Chapter 15
I could give you a thousand friends like Tino!
‘Just wait! All the white, black, blue, and yellow Tinos in the world will be yours!’
Daisy, who was overly excited inside, calmly bent her knees.
She thought of a good idea. An idea that could loosen up Luciana and River’s nervousness.
Daisy smiled brightly as she tilted her head.
“Hi, Tino? I also have a friend to introduce to Ravi.”
“Uwoow!”
At her words, River’s big eyes shone even more as he held Tino tightly.
I like new friends! I don’t have any friends, so I want to make a lot of friends! This is my chance!
“Where? I want to meet them quickly. A new friend! I have a new mom and a new friend! This is great!”
Friend? Carlyx had a look around the entrance. But nobody is coming. Daisy didn’t even bring a doll.
But then,
“Kaaak. Kaaak. Kiaak. Kiaak.”
‘Why are you making that sound?’
Carlyx couldn’t fathom what just occurred in front of him.
“Kaakk!”
Daisy intertwined her thumbs, spread her palms and flapped it like wings. As she wore elegant attire, she spread her hands high without caring.
It was a bird. Or maybe a crow.
“Kaak! Kaaakk!”
In that short moment, Carlyx was completely blown away. It was unbelievable even when he saw it himself.
Her actions for the past few days passed through his head. She acted completely different from her usual self.
‘Is she even the same person?’
A small sigh of dismay escaped Carlyx’s lips.
“Here it comes, the cool eagle!”
The eagle made by Daisy hovered around Luciana. The fair-colored eagle tickled Luciana in the neck.
“I-It tickles.”
The nervous Luciana burst into laughter. Her expression became warmer. The child, who bent her neck, smiled with her eyes.
Carlyx watched the scene from behind for a long time.
‘How long has it been since I saw that smile?’
As a matter of fact, I couldn’t remember exactly when. I care about the kids, but because I don’t know how to play with them like that…
“Kiaaak. Kaaak!”
This time the eagle bowed to greet Tino. Daisy cleared her throat and spoke using her original voice.
“My friend says it’s nice to meet you. Let’s shake hands.”
“Okay!”
Usually Carlyx would be strict about honorifics and manners, but he held himself back.
Since he didn’t want to break this picturesque peace.
“Kiaaak. Kiaak. Kaak. Kaak.”
Daisy still made a grotesque noise before she timidly held out her little finger.
“Kaaak. Kakk! Kaaak!”
“Nice to meet you, new friend!”
River and Daisy smiled merrily as they faced each other.
“Let’s meet again later. We should start the party now.”
“Yeaay!”
The excited River spewed out all the words going through his mind, which is the reason why he has been speaking informally for a while now.
“Wait a minute.”
River tucked Tino into his messenger bag. Unlike the brutally squashed dragon, River’s expression was bright.
River laboriously tried to get up using his crutches.
“Heave-ho!”
“River.”
“Yes, daddy?”
Two big innocent eyes looked at him. He looked so innocent as if he never expected to get in trouble.
River repeatedly stomped his feet as if he was ready to run even with such legs. He blinked his eyes quickly to rush Carlyx.
“Daddy, let’s go.”
“What are you doing? You’re not coming?”
As soon as Carlyx was about to speak, Daisy stepped up. She grabbed River’s hand before he had the chance to.
On the other hand, Luciana was staring at Carlyx. The children had a look full of anticipation. They seemed eager to find out why the party hall was covered in darkness.
“It’s dark. Walk slowly so that no one trips.”
Carlyx swallowed what he was about to say.
They all went into the party hall. And darkness came rushing in. The curtains completely covered the window so that no light could penetrate the party hall.
“Wow! Stars! Stars!”
River flapped his left arm, unable to hide his joy.
“There are stars, father!”
Luciana was about to run, but she stopped and started walking instead. She seemed astonished seeing as she couldn’t take her eyes off the ceiling. The original large chandelier was replaced with many little candles hung everywhere in the party hall.
“What constellation is this?”
“I think it’s the Altia Constellation.”
It was supposed to be Antlia, but Luciana cutely made a mistake.
Whatever it was, the glowing fire in the darkness was like the light of the stars in the night sky.
In the party hall, the sound of children’s laughter resounded like music.
‘…They seem happy.’
In front of Carlyx, Daisy was playfully running with Luciana. They didn’t forget about River. Daisy reached out to River, not caring about him wearing crutches.
On a starry night, under the beautifully decorated sky, they twirled around while holding hands.
It was a slow dance. It was as slow as the tightly closed buds that were about to blossom.
But everything looked dazzling.
That’s why Carlyx wondered if all of this was simply a dream.
***
The memorable party ended yesterday.
We wrapped up the party after dancing randomly under the stars.
The children must be tired after dancing for hours yesterday.
‘I want to ask about River’s leg.’
After the party, Carlyx put on a strange face. He had ambiguous expressions as though he was indifferent or out of his mind.
Carlyx was nowhere to be found in their bedroom at 11 PM for the first time that day.
‘I’ve been waiting to talk to you, but why haven’t you come?’
He didn’t even come after 1 AM, so I closed my book and blew out the candle. Sleeping was important, and I had plenty of other chances to talk to him.
“Madam!”
May came in with a piece of information.
“I, uh, have come with some hot news.”
Seeing May’s distorted face, Daisy immediately understood. There must have been progress in their romance.
Sure enough, May soon raised her voice.
“Madam, I saw them ki-kiss yesterday! No, how can people be so daring?”
“That’s what I thought, too. Why didn’t they protect their dignity as a maid and a servant?”
“That’s right, madam! They not only have to protect the dignity of their master, but also their dignity as a maid and a servant! Meanwhile, I’m living an upright life since I resemble our madam so much, so why!”
May, who was born with smooth hair, was in fact a 24-year-old motae solo.
(T/N: Motae Solo = Someone who has been single ever since she came out of her mother’s womb.)
“At this rate, they’ll go—smuck, smuuuck!”
May frowned, blowing her nose in resentment. She didn’t look too happy when she talked about their passionate love last time. This time, she got angry as she was explaining their french kiss.
Perhaps it’s because May was inexperienced, or those two sucked at kissing.
“Well, who can’t do—smuck, smuuuck—like that?”
I think it’s both.
Soon after, May couldn’t stop saying smuck, smuuuck. Feeling deja vu, Daisy smiled deeply.
“May?”
May immediately straightened her posture after seeing Daisy’s elegant, sobering smile.
“I’ll stop, madam.”
May was able to quickly read her master’s mind that no one else could.
Nodding, Daisy continued her conversation with May.
In the end, I didn’t hear anything new, but at least I was able to confirm.
As expected, the servant’s name was Tommy. According to May, he liked to go around seducing maids.
‘That being the case, he must be fired.’
Daisy elegantly twirled her quill pen. The name ‘Tommy’ was written with it. Daisy went through another paper and wrote another name.
‘Fire the maid, too.’
A maid named Sally. She was the one who tried to help her dress up. But now, she ruined herself because of love.
It was inevitable.
Daisy’s smile contained a little bit of regret, but she continued looking through Tyler’s documents.
“Let’s see who’s available to hire.”
She had a few people in mind, but she needed more information. Because the people listed here didn’t seem to qualify.
***
Daisy, who woke up early in the morning, was in a bad mood. Even though all the family members were together for a few consecutive days. They had small talks and meals together.
To be honest, it was perfect.
‘The kids were so cute. What’s more, from that day onwards, the meals of the chef became delicious.’
It was undoubtedly perfect. But there was something bothering me.
‘…Are you avoiding me?’
I’m pretty sure he was.
Daisy remembered her conversation with Carlyx.
“When is your break time today?”
“I have none.”
At first, that was his excuse. When he had less work to do, he suddenly wanted to focus on training. The excuse he used is that he might be called to war soon.
Still, I waited patiently because I didn’t think this conversation would be short.
‘Since it’s about River, and it won’t be a pleasant story looking at how hurt he seems.’
So I waited and waited. Two days later, I brought it up again.
“Let’s talk before we go to bed.”
“I’m not feeling well today. Let’s do it next time.”
I understood this time because he said he was sick. I thought that I shouldn’t hold onto a sick person no matter how much I wanted to clear things out.
But I was gradually running out of patience.
‘I hope all the things he should’ve told me after my first meeting with River are no longer delayed.’
The timing was important in clearing situations. So, we needed to have a proper conversation as soon as possible.
I believed there was an emotion and honesty that I could confide only then.
“Should I go to the training grounds the day after tomorrow?”
I had many things on my mind, but I went back to my senses as I heard a knock on the door.