‘Hmm, what would be good?’
I don’t know how many times I wandered around the hall after waking up early in the morning.
It was because I was so touched by my dad’s words last night that he wanted to spend the last day of the founding festival with me that I had trouble sleeping.
Since I was already awake, I decided to do something more productive.
But nothing really clicked.
‘I still have to think. Come up with something, please.’
For example, what kind of reward could I give my dad who came all the way back for me?
But unfortunately, the only store that opened early in the morning was the grocery store.
Perhaps because of the limited situation, my thought process showed no signs of expanding.
I was racking my brains for a while when I heard a clattering sound from the kitchen.
‘Is it Anne?’
I thought this was my chance and rushed to the kitchen like an arrow.
As expected, my guess was right.
“Anne, are you up?”
“Oh my, you startled me!”
Anne, startled, shrugged her shoulders.
That’s because it was rare for me to appear in the kitchen at this time.
“Sorry if I surprised you.”
“Oh my, miss. You really surprised me. By the way, when did you wake up?”
Anne brushed her chest and turned to check on me.
“A little while ago. But why are you up so early, Anne, Ah, you told me yesterday.”
Like me, there was a reason why Anne came into the kitchen early in the morning.
It was because she had declared that she would prepare a feast for my dad.
“Anne, is there anything I can do?”
“No, there isn’t.”
“Tch, you’re so firm.”
Anne never just let things go.
Whenever I tried to help with the housework, she was always so firm.
Naturally, my face became sullen.
Anne smiled slightly at my protruding lips.
“Miss, if you’re really bored, would you like to sit here and keep me company?”
Before Anne could finish her sentence, I pulled out a chair and sat down.
I was too eager.
I rested my chin on one hand and made a gloomy expression.
“Anne, I want to do something for my dad too.”
“Like what?”
“Yeah, anything.”
“Oh my, who did our miss take after to be so stubborn?”
“That’s obvious. Either Mom or Dad. But Anne, are you making fun of my parents right now?”
“No! How dare I!”
I clearly saw Anne’s pupils shaking.
Therefore, I didn’t stop there and pushed forward with a frontal attack.
“Then, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that, so give me some work to do.”
“Oh my, really. How can I beat your stubbornness, miss? Come here.”
“Great!”
In the end, Anne, unable to resist my persistence, gave me a place in the kitchen.
Thanks to that, I was able to help Anne prepare the food with all my heart and soul.
Soon, the table was filled with colorful dishes such as roast turkey, steak, poached eggs and mashed potato salad, bacon, sausage, honey-flavored cake, and orange ale.
My dad, who came to the dining room in time for the meal, couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Wow, what a wonderful breakfast.”
“Dad! Did you sleep well?”
I greeted him cheerfully.
“Did you sleep well, my daughter?”
My dad rubbed my head a couple of times and kissed the top of my head.
‘Ugh, this is something I’ve only seen in movies.’
A strange sensation tingled on the top of my head.
‘If I had known this would happen, I would have put on some fragrance.’
I felt a little regretful.
Because my dad and I didn’t see each other often, I wanted to leave even the smallest things as good memories.
“Good morning, master. Did you sleep comfortably?”
“Anne, good morning. I slept very comfortably thanks to you.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Then, there’s not much, but please enjoy.”
If this isn’t much, then what is?
I looked at Anne with a sulky expression, but Anne was busy gesturing me to the inside of the kitchen.
‘Ah, right! This isn’t the end.’
There was one last dish to decorate the finale!
Namely, butter soy sauce egg rice!
My simple dish took a place at the breakfast table filled with Anne’s hard work.
Anne willingly packaged her efforts with humility to make me stand out.
I was touched by her consideration.
‘Next time, I’ll save up my allowance and get something nice for Anne.’
That’s when it happened.
“This, this, did our Sei really make this?”
I heard my dad’s voice, stuttering in surprise.
Huh? Is this such a surprising thing?
I tilted my head with a dumbfounded expression, and Anne added a word.
“Yes, master! The miss even passed the preliminary round of the founding festival cooking contest with this dish.”
There was no need to introduce it so grandly.
I didn’t know what to do with Anne’s praise.
“Ah, it’s nothing special.”
I fiddled with my fingers and fidgeted.
I felt so awkward that I felt strange.
“Thank you, Sei. To think you can already cook. Dad is very touched.”
My dad came over and gently swept my hair back with his big hand.
“Really?”
“Of course! I feel full even without eating. You’re my daughter after all!”
“See? Our miss is the best!”
Ah, no!
These people. Why are they like this from the morning?
Can’t you see that my face is red with embarrassment right now!
I’m going to turn into a tomato!
I became dizzy from the endless praise relay.
Alright, let’s get a grip!
“The food is getting cold. It’s more delicious when you eat it warm. Dad, eat quickly.”
“Okay. Let’s do that. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten at home.”
My dad took a big spoonful of the soy sauce egg rice I made and mechanically raised his thumb.
“Sei, this is the most delicious egg rice I’ve ever eaten.”
Huh?
You’ve had this before?
I asked back with a puzzled face.
“Have you ever had this dish before?”
“Haha, it’s been so long that I’m not sure, but since it has eggs, it might have been something similar. Anyway, I’ll enjoy it. Thank you, Sei.”
My dad chuckled and repeatedly thanked me.
Well, my dad travels all over the world, so wouldn’t he have had similar dishes?
I was just happy to be praised by my dad.
After the meal, we also had a leisurely tea time.
“Sei, this is all yours.”
My dad smiled as always, putting a bundle of gifts in front of me.
“Heek! All of this?”
“Yes. I’m just sorry that I couldn’t bring many things because I came in a hurry.”
Goodness!
It was as if he had emptied all the items from a general store.
Most of the gifts were dolls, dresses, accessories, and a few books that kids my age would like.
There was one thing that was a little unfamiliar.
“Huh? What’s this?”
I picked up a piece of paper filled with small dot shapes that looked like stickers.
There were various shapes such as hearts, stars, diamonds, and clovers.
“That’s called Mushu, and it’s a skin patch that’s popular in the capital. I heard that it’s used to cover scars on the face or used as beauty marks, so I bought it.”
Wow! A patch to put on your face.
I was just amazed.
“I love the gifts so much!”
“You like it that much?”
“Of course!”
“I’m glad you like it. Oh, Sei.”
“Yes?”
“Could you take the cookies and tea to the house next door when you have time?”
“Yes? Next door?”
I blinked my eyes repeatedly because I didn’t expect it at all.
“I heard from the manager. I heard that you’re close to the daughter of the Vivienne Viscount these days. I’m so happy that my daughter has made a friend.”
My dad’s smile was very gentle.
He’s paying so much attention to me even in places I can’t see.
My heart was so touched that it felt like flowers were blooming in my heart.
“This is later. I want to be with Dad a little longer right now.”
It was an incredibly precious time.
My always busy dad would leave again as always.
It wouldn’t be too late to visit my sister’s house after my dad left.
“Sei, I’m a really happy dad.”
“I’m a happy daughter too, Dad.”
Maybe it’s because I have a dad for the first time in my life, or maybe it’s because my dad doesn’t see me often.
Our father and daughter were very affectionate with each other.
‘Please, don’t cry.’
I felt like I couldn’t express my current feelings with any words.
On the last day of the founding festival.
I spent a happy time with my dad, shopping around the square and tasting fancy food.
It was really like a dream.
But after the happy time, farewell came again.
Only after my dad left could I take the packaged cookies and tea to my sister’s house.
‘Anyway, Dad is so kind.’
Besides, it was like the whole universe was helping me even if I didn’t step up.
It’s like that right now.
Even if I stay still, I have a chance to meet my sister.
At this point, it seemed like there was no word to replace fate in my relationship with my sister.
My confidence rose for no reason.
And.
“They said you can come in.”
Permission to visit was easily granted.
To visit my sister’s house like this.
My heart was pounding at the unexpected gain.
“I’ll guide you to the drawing room.”
“Yes.”
I followed the maid into the mansion.
‘Wow, it’s so neat.’
My sister’s house had a distinctly different atmosphere.
Our house has a lot of rare props and decorations thanks to my dad who runs the trading company, but this place was very minimalist.
The simple interior with a few portraits as points was rather stylish.
The reason why it feels that way may be because of the people in the portraits who boast outstanding looks.
‘Are they the elders of my sister’s family?’
There was also a signature presumed to be the name of the artist at the bottom of the painting.
‘Charlesmont?’
The signatures were the same for each painting, so it seemed like the same person drew them.
I was busy exploring the house with curious eyes.
Then, I suddenly felt awkward because I wasn’t invited to visit, but I seemed to be looking around too much.
I belatedly realized that it was rude behavior.
Perhaps it was because I was more excited than usual because of the place.
The maid who was walking ahead stopped. Only then did my exploration end.
‘It’s a shame. I want to see more of the house.’
I can’t help it.
I decided to be satisfied with this much today.
It wouldn’t be good to be branded as a rude guest on my first visit.
‘If I get officially invited by my sister, I have to ask her to show me around the house.’
As the exchange increased, I had no doubt that we would become closer as time went by.
I was just trying to soothe my regret, looking forward to the next time.
“Oh my, who’s here?”
A woman in a fancy outfit from head to toe approached.
I could tell at a glance that it was an expensive dress.
It didn’t quite match the frugal atmosphere of this house.
‘Wow, how much are the jewels used in that dress?’
It was a dress that would cost a fortune, and the number of rubies that were cut alone would cost at least a year’s income for an employee to process.
I tried to hide my surprise and shifted my gaze to the woman’s face.