Chapter 44
“My goodness, it’s so pretty, Chloe.”
“Right? When I move, the orb sparkles, see?”
“Really? Wow… this bracelet really suits only our little girl. No one else could pull it off this well.”
Mom’s praise came like a whirlwind, and I puffed up proudly.
She fiddled with the bracelet on my wrist, a huge smile on her face.
“With that chubby arm and the bracelet, you look twice as cute.”
Huh…?
“Oh, it’s so soft and squishy.”
I-I think she’s complimenting me… right, Mom?
Even though my uneasy expression didn’t seem to register, Mom’s hands didn’t stop.
I glanced up from my wrist, which was being relentlessly handled and reshaped by Mom’s hands.
Her face was brighter than before—so different from Herald.
Seeing such a clear difference between the two of them made my mind wander toward less happy thoughts.
I decided to test the waters, speaking carefully.
“Mom, should I show this to Dad too?”
The moment I said “Dad,” Mom’s mouth pressed into a straight line.
“Huh? That’s up to you, Chloe. Do you want to show him?”
“Yes… and I also want to have a meal with both Mom and Dad. I want to go for a walk together too…”
“……”
Mom didn’t answer. Her expression changed immediately, and I realized I might have spoken too soon.
But if I subtly hinted that I wanted to spend time with Dad, Mom would inevitably face him more often.
Over time, maybe the remaining misunderstandings and old feelings would gradually fade.
It might be overly optimistic, but I wanted to try little by little.
I had thought it didn’t matter if Herald and Mom weren’t close… but somehow my feelings had changed.
Before, I only wanted to help Herald for our own safety, for Mom and me. Now, I genuinely hoped their relationship would improve.
Sigh… why am I so weak-hearted?
Maybe it’s because I saw Herald walking away so gloomy earlier.
“Chloe… do you want to spend time with your father?”
“Yes.”
“I see… so that’s what you’ve been thinking.”
Mom murmured softly, almost to herself, and turned her gaze toward the window. She looked so thoughtful.
I didn’t add another word.
“Elly, what about this one?”
“Hmmm… this one’s different. Back then, the stem was bigger and thicker.”
“Bigger and thicker than this?”
I held a flower that looked like it could only grow in a demon world, frowning in confusion.
I had been spending the last hour with Elly, carefully picking flowers at the shop.
Ignoring the sharp looks from the shop owner, of course.
There was a reason we were putting so much effort into choosing flowers.
Tomorrow was Mom and Dad’s wedding anniversary.
Why were we at the flower shop?
Because of some top-secret information I’d heard from Helen yesterday.
Yesterday afternoon.
No training, no classes—a rare day to relax both body and mind.
I was sprawled on the sofa, staring at the sparkling chandelier, constantly shoving cookies into my mouth.
“You just ate two, didn’t you?”
“No? I ate one each.”
“No, two have disappeared at once!”
Pepe, who was sharing snack time with me, scolded me for supposedly taking two at a time, but that wasn’t true.
I ate one at a time, very quickly, so it only looked like two were gone at once.
“You greedy thing.”
“They think I’m greedy, but you’ve gained so much weight recently! If you eat more, you might blow away like a balloon in the wind later.”
“What?”
“I’m eating fast so you don’t overeat. For your own good.”
I pointed at his chubby belly, and Pepe frantically touched and checked his own body.
Yes, feel it properly and realize the seriousness, you chubby little squirrel.
“But why aren’t you going to training today?”
“Pin has some special work to do today.”
“What work?”
“I don’t know. Elly said he rushed out this morning.”
I shook the crumbs off my hands and sat up. Eating all those dry cookies made me thirsty.
“Ah, nothing to drink…”
Of course, the maids had only brought cookies today. I considered pulling the bell rope to call them but decided to get the drink myself.
“Where are you going?”
Pepe asked as I stood up, still holding the cookies.
“To get something to drink.”
“Get mine too.”
“Okay. Just water, right?”
“No, not just water. It has to be cold water with four ice cubes floating in it…”
“Got it.”
I cut him off and left the room.
I didn’t know why I found him so irritating every time he acted picky.
I walked at a moderate pace. Just as I was about to turn the corner into the kitchen, I heard the maid who had brought cookies to my room earlier.
“Should we not prepare anything this time?”
“Yes.”
“Why? It’s the first wedding anniversary since the lady returned!”
Wedding anniversary?
Peeking inside, I saw only Chef Helen and one maid in the kitchen. I stopped and listened closer.
“Why? Why aren’t we doing anything this time? Before the lady left, the master always cared so much. I can still remember her joy when receiving such a huge bouquet…”
“Well… how could we know what’s in their hearts? Just do as they say. And don’t spread this around.”
“Ha… I’m worried the lady will feel upset.”
“Don’t assume only the recipient will be upset. Sometimes, even if you want to do something, you simply can’t…”
“Huh? What do you mean, Chef Helen?”
“Enough. Stop chatting. Wipe the dishes and cloths. Water marks will form otherwise.”
“Chef Heeelllen!”
Ah, what? She stopped talking.
I was dying to hear the rest, so I stepped one foot forward unconsciously.
“Hurry and wipe them.”
“Yes, but tell me after you’ve finished, okay?”
“What was I saying again?”
“Chef Helen!”
“Ah, you startled me. Why did you shout all of a sudden… Oh, Miss!”
I stepped slowly into the kitchen, and Helen called me loudly, even louder than the maid.
She glanced at my back as if checking if anyone else had come with me.
“I’m thirsty…”
“Thirsty?”
“Yes, cookies made me thirsty.”
As soon as I finished, Helen gave the maid a sharp look, scolding her for not bringing drinks along with the snacks.
“S-Sorry… I think I just forgot in the rush.”
“You… anyway, Miss, sorry about that. The girl is still inexperienced. We have juice and milk. Which would you like?”
“Milk… and ice water.”
I grabbed Pepe’s drink as well, knowing he’d make a fuss if I didn’t.
Watching Helen pour milk into a glass, I cautiously spoke.
“But… when is Mom and Dad’s wedding anniversary?”
“Huh?”
Her hand wavered slightly while pouring the milk, but I didn’t stop talking.
“You just said it’s Mom and Dad’s anniversary. When exactly is it? Did they have parties before? Did they give each other gifts?”
“Ah… well…”
Helen avoided my eyes, looking troubled.
But the answer I wanted came from somewhere else.
“Wow, it was such a grand party. The guests invited were incredible, and there were so many jewels and gifts for the lady… I think that’s when they first danced together smiling…”
“Rina!”
Helen hurriedly stopped the maid from speaking, but most of the information had already reached my ears.
What a great piece of intel!
