CATBP~45

Chapter 45

“Uwaaah!”

A gentle hill was covered with a sea of wildflowers in full bloom.

“So many flowers! Sooo many!”

Faye laughed brightly and spread her arms wide.

Looking at flowerlike Faye surrounded by real flowers, I smiled warmly.

Since this was the duke’s private estate, there was no one else around.

The servants spread a picnic mat under the shade of a tree, and the delicious smell wafting from the basket made my stomach growl.

“Let’s play tag!”

Faye threw herself into my arms.

“Auntie is it!”

Before I could react, she was already darting away.

‘A fish in water, huh?’

I decided to fulfill my role as the tagger with all my might.

As I spun around looking for my target, I saw the duke had already retreated far away.

Tch. That’s what it’s like dealing with a quick-witted adult.

Clicking my tongue, I turned my gaze away from the duke. Looking at him only made the fading nightmare resurface vividly.

‘Anyway, there’s no way I can catch up to him with that build.’

So I focused all my energy on targeting Faye instead.

“Ah! You caught me!”

“Now you’re it, Faye.”

I grinned and backed away to dodge her.

Sorry, my favorite. The world of competition is cold and cruel.

“Auntieee, are you really gonna run away from me?”

Faye pressed a finger to her lips and blinked up at me with pleading eyes.

No. Don’t fall for it.

No, no, no.

“Gotcha, Auntie!”

And just like that, I was it again within three minutes.
After running all over the place chasing the two of them, I finally collapsed onto the picnic mat.

“……Shall we eat and play later?”

“Yaaay!”

“Whatever you like.”

We sat in a circle with the picnic basket in the center.

‘Phew. Thank goodness.’

Since I hadn’t slept properly, my condition wasn’t great—running more would’ve been rough.

I nearly saw stars there for a second.

Food after running around that much tasted better than any feast.

Once we’d emptied the basket, Faye rubbed her round belly.

“I feel gooood. Auntie, you feel good too?”

“Yeah. I feel good.”

It was like some of the dark thoughts had been swept away.

I patted Faye’s head, glanced around, and stood up.

‘It’s been a while since I used these skills.’

One by one, I picked and wove the flowers together.

‘Done!’

I walked up to Faye and set the flower crown on her head.

The colorful flowers wove through her curly black hair made her look exactly like a fairy.

‘What if someone gets jealous of her cuteness and hides her beyond the clouds?’

If that happens—whoever it is—I’ll grab them by the hair!

I was in the middle of that violent little daydream when Faye called me.

“I wanna make one too! Can you show me how?”

“I’ll show you how to make a flower crown, a flower ring, and a flower bracelet.”

I demonstrated slowly, starting with the ring, then the bracelet, and finally the crown.

“This is fun!”

Faye was surprisingly good for her first try.

She gifted the duke a flower bracelet and ring, and gave me a flower crown.

Meanwhile, the duke just stared intently at the dreadful creation he’d made with his own hands.

‘Guess no one can be perfect.’

The ring was fine, but the crown and bracelet looked wilted and droopy—as if the flowers had been picked days ago.

Apparently realizing he couldn’t possibly gift that to anyone, he just fiddled with the ring.

“Uncle, I gave you a bracelet and a crown, so you have to give me one too!”

Faye proudly demanded both, and I couldn’t help feeling a little touched at her generosity—it saved him the embarrassment.

After playing a bit more, Faye flopped down on the mat.

“I’m sleepy.”

“Then shall we go back to the mansion?”

“Nooo! I wanna nap here!”

“Hmm. All right.”

It was pleasantly cool under the tree, so she wouldn’t catch a cold napping outdoors.

In the end, we lay down with Faye between us.

She must have been tired—she fell asleep almost immediately, breathing softly.

I smiled gently.

Seeing her sleep so peacefully lifted my mood.

The leaves rustled in the breeze.

Shadows swayed, and sunlight peeked through the gaps.

I squinted reflexively when a large hand blocked the light for me.

When I looked up, my eyes met the duke’s.

The sound of rustling leaves stopped.

His golden eyes, usually easy to read, were calm and unreadable today.

I suddenly remembered that dream—those same honey-colored eyes, soft and tender, but on another woman.

It was just a dream, not reality, but for some reason, my heart sank again.

“Lucas, you can’t cheat.”

Not until I’ve saved you—for Faye’s sake.

“Cheat?”

He squinted one eye, as if I’d said something absurd.

“Do I really look like that much of a bastard to you?”

“Well, you know… just maybe. Just maybe.”

It’s not like we married for love anyway.

“I just remembered that I was the only one who promised before,” I said, blurting out an excuse and shooting him a look.

‘Wait—so I did look like the type who’d cheat?’

Should I argue that? …Nah.

“I won’t cheat.”

“Promise. If you break it…!”

I paused, then declared,

“I’ll tell Faye.”

“Quite the terrifying threat.”

He tugged one corner of his lips upward.

“As you wish.”

His low voice sounded oddly gentle.

Feeling oddly peaceful, I closed and opened my eyes. Maybe I could finally shake off that nightmare.

“You suddenly asked that… Did something happen?”

“No, just thought of that promise again, that’s all.”

“You haven’t looked well since morning.”

So he noticed. I thought my acting had fooled everyone except Sally, who’d woken me.

“I had a nightmare and couldn’t sleep. So I’m just a little tired.”

I shut my eyes, pretending to be drowsy. No way I was confessing what that nightmare was about—it was way too embarrassing.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d had my eyes closed when his soft voice came again.

“Losing energy over a bad dream. You really are delicate.”

I’m fine now, thank you very much.

I was silently retorting when I felt fingers gently tidying my hair.

It was such a careful, affectionate touch that it made my scalp tingle pleasantly.

While I debated whether to open my eyes, that hand slowly moved downward.

His touch brushed my cheek, tickling the fine hairs there. My toes curled slightly.

His fingers traced near my lips—but stopped just short of touching them.

“Why do I…”

The rest of his words were too faint to hear.

Why do you what?

Come on—what?

I bit my lip to hold back the question burning on my tongue.

The wind blew again.

Carrying the scent of flowers.

The day came for Peridot Baalje to arrive as Faye’s temporary tutor.

I went downstairs at the appointed time.

It was customary to greet the tutor and thank them before the child’s first lesson.

Soon, the large door opened, and a woman with elegantly tied bright red hair stepped inside.

“May glory be with you. I am Peridot Baalje, here to serve as temporary tutor for three months on behalf of Lady Martina.”

Peridot lifted her skirt gracefully as she bowed. Like her crimson hair, she was as radiant and refined as a personified rose.

She had the air of someone born used to looking down from above, though her presence was different from that of a reigning empress.

“May glory be with you. It’s been a while, Miss Peridot Baalje.”

“It has indeed, Your Grace.”

Her violet eyes curved slightly as she smiled.

“Take good care of Faye.”

“Please don’t worry, Duchess.”

She dipped her head politely, then covered her lips lightly with her fingers.

“Ah. After the lesson, I’d like to speak with the parent…”

Before she could say she wanted to speak alone with the duke, I quickly jumped in.

“I’ll do it. Also, I’d like to observe Faye’s lesson, if you don’t mind.”

Her violet gaze shifted from the duke to me.

“Of course. If you wish to observe, I’ll be delighted.”

I followed her up the stairs.

“Auntie!”

As soon as we entered the room, Faye ran straight into Peridot’s arms.

Her little ears even popped up from excitement.

‘So they really are close, just like the duke said.’

I’d never seen Faye greet anyone like this before—not even me or Lucas—so I stared wide-eyed.

“Oh, Auntie’s here too!”

Faye noticed me a beat later and started toward me, but Peridot gently spoke first.

“It’s been a while, young master.”

“Why’re you calling me young master and not Faye?”

“Because I’m your teacher right now. After the lesson, I’ll call you Faye again. So for now, will you call me teacher?”

“I don’t really get it, but okay—teacher!”

I quietly watched their lesson.

Not blinking much, just in case Peridot tried anything funny.

When the class ended, Peridot and I went to the drawing room.

The servants brought tea, and the rising steam added another veil between us.

A soft rose scent filled the air.

“I’ve been wanting to speak with you alone, Duchess. I’m glad the chance came so soon.”

“With me?”

“Yes. I thought it best to be upfront with you.”

Her refined eyes curved into an elegant smile.

“I came here to seduce Duke Lucas Egaluc.”