Lily had enjoyed an unusually peaceful life since she stayed in the residence of House Sergien. The dolls were all kind, and even if she didn’t say anything, they knew what she wanted and took good care of her. All the books in the room were interesting. Time flew by as she read each one.
“Should I stop for today?”
Lily put down the book. She hurried to the window and saw someone hurrying across the front yard. Lily watched as someone entered the mansion. It wasn’t Juno. After their first meeting, she never properly met her half-sister.
“Are you really busy?” At first, Lily thought it was better not to offend her, but she remembered how Juno held hands with Hebe. “It’s hard to get close to you, right?”
Juno didn’t get along with Lily’s parents, so it would be hard for Juno to see Lily in a positive light. Sulking, Lily kicked the floor with her feet.
Then, the door opened and someone walked in. “What are you doing?”
“You’re…”
It was Hebe, Juno’s son and Lily’s nephew. Lily was so startled that she couldn’t say anything else.
“It’s me, Hebe!” he exclaimed.
Lily rolled her eyes. Does he want to pull a prank on me? Maybe Lily wouldn’t like living in the mansion anymore. She avoided his gaze. “Why are you here?”
“I thought you were bored!”
“…What?”
That was unexpected. He was someone Lily had never seen before. She hadn’t met a lot of people, but Hebe wasn’t normal.
“Mr. John is with my mother at the moment. I’m bored, so let’s play together.”
Lily didn’t dislike this. It was the first time someone approached her honestly.
“…Is that allowed?” Lily asked. “Your mother doesn’t like me so…”
“She’s too nice. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
“Huh?” Lily blinked. She didn’t understand what he was saying.
“I’m going to see what kind of person you are.” He grabbed Lily’s hand. “Let’s play.”
“Um…”
“We can say hello to the dolls. You’ve been stuck in this room the whole time, right?”
Lily nodded.
“Didn’t Mr. John say that as long as you didn’t go to the third floor, you’re free to roam around the mansion?”
“But…”
“But what?”
Lily glanced at the bookshelf. “I was reading.”
Hebe nodded as he looked at Lily, the bookshelf, and then Lily again. “I can see that. Let’s go outside.”
“…Wait!”
Lily was then dragged out of the room by Hebe.
***
Hebe marched ahead, still dragging Lily. She had relaxed a little when he had told her Juno and John weren’t here. Lily adjusted her pace to keep up with Hebe. They visited every place except for the third floor. How long have they been walking around the mansion? My legs hurt.
Lily was on her way back to her room. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something and pointed to the figure with several arms.
“What’s that?”
“A cleaning doll.”
“Is that why it has so many arms?”
The doll had an interesting appearance, but Lily wasn’t very surprised, unlike the first time. Over the past few hours, she got used to seeing the dolls.
As Lily stared at it, Hebe shouted, “Mother!”
Lily quickly looked in the direction he was pointing at. Her eyes widened. “Where…”
“There’s a carriage in front of the mansion.”
Lily followed after Hebe. As he said, a carriage had stopped in front of the residence. I might be able to see the countess today if I behave. She thought she could at least say hello.
“Aren’t you going out?” Lily asked.
“Won’t you be by yourself?”
“I could accompany you and say hello…”
Hebe was silent for a moment. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
“…Why?”
“Mother doesn’t look happy.”
Hebe must be lying. I can’t believe he can see a person’s face from far away.
“You can see her?”
“Yes.” He seemed to be telling the truth.
“Your eyes must be very good.”
Hebe grinned. “I’m perfect at everything.”
“…You’re weird.” Lily checked to see if he’d get angry, but he didn’t.
“I’m just confident.”
Lily didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing, but when Juno entered the mansion, she passed Hebe and Lily. With John, she instantly went to the third floor, and in that brief moment, Lily saw Juno’s expression wasn’t happy.
“She’s not in a good mood.”
Hebe nodded. “I’ll take you to your room.”
Lily tilted her head. “I can go by myself.”
“I dragged you around the mansion, so I should take you to your room.”
Hebe was a good person. To be honest, as soon as Lily saw Juno, she thought he would leave her. Well, if he’s with Juno and Mr. John, he has to be a good person, right?
“…Are you sure?” Lily asked.
“Yes.”
With Hebe, Lily walked to her room. In fact, when Lily saw Juno’s expression earlier, Lily froze on the spot. It was like when Mother was angry. Lily was terrified when that expression was on her mother’s face. Lily would look at the floor, and her palms would start to sweat. Her heart was beating quickly, but Hebe didn’t react as she did. He was worried about the countess.
It was amazing. “Have you ever been scolded by the countess?”
“By Mother? Yes.”
“Aren’t you scared?”
“Why should I be?”
Lily was speechless. “You’ve been scolded before.”
“What does that have to do with being scared?”
“I was scared of my mother.” Lily was ashamed of it, but Hebe didn’t give much of a reaction.
“Really?”
“Yes, but I still loved her.”
“What about your father? My mother’s father.”
Lily remembered him. He didn’t openly express his anger; however, he showed no interest in her. “He didn’t care.”
She was sad talking about her parents. The relationship between Juno and Hebe came to mind. They’re a family that you only see in books. Lily was jealous. “Since she didn’t get along with my parents, it’s impossible for me and her to get along, right?”
“Hm.”
Seeing that Hebe was hesitant to give an answer, perhaps Lily was right. “I see.”
“That’s why I’m keeping an eye on you.”
“Huh?”
Hebe opened the door to her room. “Anyway, we’re here!”
It was a cozy and warm room, but something felt off. Lily felt lonely. “You’re going to leave now, Hebe?”
“I have to. I wonder what’s going on.”
“Oh, all right. Goodbye.”
Hebe was about to turn around, but he stared at Lily. Then, he said, “Hurry up.”
“Huh?”
Hebe shrugged as he grabbed a book. “I’ll wait and then leave. It looks like you don’t want to be alone.”
“Oh.”
Lily guessed that was what she felt. She didn’t want to be by herself again. After spending half a day wandering around the mansion with Hebe, she didn’t want to be left alone. She envied the people who could go to the third floor. Hebe is a good person. He had sat down in a chair and started reading.
There was a different feeling in her chest. Feeling shy, Lily stared at the ground.
“Go take a bath. I’ll still be here when you get out.”
“Okay!” Lily hurried to the bathroom.
Is it because he’s her son? He and the countess are very kind. Lily couldn’t hide the fact she was happy someone was waiting for her. It was also her first time talking to someone for so long. Lily’s cheeks turned red.
