<CHAPTER 03>

“Oh my! Your complexion is far too pale!”

I struggled to pry away the hand of Isabella, who was gripping my face tightly with a serious expression.

“I’m fine. More importantly, I told you not to come anymore. You rushed over again after insisting, didn’t you?”

I shook my head.

“I’m sorry for saying this as soon as you arrived, but you should go back now.”

“Why?”

“Huh?”

“Why should I go back?”

But as expected, Isabella was not an easy opponent.

She tilted her head with wide, innocent eyes.

Those sparkling eyes left me at a loss, so I hastily came up with an excuse.

“Didn’t you hear what the others said last time? What if this unknown illness spreads to you?”

“I don’t care.”

Before I could even finish speaking, Isabella stepped closer.

“You know that’s nonsense. And even if it did happen, I really wouldn’t care.”

Was she being serious?

Her expression was so calm despite the absurd words that I found myself speechless.

“Alright, that settles it, right? Let’s go have some tea!”

With a bright smile, Isabella grabbed my hand and pulled me along.

As I followed her quick steps, her golden hair and my jet-black hair swayed together.

“So you’re Leila? I’ve heard so much about you from my mom. Oh my, your hair is so pretty!”

“You know, my mom and your mom were really close friends. Do you think we can be just as close?”

From the very first time we met, she had always been like this.

She’s really stubborn. Even back then, I said I didn’t want to…

But now… I can’t think of a convincing excuse to shake off Isabella’s hand.

It can’t be helped. I’ll just postpone it for a bit.

I can distance myself anytime. Just act natural.

Just a little longer…

I loosely returned the grip of Isabella’s hand.

Soon, we arrived at the garden and sat facing each other at a tea table.

Swinging her legs happily, Isabella asked me,

“What kind of story do you want to hear today?”

Since I usually stayed at the mansion unless it was Mrs. Dawson’s party, Isabella would tell me about things happening around her.

From small incidents among friends to rumors circulating among adults.

Even if I listened half-heartedly, Isabella remained persistent.

I shrugged and replied,

“Anything except stories about that prince.”

“Whaaat? That was the most important one!”

Isabella puffed her cheeks.

The one she loved talking about the most was His Highness Heraise, the kingdom’s second prince.

With his beautiful appearance and exceptional magical talent, he was the center of attention in high society.

I had heard his name so often that I felt familiar with him despite never seeing his face…

But after that prophetic dream, it feels a bit uncomfortable.

In the dream, Isabella becomes engaged to that prince.

And I… for some reason, was completely determined to destroy their happiness.

Why would I even do something like that?

Anyway, for now, I wanted to hear something else.

“Tch. Fine then. Yesterday…”

Seeing that I wouldn’t change my mind, Isabella began to chatter about various things.

Some were things I already knew from the dream, while others were new to me.

Among them, one story caught my attention.

“A festival?”

“Yeah. It’s held in the village around this time every year. Normally, people would go to a ball instead.”

Festival fireworks!

I must have shown interest, because Isabella tilted her head curiously.

But before she could say anything, Countess Dawson approached us.

“Oh? Mother!”

Forgetting what she was about to say, Isabella stood up, and the Countess gently tucked her messy hair behind her ear.

“Did you have fun, Belle? You didn’t bother Leila too much again, did you?”

“I really didn’t bother her today. Right?”

“We just chatted while eating dessert, so please don’t worry.”

At my composed answer, Countess Dawson smiled at me with affectionate eyes.

“That’s a relief. Please take good care of Isabella.”

I couldn’t meet her gaze and rolled my eyes away.

I never know what to do when she looks at me like that.

It felt like my conscience was being pricked, since I was always thinking of ways to distance myself from Isabella.

“Y-Yes…”

After gently patting my head, Countess Dawson left with Isabella.

That evening.

I grabbed my father’s sleeve when he came to say goodnight.

It was to tell him I wanted to go to the festival.

Of course he’ll say yes, right?

Looking back on my eight years of life, I had rarely heard my father say “no.”

Even when he did, I usually did as I pleased anyway.

“Hm? What is it, my dear? Don’t you like your blanket suddenly? Should I bring you a different doll today?”

“Father, I want to go see the festival.”

But something felt strange.

The expected positive answer did not come.

“Father?”

“Leila, I’m sorry, but that…”

For once, my father dropped his usual smile and looked troubled.

“…I can’t go?”

Thud. My common sense collapsed.

Though he looked pained at my shock, he continued with difficulty.

“We don’t know what might happen in such a crowded place, and festivals might not even be that fun. Instead, how about a picnic somewhere nicer with me—”

“But I want to see the festival fireworks myself.”

I spoke while trying my best not to throw a tantrum like before.

“I’ve never properly seen them…”

“Leila…”

Ah, maybe I shouldn’t have said that.

It felt like I had only deepened his misunderstanding.

But I want to see them! Why not? Why!

Despite my inner frustration, I quietly lowered my head without complaining.

My father’s eyes shook violently at the sight.

Oh? Maybe I should act a little more pitiful.

“Cough, cough!”

With perfect timing, even a cough came out.

But my father soon turned his head away as if he could no longer face me.

And then…

“I’m sorry, Leila…!”

He ran out of the room.

What was that?

Blinking in disbelief, I grabbed the innocent blanket and shook it.

“As if I’d give up…!”

No matter what, I was definitely going to go!

Dawn arrived, a time when children should be fast asleep.

Leila, too, had fallen into a deep sleep, completely forgetting the schemes she had been plotting with her tiny head wrapped up in thoughts.

Beside her sat James, looking down at his still very young daughter.

In one hand, he held a piece of paper written in childish handwriting.

His eyes, as he gazed at her, were filled with a sorrowful tenderness.

“Your Grace, there is something you must see.”

Late at night, Phoebe, Leila’s personal maid, had come to him with a private request.

Her eyes were red, as if she had already cried a great deal, as she handed him the paper.

“The Young Lady was writing it by herself.”

The moment he realized what the paper was, James froze.

It was a list of “things she wanted to do.”

He gently reached out and brushed aside the hair tickling Leila’s forehead.

She was still so small.

Though she had grown from the time she could be lifted with one hand, she was still just this young.

Growing into an adult would take far more than just a little increase in height.

And yet, his daughter’s heart had already grown far beyond her years.

Watch fireworks at the festival

Attend a royal party

Find Father a new family