Episode 83
A few days later, Ian returned to the mansion for a short break.
Although I noticed it before, Ian’s expression was much brighter compared to when he first entered the academy.
What I did might have helped, but the key factor that changed Ian was undoubtedly Daliah.
As proof, a smile never left Ian’s face since this morning.
It was the day Daliah was supposed to visit the mansion.
Since Daliah couldn’t attend the banquet last time because she fell asleep, I had been thinking about when to tell her the truth about her illness.
However, since the children were living in the academy dorms, it wasn’t easy to find free time.
Fortunately, there was a short break between spring and summer at the academy.
So, after discussing with Lloydin, we decided to make the day the children came home for a break the D-Day.
“Ian, are you that happy?”
“Yes, I’m happy! Daliah is coming around lunchtime, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Seeing Ian’s excited expression made me smile warmly.
“What kind of food does Daliah like?”
“Daliah likes lamb stew with tomatoes.”
Ian answered quickly, without even taking a breath.
“Lamb stew with tomatoes?”
“Yes, she eats that the best. And it’s my favorite too.”
Ian answered with a slightly shy expression.
“I see. Then we’ll make lamb stew with tomatoes the main dish for lunch and prepare a few other things as well.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Is there anything else you want to eat?”
“Well, Daliah also likes steak. And also…”
When I asked what he wanted to eat, Ian started listing Daliah’s favorites instead.
I found Ian so adorable that I laughed and mentally noted all the dishes he mentioned.
A few hours later, a carriage finally arrived at the mansion’s entrance.
Lloydin, Ian, and I hurried outside to greet Daliah.
Seeing Ian’s excited face, Lloydin and I exchanged small smiles.
Soon, the carriage door opened, and Ian extended his hand to Daliah.
Daliah took Ian’s hand and stepped out of the carriage.
Watching the two children’s affectionate interaction made me almost tear up, reminding me of scenes from a novel.
I managed to compose myself and, along with Lloydin, approached Daliah.
“Daliah, you’re here.”
“Welcome, Daliah.”
“Hello, Duke Blighton, Duchess Blighton.”
Daliah greeted us politely with a beautiful smile.
“Was the journey hard for you?”
“Not at all. It wasn’t hard at all.”
Daliah responded brightly to my unnecessary worry.
“So this is the Blighton mansion.”
“Yes, it’s our home.”
Daliah looked around, nodding as Ian answered.
“It’s beautiful. I especially like the garden. I want to live here too!”
You will, soon enough.
I held back the urge to say that to Daliah and instead said something entirely different from my thoughts.
“After lunch, you can tour the garden with Ian.”
“Yes, I will.”
“Shall we go inside now? We’ve prepared a lot of delicious food since you’re visiting.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yes, let’s go in.”
“Let’s go, Daliah.”
“Okay!”
The two children held hands and ran into the mansion ahead of us.
“Shall we go in too?”
“Yes, let’s.”
Lloydin extended his hand to me, and I took it.
Holding hands, we followed the children inside.
Lunch was filled with warmth and laughter.
Just having Daliah with us changed the atmosphere completely.
Daliah had so much to say that she chattered non-stop.
We listened to her stories with joy and interest.
“Daliah, try this first.”
“Thank you for the food. How did you know I like tomato lamb stew?”
“Ian told me.”
“Really?”
When Daliah smiled brightly at Ian, he blushed slightly but couldn’t hide his pleased expression as he lowered his head.
“It’s delicious.”
“Really? I’m glad it suits your taste. Try this too, and this.”
I kept offering Daliah the dishes we had prepared.
“Thank you, Duchess. Thank you for inviting me and serving such delicious food.”
“No, I’m the one who’s thankful. You happily accepted my invitation.”
“No, I’m more grateful. I like Ian, but I also really like the Duke and Duchess. You have no idea how happy and delighted I am to spend time with such wonderful people.”
Daliah was always clear about her feelings.
I was touched by her words and responded in kind.
“We like you even more than you like us, Daliah. It would be nice to have more times like this.”
“Wow, I would love that. Oh?”
As Daliah and I talked, Ian placed a freshly baked bread and a piece of meat on her plate.
“You like it… Eat up.”
“Uh? Oh. Thank you, Ian.”
In this cheerful atmosphere, we finished our lunch.
Afterward, as planned, Ian and Daliah went for a walk in the garden.
Lloydin and I watched the children leave before heading to his study.
“If I had known Ian would be this happy, I would have invited Daliah sooner.”
Standing by the window, I watched Ian and Daliah running around the garden with excitement.
“Indeed. I think this is the first time I’ve seen Ian so happy.”
“I’m glad Ian has found such a good friend.”
“Yes, it’s a relief.”
After watching the children for a few more minutes, Lloydin and I took seats on the sofa.
“Have you thought about how to talk to Daliah?”
“Yes, somewhat.”
For a moment, a brief silence passed in the study.
I organized my thoughts once more before continuing.
“First, I’ll explain what this illness is, and then I’ll tell her why she feels a sense of vitality when she’s near Ian.”
Lloydin slowly nodded at my words.
“We share a commonality—our dreams. Daliah might not have had as many dreams yet, but I’m sure she dreams the same ones I do. So, telling her the truth won’t be difficult, but I’m worried about how she’ll take it all.”
“How was it for you?”
“Me? For me?”
Lloydin’s sudden question about my experience caught me off guard.
“Well, I was obviously grateful. As I’ve mentioned, my condition was rapidly worsening. Just before meeting you, I had been asleep for an entire week.”
Lloydin frowned at my words.
“Then you appeared to me. You know how desperate I was at that time.”
I spoke with a lighthearted smile, treating the past as a trivial matter now.
In contrast, Lloydin’s expression remained serious.
“Hah, thinking about what might have happened if you hadn’t found me… It’s terrifying.”
He sighed deeply, reflecting his concern.
Ah, that’s why he looks so troubled.
I strongly felt how much he cared about me.
It might not be romantic love, but he cherished me deeply.
‘Of course, it would be even better if it were love.’
I’ve been struggling with one crucial question for a while now: What is Lloydin’s true feeling toward me? Does he share the same emotions I have?
His actions sometimes seemed impossible without affection, yet from my observations, he was naturally kind and gentle.
This left room for my confusion, and I couldn’t be sure of his feelings.
‘I need to think more about this.’
But I had no intention of hiding my feelings for him. In fact, I liked him so much that I couldn’t conceal my emotions.
I got up and sat close beside him.
“I feel the same. But what matters now is that you’re here with me.”
I said, holding his hand and leaning my head on his shoulder.
“…Yes, and you are here with me.”
“That’s right.”
I tilted my head slightly to look at Lloydin and smiled brightly.
His eyes met mine, and we gazed at each other in silence before, without knowing who moved first, we kissed.
Dear Ayla, please, ask him!!!!🤪