a different building.

In the midst of it all, the owner of the room was worthy to be called the best.

Her black hair, gently curled into a veil that hung over her white skin, reminded me of a night goddess painted by a master artist.

Her chic dress contrasted with the colors and led the eye to her fine skin.

I find myself spending a lot of time looking at her, and my tongue is wagging.

（I see…this is the fun part.)

(I see, this is the fun part.) The performance of the encounter.

(I see. This is the fun part.) The encounter is staged. It is meaningful because you open it with your own hands, not because someone else opens it for you.

The obscene metaphor is ignored.

“Please come in.

Her words invite you to come in, and you finally take a step forward.

But you are restless.

The sweet aroma that tickled my nose made my heart flutter.

Trying my best to keep my voice from shaking, I pull out a package containing a wad of bills.

“Pretend you spent the night with this,” he said.

I said and lay down on the couch in plain sight.

I turn away, afraid to see her reaction.

It was a silent insistence that I didn’t have to deal with her.

（Next time she’ll probably say no.)

A diplomat from my own country, whom I have known for a long time, introduced me to her, saying that she would be fine.

She was the most discreet of the prostitutes and her secret would be kept.

I was also intrigued by the rumor that she was a former duchess, so I visited her with a light heart.

I felt an overlap with my own life now that I had been deposed and was no longer a member of the royal family.

It would be nice if she thought of me as a partner with whom she would not have to work, but her pride as a prostitute, or even as a woman, must have been damaged.

Her pride would not allow her to do so.

Unusually, I had a desire to get involved with her.

However, I did not have the confidence to do it.

（I hope she will allow me to do it next time.)

I’m just a customer who makes easy money.

I still want to “meet” her again.

Claudia, on the other hand, looked at the customer who was curling her back in her sleep with a puzzled look on her face.

This was the first encounter between Claudia and Raul.

It had already been four months since Claudia had been released from the messy life at the school, including the school festival, and she was enjoying a peaceful life.

When she got out of bed in the morning, her toes felt cold.

A chilly sensation ran down her back, making her shiver.

She wanted to go back to bed immediately, but Helen pulled her robe over her head, and Claudia fought back the desire to go back to bed.

“It’s cold today, isn’t it?”

“Do you want more wood?”

She turned her attention to the fireplace, which was already lit.

“I’m fine. My feet are just a little cold.

I don’t mind it as long as I move my body. It was probably because the room was moderately warm.

It seems to be getting colder earlier than usual this year.

“The leaves haven’t even fallen off the trees yet, and it’s this cold.

Usually, it was not until the trees were bare and the wind was blowing that the weather turned cold.

I wonder if the chocolate will harden too soon?

“I knew you would make it, wouldn’t you, Claudia-sama!

Helen, who had been somewhat depressed at the arrival of winter, becomes happy.

As the season changes from autumn to winter, there is one event that is also important: the “Confetti”.

It is called “Confetti” and was originally born out of a celebration where sweets were given out.

After many twists and turns, it has now become an event where women give handmade sweets to men.

Especially among aristocrats, chocolate is the most common gift.

(I believe the word “confetti” used on stage has the same origin.)

(I believe the word “confetti” comes from the same word used in the stage).

The Kingdom of Harland, with its vast plains, is one of the largest agricultural countries in the world.

The winter off-season is a difficult time of year for farmers, who are forced to rely on their reserves.

Claudia thought that the confetti was an event to dispel such a depressing mood.

Helen’s joyful appearance in front of her was the best answer.

“Many of the young ladies have taken up baking as a result of the confetti,” she said.

“They don’t usually go near the kitchen, do they?

Because of the danger involved in handling fire and knives, the kitchen is basically off-limits to everyone except those involved.

Only during the confetti, however, the daughters are allowed to use the kitchen with some restrictions.

When would you like to cook, Miss Claudia?

I’ll follow the kitchen’s schedule. I will only observe the process.

You don’t make the molds?

Well, that’s about it.

This is how a duchess makes pastries.

She leaves all the time-consuming preparation to the cook, and only participates in the easy, fail-proof process.

When she was a prostitute, she bought chocolates from a candy store and replaced the wrappings.

It is a kind of status to be able to participate in a confetti.

Making chocolate is more time-consuming than baked goods made with flour, such as cookies.

Therefore, commercially available chocolates were expensive, and even if one made chocolates by oneself, one had to entrust the preparation to a cook.

Among the daughters of aristocrats, participation was also a proof of wealth.

(In the city, cookies are given instead of chocolate.)

Last year, I was in mourning, so I refrained from participating in events.

（This year I want to give them to Sil and her brother, Helen and Louise.)

Although it is a basic rule that women give chocolates to men, there are also “tomochocos” (friends’ chocolates).

In fact, the tea parties held at this time of the year are mainly for the exchange of chocolates.

Claudia was also in high spirits when she began to think about specific details such as how to wrap the chocolates.

After all, this was the first time she had been to a confetti with a partner.

“I wonder if Sil is free?”

“You have just received a letter.”

While she is having her hair done, she looks over the letter that arrived this morning.

（The letter arrived this morning while I was having my hair done.)

The letter was mainly about the date of the visit.

He said he would make it work with Claudia’s schedule.

I had hoped to hand-deliver chocolates to her if it was possible, so it was a good thing.

There is no fixed date for the confetti. I have a feeling that it will be over by the new year, but it is still too early to start.

Claudia couldn’t help but shudder when Sylvester sent her a letter that was just the right one, even though it had come up by chance this morning.

“So it’s a museum this time…”

For security reasons, Sylvester always specifies the place where they will go on a date.

Claudia enters the museum, which is ostensibly closed, through the employees-only entrance.

She enters the museum, which is ostensibly closed, carrying a box of chocolates that she has molded and wrapped herself.

Inside, she is ushered in by a familiar knight guarding Sylvester.

“Another grand …….”

I let out a gasp of admiration as I sit down.

I have wished to have a cup of tea while admiring a famous work of art at least once (I never expected it to happen so casually).

（I never thought it would come true.)

The Duke’s family also has a large collection of artworks, but in terms of diversity, it could not compete with the Museum of Fine Arts.

In the center of the main hall, a sofa for two and a table with a cake stand were set up to look at a huge mural depicting miracles wrought by a capricious god.

Normally, there would be no installation to block the flow of people in front of the mural, which is the centerpiece of the museum.

(It is impossible to sit and look at the mural when it is so large.)

The height alone is three to four times that of Claudia. It is difficult to estimate its width.

What was right in front of me was, without a doubt, a wall.

Overwhelmed by the enormity of the mural, I sat down on the sofa, keeping my silver hair at the edge of my vision.

“Good day to you. I’m surprised that the director gave you permission to come here.

“Good day. I did everything I could. I’d like to say …… that even the most beautiful murals are a bit hazy in front of Dia, but I can’t ignore her presence.”

I took the plunge and rented out the museum anyway, but it seems that the set-up was a bit of a failure.

More than the content of the paintings, the sheer size of the work makes it seem oppressive.

“It’s very impressive,” he said.

“I thought it would be fun to be able to see the brush strokes from a distance.

I nodded my head in agreement.

I could see the flow of each individual hair tip, which I normally would not be able to see.

It is a huge work, but it is clear that it was painted with great attention to detail and delicacy.

“You can’t see the whole picture, but it’s interesting in its own way.”

At first I was overwhelmed by the presence of the mural, but once I got used to it, I felt it was not a failure.

“If Dear likes it, I will be more than happy.

My cheeks relax as I feel a sense of relief coming from next to me.

Who would not be happy to be cared so much by Sylvester, the Dauphin?

Feeling a warmth in my heart, I looked into his golden eyes and was enveloped in a sweet atmosphere.

I could not take my eyes off of those glazed eyes.

At this moment, the existence of the mural disappeared from my mind.

The tips of our noses meet, and my eyelids naturally droop.

Still trying to keep contact to a minimum, I pull away before my lips feel a sweet numbness.

“Dear ……”

A regretful voice pulls my hair back.

（No, I’ve decided to be chaste.)

I manage to turn my face away from her and resist the temptation.

But as soon as he put his arm around my waist, my whole body became hot.

“Dear, I love you.”

I had no choice but to give in when Sylvester’s breath caressed my ear and whispered in my ear.

I had no choice but to give in.

In a last stand, I stared at Sylvester with moist eyes.

Sylvester collapsed first.

He leans against Claudia’s side and grips the armrest with both hands as if resisting some impulse.

I wonder if I can attack you now. Is that okay?”

“Don’t ask yourself that disturbing question. Of course not.

In the defense of chastity, even a kiss is on the edge. It’s almost out.

She stops me when I try to pat her back, knowing that the pain is the same for me.

“Please don’t touch me now. …… urgently.”

“Okay.”

I heard a deep breath next, but I pretended not to know anything and reached for my tea.

(It’s amazing that Sil is able to control her sexual desires.)

I am impressed by her mental strength, just like when we were alone in the carriage.

Although I only know what I have heard from the customers in the brothel days, men at that age tend to show their menstrual phenomena.

Of course, there are individual differences, but Sylvester seemed to be having a hard time with it.

(Women do not look much different when they are in heat, after all.)

I have never heard of anyone having a problem with flushed skin.

I look at the mural again for a change of pace.

I was familiar with the murals since I had been to the museum many times.

Miracles wrought by a capricious God.

None of the paintings depicted a retrograde movement.

(I can’t deny that, as long as I have experienced it firsthand).

What is a miracle of God?

(I wonder if I should be recorded as well?).

Just as I was beginning to wonder whether I should write my memoir without going into details, Sylvester comes back to me.

I’m sorry I kept you waiting.

“Don’t worry about it. I hope you don’t mind, but would you accept this?

I hold out a gift box adorned with gold and silver ribbons, which she accepts with a smile.

The first time I had a one-on-one tea party, I had to have someone in between me and the recipient to give him a gift.

Now, I am deeply moved by the fact that I can give them gifts by myself.

(Come to think of it, that letter could have been an exhortation.)

When I received the letter, I fought against the good timing, but it is highly possible that it was sent in anticipation of chocolates.

(It’s natural to be aware of that, isn’t it?　(How could Sil not know about the confetti?).

) But he did not want to be thought of as an extortionist.

I couldn’t help but feel at ease when I imagined how Sylvester must have felt when he wrote the letter.

“May I open it?”

“Yes.”

The way her long white fingers carefully untied the ribbon, I couldn’t help but watch.

The ribbon was removed from the box with a squeak, and fell in a gentle trail to Sylvester’s lap.

When the box is opened, the aroma of rich chocolate tickles the nose.

Inside were six bite-sized pieces of chocolate, half dark chocolate and half milk chocolate, arranged in alternating rows, looking exactly the same as when they were first placed in the box.

The milk chocolate was less sweet than the dark chocolate, to suit Sylvester’s tastes.

The shapes are all hemispherical, which at first glance gives the impression of simplicity, but great care was taken to ensure the smoothness of the surfaces. Not even the slightest scratch or bubble was allowed, and the pieces were carefully selected over and over again.

Claudia was relieved to see that it had not lost its shape.

The taste is guaranteed by the Duke’s chef. The molding was done by me, so there may be some distortions. ……

He spent a great deal of time selecting the best-looking pieces.

It was a figure of speech to convey that he had been involved in the production.

“Well, it’s a pity you can’t say …… right away.”

In his position, everything Sylvester eats has to be tasted.

It is so obvious that Sylvester usually does not pay attention to it, but this time he seemed to be disappointed that he could not eat it first, because he knew it was not poisoned.

“Well, I’ll take the role of poison tester.

She pinched a piece of chocolate and bit into it slightly, as if she was not counted as one of the makers, although it was too much to be called a maker.

Claudia did not want to have a stranger as a poison taker.

Sylvester was unusually taken aback, as he had not expected this turn of events.

“You’ll melt, won’t you?”

“Oh, yes.”

Claudia realized her mistake when she saw Sylvester sucking the chocolate in his mouth with a look of utter disbelief, as if he had not expected it to be delivered directly to his mouth.

(Right, don’t you usually take a plate and cut out the poisoned part with a knife?)

If Martha, the maid of honor, had been here, she would have been lamented for her shamelessness.

I was a prostitute and got carried away.

(Some of them even kept it for later …… because it was natural to feed it to their customers.)

I took out my handkerchief, thinking it would be a bad idea to lick it off after it had melted at body temperature, and Sylvester grabbed my half-raised wrist.

“What?”

I was surprised, and at the same time, I felt a warm, slippery sensation on my fingertips.

A chirp sound is heard, and Sylvester’s thin lips are on the tip of my wrist.

“Sil?

“It would be a shame to leave behind the delicious chocolate, wouldn’t it?”

The sight of his tongue peeking out and his mischievous smile makes you dizzy.

Her eyes, like hot, stringy candy, were filled with sweet light, and her long, silver lashes were wet with gold.

I look down at the glamorous red dancing on her lower lip, and my head boils.

The scent was even richer than the chocolate I had prepared for her.

My w***e self waves the white flag.

(I lost. ……)

I can’t put into words what.

I watch Sylvester raise himself up, still holding my wrist.

“Dear!”

I hear a voice call out, echoing in my loins, and my vision darkens.

I don’t remember what conversation we had after that.

I only know that Helen worried about me a lot when I got back to the house.

（That was a foul!)

The tongue that licked off the chocolate is burned in her mind and will never leave.

Claudia fainted every time she thought about it.

Claudia was in the kitchen with Helen for the “Confetti”, an event where women give homemade sweets to men.

It is no exaggeration to say that there is always a fire going in the kitchen, and even as winter approaches, sweat drips from the kitchen during the busy season.

The chef and Claudia greeted each other nervously, looking at the condensation on the window with a sideways glance.

“I’m looking forward to working with you today.

“I’m at your service.”

The head chef bowed, and all the waiting chefs followed his lead.

The air was tense and I could see that they were nervous not to be rude.

（I guess that’s just the way it is, huh?)

As a duchess, Claudia rarely has the opportunity to meet the cooks.

Even the head chef often had to have a butler in between.

Helen was in charge of the arrangements for this event.

I will leave the preparation of the chocolates to you, as I had informed you. I’m just curious about the procedure, can you explain it to me?”

She did not have any information about the cooking process, except that it was time-consuming.

(Your mother used to prepare all the chocolates for the exchange.)

Thinking about it, it was my first time to be in the kitchen. No wonder the cooks were nervous.

Helen was the only one among them who had a relationship with both parties.

Perhaps because I had told her my questions in advance, the chef’s explanation was very easy to understand.

“You went to a lot of trouble to prepare the ingredients for each step of the process.

“I thought it would be easier for you to understand if you saw it.

“Yes, it is very easy to understand. Thank you.”

The cacao beans were divided into small bowls, and the process of changing their shape, from sorting the beans, to roasting, to peeling, to grinding, was shown step by step. Thanks to this, we could grasp the process at a glance.

Hearing the number of balls prepared and the time required for each ball, I understood the breakdown of the labor involved.

(At first glance, it seems to be a series of simple tasks, but it’s so daunting!)

) The process may look simple, but the temperature control requires craftsmanship, and is not something that can be handled by an amateur.

The main chocolate was already waiting to be molded.

Imagining the labor involved, I thanked the chefs once again.

“It must have been a lot of work to get here.　I’m glad you’re with me.

“It is a great honor. It is our honor to work for the Duke’s family, so please don’t worry about it. We have prepared a sweet and a mild version, as you requested. Would you like a taste?”

There were two main types of chocolate, dark chocolate and milk chocolate.

The milk chocolate was available in sweetened and unsweetened versions to suit individual tastes.

“Please!”

I took the spoon from the chef and let the melted chocolate flow over my tongue.

My cheeks lit up at the unusual, thick texture of the chocolate.

The aroma of the chocolate, even richer than that of the hot chocolate, escapes my nose and fills my mouth with happiness.

The kitchen had been filled with a sweet aroma since Claudia entered the kitchen, but the density of the aroma was different.

The absence of any cloying taste was a marvel. Even the most expensive chocolates have a low quality.

“Delicious. The texture is perfect. What a wonderful skill you have!

The chef was momentarily taken aback by Claudia’s heartfelt praise, and then bowed his head in a state of deep emotion.

She laughs at the tears in his voice and says that he is overreacting.

However, as I looked around, I saw that the chefs around me were also in tears.

“Everyone is happy that Claudia-sama has recognized you.

Helen’s words make me think a little.

Thinking back, I had never directly expressed my appreciation.

“I was careless. I’ve always thought the food was delicious, but I haven’t given you guys a voice.”

I had taken for granted the deliciousness of the food and had become insensitive to how much I appreciated it.

“Thank you for everything. Your cooking is the pride of our home.”

Although I have digressed from the chocolate, it is fortuitous to be able to express my gratitude in the faces of all the cooks.

By the time the cooks had regained their composure, the kitchen was filled with a friendly atmosphere.

(Oh, is that ……?)

(Oh, is that ?) I look over to see a familiar dark-haired figure at the end of the corridor wall.

“Claudia-sama?”

“Shhh.”

I raised my index finger at Helen and quietly approached the wall so as not to be noticed.

After confirming that the other person has not disappeared, Claudia turns her head toward the corridor with a start.

“Brother, peeping is not in good taste.

“No, this is not, this is not ………”

Virgil’s voice trails off, as if he didn’t expect to be caught.

“What’s the difference?”

You’re caught red-handed when you’re hiding and watching the scene instead of showing your face.

Virgil is visibly nervous when Claudia gives him the cold shoulder.

“The sweet smell lured me in.”

“…… let’s put it that way, shall we?”

In the spacious duke’s house, one would have to be in the vicinity of the kitchen in the first place to notice the wafting aroma.

The kitchen should not be included in Virgil’s route of travel, so it was a moot point.

(You overheard that I am going to make chocolates today, didn’t you?)

“Were you worried if there were enough for your brother?”

“No, no, it’s not that, it’s just that …… your true love is Syl, right?”

I do not deny it.

In fact, it is.

But that didn’t mean we planned to make a big difference in the content.

“It’s still cooking, please take it away. …… Oh, yes!”

Claudia suddenly claps her hands together and Virgil tilts his head.

“Could your brother have a word with the cooks?　We don’t get to see each other very often, do we?”

Virgil tends to keep his distance from the servants, especially since his mother still teaches him.

When I suggested that it would be a good idea once in a while, Virgil immediately agreed, perhaps feeling guilty for having come to peek in on him.

The kitchen is excited when not only the duchess but also the incoming duke expresses his gratitude.

The cooks are delighted, and Virgil seems to be not too happy about it.

I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have to tell you this.

“Since your brother has flown out, I’ll be the last to give it to you.

“What?”

This time, Claudia was expressing her own opinion that the act of “peeping” itself was not acceptable, even if she did not condemn it.

Helen and I watched Virgil’s back as he went back to his room with a slumped shoulder.

“Shall we get back on track and make the molds for the chocolates?

He asked the head chef to prepare the same tools for Helen.

“Excuse me, Claudia?”

“I don’t feel comfortable working alone with everyone watching me. So, Helen, I want you to do it with me.”

Helen rolls her eyes as she continues, “You can keep the finished chocolates for yourself.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, it’s fine. You can give them to anyone you like. …… Oh, and if you give them to a man, let me know who it is you’re giving them to.

Claudia’s words cause the male cooks to become suddenly frenzied.

Their reactions showed Helen’s popularity.

(She works for the duke’s family, so I’m sure there won’t be any strange people.)

If there is someone to give it to, a background check is a must.

Claudia looked at Helen with a wry smile and shook her head.

My father is the only male friend I have. But I couldn’t get duke’s chocolates even when I was a …… countess, you know?”

Helen was horrified, wondering if she would be allowed to be anything more than a maid of honor.

“It’s okay, I was originally planning to give them away at the house if there were any left over.

She had rather had the ingredients stocked up, including those for the servants.

Helen seemed to lose some of her reserve and smiled.

“I’m so happy to be able to make chocolates with you, Claudia-sama.

“Me too. This is the first time I’m making something with someone.

Even if it’s just pouring chocolate into a mold.

Anything is fun when it’s just the two of us.

The two of them stood in the kitchen together like sisters, a sight that would later become the talk of the cooks.

After sorting the hardened chocolates and placing the best ones in palm-sized boxes, the only thing left to do is the wrapping.

Claudia had prepared a variety of ribbons to do this with Helen.

“Claudia, I only need enough for my parents,” she said.

Again, Helen is reserved, saying that she does not need to wrap the gifts since she is only giving them to her parents.

But Claudia would have none of it.

“You’re so insensitive, Helen. I want to have s*x with you.

Do what your husband wants!　Helen’s eyes are moist.

She thought I was trying to be considerate.

“It’s lonely to work alone, like in the kitchen. Even if there are other people around.

After all, Claudia has memories of being a prostitute.

While some prostitutes gave the customers chocolates as they were bought in the store, Claudia and Helen were busy rewrapping them by themselves.

No matter how troublesome things are, we can overcome them with a smile if we have friends.

Knowing this from firsthand experience, Claudia did not back down.

“So this is just what I want to do. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I’m sorry, I’m not very good at this.”

“I’m sorry I’m not good enough for you.”

He lifts his chin as if he’s trying to be big, and we both laugh at each other.

They put the ribbons for wrapping on the table and discussed how to tie them.

“Would you like a wavy bow for Syl?”

“Yes, I think so. Curling ribbons are gorgeous, but they are too pretty.

We made the shape in our hands and checked if it was consistent with the image of the person.

(I think it’s best to do it while discussing it.)

But for the gift to Helen, I had to make sure that she would not recognize it.

“So you are giving gifts to people other than Miss Louise?

“Yes, I have been invited to several tea parties.

It is becoming customary to give chocolates to the host of the tea party at this time of the year.

The host added chocolates to the sweets he serves at the tea party.

I’ll make some extra in case something happens. You should prepare some too, Helen.

“Me too?”

Helen, who had no one to give it to but her parents, tilted her head.

“I have a feeling.”

Claudia’s hunch is proven as the confetti heats up.

After the evening training, while Helen makes her a cup of tea, Claudia reaches for her gifts.

Among the chocolates delivered to Claudia, she selects one for Helen.

“Yes, these are for Helen.

The recipients are Helen’s former friends.

Although they had lost touch with Helen for a while due to her disappearance, they had resumed contact with her after the confetti.

The problem was that the nobles did not give anything to the commoners except for alms.

Therefore, the friends of Helen, a noblewoman, used Claudia as a cover. Rather, it was Claudia who suggested the idea when she was asked at a tea party or a party what Helen was up to.

Claudia received daily gifts of friendship. It was not surprising to find a name that she had not had much contact with.

“Thank you very much. Thank you for everything.

“I’m glad I could help. You were right to bring extra chocolate, weren’t you?”

It was difficult for Helen, a commoner, to send chocolates in return to a noblewoman, but with Claudia in between, no one would see it as a problem.

“But I don’t want to bother you, Claudia-sama. ……”

“What are you talking about, you’re not the one who actually does it.”

Sending a message in Claudia’s name will cause speculation about her relationship with the other daughter.

The recipient would not be conspicuous, but the sender’s status as a duchess required consideration.

Therefore, the return gift was handed from Helen to the lady-in-waiting of the duchess.

Like their masters, the maidservants often became acquainted with each other at tea ceremonies or in the waiting room of parties. It was not unusual for the maidens to serve as mailboxes because they did not need a third party to receive their mail.

In this case, it was implicitly agreed to be private, so the maidens did not reveal the sender’s name to anyone.

“I’m still borrowing your name, sir.

“You’re very polite.”

For Claudia, it was a small matter.

It was thanks to Helen that Claudia was able to survive in the whorehouse during her years as a prostitute.

Considering the favors she received from Helen, she still owes her a debt of gratitude that is far from enough.

（But would it be too much of an ego trip to go any further?)

For Helen, it is as if she is returning a favor to me that she has no knowledge of.

It was no wonder that she felt it was a one-sided charity and a burden to her.

(It wasn’t just about repaying a favor, though.)

I just wanted him to be happy.

I reach for Helen’s hair as she sits down, unable to find the right words to express my feelings.

The maid of honor had her own hat. They were to keep their hair from falling out after the cleaning.

Normally Helen also wore a hat with her hair pulled up, but now she took it off for the exercise.

When she took off the hair clip, Helen’s long hair fell down.

“Miss Claudia?”

“I’m done with my work hours, is that alright?”

Helen’s hair brushed her shoulders and spread, and at the same time there was a scent.

Strangely enough, it coincided with the scent I remembered (unlike when I was a prostitute).

(Maybe it was because, unlike when I was a prostitute, I didn’t wear perfume but had the same …… body odor.)

I don’t know how to express the sense of relief that I felt when my whole body was relaxed.

I comb my hair with my hands, which is different and unruly from my own.

The tips of my hair were damaged, as if the care of it was too much for a maid of honor. My heart aches at the reality.

Their relationship has changed.

I really wanted her to be more friendly to me.

(That’s too much to hope for, isn’t it? ……)

I’m sure I could say it out loud and Helen would follow. But I don’t want that.

I want to close the distance naturally.

I keep a lid on my selfishness, thinking that it is enough for her to be alive and well, even though my feelings for her are growing.

Helen is still kind to Claudia, and she is still her big sister, even though they are now siblings.

“I’ve been wondering how to say this…”

“Yes.”

Helen let Claudia do what she wanted to do, even though she tickled her from time to time.

However, when Claudia stopped combing her hair and stood up, she was very upset.

“No, I just want to get something,” she said.

But I’ll take it then.

Helen still tries to stand up, but is restrained by the movement of her hand.

What Claudia wanted to take was a chocolate wrapped with a curling ribbon.

Too pretty to give to Sylvester, but just right for Helen.

For Helen’s sweet tooth, all the chocolates are sweetened milk chocolate.

The six bite-sized chocolates in the box were all shaped differently so that the taste would be the same and the appearance would be pleasing to the eye. Some of them were shaped like roses or leaves. The heart-shaped ones were coated with red-colored cocoa butter.

The chocolate is placed in front of Helen, and Claudia herself moves to the back.

She hugged Helen with the back of her chair.

It was a light embrace, but Helen’s body bounced with surprise.

“Claudia!

“I love you, Helen.”

There were no other words to express her feelings.

She had always encouraged and inspired her.

“I love you ……”

I learned the soft warmth of a woman’s heart from Helen, not from my mother.

My eyes are burning with the overflowing feelings. Tears distorted her vision.

“I’m a heavy woman, aren’t I?”

“No, no, ……!”

Helen’s arm is released and she turns around and our eyes meet.

The expression on her face, as if she were looking in a mirror, caught me off guard.

Helen’s hands are wrapped tightly around my back and she hugs me back.

“Me too!　I love you too, Claudia-sama!

She affirmed her feelings with all her might, and a drop of water ran down her cheek.

I felt a mixture of happiness and sadness at not being able to call her “Dee.

I said, “I adore you. It sounds strange to say. That’s how much I love you too!　That’s why I’m so happy!”

I felt I had to say something, but my lips were trembling.

My heart is boiling hotly.

（What do you call me? It doesn’t matter what you call me.)

Not now.

Claudia and Helen have tomorrow.

If they keep getting closer, they will be able to call each other by their nicknames someday.

We’re in love, aren’t we?

“Yes, we are.”

We both put our foreheads together and laugh.

Their hair was brushing against each other’s chest.

Claudia thinks about how precious and valuable this time is.

“Claudia, may I join you?”

“Yes?”

After making herself comfortable, Helen stood up. Claudia is made to sit down in her place.

A chocolate wrapped with a black and blue ribbon was placed in front of her.

The shape of the ribbon was the same as the one Claudia had given to Helen.

In addition, there is a small stuffed bear made of cloth.

“I know it’s the same thing, but I thought that handmade chocolates would be better than store-bought ones. But since Claudia prepared them for me, I added a stuffed bear in my own way.

“Did you sew the stuffed animals?”

Yes, I did. I am afraid that my embroidery is not as good as Claudia’s, and I am not very good at it.

“I’m so happy!”

She jumps with joy at the unexpected return.

“I am so happy!　Where shall I put it?”

The hand-sized bear was comfortable to the touch.

I want to keep it forever, but I’m worried about damaging it.

“Would you like it on your bedside table?　”Yes, something I can look at before I go to bed and after I wake up.”

Beside Claudia, who is seriously considering the idea, Helen shrinks her body with a blush on her cheeks.

“I’m glad you like it, but, you know, it’s an amateur’s work, and if people look at it too much, it’s going to show off its flaws.

“It’s a wonderful work, isn’t it?　Even if there are imperfections, they are still adorable.

You can feel that Helen sewed it by hand.

Claudia felt more at home when she saw that it was not finished.

Helen has nothing to say to Claudia, who smiles broadly.

“If it makes you happy, Claudia-sama, there’s nothing more I can do for you…”

“Well, I’m sure the bedside table will attract the attention of the maid of honor who has come to make the bed.

“Claudia?”

The other ladies-in-waiting know that Helen was sewing stuffed animals, don’t they?

“I know, but ……”

Helen tilted her head, not understanding Claudia’s intention.

“Don’t you think it would be a good idea for me to hang it here so you can see how much we love each other?”

“Claudia!

I can mount up and say that there is no room between us.

It seemed like a good idea, and Claudia decided to place the bear under her pillow.

“Helen must know that I am here.”

From the looks of the cooks, Helen seemed to be very popular.

It was easy to imagine that the word would spread from the maids of honor to the male servants.

This would give them a bit of a check.

“I won’t let you touch Helen so easily.”

Claudia declares with her hands on her hips, while Helen only blushes.