~Chapter 57~
After the tea party ended, Barker’s invitation arrived sooner than Ruby expected.
“You’ve been invited to the Land Count’s mansion?” Diana asked.
“Yes.”
Diana looked at Ruby with curious eyes. “What kind of person is Young Master Barker?”
“Hm, I only met him briefly, so I can’t say for sure, but he seemed calm and intelligent,” Ruby replied.
The fact that he immediately invited her to his mansion after realizing her interest in jewelry showed he was quick-witted as well. Of course, he had probably been advised by his elders to befriend her, but it still took effort to act on it.
Just then, Calix walked into Ruby’s room while she was still distracted by Barker’s letter.
“Sis, where are you going?” he asked.
“Oh, I was invited by someone I met at the tea party last time,” Ruby explained.
Following him, Sasha entered and asked, “Who invited you?”
“A young nobleman named Barker Land.”
Calix and Sasha hadn’t yet learned much about the nobles of the empire, so the names didn’t mean anything to them. They just blinked, looking confused.
“Is he a good person?” Calix asked.
“I don’t think he’s a bad one,” Ruby said.
“Then can I go too?” Calix asked quickly.
“Me too, me too!” Sasha said, raising her hand.
Ruby looked troubled. The invitation had been addressed only to her, and she wasn’t sure if bringing her younger siblings along would be appropriate.
Sensing her hesitation, Calix made a pitiful face. “But I want to make new friends too…”
“Me too…” Sasha echoed.
“You always get to go out of the mansion, sis…” Calix said, pouting.
“Yeah, Sasha wants to go out too…”
Seeing the two of them with their identical sad expressions, Ruby couldn’t hold firm for long.
“Hm… I’ll ask Young Master Barker first,” she finally said.
“Yay! We get to go out!”
“Waaah!”
The two siblings clapped hands joyfully. They rarely left the mansion since their days were filled with lessons, so they were clearly thrilled. Ruby realized she had been neglecting them a little lately because of her busy schedule and felt guilty.
Fortunately, Barker soon replied, saying it was fine for Ruby to bring her siblings. Since Theo wasn’t coming this time, they decided to leave little Maria at home.
Inside the carriage, Ruby reminded her siblings repeatedly as they rode.
“Do not run around, greet people properly, and watch your language!”
She added more and more rules until Calix groaned and covered his ears.
“Don’t worry, sis. I’m seven years old now. I can behave,” Calix said proudly.
“That’s why I’m worried,” Ruby said.
“I’m grown up!”
“The fact that you’re saying that shows you’re not,” Ruby replied firmly.
Calix crossed his arms and sulked. Meanwhile, Sasha tugged at Ruby’s sleeve.
“Sasha’s still a baby,” she said.
“No, Sasha, you’re a little girl now. You can’t act like a baby anymore, okay?” Ruby said gently but firmly.
“Hing…” Sasha pouted, lowering her head.
While Ruby tried to manage her siblings, the carriage rolled on smoothly toward the Land mansion.
When they arrived, another carriage was already parked outside. Recognizing the family crest, Ruby quickly approached and greeted its occupant.
“Hello, Lady Sennis.”
“Oh my, hello, Lady Ruby. Are these your younger siblings?” Sennis asked.
“Yes, this is Calix, and this is Sasha,” Ruby introduced.
Despite their earlier excitement, both children suddenly became shy in front of the unfamiliar lady and hid behind Ruby’s back, peeking out timidly.
“Come on, kids, greet her properly,” Ruby said in a stern voice.
Calix stepped out first and bowed his head. “Hello…” he mumbled, then quickly hid behind Ruby again.
“Hello!” Sasha said brightly, bowing deeply.
“How adorable! I’m Sennis Brensel. It’s lovely to meet you,” Sennis said, crouching down to meet Sasha’s eyes with a warm smile.
Just then, Barker came rushing out from the mansion.
“I apologize for being late to greet you. You’ve already arrived,” he said politely.
“It’s fine. We just got here,” Ruby said, waving her hands.
Barker’s eyes naturally turned to the two children.
“And these must be…”
“Yes, my younger siblings—Calix and Sasha,” Ruby said.
“Nice to meet you both,” Barker said with a gentle smile.
“Hello,” Calix said softly and ducked back behind Ruby again.
“Hwello,” Sasha mumbled, twisting shyly. Her speech sounded like she had gone back to her toddler days.
Ruby realized that Sasha was blushing because she was shy in front of Barker’s handsome face.
“Welcome to our mansion,” Barker said warmly. His smooth, gentle voice only made Sasha’s face redder.
“My legs hurt. Can we go inside already?” Sennis said with a hint of annoyance—Barker hadn’t greeted her directly yet.
“Oh, Lady Sennis, you’re here too. Please, this way,” Barker said politely, though not particularly warmly.
Ruby and her siblings didn’t understand the tension between the two nobles and just exchanged glances.
They followed Barker inside the grand mansion.
“Wow…” Calix and Sasha exclaimed as soon as they entered.
“It may not be as magnificent as the Grand Duke’s residence, but it’s decent enough, right?” Barker said modestly.
“It’s a beautiful mansion,” Ruby said honestly.
“In fact, it’s newly built. The old one was too worn down, so we decided to rebuild it,” Barker explained.
Ruby realized that such a grand mansion must have required an enormous amount of money. She was impressed by the Land family’s wealth.
Barker led them into the drawing room.
“What kind of tea would you like, Lady Ruby?” Barker asked courteously.
“I’ll drink whatever you recommend. Oh, but could my siblings have rooibos tea, please?” Ruby said.
Her thoughtful attitude—putting her siblings first—made Barker’s expression soften with admiration.
“Of course. And Lady Sennis?” he asked.
“Earl Grey milk tea, please. With lots of sugar,” Sennis said.
“That much sugar is not good for your health,” Barker said teasingly.
“That’s my choice,” Sennis replied curtly.
“Alright, as you wish,” Barker said, smiling awkwardly.
Ruby couldn’t tell whether the two of them got along or not. Barker was polite with her but casual with Sennis—it was strange.
Barker stood up after taking the orders.
“You’re not going to make the tea yourself, are you?” Ruby asked, surprised.
Barker smiled and said, “Actually, I’m quite good at it.”
With that, he left the room, pushing a small cart.
Left alone, Sennis turned her attention to Ruby’s siblings.
“You three look so much alike. You’re all so cute and charming,” she said kindly.
“I—I’m not cute,” Calix said, flustered. His red ears betrayed him.
“You look brave too! Do you train or exercise?” Sennis asked.
“Oh, Calix is learning swordsmanship,” Ruby explained.
Sennis clasped her hands, surprised. “Oh my! You’re already training with the sword? How impressive!”
“I-it’s nothing…” Calix muttered shyly, overwhelmed by the praise.
“My brother’s skills are actually quite good,” Ruby said proudly. “And not just because he’s my brother—”
“Sis!” Calix exclaimed, covering her mouth in embarrassment.
Sennis giggled at their sibling playfulness. Then she turned to Sasha.
“And your little sister is so adorable—like a doll!”
Sasha didn’t shy away from the compliment. “Sasha’s pretty! Like a princess, right?” she said proudly.
“Sasha, I told you not to say things like that. And remember to use polite speech,” Ruby scolded.
“It’s fine,” Sennis said kindly. “I’m not a princess, so you don’t have to be so formal.”
Sasha giggled, relieved.
“I’m an only child, so I envy you. Having younger siblings must be so nice,” Sennis said softly.
“It is. They give me strength and make me want to do better,” Ruby said warmly, patting both Calix and Sasha on the head.
The two children smiled up at her brightly.
Watching them, Sennis couldn’t help but smile too.
At that moment, the door opened again, and Barker entered, pushing a tray himself.
Ruby immediately stood up. “Can I help you?”
“No, please stay seated. Serving my guests properly is my duty,” Barker said with a smile. “Besides, we have another guest joining us.”
He stepped aside from the doorway, and someone walked in.
“Prince Ivan!” Sennis exclaimed, jumping to her feet in surprise.
