92.

After a brief but intense debate, I opened the box. Inside, it was packed with colorful, jewel-like sugar candies.

I carefully picked out a purple one, Norma’s favorite.

“…”

Seeing Norma patiently waiting, his eyes closed without a hint of suspicion, made my fingertips tremble for some inexplicable reason. It was maddening how easily I got flustered over something so trivial.

‘What if I were to give him poison? He’s letting his guard down completely.’

With an odd sense of irritation at his trust, I carefully placed the candy into his mouth.

Norma’s eyes sparkled as he tasted the sweetness. Our eyes met as one of his cheeks puffed out with the candy.

I counted silently in my head. Based on experience, he would surely—

‘As expected.’

The moment our gazes locked, a smile slowly tugged at the corners of his mouth. Watching his lips curve upward in that slow, lazy arc, I felt satisfied that I’d given him what he wanted.

‘He’s so delighted by a simple candy. Who knew he’d love sweets this much at his age?’

I couldn’t look away from his chipmunk-like puffed cheek. It was adorable how this grown man could look so endearing with a mouthful of candy.

“It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

Despite myself, my lips curved upward. I felt his gaze land on my smile, and he chuckled, the candy still in his mouth, as he slowly pulled his lips away.

“The box… should stay with you, Aisa.”

My grip on the box tightened as my eyes unconsciously focused on his moving lips.

“That way, each time I come here, you can feed me one.”

Unexpectedly, I felt an urge to kiss those lips. The realization that I was capable of such shameless desires, regardless of time or place, left me feeling a bit hopeless.

Norma’s lips moved again, and I tried to suppress my unruly thoughts with whatever stern thoughts I could muster.

“It would make me very happy.”

“If that’s what brings you joy, then fine.”

“Now I’ll have a reason to come to the study more often.”

“…”

“And…”

The next moment, Norma’s lips brushed against mine, a light touch that left a lingering sweetness, even though there was no deep kiss.

It was clear that he’d noticed my inability to look away from his lips.

“I hope you come back soon today. I’ll be waiting.”

Norma let out a soft sigh, murmuring into my ear. Already feeling tense, I nearly let out a yelp at the gentle breeze of his breath.

The last glimpse I had was of his reddened neck. In the blink of an eye, he was gone, leaving me gripping the windowsill, staring at the spot where he’d stood.

“This is ridiculous. Completely insane.”

I muttered curses to no one in particular, then felt my legs give out as I slid down, clutching the windowsill for support.

‘I should stash sugar candies all over the estate. The finest ones available. Maybe next time I’ll fill his room with extravagant flowers to really shock him… What lavish surprise should I spring on him next?’

I buried my heated face in my hands, wracking my brain. The overwhelming reaction he’d shown to a single piece of candy left me unable to think straight.

Just then, the sudden sound of someone kicking the door snapped me out of my daze.

“Gah!”

Startled by the loud noise, I jumped up from where I’d been sitting.

Turning toward the source, I saw Erika, her face a mask of chilly disdain.

“Are you quite finished?”

“Wh-what? How long have you been there?”

“Let’s see… since the moment you fed the lady of the house a candy?”

Erika’s tone was dripping with sarcasm. She was both exasperated by the gall of the lady’s nerve to do whatever she pleased, knowing full well Erika had arrived, and irritated by having witnessed yet another show of public affection, having just received a scolding from Mrs. Seymour the other day.

I, of course, had no idea about this. All I knew was that I was mortified at having been caught feeding Norma Diazi candy and sharing a kiss in the supposedly sacred study, in broad daylight no less.

“Wasn’t it enough that you were with her all night? You just had to summon her to the study for a little romance too?”

“Romance? That’s not… We’re married! How is that dating?”

‘Why wouldn’t it be?’

Erika was momentarily lost for words. The lord was a fool, a clumsy coward who couldn’t hide his emotions in his expressions or actions, yet somehow still tried to retreat with mere words. It was impressive in its own way.

She felt her irritation bubbling up inside her.

“…I imagine this is what my mother feels like watching me.”

“What does Mrs. Seymour have to do with this?”

“Seems like the McFoys have quite a few cowards.”

“What? Are you calling me a coward right now?”

“No, that was a self-introduction.”

For a moment, I thought Erika had finally lost it. Today, with her face looking half-enlightened and spouting nonsense, she seemed slightly different from her usual self.

“Anyway, are you going to get up, or should I help you?”

It was only then, hearing Erika’s words, that I realized I was still sitting on the floor.

“…No, I’m fine.”

Gathering up the scattered box of sugar candies, I rose to my feet.

Without thinking, my gaze drifted once more to the window where Norma had stood, then over to the mountain of paperwork Erika had wheeled in.

“I’ll be waiting.”

Norma’s voice, along with the image of his tomato-red face, echoed endlessly in my mind.

“…Erika.”

I called her, as if in a trance. Sensing the words I was about to say, Erika sighed, letting go of the cart with clear irritation.

“Let’s take a break. Just one hour.”

At that moment, my desire to attend tea time, no matter what, outweighed all my duties, responsibilities, and embarrassment.

* * *

“Master Archie! Are you all hidden?”

Von Bains’ voice echoed through the garden of House McFoy. When no answer came, he called out again.

“All hidden, are you? Well then, I’m coming to find you!”

For all his initial resistance to leaving his homeland and coming to McFoy, Von Bains had adapted well to the West. He was like someone who’d been born in the wrong place; the West suited him far better than the rigid East.

Unlike the East, where strict etiquette dictated one’s every word and action, the West was free, wild, and lively. Von leaped and bounded across the lawn like a puppy on his first outing in a world without rules.

Since Norma was too busy with household duties to play with Archie, Von had taken on the role a few times, though he occasionally questioned his identity as a knight versus a nanny. Not that this concern lasted long; Von was a simple man.

Thus, twenty-one-year-old Von found himself playing with twelve-year-old Master McFoy, filling the void of a childhood where he hadn’t been able to freely shout and run around.

Young Archie, for his part, adored Von Bains, who didn’t just play along with him but fully engaged. Unlike the McFoy knights who only pretended to seek or hide in obvious places, Von threw himself wholeheartedly into hide-and-seek with little Archie, hiding and seeking with unmatched dedication.

There were even days when Archie couldn’t find Von at all, falling asleep in tears at his first experience of ruthless competition. But as a child with a fierce sense of rivalry, he found the challenge thrilling despite the frustration.

The McFoy knights watching the two often found themselves wondering who was playing with whom, unsure if it was the Diazi knight entertaining the young master or the other way around.

Today was one of those days.

Recently, Archie had become skilled at sensing divine energy, which allowed him to hone in on Von’s hiding spots. This training-disguised-as-play was evolving into a real competition between the two.

“Ahaha!”

Hearing the gleeful laughter of the young master, passing servants smiled warmly. The knights standing guard wore similar expressions; after all, the joy of their tiny master was their happiness as well.

Only one person, Sir Harry Forn, who had been loyally standing by Archie’s side for hours, struggled to share the same joy.

The chiseled, statue-like knight had been troubled lately. It seemed that the young master he had served for years trusted this newcomer knight, whom he’d only met less than six months ago, more than himself.

Every time Archie’s laughter rang out, a faint shadow of worry crossed Harry’s otherwise perfect face.

“Sir, you’re the best! Playing—I mean, training with you is the most fun!”

As Archie, catching his breath, exclaimed that Von Bains was the best, Harry’s eye twitched slightly in response.

‘Oh dear.’

Despite some childishness, Von Bains was a knight of rising fame, and he noticed, if only for a moment, that the handsome McFoy knight was secretly nursing a wounded pride.

‘Is he actually going to cry?’

Archie, who had grown up adored by everyone, clearly showed the signs of such a nurturing environment. And Von found himself liking the small, candid, and confident young master.

Yet seeing the pure-hearted knight secretly sulking couldn’t be brushed off with a laugh.

It was during this delicate moment that Norma arrived in the garden.

“Archie.”

As if he’d been waiting for salvation, Von looked over at him with delight.

But something was different about Norma’s face; it was unusually flushed. Von’s expression turned skeptical as he noted the crimson shade.

‘Did he just sneak a visit to the McFoy Lord again? He’s even redder than usual.’

Von knew exactly what that look meant. He tensed up, aware that Norma was prone to impulsive actions when his cheeks were that red.

Norma’s voice didn’t just bring relief to Von, though; both Archie and Antoinette perked up at the sound.

“Go…mo…bu!”

Archie still stumbled over calling Norma ‘uncle,’ unaccustomed to the title, his excitement causing him to stutter each time.

Unable to hide his joy at seeing his uncle, Archie fidgeted, his upper body prim and proper while his legs danced like an excited puppy reunited with its owner.

Antoinette, however, was quicker than Archie. She leapt from her shaded spot, yawning, and bounded straight toward Norma.

Norma, accustomed to her enthusiastic greetings, caught her in his arms with ease. As he laughed softly, he noticed the sweat-drenched Archie and chuckled again.

“You’ve really worked up a sweat.”

He reached out and gently brushed the damp hair from Archie’s forehead, his touch tender.

As the household staff passed by, they paused with warm smiles, watching the world that belonged to Norma and Archie unfold before them.