Chapter 28

A few days later, Rebecca had fully recovered.

Although she was feeling better the day after she fell ill, I let her take a longer break. Since Rebecca had been overworking herself while I was busy in society, I thought it wouldn't be a problem to let her fall a bit behind in her studies.

After I finished getting ready, I headed to Rebecca's room.

"Rebecca, are you ready?"

"Yes, Lady Sophie! I'm really looking forward to it!"

Rebecca, who had seemed unwell, was now completely back to her cheerful self, smiling with excitement. She had been fidgeting with anticipation since breakfast, clearly looking forward to today's picnic.

Just seeing her cute demeanor was enough to make me feel better.

But there was one thing I needed to correct.

"Rebecca, how should you address me?"

"Ah... Mother..."

"Hehe, yes, that's right."

It seemed she was still a bit uncomfortable with it, finding it embarrassing to call me that. I also felt a bit embarrassed, but I found her blushing and smiling endearing.

"Rebecca, that dress suits you too. You look cute."

"Ah, thank you. Mother, you look beautiful too, and it's great that we're wearing matching outfits!"

"Thank you, Rebecca."

Today, Rebecca and I were wearing matching outfits: white dresses with jackets. The white dress was one I already had, but the jacket was something I had bought before.

The jackets were the same black color, but the embroidery was slightly different.

Mine had gold embroidery, and Rebecca's had blue embroidery. The decoration was very elegant, and even the cute Rebecca looked more refined when she wore it.

"But Mother, why matching outfits again? Of course, I'm happy, but..."

Rebecca tilted her head in curiosity. The last time I bought matching outfits for us, I had bought a lot of different clothes, so there were still some we hadn't worn yet.

I suppose she found it strange that I bought more so soon.

"Hehe, perhaps it's a surprise for Father?"

"Father?"

That's right, I hadn't told Rebecca yet. I wanted to surprise her a bit.

Rebecca and I held hands and left the room, heading for the mansion's entrance. Alan was already there, waiting for us.

Before Rebecca greeted Alan, she exclaimed, "Ah!"

"Father, you're wearing matching...!"

"Hehe, yes, that's right."

Rebecca's eyes widened in surprise. Alan was also wearing the same black jacket, with blue embroidery.

The embroidery colors were chosen by Alan and me. Since Rebecca wasn't there, I chose blue, her favorite color.

My hair is the same color as Rebecca's, golden, and his is blue.

When deciding on the embroidery color, Alan seemed a bit hesitant. I wonder why he chose blue? I'll ask him later.

"Rebecca, it suits you."

"Ah, thank you! Father, it suits you too, and you look great!"

"Thank you. Sophie looks beautiful too."

"Thank you."

I've gotten used to Alan's sudden compliments... though I still get a bit flustered.

We got into the carriage and headed to the picnic spot. There's a beautiful pond a little distance from the duke's mansion, where we plan to lay out a sheet and have our meal.

Of course, there will be guards, but they will stay out of sight as much as possible.

We got out of the carriage near the pond. It was a short walk from there.

Rebecca, Alan, and I walked side by side. Behind us, the butler, Neo, followed, carrying our belongings.

"Rebecca, take my hand."

"Ah, yes!"

Since the ground wasn't paved, I held Rebecca's hand as we walked. Rebecca held my left hand, and Alan was on her right.

"...Ah, that..."

"Hmm? What is it? Do you want to hold hands?"

"Y-Yes."

"Alright, then take my hand."

"Ah, thank you!"

Rebecca looked very happy as she held hands with Alan. It seems he remembered what she had said just before falling asleep.

So, the three of us held hands and walked to the pond.

When we arrived at the pond, Rebecca exclaimed in amazement.

"Wow... it's so beautiful!"

The water was crystal clear, and you could see the bottom of the pond. The sun was shining brightly today, and the surface of the water sparkled.

The area around the pond was also filled with colorful flowers swaying in the wind.

"Mother, it's amazing!"

"Yes, it's very beautiful."

I didn't expect it to be this beautiful. Alan chose this place, but I wonder where he found out about it?

"Do you both like it?"

"Yes, Father! It's so beautiful, I love it!"

"I like it too. It's a wonderful place."

"That's good to hear."

Alan smiled slightly as he said this. He then let go of Rebecca's hand to prepare for the picnic.

While Alan and I were setting up, Rebecca was fidgeting, looking at the pond.

It seems she wanted to get a closer look.

"Rebecca, you can go and take a look."

"Really?"

"Yes, but be careful not to fall in."

"Okay! Thank you!"

She bowed her head and then ran over to the pond.

"Neo, please go with her."

"Understood."

I think she'll be fine, but just in case, I asked Neo to go with her. Alan and I stayed behind to finish the preparations.

"This is really a beautiful place, Alan. Did you hear about it from someone?"

"No, I found it myself a long time ago."

"Really?"

"I used to train with my father in this area. I found it while taking a break and walking around."

"I see, that makes sense."

So, Alan found it himself. That's why such a beautiful place isn't well-known, I suppose?

"Have you ever told anyone about it?"

"No, I never did. I liked it for its peace and quiet, and if I mentioned it in society, it would definitely become a topic of conversation."

"That's true."

If the head of the duke's family, Alan, liked a pond, everyone would want to go there. In society, things that people like Alan favor often become popular quickly.

If he had mentioned this pond, many people might have come, and it might have become dirty.

"That's why this is the first time I've shared this place with anyone other than myself... with my family."

"...I'm so happy, Alan."

Alan shared his secret, favorite place with me and Rebecca, considering us his family. It made me feel very happy and grateful.

"I wish I could introduce you to some of my favorite places, but... I haven't been out much and usually stay at home."

The Earl of Ingelheim didn't want to spend money on me, so they didn't let me go out much. We could only afford a minimal number of servants, so I often helped with household chores.

So, unlike Alan, I don't know any hidden gems or popular restaurants.

"In that case, it's good that there are many places we can visit together for the first time."

"Ah, that's true... thinking about it that way, it is indeed a happy thought."

Alan is right. If I had gone to many places while I was with the Earl of Ingelheim, I would have been with people I didn't enjoy being with.

My parents didn't like me, and going with my sister Bertha would have been boring.

It's best to go with people you enjoy being with. Now, I think I can have fun anywhere with Rebecca.

And... with Alan.

"Alan, will you go out with us again?"

When I asked, Alan widened his eyes slightly and tilted his head.

"Of course, that's the plan."

"...Hehe, that's right, we're family."

"Family... that's one way to look at it, but..."

Alan smiled gently.

"It's because it's you, Sophie."

"Eh?"

"I wouldn't go out with just anyone, even if they were family or just my wife. I go out with you because I've built a relationship where I want to go out with you."

"Ah, thank you."

It was a bit embarrassing, but it made me very happy. But I feel the same way.

"I also want to go out with Alan again. The last time was fun, but it was a bit interrupted at the end."

"Ah, that's true."

We both laughed at the memory.