When I looked up, Vis was shaking his head quickly at me.
He was signaling that I shouldn’t say it was okay.
Even if it wasn’t right in front of me, it was a close distance to allow for a lady who wasn’t family.
If I allowed it once, she might try to get even closer unconsciously.
‘Damn it.’
It seemed the scent had soaked into my body because we used too much scented oil last night.
Fortunately, she didn’t realize it was the smell of scented oil, but someone else might notice.
[Come to think of it, you’re right! It was a sweet flower scent! The room was filled with the fragrance too~]
‘A flower scent.’
Suddenly, my head began to throb.
It would be better to decline all visitors for a while.
“I… spilled some perfume, and it seems the scent stuck to me.”
“It suits Lord Adrian well.”
Does this scent suit me? Hearing that actually made me feel strange.
“But what brings Miss Madeline here?”
I quickly changed the subject before the talk about the scent or perfume could continue.
Then, pretending to be hot, I spread my hand and waved it like a fan, hoping the scent would scatter even a little faster.
“I came because I have something to deliver to my father.”
“To Sir Willoy?”
“Yes. He said there was something he needed urgently.”
“Did you bring it yourself?”
It’s not like they don’t have servants to run errands.
“Ah, yes. Because it’s an important item.”
She trailed off. Judging by her cautious attitude, it didn’t seem like she was going to leak information about what kind of item it was or why he had her bring it personally.
“And I thought, perhaps, I might run into you…”
The small voice that followed was so fragile it seemed it would be easily swept away by the wind.
A voice so small it was like a whisper, as if she didn’t want the other person to hear.
But unfortunately, I heard it clearly.
Was the person she wanted to run into Klen?
‘Or is it me?’
Or both.
In the past, I would have naturally assumed it was Klen, but the thought suddenly occurred to me that it might not be.
Still, I couldn’t very well ask her about something she intentionally said quietly.
“Oh, right.”
As if the awkward air was a burden, Madeline quickly changed the subject.
She rummaged through her basket, pulled out a small box, and held it out to me.
“I-if you’d like… would you like to try these?”
[Aren’t those cookies!]
Aren, who was sitting on my shoulder, flapped his wings.
He couldn’t stay still and tickled my cheek with his wing, to the point where I was glad he didn’t dive straight into the box.
In the box, which was woven from willow branches like the basket, three types of cookies were neatly arranged.
The types were likely chocolate, raspberry, and butter cookies.
They all looked delicious.
“I’ve been wondering for a bit, what a cute bird. Are you raising it, Lord Adrian?”
Attracted by Aren’s cuteness, she reached her hand forward.
[Don’t you dare touch me!]
“……!”
But before her hand could touch him, the little guy flew up above my head.
He stayed still for Klen or my brother’s touch.
No, did Brother Marcus grab him by force?
“He’s very shy around strangers. I’m sorry.”
[Shy?! Don’t you know that you aren’t supposed to just touch a sacred animal?]
“It’s alright. It seems… even animals like Lord Adrian.”
‘Even?’
With a faintly reddened face, she smiled.
I think Linda said something similar.
Do I have the kind of look that animals like?
When I turned my gaze, I saw the box still held out toward me.
Her fragile hand was trembling slightly, as if it was hard to maintain the posture.
I picked a raspberry cookie from inside and took a bite immediately.
A savory yet refreshing taste.
The added sweetness made it delicious.
“It’s delicious.”
“Really?”
She smiled more brightly than ever.
[Hmph. Surely you aren’t planning to eat them all? You mustn’t forget my share!]
“…….”
Aren demanded his share even while he was circling above my head.
I tilted my head back and tossed the whole cookie into my mouth as if to show him.
At that, the smooth oval he was drawing distorted sharply, and the little bird stumbled.
“Can I have one more?”
“Yes! As many as you like!”
I was only going to take one, but she handed me the whole box.
I tried to give it back, but she quickly pulled her hand away and stepped back so I couldn’t reach her.
“This is too many…”
“Please eat them with Lord Klen. Ah! It’s a shame I won’t get to see that.”
The last part was said quietly as she passed by.
But unfortunately, even that caught my ear perfectly.
Why does she want to see that?
“Aren’t these for Sir Willoy?”
“No. My father has his own, so please don’t worry.”
“Hmm. Then I’ll accept them with thanks.”
“Yes!”
The cookies she made were delicious.
If there were more cookies left in that basket, there was no reason to refuse.
Chirp, chirp-chirp!
Aren chirped happily too.
“It’s already time…”
“You said you were on your way to Sir Willoy, right? Sorry for holding you up. Do you know where he is?”
“Yes. I heard he is in the central conference room.”
I stood up with somewhat awkward movements and saw her off.
Her steps toward the castle were so slow they were dripping with regret.
Madeline, who glanced back a few times on her way, bowed her head in greeting whenever our eyes met.
This was repeated until her figure disappeared from sight.
“Whew.”
After confirming there were no other people around, I lowered my head deeply.
My nose was already so paralyzed by the scent that I couldn’t smell anything.
I wanted to ask Vis, who was standing behind me, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak.
“Lord Adrian. If you are tired, would you like to return to your room?”
He seemed to interpret my sigh and actions differently than I intended.
Even if the people around me understood, I wasn’t so insensitive that I could walk around like this.
“……Let’s return to the room.”
“Yes!”
Vis followed behind me, welcoming my words.
[When are you going to eat the cookies?]
Then Aren, who had been wandering the sky, landed on my shoulder.
Which cookie should I let him taste first?
It was as I was looking inside the box and finding my way back.
“Adrian!”
“Klen?”
