Chapter 49
Huh? Wait a minute.
“Edwin, this clothes are too small for you, right?”
“Huh?”
Surprised by the sudden question, Edwin blinked while chewing on chocolate.
“Your wrist is sticking out of the sleeve.”
“Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? That’s how we wore it at the orphanage.”
“Orphanage…”
It was obvious. They must have given him small clothes since they couldn’t afford to buy new ones to match the kids’ growth.
But this wasn’t an orphanage, it was the Duke of Bellomon’s estate!
“Didn’t your father buy you new clothes?”
“He did. A lot, actually.”
Edwin jumped off the chair and ran to the dressing room, opening the wardrobe. Dozens of brand-new clothes were hanging on the rack, looking clearly unworn.
“There’s still a lot I haven’t even worn yet.”
“Yeah, I can see that…”
I pressed my temple while looking at the sparkling new clothes. For a growing child, it made no sense to buy clothes that fit exactly. Kids that age grew so quickly; they could be a lot bigger in no time.
‘I should’ve bought clothes one size bigger to account for that.’
Of course, the Duke’s family had more money than they knew what to do with. They would not cut corners when it came to wearing extra fabric.
‘But buying dozens of clothes in the same size is a bit much.’
They could have bought a few larger clothes in anticipation of the growth.
“Alright, Edwin, we’re going shopping for clothes.”
“Now?”
Edwin looked at me with a reluctant expression.
But I knew how to convince kids in situations like this.
“Yep. You’ve grown so much, it’s time for new clothes.”
“I’ve grown?”
“Yep, a lot.”
I nodded seriously, and Edwin’s face brightened immediately.
I didn’t stop there and added the finishing touch.
“At this rate, you’ll be an adult soon.”
“An adult…!”
The word “adult” made Edwin jump up and down in excitement.
“If you keep growing at this pace, you’ll be an adult in 3 years, or maybe even 5 years.”
“An adult in 3 years…”
Edwin put his hands on his cheeks, clearly excited about becoming an adult.
Seizing the moment, I gave him a little push on the back.
“Okay, let’s go get new clothes then.”
“Ugh, it’s cold.”
“That’s why I told you to wear a scarf.”
“But scarves are so suffocating!”
“Don’t come crying to me later saying you’re sick. And by the way, I don’t like whining.”
“Real men don’t whine!”
“Guys, can you please quiet down?”
I pleaded with the kids, who had been causing a ruckus ever since we got off the carriage. Even after getting out, they were still loud.
“I’ve been quiet.”
“Why did you follow us, Marquis?”
What was supposed to be a peaceful outing with just me and Edwin had now turned into an outing with five people, including Claude.
‘How did it come to this?’
It all started when I decided to cheer up Edwin.
‘Wouldn’t it be better if Amelia joined us? Edwin likes Amelia.’
So Amelia joined us.
‘But if I only take those two, Lucian will get jealous… I should take Lucian too.’
And so, Lucian came along as well.
‘Sister, why not bring Uncle too?’
‘Uncle should stay home and rest. His legs are hurting.’
‘I’m fine, really. I’ve been in the mansion for too long, my body’s stiff.’
‘When did you get here?’
And just like that, Claude joined, and now we were five.
“This is not home, so you need to listen to your aunt more. Don’t cause trouble for others.”
“I always listen to you.”
“I’m not so sure about that…”
“Edwin, what did you say?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Whenever I said something, Edwin would throw back ten responses.
“I think my ears are going to bleed…”
“Ew, blood! That’s from germs!”
Lucian took out soap from his bear-shaped bag.
“Why did you bring soap again?”
For some reason, Lucian had been obsessed with germs lately and always carried dry soap with him.
“Hurry and put that back in your bag and hold Amelia’s hand.”
“H-Hold her hand?”
Lucian jumped back like a fish freshly pulled out of water.
“Yep, that way you won’t get lost.”
I made them hold hands as a precaution. At least if they held hands, they wouldn’t wander off in different directions.
“Ah, I don’t want to…”
Lucian began twisting his body like a pretzel, clearly embarrassed to hold Amelia’s hand.
“Then hold Edwin’s hand instead.”
“I’ll just hold Ria’s hand.”
Lucian, who had been embarrassed a moment ago, quickly took Amelia’s hand.
“Edwin, did you hold Amelia’s hand?”
“Yes.”
Edwin answered, blushing.
“Good job. Amelia, don’t let go of Edwin and Lucian’s hands.”
“Okay. But sister…”
“Huh?”
Amelia nodded and asked.
“Why aren’t you holding anyone’s hand?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
Amelia nodded again.
“We’re all holding hands, but you’re not. It’s unfair.”
“Is it…?”
“Yeah! It’s unfair!”
“Lucian, it’s not unfair, it’s ‘unfair.’”
True. I had asked them to hold hands, but I wasn’t holding anyone’s hand, so it might feel unfair to them.
As an adult, I should set a good example.
“Okay, I’ll hold someone’s hand. Who should I hold?”
“Not us.”
Amelia, with both of her hands held by Lucian and Edwin, pointed her chin at Claude.
“Please hold Uncle’s hand.”
“Huh?”
I was taken aback by the unexpected suggestion from Amelia.
Did she just tell me to hold someone else’s hand?
“Uncle has no one to hold his hand. He’ll be lonely, so why don’t you hold his hand?”
“That’s a little difficult…”
“Why?”
“Because Uncle and I are adults. It might be strange for two grown-ups to hold hands.”
“Why would it be strange for adults to hold hands?”
Amelia asked innocently.
“But Uncle has trouble walking.”
When I saw that clear, innocent face, I found it hard to continue explaining.
“I think it’s better to do what Amelia said.”
“My lord.”
“It’s a concept that the children may find hard to understand.”
Claude, who had come closer, whispered in my ear.
“Also, the children might feel like they’re being treated differently.”
“Ah…”
I looked at the three children in front of me.
Amelia, who was pouting her lips, Edwin, who was watching Amelia closely, and…
“Wow, it smells so good!”
Lucian, who seemed to have no particular thoughts.
“Okay.”
I nodded reluctantly.
“Hurry up! Hurry and catch it!”
Amelia, for some reason, seemed excited. Was that just my impression?
“Wait, Amelia.”
I needed to prepare myself mentally.
Despite how it looked, holding hands with an adult man was something I had never done in this life or the previous one.
“Ha, huff.”
As I took deep breaths to calm my nerves, I felt warmth touch my cold hands, which had been chilled by the winter wind.
“Ah!”
Surprised by the sudden contact, I instinctively tried to pull my hand away. However, a stronger grip held my hand firmly in place.
“If you don’t hold on now, she’ll definitely sulk. Amelia’s very good at pouting, even if she doesn’t show it.”
“Ah…”
I lowered my gaze.
Then, I saw Claude’s large hand completely covering mine. My hand, so small in comparison, was almost hidden by his.
“If she sulks, it usually lasts for three days. Even after that, we have to be careful. I wonder if it’s because she takes after my father, who’s so narrow-minded…”
Claude said something, but I didn’t catch it.
I was distracted by the warmth of his hand and the rough, calloused skin that covered it.
Are men’s hands always this big, rough, and warm?
“Miss?”
“Ah, yes.”
At Claude’s call, I flinched. It felt like I had been caught doing something wrong, even though I hadn’t done anything.
“It’s cold. We should head to the wardrobe quickly.”
“Ah, right.”
Holding Claude’s hand, I walked towards the wardrobe with the three children in front of me.
I was so focused on the warmth of his hand that I didn’t notice Amelia giving me a knowing look.
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• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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