Even if Vienny didn’t bring them in herself, the animals would end up following her into the mansion on their own.

Half of the creatures she rescued had become permanent residents, and they weren’t limited to just birds or small animals. Thankfully, they lacked the setup for aquatic animals—a small blessing, at least.

McClart had once considered digging a small pond in the front yard, but as the number of animals in the house grew, he quietly abandoned the idea.

Corinne, who had initially found the situation charming, began to understand its seriousness as the number of animals soon exceeded what could be counted on one hand.

As the animals being brought in grew larger, Moiria half-jokingly suggested putting up a sign that read “Animal Farm” in front of the mansion. It wasn’t far from the truth, as the animal pen was beginning to outsize the garden.

Since reducing the pen’s size wasn’t an option, McClart found himself seriously considering the idea of hiring an animal caretaker. Noticing him lost in thought without a response, Vienny looked at him cautiously.

“Mac?”

Even when it wasn’t directly related to her own well-being, Vienny always asked his opinion with genuine seriousness. Whenever she sensed the slightest hint of discomfort in his expression, she would quietly call his name to reassure him.

“Mac.”

He loved the way she called him that, and sometimes he’d delay his response just to hear her say it again. He hadn’t realized how endearing the name “Mac” could be until he heard it in her voice.

From “Lord McClart” to just “McClart,” and finally to simply “Mac.”

The name had transformed, becoming something solid, like a tree stump, but at times still rough, like a piece of wood that hadn’t been smoothly cut. The efforts he’d put into bringing about that change were reflected in these small, treasured moments.

“All right, do as you wish.”

He brushed her cheek lightly with the hand that hadn’t touched the hay, and she nodded, her cheeks flushing. The squirrel she’d found that morning must have looked quite pitiful to her.

He wondered how clever this new creature might be and thought he should take a look at it later. Narrowing his eyes as he tried to guess where the squirrel might be, Bieni suddenly spoke again in a hesitant voice.

“Don’t you like more animals?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, it’s like having more mouths to feed…”

It seemed she was still concerned about the mansion’s finances. Despite his efforts to avoid putting his wealth into exact figures, the scale of it clearly didn’t register with her, even when he reassured her not to worry.

At first, McClart found her concerns rather absurd, but he soon grew to find Vienny’s efforts to contribute to the household endearing.

Throughout his life, he had always been the one leading others; no one had ever shown concern for his future, so this was entirely new for him. Besides, her dedication was just another way of expressing her wish for a happy future together. How could he not find that utterly charming?

“We’re managing with the money we make from selling flowers each month, aren’t we?”

In truth, she’d shown an unexpected talent for caring for plants.

The flowers were in such good condition that they attracted a steady flow of regular customers. The subordinate managing the flower shop submitted monthly reports, which included not only sales figures but also insights on customer trends. The recorded preferences indicated promising growth.

“Is it really helpful?”

In reality, the net profit wasn’t much, but Vienny’s earnings at least covered Ivelis’s snack expenses. Not that it truly mattered if even that little profit wasn’t made.

McClart nodded without hesitation.

“Of course. Didn’t you see the sales increase last month?”

He’d even written the numbers in large print to emphasize the good news.

At McClart’s words, Vienny lowered her gaze shyly. She didn’t react much outwardly, but he could easily tell she was quietly pleased.

Her lips were pressed tightly together, full of determination – it was clear that she had decided to put even more effort into tending the garden this month. Sometimes she’d get so enthusiastic that she’d spend the whole day crouching among the plants, her skirts stained with dirt. He had a feeling he’d see this scene again soon.

Just thinking about it made McClart’s heart itch pleasantly and he instinctively pressed his lips together. Even then, he couldn’t stop the smile from spreading, so he finally brushed his hand over his mouth in a vain attempt to hide it.

…Really, how could someone be so adorable?

“Why are you doing that?”

McClart, still covering his mouth with one hand, quickly adjusted his expression. Vienny, puzzled by his behavior, was watching him closely. Feeling slightly awkward, as he hadn’t managed to completely wipe away his smile, he quickly tried to divert her attention.

“Should we go buy a new watering can soon?”.

With plans to plant irises next week, it seemed like a good opportunity to buy some new tools as well.

Vienny’s face lit up at his suggestion and she responded eagerly.

“Shall we?”

The moment he met her bright, sparkling red eyes, McClart’s thin thread of patience snapped. In truth, he had long since stopped trying to hold back around Vienny.

“…Mac, I’m not Ivelis.”

“I know.”

Still clutching the handful of hay she hadn’t put down, Vienny looked up at him with a slightly displeased expression as he wrapped his arms around her. Ignoring her reaction, McClart held her tightly and made his way back to the mansion.

Hans, passing by and catching sight of them, laughed warmly.

“The couple seems to be as in love as ever today.”

Thanks to this intense affection, the bedroom door stayed firmly closed all day, leaving Ivelis, reluctantly, to fall asleep fussing in the nanny’s arms.

***

In truth, she hadn’t been confident that she could have a child.

No wonder, given that from a young age, she’d witnessed her mother endure countless miscarriages. She’d been told repeatedly—almost as if brainwashed—that the lineage of the great witch was not easily continued.

The lingering scent of blood, the distorted remnants of lost hopes—when Vienny thought of a baby, the first image that came to mind was grotesque and horrifying.

So, when she first discovered she was pregnant, her initial thought was, naturally, that she would miscarry. Her mother would suddenly begin bleeding one day and lose the baby. Vienny fully expected to experience the same fate, replaying that scene over and over in her mind.

She had never considered having children in her life. In the past she had been determined not to continue her bloodline. When she finally found peace, she simply hadn’t had time to think about it, so she never believed she wanted a child.

As a result, Vienny wasn’t particularly happy about the news of her pregnancy and didn’t see it as anything special. The one who was truly amazed and moved was none other than McClart.

Throughout her entire pregnancy, McClart insisted on carrying her around. It got to the point where Moiria scolded him, saying, “She needs to walk on her own for some exercise, you know.”

After Moiria’s scolding, McClart reluctantly allowed her to walk alone, but at the slightest sign of discomfort, he would scoop her up without a second thought.

During her morning sickness, she developed an unusual craving for sweets, and by the next day, every corner of the mansion was stocked with snacks and sweet fruit. McClart still didn’t seem satisfied, even with the whole place filled with goodies. If Vienny hadn’t stopped him, he’d probably have set up a chocolate fountain somewhere, just because he’d heard about it.

Life was as abundant as ever, filled with nothing but food and rest, without any shortage of care.

Perhaps due to all this attention, she gave birth without complications. Their daughter was born with black hair and bright blue eyes, just like McClart’s.

It was only when she made eye contact with her daughter for the first time that Vienny realised she might have wanted this child all along – a child who carried traces of both her and him. She thought that perhaps she had longed for a family. And with that thought, she remembered crying her heart out.

“Ivelis.”

Resting her chin on the edge of the bed, Vienny softly called, “Ivelis,” and Ivelis looked up at her with bright, wide eyes. They were as blue as McClart’s, yet somehow different.

While McClart’s eyes were like deep waters, their depths unknowable, Ivelis’s were like shallow, crystal-clear pools where everything was visible. Through those pure, unclouded eyes, the child revealed her emotions to Vienny completely.

Vienny could see, as plainly as day, the boundless trust and faith Ivelis had in her.

“Ivelis.”

In response to her call, Ivelis stretched out her tiny arms. When Vienny gently poked the small, outstretched palm with her index finger, Ivelis eagerly grasped it. Her hands were soft and delicate, yet her grip was surprisingly strong.

Vienny let her finger rest in the child’s grasp, and Ivelis burst into delighted laughter. This little one trusted her easily, loved her easily, and smiled for her just as easily.

“It looks like the young lady is happy to see you, ma’am. She was so fussy yesterday,” said Sara, the nanny, smiling as she adjusted Ivelis’s clothes.

Yesterday—Vienny recalled—was the day she and McClart had spent all day in the bedroom, a spontaneous spark of desire igniting between them as they were feeding the rabbits.

When Vienny had asked, “Shouldn’t we go see Ivelis?”

McClart had brushed it off, saying, “That’s why we hired a nanny.” And then…

As Vienny hesitantly recalled yesterday’s events, she paused, catching Ivelis’s innocent gaze. Something about those pure, unclouded eyes made Vienny feel as though she’d been caught thinking something inappropriate.

“Still, the young lady is so calm and composed.”

“She takes after you, ma’am!” chimed in Corinne, who had just entered carrying a pile of freshly laundered clothes.

Corinne, who had recently become quite skilled as a housekeeper, seemed to take particular pleasure in praising both Vienny and Ivelis’s appearance these days.

Corinne often said things like “The master’s face is the servant’s pride”, with an inexplicable confidence as she walked around with her shoulders back. In such a remote mansion, it was hard to imagine where she would go to display this supposed pride.

“The young lady is so calm even in the fearsome master’s arms; it’s surely because she inherited her mother’s gentle temperament.”

Corinne was also the only one in the mansion who refused to acknowledge McClart’s parenting skills. Now it seemed less that she didn’t acknowledge them, and more that she simply didn’t want to – but still.

“Is he still fearsome?”

“Don’t even get me started, ma’am. If it weren’t for you, he would’ve lived alone for the rest of his life.”

Corinne replied, shaking her head and clicking her tongue, clearly recalling another one of McClart’s detached remarks.

Vienny smiled awkwardly.

“I’ve asked him to be less harsh with his words, so it should improve.”

“Oh, please, ma’am! You’re the only one who can point out the master’s way of speaking!”

Seizing the opportunity, Corinne leaned forward and began to chatter about McClart’s terrible way of speaking. From what Vienny heard, his cold demeanour was enough to discourage the servants.

In truth, Vienny had endured far harsher words from him in the past, so she merely smiled and listened to Corinne’s complaints.

His temper had softened considerably these days, but it wasn’t just his words – there had been a time when his whole demeanour had been violent. Even though it was all in the past, Vienny couldn’t deny that it felt strange when she thought about it now and then.

McClart seemed to wish she’d forget everything that had happened at Rave Castle, but, unfortunately for him, Vienny had a very good memory. Not just good—remarkably good.

“By the way, the Master seems to be quite busy these days. He goes out more often, doesn’t he?”

“Strangely enough, whenever the Master leaves the mansion, the young lady seems to sense it and becomes much calmer.”

Listening quietly to the casual conversation around her, Vienny rested her cheek against the bed’s railing. Ivelis still clung to her finger, showing no intention of letting go. Apparently, her little arm wasn’t tired yet, as she held on firmly.

“Ivelis.”

Vienny softly mouthed, wondering if her silent words somehow reached her daughter. In response, Ivelis looked back and smiled brightly.

Vienny’s lips curled into a gentle smile, mirroring her daughter’s.

‘Your father is out there, working hard to protect our daily lives. So when he comes back, you should smile for him like this, okay?’

Even though Vienny hadn’t spoken her thoughts aloud, Ivelis’s smile grew even brighter, as if she understood everything perfectly.