***
I felt like I had lost all purpose in life.
It had vanished in an instant.
Julianne had forbidden me from having snacks.
Just because I made Joshua cry!
Just for that!
Even Cedric had said, “It’s Joshua’s fault, it’s okay.”
How could Julianne do this to me?
It felt like a betrayal, a deep betrayal…
I believed that the consequences of such betrayal had to be severe.
In an act of rebellion against Julianne, I woke up before her and headed straight to the study.
I could faintly hear people searching for me outside, but I didn’t pay much attention to it.
As a precaution, I even left a note on the vanity table, written in elaborate handwriting: [I’ll be alone.
Don’t try to find me!]
“Lady Lilianne!”
Once again, I heard voices coming from outside the study, but no one entered.
Lilianne’s father, Count Blanchet, despite being a former knight, was an extremely studious person…
that was what I heard from the servants.
It wasn’t something I had read about in the novel, but nevertheless, the study in the mansion was a vast and intricately designed space.
I had hidden myself in the deepest corner, making it nearly impossible for even those familiar with the study to find me.
As the Count and Countess were currently away on an expedition outside the empire, I didn’t have to worry about anyone unintentionally stumbling upon me.
It was the perfect hiding spot.
I knew I was being childish, but really, I needed some way to vent my anger.
It was essential for my own peace of mind.
So, as I crouched down in the study, I let out a sigh.
I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt seeing everyone desperately searching for me.
However, I decided to stay hidden a little while longer, at least until dinner…
But then, I heard a creaking sound, indicating that someone had entered the study.
I immediately held my breath and glanced around.
If it was someone searching for me, they would surely call out my name.
However, to my surprise, I only heard the sound of footsteps wandering around the study.
It seemed like they were not searching for me but looking for a book to read.
But who could it be in this mansion?
Wouldn’t Julianne be busy looking for me too?
“Lili?”
After a while, a gentle voice suddenly resonated from above.
I lifted my head and locked eyes with the owner of said voice.
“Aiden?”
“Lili, everyone’s looking for you.
I’ll go and call everyone…”
“No!”
‘Why do you think I’m hiding?!’
My reaction was immediate, and I reached out to grab Aiden’s sleeve.
However, my sudden move caught him off guard, causing him to lose his balance and stumble next to me.
‘Ouch, that must have hurt.
I hope I didn’t grab too hard…
No, I shouldn’t be worrying about that.’
I pressed my index finger against my lips, signaling for him to keep quiet.
Furrowing my eyebrows, I emphasized the need for silence.
“Shh, be quiet.”
“Your voice is louder, Lili.”
Aiden lowered his eyebrows and whispered in a low voice.
‘Good, it seems like no one heard anyway.’
I cautiously scanned the surroundings before returning my attention to Aiden.
He tilted his head, trying to make sense of the situation.
“A-are you hiding right now?”
“Don’t tell anyone.
I’ll eat all your desserts if you do.”
“O-okay…”
He nodded awkwardly, his head bobbing up and down.
‘Alright, at least he won’t blabber like Joshua.’
I smiled, satisfied with his understanding, and relaxed my posture.
‘Come to think of it, why is Aiden here in the study?’
“Why are you here?”
It was only natural to ask when curiosity arose, so I leaned in and whispered the question into Aiden’s ear, causing him to flinch.
‘Does it tickle?
Well, I guess I didn’t have to lean in so far to whisper.’
“I didn’t hear that anyone was coming today.”
Of course, I’d dashed out of my room before I had any chance to hear anything.
In response to my question, Aiden answered in a calm voice.
“Uncle Michael told me I should come and comfort you, Lili.”
‘Michael said that?’
Once again, I tilted my head in confusion.
Aiden lowered his eyelashes and continued.
“Yes.
He said you were forbidden from having desserts.”
“…”
“But since you were gone, I thought maybe I should read a book today.”
‘Thinking of reading when I was gone?
This kid’s definitely not normal either.’
I raised my head, an annoyed expression on my face.
I had initially thought Aiden was like a timid Cedric, but it turned out he was more like a timid Michael.
So the apple really didn’t fall far from the tree…
“But still, I’m glad I found you.”
Soon, Aiden gently smiled and mumbled, his smile resembling the warmth of spring sunshine.
It was a small, faint smile that reminded me of both Michael and Cedric.
‘Please stay as you are.’
I rolled my eyes and glanced at the book in Aiden’s cute, little hand.
‘Political Science & Political Systems?
Aren’t we the same age?’
“You’re reading that?”
‘Did you really bring that to read?
Or did you bring it as a pillow?’
I stared at the book, asking cautiously.
Aiden nodded lightly and proceeded to open the book.
“Uh-huh, I thought it would be good to read…”
“Do you even understand it…?”
I knew I would never understand the content of that book, not in a million years.
But Aiden’s reaction, scratching his head awkwardly with his finger, told me everything I needed to know.
Clearly, he felt a bit embarrassed to admit it aloud.
“You… really are…”
A genius.
He was a genius.
I blurted out, overwhelmed by his abilities.
‘Maybe he’s even more of a genius than Michael.
Wait, is he the protagonist instead of him?’
“Not really, everyone can do this much…”
“Who on earth can…?”
‘Oops, did I sound too mature?’
I quickly realized that my words may have sounded too grown-up for our age.
I closed my mouth for a moment, then smiled and opened it again.
After all, if he wasn’t going to reveal my hiding place, it didn’t really matter what I did.
But I thought it would be wise to find another spot to hide, at least for now.
“Are you going to read here?
Should I make room for you?”
“No, it’s okay.”
However, my attempt to consider Aiden’s comfort was in vain as he immediately waved his hand and grabbed me by the sleeve.
His ears even seemed to be turned bright red.
‘Huh?
What’s the matter with him?
Could it be…
does he like me?’
Well, it was possible.
It’s not uncommon for a young child’s first crush to be a childhood friend.
Besides, anyone would fall for my beautiful looks.
I was quite fond of my own face as well.
I even liked Julianne’s face…
‘But you won’t be able to make me feel better, Julianne.
Not even with a face beautiful enough to save the world.’
“Lili, you have a strange look on your face.”
Lost in my thoughts, I realized that Aiden was standing in front of me, waving his hand and speaking.
‘He’s waving his tiny hand in front of me.
How adorable…’
I put on a gentle smile and nodded lightly.
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
“Do you want to have dessert?
I can go and bring some for you.”
Aiden’s words sounded like they came straight from an angel in heaven, blowing its trumpet.
He spoke with kindness and concern, making my heart skip a beat.
‘Dessert, he said dessert!
Aiden, maybe it wasn’t a coincidence that you came to the study.
Perhaps it was fate that you were meant to secretly bring me dessert…Anything’s fine, my savior… who came to ruin my health…’
“Can you really do that?” I asked, my eyes widening in anticipation.
Aiden nodded slowly, his ears still tinged with a rosy blush.
“If I ask Uncle Michael for a snack, he’ll give some to me.
I’ll go and come back quickly.
Will you wait?”
But then a wave of concern washed over me.
Michael was no ordinary man; he was sharp and observant.
If Aiden asked him for a snack, he would surely notice that we were together.
And being loyal to Julianne, he would probably report it to her, hoping to earn some favor.
I couldn’t let that happen.
“Wait, Aiden,” I said, my voice filled with urgency.
“When you leave the study, there’s a pantry on the right.”
“Okay,” Aiden replied, his tone becoming more serious.
“I saw my sister hiding my dessert there before.
Can you get it from there?
But don’t tell Old Man Michael!”
I looked at him with pleading eyes, hoping he understood the gravity of the situation.
Aiden nodded resolutely.
“Got it.
I’ll be back soon.”
With that, he handed me the book he had been holding and rose from his seat.
His posture seemed a little more upright, as if he were about to embark on a secret mission.
I couldn’t help but find his determination and innocence endearing.
He was like a tiny hero venturing out to retrieve my hidden dessert.
Before he could leave, I lightly held Aiden’s finger and shook my hand up and down, indicating for him to bow his head.
Then, in a gesture of gratitude, I planted a light kiss on his cheek.
“Come back safely,” I whispered, my voice filled with warmth and affection.
Aiden’s reaction was priceless.
He froze in place, his shy demeanor giving way to surprise and a deep blush that colored his cheeks.
He blinked rapidly as if he couldn’t quite believe what had just happened.
Without saying a word, he quickly scurried out of the room, leaving me chuckling softly to myself.
Oh, the innocence of young love.
It truly was adorable.