Chapter 10
Just as the question crossed his mind, the carriage arrived at the ducal estate and came to a stop.
Seymour stepped out first, then effortlessly lifted Rowena into one arm. The sudden rise in height made her eyes widen in surprise.
Whoa!
It felt like riding a swing!
A really, really high swing!
Every time Seymour strode forward through the estate, her view shifted dramatically from side to side. Because his steps were so large, a distance that would have forced her tiny legs into a frantic trot disappeared in a single stride.
This feels amazing!
If she followed her impulses, she would have kicked her legs excitedly. But if she did that, she would definitely kick Seymour by accident. And if she kicked him, what if he threw her away on the spot?
Stay still.
What if he decided she was annoying and never carried her again?
Still… if he’s being considerate like this, maybe he doesn’t hate me after all.
Hehe!
The gloom that had almost settled over Rowena vanished instantly, replaced by soaring excitement.
Maybe next time I can even ask him to carry me again.
Of course, this could also be the first and last time…
Another reason to conquer the duke had just been added to Rowena’s growing list.
While she secretly burned with determination, the mansion doors opened and a young butler hurried outside.
“Welcome back, Your Grace. But the child beside you is…?”
“She’s a child my mother-in-law entrusted to me. Apparently, she wants me to keep her here.”
Conveniently leaving out the part where he had been told to raise the child, Seymour delivered a heavily edited version of the truth.
Despite the vague explanation, the young butler, Hugo, understood the situation immediately. He was already accustomed to his master’s lack of detail.
“I understand. Then I shall escort her inside. Young miss, this way please.”
“…!”
The moment Hugo extended his arms toward her, Rowena’s eyes—still glued to Seymour—rounded like those of a startled rabbit.
I have to get down already?
I barely got to ride—!
What if the duke never carries me again after this?
Ah, whatever!
Rowena suddenly wrapped both arms tightly around Seymour’s neck.
“…!”
Every adult present froze.
The one most horrified by this completely unexpected development was Hugo Lyle, the young butler of House Somerset.
W-What do I do?!
His master, Seymour, had an atrocious personality.
Calling it “atrocious” was actually being generous because he was the master. In truth, he was extremely awful.
The only person capable of handling Seymour—who resembled a rabid dog more than a human being—had been a single woman.
Madam.
Rose Hayworth, Seymour’s wife.
She had been like a rose blooming from gathered sunlight itself.
After her death, the Seymour who had at least behaved somewhat like a person completely lost control and spiraled into ruin.
For nearly a year now, Hugo’s daily routine had consisted of cleaning up Seymour’s empty liquor bottles in the morning and hearing reports of the chaos he caused by nightfall.
And now… a child?
What on earth was the dowager duchess thinking?!
Certain Seymour would immediately fling the child away in annoyance, Hugo squeezed his eyes shut before quickly stepping in to salvage the situation.
“Y-Your Grace. The young miss is probably just startled. I shall take her, so—”
“Take your filthy hands off.”
But the one who got pushed away was not the child.
With a sharp smack, Seymour slapped Hugo’s hand aside and glared at him with chilling eyes.
“You dare try to touch a child without even wearing gloves? Have you lost your mind?”
After graduating from a professional butler academy and inheriting his father’s role as butler of House Somerset…
Never once had Hugo imagined words spoken without thought would ever leave his mouth.
At least, not until this moment.
“P-Pardon?”
“Must I repeat myself twice? She is a child entrusted to us by the dowager duchess. If she catches some illness because you touched her carelessly, will you take responsibility?”
“T-That’s…”
When Hugo stammered unlike his usual composed self, Seymour clicked his tongue irritably.
“I’ll bring the child inside myself. Tell Eirly to take care of her. Leaving her with an idiot like you would destroy Somerset’s dignity within a day.”
“M-My apologies.”
As Hugo bowed deeply, Seymour finally withdrew his displeased gaze and continued walking.
Only then did Rowena cautiously open one eye.
So… I don’t have to get down?
She had only understood about half the conversation, but she grasped one important thing:
Apparently, she was allowed to cling to him a little longer.
Yay!
With an adult’s stride, traversing the corridor took no time at all.
Then again, maybe Seymour only seemed that fast because he was so much larger and taller than everyone else.
After only a few long steps, Rowena suddenly found herself in a tea room furnished with plush sofas.
Only then did Seymour finally set her down.
“Someone will come look after you soon, so sit quietly and wait here.”
“Can’t I follow you, Duke?”
“Hugo, bring tea and desserts.”
“I’ll stay here quietly!”
I’m really good at sitting quietly.
As if determined to demonstrate the pinnacle of obedience, Rowena quickly climbed onto the sofa and sat primly.
Watching her switch attitudes in an instant, Seymour let out an incredulous scoff before leaving the room.
Soon afterward, Hugo returned with a tray carrying an assortment of desserts and a steaming cup that released a fragrant aroma.
That smell was…!
“Hot chocolate!”
And not the cheap cocoa powder mixed into milk, either.
This was rich, authentic hot chocolate bursting with real chocolate flavor!
How many times had the children at the orphanage drooled over advertisements in newspaper flyers?
Would it be selfish to ask Teacher for hot chocolate as a birthday present?
But we already get cake on birthdays. Even if it only has a tiny bit of cream on top.
I want cake…
At her age, sweets were irresistible.
The children occasionally received desserts through donations or tea party invitations, but it was never enough.
The Townsend orphanage children would cut pictures of delicious foods from advertisements and pin them to the wall while swallowing their saliva longingly.
Rowena was no different.
Watching her practically scrape the cup clean, Hugo smiled warmly.
“My, I wasn’t sure whether it would suit your taste.”
“It’s really, really delicious!”
The food she had eaten at the Hayworth estate had also been wonderful, of course.
But hot chocolate was a completely new kind of bliss.
And an entire cup all for herself?!
The trip to House Somerset already felt worthwhile from the hot chocolate alone.
Licking the remaining chocolate from her lips after emptying the cup, Rowena thought:
People who give me tasty food are people who like me.
And the duke had given her hot chocolate.
Then…
Maybe the duke actually liked her after all?
Of course, there were also people whose affection was obvious even without giving her food.
Like…
“Hello there, young miss. My name is Eirly.”
Right! Someone exactly like this!
Rowena lowered her cup and looked up with bright eyes. A woman with her hair neatly pinned up in soft curls was standing before her.
The moment their eyes met, Eirly beamed at her. Like a child seeing a fountain in midsummer, she looked unable to contain her delight.
“It seems the hot chocolate was very much to your liking, young miss.”
“It was super, super delicious! How did you know?”
“Hehe, anyone who saw you right now would know.”
Eirly gently wiped Rowena’s cheek with a handkerchief, revealing a smear of sticky chocolate.
“…!”
Rowena’s cheeks instantly turned red—not with chocolate this time, but embarrassment.
