***
“Your outfits are getting fancier and fancier, big bro Cedric.”
I mumbled as I glanced at Cedric, who was focused on knitting beside me.
Cedric responded with a subtle smile playing on his lips.
‘That wasn’t exactly a compliment, you know.’
Pursing my lips, I shifted my focus back to his attire.
“They are!
Are these new clothes you bought?” Julianne asked as she handed Cedric a cup of tea.
It appeared that Lia wasn’t particularly concerned about everyone’s outfits.
‘Well, I suppose they do suit Cedric in a way.
…Although, upon further reflection, perhaps not.’
“Michael Evans sent me a few clothing sets as a gift.
But I can’t wear most of them since they’re tailcoats meant for formal events.”
Realization dawned on me as I quietly nodded, realizing the truth behind those peculiar garments.
‘So, those odd-patterned clothes were actually sent by Michael Evans.’
It was evident what had transpired, and I could imagine the scene in my mind.
‘It must be because Cedric’s button fell off before.
That’s why the dynamic between Julianne and Cedric felt slightly different, after all.’
Being quick-witted, Michael probably couldn’t let it go unnoticed, leading him to send a collection of those absurd clothes.
It surprised me that someone older than me like him would engage in such immature behavior.
And I couldn’t fathom why Cedric would accept them and even go as far as wearing them…
what was he thinking?
“Michael sent them, huh…?”
Julianne murmured in response to Cedric, her lips pursing like mine.
‘Oh, so Lia was concerned too.
She just wasn’t saying anything to be nice to him.
Looks like it’s a bit too much even for her to see, right…?’
“Let’s go shopping for clothes together later, Cedric,” Julianne declared with determination in her voice.
I couldn’t discern whether it was her way of showing favor to Cedric or if she felt sorry for Michael’s questionable taste.
‘Well, regardless, it seems like everything worked out,’ I thought, playfully rolling my eyes as I swung my legs.
Michael couldn’t join us due to an impromptu meeting, and Allen mentioned receiving a long-awaited request.
Joshua had gone out to play with Luca, and Aiden was probably engrossed in his studies by now.
‘Maybe I should go and see Aiden.
It’s not like I’ll be of any help if I stay here anyway.’
“Are you making a scarf?”
“Uh-huh.
I’m making one in the same color as the one I gave you.”
“Oh, that one.
It would be really cute to match with Lili this winter,” Julianne commented, causing Cedric’s ears to turn red.
As I had suspected, there was something going on between them since that day, although I wasn’t sure if it was love just yet.
I rose from my seat carefully, keeping a watchful eye on them.
Julianne’s fondness for Cedric seemed to have increased by five points and now was my chance to take it from five to ten.
It was my little revenge against the two for leaving me alone on the day of the ball.
“I’m going to the study, Lia!”
“Huh?
To the study?”
“Yup, I’m going to read books with Aiden!”
Since I had already informed her beforehand, there was no need for her to worry this time, unlike before.
After finishing my sentence, I hurried towards the door.
Julianne briefly furrowed her eyebrows but soon relaxed and waved her hand slowly.
‘She still seems bothered by what happened before.
I’m truly sorry about that, Lia.
But don’t worry, I won’t do it again,’ I thought remorsefully.
“Have fun!”
‘And you enjoy your date!’
I casually waved to Cedric and Julianne before leaving the room.
‘Now it’s your turn, Cedric.
Show Julianne how charming you are before Michael Evans gets in the way,’ I silently urged him.
Of course, he would need to address the issue of those clothes first.
“Aiden!”
Entering the study with a swing of the door, I called out for Aiden.
‘They say I should be quiet in the library, but this is practically my study!
When else can I do something like this?’
“Lili?”
Soon after, I heard Aiden’s voice from the back of the study.
‘He always reads in the corner, doesn’t he?
There’s a table and everything frontward, yet he always sits there,’ I observed, as I hurried towards the sound of his voice.
Before long, I discovered Aiden surrounded by stacks of books, nearly buried beneath them.
“What is all this?” I asked, amazed by the assortment of books covering various topics, from the history of the empire to ancient magic theories.
It was evident that there were countless volumes.
‘Is he seriously going to read all of them…?’ I wondered, unable to believe my eyes.
My jaw dropped in awe, causing Aiden to scratch his cheek with an embarrassed smile.
“I’m not reading all of them.
I’m just reading the parts I’m curious about…”
“Do you really belong here…?” I couldn’t help but wonder aloud.
With such vast knowledge, he could easily be the top scholar at Delire Academy right away.
In fact, he most certainly could.
After helping Aiden organize the scattered books, I found a spot next to him and settled down.
‘Oh, this book would be perfect to sleep on later.
It’s just the right thickness…’
As soon as the idea crossed my mind, I shifted slightly and lay down, resting my head on the book.
‘Ah, it really is perfect.’
Aiden, observing my actions, tilted his head and asked softly,
“Did you come here to sleep again today, Lili?”
“No, I didn’t,” I retorted, feeling slightly offended.
‘You think I only come to the study to sleep?!’
While it was true that reading made me feel drowsy, I genuinely didn’t visit the study with the intention of napping.
I simply wanted to avoid disturbing Lia and Cedric’s time together.
“Lu and Josh are playing loudly outside.
I don’t want to join them,” I explained, offering my own reasons.
Aiden understood and nodded in response.
As I gazed at Aiden’s chubby cheeks, I shifted my focus to the study’s lofty ceiling before directing my gaze back at him.
Feeling incredibly comfortable in my current position, I blurted out whatever came to mind without filtering my thoughts.
“Do you like me, Aiden?” I asked abruptly.
“Huh?” Aiden flinched, surprised by my sudden question, and hunched over in his seat.
‘I can already tell from that reaction, you know.’
Flashing a mischievous smile, I snatched the book from Aiden’s hands.
‘Teasing Aiden is way more fun than teasing Joshua in these kinds of situations.’
“Do you want to marry me?” I asked, deliberately sparkling my eyes with innocence.
Aiden’s jaw dropped, and his face immediately turned red.
It seemed like he needed a moment to process my words.
“Wh-what are you saying…?” he stammered, clearly flustered.
He looked so adorable when he reacted like that, so I couldn’t resist continuing to tease him.
“But if you want to marry me, you’ll need lots and lots of money,” I continued, grinning mischievously.
“H-huh?”
“And you have to let me eat five desserts a day.”
“…”
“And you have to be strong and smart,” I added with a playful tone in my voice.
‘So, try harder, little one.’
I finished my sentence with a bright smile, but Aiden just stared at me, speechless.
‘Oh, how adorable.
Indeed, kids are kids!’ I thought to myself, leaving the still-dazed Aiden sitting there as I rolled over and closed my eyes.
‘I’m really going to wake up before dinner today.
If I don’t, Julianne will probably come to find me again, but it’s better for me to go to her than the other way around, isn’t it?’
“Aiden, wake me up in an hour, okay?” I requested, still with my eyes closed.
However, Aiden didn’t respond.
‘Did I tease him too much?’
I wondered, tilting my head for a moment.
Eventually, I shrugged it off and started counting sheep in my mind.
‘One sheep that looks like Aiden, one sheep that looks like Joshua, one sheep that looks like that little baby rabbit…’
***
Thankfully, Aiden managed to wake me up exactly one hour later, although he still seemed somewhat dazed.
I couldn’t help but wonder if my question had truly shocked him.
Shaking my head from side to side, I decided to speak up first.
“Should we go and have snacks now?”
Aiden slowly nodded in agreement.
‘He still seems a bit out of it.
But oh well, I guess it’s fine as long as he understands what I’m saying.’
I reached out and gently took hold of Aiden’s wrist, leaving the scattered books behind.
As soon as our hands touched, Aiden flinched slightly and blushed once again.
‘It’s always cute to see a kid experiencing their first love.’
I smiled as I continued to hold his hand.
‘This moment is going to pass by anyway, so cherish it as a memory.’
“Lia!
Big bro!”
I heard familiar voices as we finally reached the parlor.
Opening the door with a bright smile on my face, I was greeted by Julianne’s serious gaze.
“Umm, Lili…
did you cause trouble at the palace?” she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.