"Is it that weird?"
It was finally the day of the Hunting Festival.
Leticia cautiously asked if the dress that Elle chose from the boutique looked nice on her. Instead of answering, Elle looked at Leticia like she had lost her mind.
Her pale white skin and slightly peach-colored cheeks, and her brighter-than-usual pink dress that fluttered as she moved. She looked as gorgeous as a freshly blooming flower.
With embarrassed blue eyes blinking down at her, Elle couldn't stand it anymore and hugged Leticia.
"Elle...?"
"Who has a prettier older sister?"
Elle was much more adorable than she had imagined, and Leticia was feeling really touched.
Leticia looked at Elle with affectionate eyes and carefully grabbed her hands as she wriggled them around.
"I'm so happy to have a sister as kind and beautiful as Elle."
"Why does my sister talk so nicely?"
Elle seemed to be embarrassed and avoided glancing at Leticia, but a cute and bright smile was spreading across Elle's face.
Staring at Leticia's long pink hair, Elle came to stand beside her at the vanity. Leticia turned to Elle who had an eager expression on her face. She showed Leticia the ribbon she was holding in her hand.
"I thought it would be prettier if you tied your hair up."
"Oh, I'll do it then."
"I mentioned it because I want to do it."
Elle lightly patted her shoulders to say it's okay. She started tying half of her hair up with the ribbon that is the same color as Leticia's dress. Leticia looked down, feeling self-conscious.
"Come to think of it, who are you going to give your ribbon to?"
"What? Oh, um...."
Leticia immediately realized that Elle was talking about the Hunting Festival tradition, she hesitated and smoothed out her dress with her fingers. At that moment, a cool voice descended from above her head.
"You're not giving it to that rude man, are you?"
The word "rude" was said with a lot of emphasis.
Leticia didn't immediately realize who Elle was talking about at first. She tilted her head slightly, but eventually realized and shook her head with a smile.
"Never."
There was no way to mend a broken relationship when both sides had given up on it.
That's weird.'
A few days ago she would have felt bitter at thoughts of Levion, but now she didn't care either way.
Leticia firmly rejected her suggestion, but Elle still looked suspicious.
Helplessly, Leticia had to reveal her private feelings.
"There's someone else I want to give it to."
"Who is it?"
Elle opened her eyes wide in shock. She didn't think there was anyone that Leticia wanted to give her ribbon to. Leticia just smiled softly and didn't answer.
"Who is it, huh? Who are you hiding from me?"
"It's a secret."
Elle asked her until they got into the carriage and all the way to the Imperial Hunting grounds, but Leticia stubbornly kept her mouth shut.
***
"It's a pity Ian didn't come with us."
Leticia sighed shallowly, she looked at the vast expanse of grassland as soon as they arrived at the hunting grounds. Ian, who they expected to come with them, refused and said that he had things to do. So Leticia and Elle went on without him.
Elle shrugged carelessly as if she expected this.
"Ian is very motivated these days."
"Motivated?"
"For the Imperial Civil Exam."
"But..."
Leticia muddled her words, she was bothered because of what Ian said to her last time.
want to study, but the only thing I can do is
she knew that Ian wasn't doing
if it
he has
"What?"
better motive than
lived despondently with a disinterest in the world, had been studying until late at night with venom in his eyes these days. Elle was worried that she never saw him away from his desk except when he was eating, but she couldn't stop him
want
else to get revenge on that guy who
"Revenge? On who?"
who's eyes widened in shock at Elle's next
you tell me who you're giving your ribbon
the blue ribbon, Leticia was startled
"Eh, that's not possible."
it a secret.
I can't. Absolutely
to back away when
"Miss Achilles!"
"Here you are!"
been waiting for
a nearby tea table recognized Elle and approached her with bright smiles. Not surprising, Elle
bracelets you made
cute and
any plans to
a new one, let us
gathered around Elle made it obvious that the
by so many
proudly at
"Leticia."
towards the familiar
"Count Aster!"
Count approached Leticia with a
"How have you been?"
Count Aster
you, I've been
of friendly conversation, Leticia
"How's the Countess?"
healthy
I hope she
felt moved by her sincere
invite you over for
be
clasped her hands together and
That's great.'
was relieved to hear about Countess Aster. She was able to breathe a sigh of
with your father
"What? My father...?"
a shame we only talked about business and I
"Ah... I see..."
your family
at the question about her
know the story spreading around
"Oh, the fact is..."
"....?"
her face, and
"I was excommunicated."
"What...?"
stay away from my
almost awkward to call
pale, as a troubled Leticia averted her
"Ha, excommunication...?"
late and tried to ask why, but Count Aster held his tongue. He
was a reason to be excommunicated, it was ridiculous to kick Leticia out. She worked harder, and sacrificed
believe they're abandoning
what a good
when he suddenly realized something with a sudden
where are you
mere thought of where and how this little child, abandoned by her family, had spent her life so far was enough
about staying at the Aster residence? I'm sure my wife will
surprised by his willingness to take her
I'm living at the Achilles mansion
mansion, with the Duke
the care of
"Yes... I see."
sigh of relief when he heard
even recognize what kind of a person he was, and I didn't know that he had excommunicated this child, so
done for Leticia without knowing the truth, he was tempted to run away. It was important to hear Leticia's feelings before making any