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Chapter : 37
“The Viscountess couldn’t stop praising you, Miela.”
“R-Really?”
Miela’s eyes widened in surprise. Regina continued with a gentle smile.
“She said you’re the quickest learner she’s ever taught.”
“……!”
Miela was stunned by the news she hadn’t heard before. Even the Duke, who had been listening nearby, was visibly moved.
‘Wow… our future daughter-in-law is that exceptional?’
Though his face remained expressionless, Yurhan was inwardly swelling with pride for Miela. In his heart, he wanted to go around shouting it from the rooftops.
This girl! She’s the lucky charm that’s come into our family!
‘At this rate, won’t Miela be famous in society even before her official debut?’
On the other hand, Iztin bit his lip anxiously. He was starting to worry about a future that hadn’t even arrived yet.
Up until now, he had feared that Miela, with her innocence and pure heart, might become the target of someone’s malice. But now, a new concern gripped him—that everyone might fall in love with the competent, capable Miela.
‘Even if that happens, I hope I remain the only one for her.’
Iztin was startled by his own pettiness. Of course, he had no intention of reflecting on it or changing his thoughts.
‘What do I do? My heart’s pounding. Why am I so embarrassed just from being praised…?’
Meanwhile, unused to receiving attention from so many people, Miela lowered her head shyly. But then Regina said something that piqued her interest.
“Since you’ve been doing so well in your lessons, I was thinking of giving you a little gift as encouragement. What do you say?”
“A-A gift?”
Miela’s ears perked up at the unexpected reward. Her honest reaction was so endearing that the Duchess couldn’t help but smile.
“Fufu, yes. I personally picked out something I thought would suit you perfectly.”
Regina’s emphasis only made Miela even more curious. What kind of gift could it be?
“Steward, bring what we prepared.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The steward left and soon returned, carrying a beautifully decorated box. It was as long as Miela’s arm and about a handspan high. Miela was startled by the size.
‘What could be in here that it’s so big?’
Even the pale pink box with its bright lemon-colored ribbon was enticing.
‘Ugh, I want to untie that ribbon right away. But that would be rude. I have to hold back.’
Though she was consumed by the urge to open the dazzling box, Miela restrained herself with effort. But her patience didn’t last long.
“Um, Lady Regina… may I open this now?”
“Of course. Go on, take a look.”
As soon as the Duchess gave her permission, Miela eagerly but carefully unwrapped the box.
Inside was none other than an exquisitely detailed and ornate tea set!
“W-Wow! What is all this? It’s amazing! Is it really all for me?”
Miela’s eyes sparkled. On the white teacups were pastel-colored flowers, and the teapot was decorated with delicate birds and butterflies, as if they might flutter away at any moment.
The handles of the teaspoons were intricately carved like vines, and the small berries embedded in them sparkled like tiny gemstones.
“My goodness, it’s so beautiful…”
Miela couldn’t take her eyes off the porcelain, which shimmered with a glossy sheen. She didn’t even dare touch it, afraid to leave fingerprints on its smooth surface.
“Teacups can be like jewels. It’s not about merely owning them—each one should suit the person who has it.”
Regina murmured softly. She was relieved; the gift had been a success. It suited lovely Miela perfectly. And most importantly, Miela was truly delighted by it.
‘Honestly, the lessons were just an excuse.’
Ever since she first saw the tea set a few days ago, she had thought it would be perfect for Miela and hadn’t been able to get it out of her mind.
Even if the lessons hadn’t gone well, she likely would’ve given it to her anyway under the pretense of comfort.
“Here, take this, Miela. It’s a small gift I prepared.”
Before Miela’s excitement had even subsided, the Duke also pulled something out from his coat.
“Gasp! What’s this?”
It was a lovely headband embedded with tiny sparkling amethysts, glittering like starlight.
Surprised by this second unexpected gift, Miela’s mouth dropped open.
She was so happy over something so small—it made Yurhan feel oddly embarrassed, and he cleared his throat as he added a comment.
“Ahem. If I’d had a daughter, I would’ve wanted to give her something like this.”
It wasn’t a sugar-coated lie. Despite his fearsome reputation as the “Iron-Blooded Duke,” Yurhan would sometimes glance through shop windows at cute accessories when no one was looking.
But what good were hair ribbons and headbands when he had no use for them?
‘……Did I have someone to give them to?’
He had thought about it, but no one came to mind. Regina wasn’t fond of such things, so any gift like that would be forgotten in her jewelry box. And if he tried to give one to Iztin, he’d just coldly say, “I’m fine, Father. You should use it yourself.”
‘And wearing it myself… That would be beyond absurd.’
The very image he imagined of himself wearing such things made Yurhan feel repulsed. That was absolutely out of the question. If word spread that the Duke of Baluar had gone mad, it would be disastrous.
Anyway, as if by miracle, a future daughter-in-law had appeared!
‘She really does look like a squirrel.’
Chubby cheeks, round eyes, a voice that chirped like a bird—she was simply adorable.
In other words, he finally had someone to receive all the cute accessories he had secretly admired. As a side note, this headband had long been on his watchlist.
“Th-Thank you so much, Lord Yurhan! This headband is so beautiful! It sparkles like stars in the night sky!”
“I’m glad you like it.”
A faint smile crept onto Yurhan’s lips at Miela’s gratitude—so subtle, it was barely noticeable.
“It might sparkle, but nothing shines like your eyes.”
At that moment, Regina suddenly cut in. She gave Yurhan a sideways glance filled with silent reproach.
Yurhan shamelessly avoided her gaze.
‘Kids her age are probably more into headbands than teacups. Was that his plan?’
Feeling like her carefully chosen gift had been overshadowed by her husband’s, she couldn’t help but feel a bit sour. However, the one most caught off guard was someone else—Iztin.
‘Wh-What do I do?’
Iztin’s face turned pale, as if he might break into a cold sweat. In fact, he had also prepared a gift for Miela. But compared to his parents’ extravagant presents, his own seemed utterly insignificant.
‘I wanted to give Miela something too… but if I give it now, it’ll look bad in comparison.’
So he just kept fiddling with the hidden item in his pocket, unable to take it out.
“Shall we wrap things up for now?”
“Yes! I hope we can all have tea time again soon!”
“I’d like that as well.”
Before he knew it, everyone was already getting up. The moment had passed.
‘No, this won’t do.’
If he kept hesitating like this, he might never get the chance to give her his gift.
‘Screw it, just hand it over. Why is this so hard?’
Iztin felt awkward—this lack of confidence wasn’t like him at all. So he steeled himself once more and tried to speak to Miela…
‘Wait, what should I even say? “Actually, I have something for you too”? That sounds weird. “This is my gift, do you want it?” Ugh, no, that’s not right either.’
Every time he tried to open his mouth, he stopped himself.
At some point, Miela had walked a few steps ahead of him. Iztin looked at her from behind—at her round little head and how perfectly the new amethyst headband suited her.
“Um, Titi? Do you have something you want to say to me?”
Just then, Miela suddenly stopped and turned around to face him.
