94.

‘I knew it.’

Von, who had been wary ever since he saw Norma’s flushed cheeks, could only shake his head, resigned. He didn’t even bother trying to persuade Norma to stay. After all, he had long since given up against Norma’s cheerful stubbornness when it came to getting his way.

Harry, meanwhile, was equally flustered by this sudden outing beyond the castle walls. Even though they were only heading toward the lake, if they took the young master out without permission, he could only imagine the scolding they’d receive from Mrs. Seymour upon her return. A chill ran down his spine.

Harry opened his mouth, intending to stop Archie, who was already scrambling for his cloak, but Norma was faster.

“Sir Forn.”

“Yes, my lord?”

The instant Harry saw the falsely innocent smile on Norma’s face, he knew it was too late.

“From what I’ve heard, the lake near the eastern tower is often used as a training ground by McFoy’s knights, and civilians are generally not permitted to enter. Is that correct?”

“…Yes, that is correct, my lord.”

Bound by truth, Harry had no choice but to nod. At that moment, he wished more than ever that Mrs. Seymour was there to intervene. He simply couldn’t think of the perfect words to stop Norma and Archie on his own.

“The lakefront is an excellent place to hone one’s divine power. And since the weather’s so fine, why not take a break from the usual training grounds?”

“Yes!” Archie shouted in excitement.

No one else replied, but the decision was made.

Though the lake was technically outside the castle grounds, it was indeed a common training area for the knights. While escorting them there wouldn’t be too difficult, worry still clouded Harry’s face.

As Harry sighed in relief that they weren’t heading to the bustling marketplace, Von looked at him with a sympathetic expression that seemed to say, “It’s easier if you just give in.”

* * *

To my surprise, when I arrived, walking faster than usual, I was greeted by an empty table.

“What… Where is everyone?”

A hollow murmur escaped my lips. My face twisted in disappointment, and the heartbeat that had quickened in anticipation quickly cooled to an icy calm.

I could sense the young maids clearing the table casting furtive glances my way, whispering among themselves until one of the bolder ones finally stepped forward.

“Speak.”

“My lady, they ended tea time early today.”

“Yes, I can see that. But why?”

“They… they cleared the table early because they’re training near the eastern lake today, rather than the usual training ground.”

In truth, they had gone to the ancient bridge in the grove behind the lake, but the maid kept her explanation brief. After all, the sudden arrival of the head of the house, with no warning, had everyone on edge.

“If it’s urgent, would you like me to send a messenger immediately?”

Her words jolted me back to my senses. Impulsively charging over to see Norma Diazi… I took in the scene around me: Archie’s garden, filled with confused maids caught mid-cleanup, and the retinue of knights and attendants I’d dragged along.

Precious minutes of my day were slipping away needlessly.

‘What on earth am I doing?’

“It wouldn’t be wise to go beyond the castle grounds, my lady. You’re well aware of the time and manpower it takes to arrange any movement for you,” Erika approached me, clearly wary that I might attempt to head to the lake myself. It was obvious she thought me nothing less than a reckless tyrant.

Trying to mask my embarrassment, I managed a strained smile. “Surely… I’m not so mad as to head all the way out there.”

“You seem quite—no, never mind.”

She wisely held her tongue, remembering the many ears listening around us.

But I knew well enough what she had intended to say: that I seemed quite mad enough indeed.

‘Good grief. So, I dropped everything just to see Norma Diazi, whom I’d already seen last night, this morning, and just a short while ago?’

The realization hit me like a brick, and a hollow laugh slipped from my lips. At that moment, I felt a tug on my dress.

Looking down, I found a small black fluff-ball nibbling on my hem. Confusion wrinkled my brow.

“…Why is she here?”

The audacious creature clinging to my dress was none other than Antoinette. The little black beast spat out my fabric with a defiant growl as soon as our eyes met.

Though her first loyalty was undoubtedly to Norma, this small creature was usually attached to Archie’s side. They were inseparable, at meals, tea time, and even during training.

But here she was, alone. Curious, I bent down to scoop up the small creature, still as tiny as the day we first met.

I motioned toward the brave maid who had spoken up earlier. “You, tell me why she’s here.”

“Well, my lady, she seemed oddly reluctant to follow them today. She acted as if she was either too sleepy or too hungry to go along.”

“Is that so?”

Cradling the tiny beast in my arms, I found myself sitting at the empty table. Somehow, holding Antoinette helped ease the disappointment and confusion I’d felt moments earlier. My plan to turn back to the study quietly dissipated.

Before long, though, I had to set Antoinette down on my lap; for such a small creature, she still had the weight of a wild beast. Settling comfortably on my thigh, the little cub wagged her tail, looking up at me with bright eyes, her enthusiastic welcome endearing despite the long absence.

“It’s been a while. You don’t seem tired—are you hungry?”

Of course, there was no way she actually understood me, but Antoinette was unusually intelligent and sometimes acted as though she comprehended every word spoken to her.

Antoinette blinked her vibrant blue eyes and turned her head away, swishing her tail with what seemed like mild annoyance. It almost felt like she was saying she wasn’t hungry, and I found myself wondering if she truly understood.

“Then what, were you waiting for me?”

The little cub was so adorable that I uttered the absurd joke, amused by my own words.

Yet, to my surprise, Antoinette perked her ears up, lifting her tail as though she agreed, and rubbed her face against my hand, as if to say yes, she had indeed been waiting. I couldn’t help but chuckle, feeling ridiculous but indulging in the little cub’s company.

“How could you have known I’d come? I’m spouting nonsense, aren’t I?”

Antoinette not joining Archie and Norma was undoubtedly a coincidence.

But even if it were chance, it felt as though she’d waited for me alone. I felt a strange surge of pride, like a parent marveling at their clever child.

“But why haven’t you grown at all? Aren’t you supposed to be a leopard?”

As I scratched and petted her, I found myself bothered by the fact that she hadn’t grown one bit. When I asked, Antoinette merely blinked, snuggling closer as though she had no idea what I was talking about.

“What on earth is wrong with you?”

I eventually held her up, examining her from all angles, though it was clear I’d never find an answer. Annoyed by the attention, Antoinette squirmed in my grip.

Meanwhile, the attendants observed this rare moment of tenderness with bated breath. Moments ago, their lady had gazed forlornly at the tea table as though her world had crumbled, but now, looking at her gentle eyes as she fussed over the little cub, they felt their hearts soften.

One of the maids, emboldened by this lapse in their lady’s usual sternness, spoke up.

“My lady, since you’re here, would you like to have some tea? We can bring fresh refreshments right away.”

I paused my absentminded petting of Antoinette, glancing at the tea table. My gaze must have lingered with a hint of longing, for the servants’ eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“No. I’m heading back. I’ll take her with me.”

To their dismay, I rose abruptly, cradling Antoinette. Disappointment was plain on their faces, but none dared press further.

With Antoinette in my arms, I began to walk away without delay. The First Knight Division and a train of attendants followed me, making their way out of Archie’s garden.

At the back of the line, Erika, for once, didn’t stick to her place by my side. Instead, she pulled one of the maids aside.

“So, where exactly did they go?”

“They headed to the old wishing bridge behind the eastern lake, Miss Seymour.”

“…”

A look of exasperation flickered across Erika’s face. That wishing bridge, a place so old-fashioned that even her grandmother had considered it a worn-out tale. Clearly, this was a training session in name only.

Picturing the group that had gone out—Diazi’s colt-like knight, the young master who adored him, and the head of the house who often dived headfirst into situations with unexpected boldness—Erika couldn’t help but think of Harry.

‘Poor Harry is going to have his hands full today.’

And she wasn’t wrong.

* * *

For the first time in ages, the small forest grove of willows had visitors.

The towering trees blocked the sunlight, leaving the forest shrouded in shadows despite the long days of early summer. These ancient trees, some several hundred years old, stood as tall as castle walls, with trunks so thick that it would take three grown men to encircle them with outstretched arms.

Long ago, bridges had been built through this forest as a shortcut, but as new roads were created over the years, the forest path fell out of use.

Nowadays, the knights of McFoy would occasionally use the flatlands surrounding the lake for horseback or divine power training, but no one ventured into the forest itself. Only once a week would a squad of five patrol the woods as part of the outer defenses.

Von and Archie sat side by side at the edge of one of the ponds, crouching as they gazed at the clear water before looking up at the canopy of leaves above.

“Wow, the trees are so much bigger than they look from outside.”

For Archie, such a landscape was entirely new, his eyes darting around in wonder.

“This place feels just like the Diazi family estate.”

For Von, it reminded him of his home, stirring a wave of nostalgia.