DDSWTB 66

Chapter 66

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“Tia, you don’t look so good. Are you really okay? I’m sure the thing you’re worried about won’t happen.”

My sister… does she know what I’m worried about?

“Yeah… you’re right.”

True, even if they don’t welcome me, it’s not like they’ll tell me to ‘go back’ to my face.

Tiana told herself that and headed toward Duchess Flora’s room.

“Mother! It’s been so long! I missed you so much!”

My sister called out to Mother the instant she saw her and rushed to hug her.

Duchess Flora was sitting up in bed. Though her body was thin and frail, there was still a faint trace of her former beauty.

Mother looks so unwell. Is her body really okay?
I knew she had a serious illness, but… she looks like she’s in so much pain.

“Tiana, come here too.”

“Y-Yes.”

With a gentle smile, Duchess Flora reached out to Tiana.

Tiana forced her heavy feet forward and approached the Duchess.

What should I say to her…?

“Mother, how is your health… um, are you all right?”

“(Cough) I’m fine, dear. Thank you for coming all this way. I’m so happy.**”

Mother said she was fine between coughs—but she looked like she was suffering.

“Ellie, Tiana, I’m so glad you both came. You didn’t have any trouble getting here, did you?”

“Tia got a little carriage-sick, so it was a bit rough.”

My sister explained what had happened during the trip.

“Oh my, Tiana, really? Well, it is a long journey. The road hasn’t been maintained since it was first paved ages ago.”

Mother seemed to think for a moment.

“I’ll have someone repair it later.”

“Eh—no, it’s not that bad!”

Her quick decision startled me a little.
Tiana thought, Mother must be the type who makes decisions immediately.

“Mother, Tiana and I each brought you a gift!”

“How wonderful. Thank you, both of you.”

Ellie presented her gift first—a handkerchief she had embroidered herself.

“My! Did you embroider everyone’s faces on this?”

“Yes! I wanted you to be able to see us anytime, so you wouldn’t feel lonely.”

“It’s beautifully done. With this, I’ll be able to remember everyone. I suppose you learned how to sew while I wasn’t watching.”

“Hehe, I practiced really hard while Dahlia and Mary taught me.”

“Thank you, Ellie. I’ll treasure it. Though it’s so lovely, I might never be able to use it—it would feel wasteful.”

She said that with a small, joking smile.

The Duchess gazed at Ellie with a look of genuine joy. Ellie, too, looked deeply satisfied.

I didn’t expect my sister to give her gift first… Will she really be happy with something as shabby as mine?

Even the cookies might not taste that good…

 

Tiana clenched the fabric of her dress tightly in her hands.