IBDF 05

Chapter 5

The little girl standing before her did not seem nervous in the slightest.

No—if anything, she was looking at her with eyes full of expectation.

The corners of her tightly pressed lips curled up faintly, making her already plump cheeks look even puffier.

It’s been a long time since I’ve met a child who wasn’t afraid of me.

Not since her daughter had grown up, at least.

Lady Hayworth’s famously strict and rigid personality had ensured that every child feared her.

Because of that, the irritation weighing on her mood eased just a little.

I had no intention of going for a walk…

Still, she could hardly embarrass a child who had come all this way to see her.

Lady Hayworth rose gracefully from her seat and straightened her back.

“If you wish to walk with me, then I suppose I can indulge you. Come along. The garden path is this way.”

Naturally, she assumed the bold little girl would come toddling after her.

However—

“No! I don’t want to walk with you, my lady.”

Rowena’s reply shattered everyone’s expectations.

An instant silence fell, and Lady Hayworth’s face turned cold.

“…What did you say?”

Her patience had already been stretched to its limit today. That meant she was fully prepared to show no mercy, even to a child.

“Do you even understand what you are saying?”

As Lady Hayworth glared in anger, the teacher who had been flattering her moments ago turned pale and cried out,

“R-Rowena! What nonsense are you saying?! M-My lady, I sincerely apologize. The child must be mistaken—”

“It’s not a misunderstanding! I said I wanted a chance to learn your elegance, didn’t I?”

But Rowena was faster.

She smiled sweetly with her round eyes curving like crescents and skipped lightly to Lady Hayworth’s side.

“You know, I think your way of speaking is really elegant, my lady. So… I’d like to read a book to you!”

“…Read a book?”

“Yes! I thought it might help me improve my speech if I read aloud with you. Would that be alright?”

Rowena looked up at Lady Hayworth with sparkling emerald-green eyes.

“…Hah.”

At that expectant expression, Lady Hayworth let out a short laugh.

It sounded almost incredulous, making the teacher’s face grow even paler.

Just as the teacher hurriedly reached for Rowena’s arm before punishment could fall—

Lady Hayworth raised a hand and spoke.

“Henry. Prepare a place inside the manor where the child and I may read together.”

“At once, my lady. Shall I prepare anything else?”

Lady Hayworth’s cold gaze swept over Rowena once.

Bright, sparkling green eyes stared back at her.

After a brief pause, Lady Hayworth added,

“Prepare some refreshments and drinks suitable for a child as well.”

Yes!

That was the moment Rowena silently celebrated in triumph.

* * *

Inside the manor.

“Your name was Rowena, was it not? Tell me. Why did you do that?”

At Lady Hayworth’s stern voice, Rowena blinked her wide eyes innocently.

“Hm? Do what?”

“Do not pretend ignorance. I already know you did not truly wish to read to me. You kept glancing at me the entire time.”

“Ah… I tried really hard to hide it, though.”

So it was obvious? Hehe.

As Rowena laughed awkwardly, Lady Hayworth’s lips curved slightly upward.

“It was obvious from the tea gathering onward, so stop trying to deceive me. Why did you do it? Did you think I was ridiculous?”

“Of course not!”

Rowena waved her hands frantically before lowering her voice into a whisper.

“You’re sensitive to pollen too, aren’t you, my lady?”

“…What?”

“When Martin sneezed earlier, I saw you sneeze a little too. The flower garden was uncomfortable for you, wasn’t it?”

That was why she had been lenient with Martin. And why the teacher’s excessive flattery had secretly irritated her.

That old doctor always said older people tend to have weaker noses and throats.

Someone as elderly as Lady Hayworth would naturally struggle more with all the pollen drifting through the air.

The problem was that she cared deeply about maintaining dignity.

“So I thought it’d be better if we went inside where you’d feel more comfortable! That’s all.”

“So you kept glancing at me because you noticed that?”

“No, not exactly…”

For the first time, Rowena pressed her lips together tightly and hid her face behind the open book she was holding.

Then she lowered it halfway so only her eyes peeked over the top and asked softly,

“May I tell you the truth?”

Even though hiding behind a book would never protect her from an adult’s anger, the attempt itself was strangely adorable.

Lady Hayworth let out an involuntary chuckle.

“Very well. Speak.”

“Actually… I needed some time alone with you, my lady.”

“Alone with me?”

“Yes. There’s something I wanted to ask of you.”

At those words, the softness on Lady Hayworth’s face faded again.

“You? Asking me for something?”

“Yes. Will you hear me out?”

“Ridiculous.”

Lady Hayworth’s face became cold once more.

“A mere child scheming to make requests? How impudent. Even the most influential people in this region would not dare ask favors of me. Why should I grant the request of someone like you? Be grateful I’m not punishing you immediately simply because you are young.”

As if her icy reaction were not enough, Lady Hayworth picked up the bell beside her and called for the butler.

“Henry! Fetch the teacher and have this child escorted out.”

At those words, Rowena’s heart dropped.

I knew she wouldn’t agree immediately, but…

She had never expected such a harsh reaction just from mentioning a request.

What if she got thrown out and punished after all?

I don’t want to get locked in solitary confinement!

And beyond that, if she missed this opportunity, she might never get another chance to speak privately with Lady Hayworth again.

No—she definitely wouldn’t.

She had worked so hard just to create this opportunity!

Then, before she could even think things through, the words burst out of her mouth.

“M-My Lady Hayworth!”

“What is it?”

“W-Well, um…”

Calling out had taken courage, but the moment she faced Lady Hayworth’s terrifying expression, her mind went completely blank.

In the end, there was only one thing Rowena could say.

“W-When we say goodbye by the carriage… c-could I maybe kiss your cheek?”

“…What?”

“I-I might get scolded by the teacher otherwise…”

Anything but solitary confinement…

Please…

* * *

To put it simply, Rowena succeeded in kissing Lady Hayworth on the cheek.

The orphanage teachers were overjoyed that a child had managed to earn Lady Hayworth’s affection.

And the other children applauded Rowena’s bravery for hanging a bell around the neck of a cat—

No, a tiger.

“You’re seriously brave, Rowena!”

“I see you differently now!”

“Martin said to give you this apple since he avoided solitary confinement thanks to you.”

After the events at the Hayworth estate, Rowena received admiration and envious looks everywhere she went.

In other words, she was enjoying the greatest spotlight of her life.

But—

“…Maybe I should just die…”

The person at the center of it all was in terrible condition.

The reason was simple.

Rowena, you idiot! Moron! Was a kiss really the only thing you could think to say?!

She was utterly miserable over wasting her chance to speak privately with Lady Hayworth.

As soon as she returned to the orphanage, Rowena threw herself onto her bed and sobbed into her pillow.

I’m worse than a rotten apple! Even if someone threw me into a field, I wouldn’t even make good fertilizer!

How could she waste such a perfect opportunity?!

Even if she had ended up in solitary confinement, she should’ve talked about the request!

Lady Hayworth would never give her another chance now!

…But solitary confinement is still scary…

Sniff.

What was she supposed to do now?

Dying sounds even worse than solitary confinement.

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t come up with a good solution.

Crying softly to herself, Rowena eventually fell asleep.

But for some reason—

The next morning, after waking with swollen eyes, a shocking piece of news awaited her.

“Rowena! Rowena! What are you doing, you little brat?! Hurry and get ready!”

“H-Huh? But teacher, it’s still morning. We’re not going anywhere today—”

“No! Lady Hayworth has requested that you be brought to her immediately! Hurry and prepare yourself!”

The teacher barked that she’d be severely punished if she delayed, then stormed out.

Normally, Rowena would have grumbled.

But this time was different.

As she processed the situation, a smile slowly spread across her tiny face.

“Long live kisses!”

She was going to see Lady Hayworth again!