Translator: Khan

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

"The Marquise must really like you," Jessie said, looking at the refreshment table set up by a group of maids. She also expressed her admiration about how it looked so delicious.

Unlike Aria, who was under pressure, Jessie and Annie seemed to be happy that the people of the Marquis family devoted themselves to Aria. In addition, the excessive hospitality was so great that Jessie and Annie, not Aria, were enjoying the luxury.

"Miss, can I eat this strawberry cake?"

Aria nodded casually at Annie's question. It was a cake that Aria did not even eat anyway so was the cookie. It was all up to Jessie and Annie because Aria had not touched them at all.

"How can it be so delicious? It's like I became a noblewoman. I'm so happy!" Annie, who quickly finished two slices of cake, said, drinking warm milk tea. Jessie also agreed and put the cookies in her mouth.

"I never thought I'd do nothing even if I only did the simple serving, and I never dreamed that I would enjoy luxury without doing anything like this."

They could say that because when they had a moment to do so, the maids of the mansion brought new tea or arranged their rooms even before Jessie and Annie did something.

"That's right. I never dreamed it would be like this."

There had been a time when she had thought it would be a good thing if they weren't disturbing. There had been a time when she had suspected that they were trying to use her reputation. Even though they were the family of the Marquis, as they were the one of a kingdom much smaller than the empire, she thought she must have had a better lead.

But now she realized it was an arrogant idea. Unlike the dumb and foolish nobles Aria had ever met and seen so far, the nobles of the Piast family were real aristocrats, although they just showed her a little too much favor.

"Do you hate this place?"

Jessie asked carefully if she didn't like it because Aria's expression was not quite clear. Well, she couldn't clearly say that she didn't like it. Just too much favor was burdensome.

"I don't know why they are doing me such a favor."

"Why? Because you're the granddaughter and daughter they've met after a long time."

"Yes, that's what I'm saying. Seventeen years have passed since I was born, and we haven't even been aware of each other's existence, and I don't know why they are doing this to me all of a sudden."

At Aria's words, Jessie opened her eyes wide. It looked that she didn't understand her question. So Annie, who was eating the cake next to her, replaced Jessie and gave Aria an answer. "That's because you are a family."

"Is it because we are a family?"

"Yes, that's what family is all about. Whether you're away or not, you're the only one who they like and can trust without a doubt."

"…"

Jessie nodded in agreement. Aria frowned. 'Where is such a being in the world?' It was natural for the family to be more attentive to those who benefited.

In addition, it was a human being who used others to fulfill his or her selfish interests whenever he or she had a chance. Right now, if she looked back on Jessie, she had been very disappointed as she had helped Mielle.

In addition, Mielle had even pushed her father down the stairs. Carin hadn't even looked at Aria when she was a prostitute. She still didn't take care of her very carefully.

On the contrary, the only one that took care of and thought of Aria was Asher, who had no blood ties to her at all. He was not yet a family, so she couldn't understand that they always believed in and liked her because she was a family member.

"Sometimes they can betray their family. Just like Mielle."

"That's... true, but it's only a small part. Sometimes it's family that they find last after betraying. The same goes for family who have been betrayed."

Come to think of it, the former Count had been betrayed by Mielle, but he had followed her to death at the end. Aria had heard that he had not killed himself because he had been paralyzed and pessimistic and that all his children had faced terrible situations and committed crimes and could not overcome his grief.

"... Why?"

'But why? If he was betrayed, he should have taken revenge. Even though she was his daughter, he should have cheered for her tragic death because she maimed him.'

Jessie and Annie's face darkened as Aria indicated that she had no understanding of the love and faith of a family. It was sad when they recalled the environment where Aria was born and raised.

If she had lived a normal life, she would have known that others were different from her family or relatives, but Aria thought that her family and others were the same. She regarded them to be only looking for when she needed them.

"Family... Especially a child, is the fruit of their love."

"... Fruit?"

"Yes, the fruit of my blood with the one I love. I don't give birth to a child, and I don't know exactly, but I often heard it when I was a kid. Jessie, you have your father's eyes, and you're very pretty. My mother used to be happy to find traces of my father in my face sometimes."

'Traces of a loved one…' After hearing those words, Aria could think of Asher's face. 'A child born between Asher and me? A child who looks like Asher?' She had never thought about it before. No, she couldn't afford to do so.

But now, after listening to Jessie and thinking about it, it didn't seem too bad. She was even curious. 'What kind of face would the child have?' It was still far off into the future, so she couldn't feel that it was real.

"So it's natural to hope that a child born with a loved one will be happy. I'm sure no one wants my baby to be unhappy. I don't know if I should say this, but... Especially since you've had an unhappy childhood, and you aren't an adult yet. You've had a hard time. That's why they should be sorrier for you. They might want to do everything they've been unable to do for you."

"Is that so...?"

Aria's answer was that, but she had a face that she still didn't fully understand, and Jessie said while holding Aria's hand,

"Yes. You're quite impressed, aren't you?"

Jessie was right. If they were just a burden, she would be able to use them as much as she wanted, but the reason she avoided them was because she was suffering from an unknown feeling.

"It's hard to understand with words, so why don't you experience it while you're in the mansion? Please don't keep avoiding them like this."

"…"

"Anyway, you're not staying long, are you? Think of it as a new experience and enjoy refreshments with Mrs. Violet and take a walk. Mrs. Violet had been in the Imperial Castle for a long time, so she must have something to gain."

Aria couldn't agree with all of Jessie's words, but she could sympathize with the fact that she might gain something because Violet had stayed for a long time in the Imperial Castle. It was better than spending such a boring day anyway.

Aria wondered what it was like to feel uncomfortable and she nodded. "... Okay. Get my clothes ready, Jessie."

Jessie laughed when Aria said she would change her clothes if she was going for a walk. Aria, who had changed from a light interior suit into a little formal dress, stepped out of the room where she had been hiding for days. Jessie and Annie followed Aria.

It was the first time except when she had a meal. Moreover, meal times were fixed, and even she had moved with the servant of the Marquis family, so the servants had been absent in time for the movement of Aria.

But not now. When she left the room suddenly without any notice, the servants who faced Aria hurriedly bent down and showed their courtesy. She was a valued guest from another country.

No, she was now the granddaughter of their master, who they might have to serve for life. She was even the Crown Prince's lover and the star of the empire that had created a great power in the empire. So how dare they look at her impolitely?

Of course, they had heard that Aria's character was very nice and good, but they had to be careful because the rumor was just a rumor. Therefore, the servants bent down as much as possible and tried not to defy the temper of Aria. They were going to do that, but…