No matter how gentle and kind one might be, raising a child alone was no ordinary task.

‘Still, I thought she wouldn’t notice because she’s still young…’

Perhaps it was because she had lived among human traffickers, always on her toes. Elodie, though only six years old, sometimes showed a precocious and intelligent side that was hard to believe.

“Well then, it seems the dinner menu is decided. Is seven o’clock alright for the meal time?”

“Of course.”

I politely saw off the Duke as he left. The cafe’s operating hours were from nine to six. Some customers grumbled that it closed too early, but since business was good anyway, I had no intention of working myself to death. Besides, if it were just me, it might be different…

‘But Elodie is here.’

I quietly smiled at Elodie. Somehow, this small child had become the priority in my life. Although it was a change with both pros and cons, I would rather die than return to my previous life without Elodie.

“…Aria.”

Once the Duke disappeared, Elodie looked up at me and whispered.

“Aria, don’t you want to live in the Duke’s mansion?”

I froze momentarily at the child’s innocent question.

“Why do you ask that?”

“Just, I thought Aria might be more comfortable here…”

Elodie trailed off, mumbling. Feeling like I understood her feelings, I bent my knees and gently looked into Elodie’s eyes.

“What would Elodie like to do?”

“…I, I don’t mind.”

Elodie lowered her head. I noticed small wet spots forming on the floor.

“You might wear a hole in the floor at this rate.”

I spoke casually as I gently cupped Elodie’s cheeks and lifted her face. The child’s large eyes were brimming with tears.

“Really?”

I carefully asked again, deliberately trying not to presume what the child wanted.

“…Yes. I really don’t mind. As long as Aria is with me. Anywhere is fine.”

Elodie started to speak rapidly.

“Anyway, it’s better than where we used to live, right? As long as we don’t go back to where we lived before, it’s fine. But I don’t like places that Aria doesn’t like. I mean, I don’t like places that Aria hates.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

I shook my head.

“I don’t mind anywhere either, as long as Elodie is with me. But…”

“But?”

“I want to make a choice that Elodie won’t regret even ten years from now. And right now, I think that means moving into the Duke’s mansion.”

Elodie didn’t say anything for a moment. Just as I was about to wait patiently, thinking she would naturally need time to consider, Elodie tightly hugged me around the waist and wouldn’t let go.

“Aria won’t go anywhere, right? Even after ten years?”

“I’ll be by your side even after ten years.”

I spoke in the most serious voice I could to reassure the child.

“So, don’t worry about anything.”

“Okay.”

Elodie wiped her tears on my skirt and smiled brightly. It was enough of an answer for me.

***

The meal at the Baniche Duke’s mansion proceeded in a strange atmosphere.

‘I didn’t think they would welcome us wholeheartedly, but… this is a bit unexpected.’

I had anticipated a hostile atmosphere because I had arbitrarily made the head butler work. But the attitude of the servants I actually felt at the Baniche Duke’s mansion was…

‘They’re too stiff.’

I smiled as if I hadn’t noticed and handed Elodie some spicy grilled chicken.

“Elodie, can you eat by yourself? Should I remove the bones for you?”

“I can eat by myself.”

Elodie said firmly and began to eagerly eat the chicken leg. I discreetly glanced at Duke Baniche.

I didn’t know much about the etiquette of nobles in this world, but I could tell that even chicken legs should be eaten elegantly with a fork and knife. So I thought he might look a bit displeased or worried…

“You’re eating well.”

He looked so moved. I had to suppress a laugh at his typical doting father face. It was hard to believe that this man would later become the mastermind behind a mass murder plot.

‘Well… in his own way, he was trying to kill all those people to revive Elodie.’

Everyone has many sides to them. Right now, Theodore Baniche was just showing his gentlest side.

The dessert was a warm apple pie full of cinnamon aroma. Taking a bite, the melting, sweetly cooked apple filling and the crispy pie crust blended fantastically. I had to admit. When it came to baking, the Duke’s mansion was a step above.

‘I should learn their know-how diligently.’

After we finished everything including dessert, Duke Baniche asked Elodie with a regretful face.

“Elodie, shall I have them bring out more pie?”

“I’m full.”

Elodie patted her belly.

“Really, I’m too full…”

“I’m glad.”

Duke Baniche smiled as he looked at Elodie.

“If you want anything to eat later, just say so. The kitchen will prepare it right away.”

Elodie nodded. Now that she was full, there was no trace of the somewhat intimidated and tense look she had when first entering the Duke’s mansion.

Just as the Duke was about to open his mouth to say something more, an unfamiliar servant quietly approached and whispered something in a low but urgent voice.

“Your Grace, from the Imperial Palace…”

“I’ll go now.”

The Duke briefly excused himself to us and left immediately. As we were momentarily taken aback, a polite voice came from behind.

“I’ll guide you to your rooms.”

It was none other than Eric.

“Aren’t you tired?”

I asked him with a surprised face. Because the meal had taken a long time, the clock was approaching nine. Considering he had been working since early morning, it wouldn’t have been strange if he was exhausted by now.

“I’m fine.”

Eric answered calmly.

“I volunteered to assist in guiding you two.”

“I, I see.”

Eric’s softened attitude was unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. I was the guardian of the Duke’s daughter and a guest of the Duke’s family. Naturally, I should receive treatment befitting that status.

I took Elodie’s hand and followed him. A thought suddenly flashed through my mind. Could something have happened in those few hours between Eric returning to the Duke’s mansion and me working alone at the cafe?

Even though he owed me a debt, Eric’s arrogant and subtly dismissive tone had completely disappeared.

“Um… did His Grace say anything while I was away…”

Eric, who had been walking straight down the corridor, stopped abruptly and turned to me immediately.

“His Grace is not that kind of person.”

Hmm, it seems like he’s back to his old self.

“That’s a relief.”

I waved my hand as if it was nothing.

“I was worried.”

“…You were worried, about me.”

Eric’s voice echoed strangely in the deserted corridor.

“Yes. Is that an inappropriate thought?”

“Not at all.”

Eric immediately denied it.

“It’s just… not a common thought.”

I wanted to ask what he meant by that, but we had already arrived at Elodie’s room.

“…!”

As soon as the door opened, my eyes widened involuntarily. Not because it was extremely luxurious or extravagant. Rather, it could be said to be much more ordinary than I had expected. But…

‘It’s perfect for a six-year-old child.’

High-quality fabric was added to every sharp corner so that the child wouldn’t get hurt even if she fell. Looking at the books on the shelves, they were colorful fairy tales that children Elodie’s age would like. From the pictures hung at the child’s eye level to the cute bed.

It was the best environment that could be given to Elodie, no matter where you looked. I smiled brightly and looked down at Elodie.

“How nice, Elodie! You have such a wonderful room… E-Elodie?”

I stumbled over my words for a moment. The child’s face had darkened considerably. Eric also looked visibly perplexed.

“Miss Elodie, is there something you don’t like?”

Instead of asking, I carefully examined the room. There might be something that Elodie was afraid of. There could be many things that are scary to a child, even if they’re not well understood from an adult’s perspective. But…

‘There’s nothing.’

I knelt on the floor and half-embraced Elodie. By now, Elodie was almost half-sobbing.