Chapter 11
“Marquis!”
“…….”
“Marquis, Marquis, Marquis!”
Each time Layton heard Riley’s bright, cheerful voice calling out to him whenever they met at the estate, it echoed through the garden. He glanced around instinctively—
—and then realized the voice was coming from above.
His blue eyes lifted slightly.
Sure enough—
“Help me down!”
“……Lady Ailee, how did you get up there?”
“I rolled my dress up to my knees and climbed really hard!”
“That wasn’t what I was asking—”
“Can you get me down?”
Ailee stretched both arms downward as she looked below.
Seeing how she looked ready to jump at any moment, Layton unconsciously opened his arms wide.
Ailee immediately leapt into his embrace, grinning brightly.
“Thanks for getting me down! But don’t tell my sister, okay? We’re playing hide-and-seek. If I stay here, she’ll find me, so I need to hide somewhere else!”
She spoke with such grave determination that Layton found himself nodding without thinking.
Even as she turned and ran off, Ailee pressed her index finger to her lips and emphasized, “Shh!”
Before he knew it, she had disappeared from sight.
“…How chaotic.”
His head was already a mess from hauling piles of documents from the marquisate to the ducal estate to work on them, and he’d only stepped into the garden hoping for a brief walk.
Apparently, this wasn’t a place suitable for rest.
Ailee Bennet was different from most girls her age—brighter, more innocent.
And mischievous.
As Layton turned back, recalling Ailee roaming freely through the garden, his eyes caught sight of Selena walking toward the garden, looking around as she went.
She peered into the bushes—
—and then looked like she was about to climb a tree.
“…The sisters really are alike.”
Thinking that, Layton quietly observed Selena’s strange behavior.
Then suddenly, Selena—clinging to the tree like an old cicada—locked eyes with him.
“Oh? Marquis. Haha.”
“Are you looking for Lady Ailee?”
“How did you know? Did you see her?”
“I did, earlier. But I can’t tell you where. She made me promise.”
At that, Selena nodded as if she had expected it and slid down from the tree.
“You keep your promises well. Still, can you give me a hint? She ran away because she didn’t want to study.”
“…Wasn’t it hide-and-seek?”
“What? Hide-and-seek?”
Good grief.
As if on cue, both of them let out awkward coughs at the same time.
“I was fooled. I really thought it was hide-and-seek.”
“She’s twelve—she doesn’t like hide-and-seek. Ailee prefers reading romance novels.”
Layton recalled Ailee rolling her eyes innocently earlier and let out a small laugh.
As his lips curved upward, Selena watched him with a pleased expression.
“Our Ailee is cute, right? Before our parents passed away, she used to do this sometimes—refusing to study and running off.”
“That sounds appropriate for her age.”
“Right? After that, she kept acting so mature. Seeing her throw a childish tantrum like that for the first time in a while made me happy.”
“For something said by a sister only four years older, you sound very grown-up.”
“Really? Then, Marquis, you should become someone I can lean on.”
It had been said jokingly, but Layton couldn’t answer easily.
Instead, as if possessed, he placed his hand gently atop Selena’s head.
Pat, pat.
At the tender touch, Selena’s violet eyes widened as she looked up at him.
Her expression was one of pure emotion.
Layton, flustered, spoke flatly to hide it.
“I’ve heard that usually an older brother does something like this.”
“…Ah, that’s true. If I had an older brother, he’d probably comfort me like this.”
“Yes.”
Two people who had neither been older brothers nor had one shared an awkward emotional moment.
Layton withdrew his hand first, then smiled faintly at Selena, who was still looking straight at him.
“Shall I continue treating you like an older brother?”
“That sounds nice. If we’re going to be like family, an older brother fits well.”
At Selena’s words, Layton felt warmth spread through his chest.
Family.
It sounded good.
Becoming family to these unpredictable ducal sisters—
“Then I’ll go look for Ailee. She keeps whining about going to the hamster teahouse, but she still has to finish today’s studies.”
As Selena waved lightly, Layton gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Yes?”
“If Lady Ailee wants to visit the hamster teahouse that badly…”
“Then?”
“How about going together—with me—today?”
* * *
The moment we stepped down from the carriage, Ailee and I each clung tightly to Layton’s hands and began swinging them back and forth.
I did it lightly.
Ailee did it violently.
Feeling that cheerful motion, Layton walked quickly, wearing an awkward smile.
“Marquis, my legs hurt. Can you walk a bit slower?”
“Oh—of course, Lady Ailee. My apologies.”
Startled by her whiny tone, Layton slowed his pace.
Ailee, who had been scrambling to keep up with her short legs, patted his back proudly.
Then she raised both arms and shouted,
“We’re going to the hamster teahouse!”
Her happiness made me smile without realizing it.
Is she really that excited?
After our parents passed away, Ailee had acted as though she’d forgotten how to complain. Even when something upset her, she tried not to show it, giving the servants a hard time.
But now, following Layton’s suggestion, Ailee looked just like the child she used to be—freely whining again.
It felt good.
Except for one thing.
…That gaze.
I kept feeling eyes on us.
Not the curious glances of people in the city—but a deliberate, observing gaze.
Was someone bold enough to spy on us?
I quickly turned my head toward where I felt it, but there was nothing there.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. Just something bothering me.”
Since even Layton—an exceptional swordsman—showed no reaction, it was probably nothing serious.
If there were real danger, there was no way he wouldn’t have noticed.
I tightened my grip on Layton’s hand anyway.
If anything happened, I’d protect Ailee and Layton first.
Feeling the increased pressure, Layton turned his head and smiled softly.
That only made the murmuring around us grow louder.
“Oh my, isn’t that the Demon Marquis?”
“He’s nothing like the rumors… he’s gentle.”
“Maybe the rumors were wrong?”
Watching Ailee chatter about how it’d be even better if he carried her, I nodded in satisfaction at what I overheard.
“Lady Selena, shall we go in?”
Layton turned toward me as we reached the teahouse door.
I looked up—and gasped.
“Wow… this is the hamster teahouse?”
The hamster teahouse.
The famous place that made Ailee excited just hearing its name.
Its dazzling exterior left me speechless.
Warm brown bricks, green ivy trailing down the walls, cozy tables and chairs arranged on the terrace—
It looked like a magical castle, warm and inviting.
Whoever owns this place is incredible.
Someone with this kind of sense and skill—
“Isn’t it amazing, Sister?”
“Yes. It really is.”
“The inside is even better! There are tons of cute hamsters!”
At that, Chik-Chik—who had been fluttering above my head—panicked.
[Chik-chik!!!]
That probably means he doesn’t want to go in.
Unfortunately, he had no choice.
I gently cupped him in my hands.
[Chik-chik-chik!]
He looked like he was saying, Put me down!
I silently mouthed,
“There’ll be lots of delicious cookies inside.”
“…Chiiik…”
He reluctantly quieted down.
Meanwhile, Ailee bounced happily into the teahouse.
Layton watched her with a small smile, then glanced sideways at me as I continued looking around.
Checking my reaction, he asked carefully,
“…What do you think?”
Looks like he felt oddly responsible for bringing us here.
Seeing his serious expression, I gave him a thumbs-up.
“I’m really glad we came! It’s all thanks to you, Marquis. I’ve never been anywhere like this—it’s such a great change of pace!”
“Is that so? I’m relieved.”
Only then did Layton smile in satisfaction and guide us inside.
Despite its reputation, the teahouse was nearly empty.
Is it because of the time?
It was an awkward hour—not quite breakfast, not quite lunch.
As I sat down, a male server wearing a hamster-embroidered apron approached.
Ailee leaned close and whispered,
“Sister, that apron he’s wearing is really cute.”
“It is.”
“And he’s pretty handsome. In romance novels, it’s usually a server like that who falls in love with a count’s daughter.”
I laughed softly, imagining the romance novel she’d read yesterday.
Finding her childish chatter adorable, I ruffled her hair.
“My hair! I have to look good in front of the server!”
She hurriedly fixed it.
To be fair, the male servers here were handsome.
Muscular builds, tight, cute aprons—
…I see why even grown noble ladies come here. Another attraction entirely.
Impressive.
Once again, I admired the owner’s business sense.
Though with Layton sitting across from me, I barely notice them.
I glanced at Layton, who seemed to be quietly observing our reactions.
His neatly styled light-brown hair shifted slightly as Ailee waved her hands animatedly.
I whispered to Ailee,
“Ailee, don’t you think the Marquis is more handsome than that server?”
“…Hmm. I’m not sure.”
“What?”
I was shocked.
Truly shocked.
The man who would one day be Ailee’s boyfriend—then husband—losing to a mere server?
I stared at her and held up two fingers.
“Ailee, how many fingers do you see?”
“Two!”
“…Your eyesight’s fine, so what’s the problem?”
I glanced at the approaching server’s face.
He bowed politely.
A cute name tag hung from his apron.
Luca…?
Seeing the mismatch between his build and that cute name, he spoke.
“Welcome to the hamster teahouse. May I take your order?”
Layton turned at Luca’s voice and handed me the menu.
“Please order whatever you’d like, Lady Selena.”
“Alright. Marquis, what will you have?”
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
“What if you don’t like it?”
He tilted his head, puzzled.
“Isn’t everything Lady Selena eats delicious?”
“Oh—right. I don’t eat things that aren’t tasty.”
At his absolute confidence, I lowered my head and laughed.
He’d figured out my fondness for sweet, rich foods.
And also—
I didn’t realize he paid such close attention to me.
“I’ll have two strawberry frappes and one cocoa, please.”
“Yes, right away.”
After bowing sharply, the server turned away.
Ailee downed her drink instantly and ran off to watch the hamsters spinning their wheels.
Stirring my frappe, I asked Layton as he drank deeply,
“Aren’t you bored?”
This kind of cute teahouse didn’t seem like his thing.
But Layton bit into the strawberry on top and shrugged.
“Not at all. I didn’t know strawberry frappes were this good.”
“…Excuse me?”
“They’re so delicious there’s no time to be bored.”
He raised a thumb cheerfully.
I burst out laughing.
“The more time passes, the more different you seem from the rumors.”
Cream clung to my lips as I took a big bite.
Seeing me mumble with whipped cream all over my mouth, Layton smiled faintly and nodded.
“In what way am I different?”
“Well… more quirky than expected, more talkative than expected…”
“And?”
He took a napkin and gently wiped my lips.
“…You make my stomach flip in the strangest moments.”
