Let’s Just Make a Child, Your Grace - Chapter 8 Part 3

“I know! I know, but what can I do about feeling angry! Ugh, really.”

Kale kicked the carriage wall irritably. The Marchioness patted Kale’s back, seemingly used to it.

“We just need to clear up the suspicion of poisoning! We’ve been investigating like this because we thought it was poison, that’s all. It’s clear that Arne girl collapsed alone due to her chronic illness and blamed it all on our son! Surely evidence will come out that Arne, that wench, lied.”

The Marchioness’s sharp voice pierced the ears. When the carriage stopped at the Marquis of Wayne’s residence, a servant hurriedly opened the carriage door. If he had been a little late, he would have been beaten again.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Is there any progress in the investigation? They said a report would come today. Is it true that Lady Ronia collapsed due to mana surge but insisted it was poisoning?”

“Well, there’s a servant who saw Bianca giving something suspicious to Lady Arne in water. They say a mana core injury patient could die if they take mana perfume, but if I may be so bold, Bianca…”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Here’s the report summarized by the private detective you hired.”

The Marchioness, reading the report, staggered, holding her forehead. The report slipped from her fingertips. Kale’s pupils dilated as he snatched the falling report.

“Lady Bianca Cecilia de Ronia? At risk of being charged with a serious crime?”

There were records of Bianca purchasing mana perfume and testimony from a servant who saw Bianca putting mana perfume in a glass of water that day. The most surprising was the last page.

It contained information about a bill being discussed to punish the use of mana perfume on mana core injury patients as a serious crime.

The one who proposed the bill was Cedric Schopendha de Renigrad.

* * *

Cedric was damp from the tips of his hair to the front of his shirt.

“Did something happen? Are you okay?”

“Something was on my face. I ended up washing it.”

Cedric shrugged. Arne raised an eyebrow as she slowly scanned his appearance.

“…Looks like a lot was on your face.”

Seeing Cedric’s state, almost like a drenched mouse, Arne forgot what she was going to ask him.

“More importantly, I have something to give you today.”

Cedric took out a small box.

“I asked Rein to create a magical tool that could prepare for any trouble that might arise due to the mana perfume.”

“Thank you so much.”

But Cedric hesitated, not removing his hand from the box while looking at Arne. And Cedric avoided her gaze, which was rare. His face seemed slightly red.

“But it seems Rein misunderstood a bit. I asked for something that could be worn on the body to use anytime, but I didn’t expect him to make it like this.”

Cedric still couldn’t remove his hand from the box, using his other hand to rub his tilted forehead.

“He said it’s a magical tool that teleports you to me instantly if your mana decreases to a dangerous level.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Cedric looked at Arne and closed his mouth, which had been moving slightly. The problem was that he hadn’t checked when Rein was there because he was in a hurry choosing flowers.

‘I should have considered his constant talk about love.’

Cedric sighed deeply and removed his hand from the box. Arne, finding Cedric’s behavior unusual, opened the box curiously.

“It’s a ring.”

“I didn’t know it would be a ring.”

Cedric inwardly resolved to not let Rein off easy the next time they met. Doesn’t this look like giving a ring to a lover? He shouldn’t have ignored the comments about them dating.

While Cedric was mentally choosing a day to confront Rein, Arne’s eyes just sparkled as if she had seen a cute rabbit.

“It’s pretty. This is the first time I’ve received a ring as a gift. Thank you.”

She even casually took out the ring and put it on her index finger. Since it was a magical tool, it adjusted its size to fit Arne’s hand.

Arne smiled brightly and showed her hand to Cedric.

“By the way, what misunderstanding did Rein have?”

Only then did Cedric realize. Arne hadn’t thought at all that this magical tool would be a pair.

It seemed the possibility that he might have prepared the ring with a different meaning didn’t exist at all.

Cedric, who had been worrying alone about how to explain since confirming the ring’s existence, pressed his temple and chuckled.

‘Am I being self-conscious? Why am I like this?’

Cedric pressed the end of his eyebrow several times with his fingertip supporting his head tilted to the right.

“He misunderstood that we were already dating. That ring is a pair. The magical tool only activates when both people are wearing it.”

“Ah…”

“I’ll wear mine around my neck, so don’t feel burdened. It won’t be visible under my clothes. I’ll ask Rein later if the shape can be changed.”

“…Okay.”

“By the way, is that pearl necklace you’re wearing now also a pair?”

“This?”

Cedric nodded. It was the necklace Arne had worn at Lord Wayne’s banquet. And the necklace Rein had sold to him after receiving Arne’s request.

“No. This is actually the Duchess Ronia’s pearl necklace that she lent me for Lord Wayne ‘s banquet. I didn’t have any accessories at that time.”

“Is that so?”

Cedric looked at the pearl necklace curiously.

‘If it’s the only pearl necklace, then what on earth is that necklace?’

He had definitely received a pearl necklace from Rein. On top of that, he wondered why Arne would try to secretly dispose of the Duchess’s necklace.

However, if he asked about this, he would have to reveal that he had bought Arne’s pearl necklace.

‘If I do that, the lady will surely refuse to accept payment. She’ll also say it’s an excessively high price.’

After pondering for a moment, Cedric just kept his mouth shut. He concluded that he should keep the Duchess’s pearl necklace and return it if Arne ever gets into trouble.

“I asked because it looked familiar. It wasn’t among the necklaces Ella made. Perhaps you didn’t like Ella’s accessories?”

“Not at all. I’m wearing this on purpose. Since I’ve worn it, the Duchess will soon plan to discard this necklace.”

Just as Arne finished her puzzling words, Head Chef Mendel appeared pushing a trolley. The smell of the salmon egg benedict captured Arne’s attention. Mendel smiled confidently as he presented the dish.

“This is a special dish for exclusive guests that can only be enjoyed here. We don’t usually serve salmon dishes today. It’s because Lord Cedric likes salmon and the Lady likes benedict.”

Mendel smiled friendly towards Arne. Arne also responded to his banter.

“This place is really tempting. It makes me want to come often.”

Cedric, raising one eyebrow, said,

“Come often then.”

Then Mendel whispered to Arne,

“Didn’t I tell you? You wouldn’t need to ask.”

When Cedric looked at them curiously, Mendel and Arne burst into laughter.

* * *

After eating her fill, including the dessert specially prepared by Mendel, and receiving a kind send-off, Arne was in a good mood. Watching her, Cedric spoke in a slightly sulky voice.

“You became friends with Mendel quickly.”

“We’re comrades who share a secret. Or maybe not share. I’m still nothing yet.”

“What?”

“Well, it’s a secret.”

Arne grinned and moved her steps. Cedric shrugged and followed Arne.

“Is there anywhere else you want to go?”

“Yes! I want to go to the Firefly Garden! They say if you make a wish there, it comes true!”

Arne’s eyes sparkled more than ever. Cedric’s expression became a little troubled.

“You know the Firefly Garden is quite far from here, right? It’s just a name; it’s actually a firefly habitat in the mountains.”

“Oh, is it very far?”

Concern clouded Arne’s eyes. Her drooping shoulders bothered Cedric.

“Quite. And it’s a rugged mountain, so people don’t really go there. Everyone who comes here dresses up nicely. It’s absolutely impossible with those shoes.”

“Then I’ll go buy boots right now!”

“It’ll be quite late when we get back. Duke and Duchess Ronia will be worried.”

“Not at all! I came back after midnight yesterday too, you know?”

Cedric’s right eyebrow raised. Feeling as if he was subtly asking for a reason, Arne quickly added,

“I went to the bookstore and the training ground. The Duke thinks I’m doing magic training until late, so he doesn’t worry. Actually, I was practicing using elemental mana.”

Cedric’s right eyebrow still didn’t come down.

“Today you’re with me. It’s a walk, not training.”

It wasn’t easy, as expected. Arne rolled her eyes around looking for an excuse, then just spoke honestly.

“But if not now, I can’t see them. Fireflies aren’t something you can see all the time. I have a wish I really want to make.”

Arne fidgeted her fingers nervously. How could she change his stubborn mind even with honest sincerity? Arne mumbled while watching his reaction.

“Actually, I’m a bit scared to go alone.”

“You were going to go alone?”