Chapter 12
An awkward silence filled the hamster teahouse.
I blinked at Layton, who had a flustered expression on his face.
‘…What’s going on?’
I couldn’t understand why he was looking at me like that.
Had I said something that could be misunderstood?
While I was thinking that, he furrowed his brow slightly and asked cautiously:
“Um… may I ask why you were feeling queasy?”
“Pardon? Of course.”
Unlike my cheerful reply, Layton seemed a little hesitant.
I smiled lightly and shrugged.
“It’s because I’ve never had an older brother before! So I’m not used to it, and it makes me a bit nervous.”
“Ah…”
Layton let out a short exclamation.
He had been staring at my face blankly, but then he nodded slightly in understanding.
“…I suppose that’s understandable.”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t excitement or anything like that—it was just honest.
I simply recalled how few people in my life had ever cared enough to wipe my face, and it made my heart flutter for a moment.
‘So this is what older brothers are like.’
I didn’t dislike being Ailee’s sister, but sometimes I wished someone would comfort me.
And the older brother I had imagined was exactly like Layton.
Though of course, his appearance was far from ordinary.
“Marquis Layton.”
“Yes?”
“Just now, you were exactly the kind of older brother I’ve always dreamed of.”
“As I said before, I’ve been trying to be a good older brother. Seems like I’ve succeeded.”
Layton curled his lips in a lazy smile, clearly satisfied with my praise.
Earlier, he had looked so bewildered, yet now he appeared completely at ease.
I decided not to point it out.
After glancing around briefly, he slid the menu beside him toward me.
With a proud smile, he spoke:
“I’m not sure if this is proper, but an older brother should let his little sister order whatever she wants.”
“Ah, ahahaha!”
I burst out laughing, and he raised his eyebrows in amusement.
This must be what having an older brother is like.
Seeing him speak so confidently, it felt right.
Someone who watches over you quietly, without showing it.
‘I see. So this is what an older brother is like.’
In both my past and current lives, I had never had one.
But unlike my lonely past life, this was different.
Not only was there adorable Ailee, but Chik-Chik appeared unexpectedly, and Layton stayed by our sides, reliable and protective.
“Alright! Then I want to order some more salt bread.”
“Good choice.”
“No! The other menu items are fine, but… um… could you praise me?”
Layton looked genuinely surprised by my request.
I decided to be shameless.
He was my ‘older brother’ now, and I might come to rely on him a little.
“…Praise, you say?”
“Yes. Since our parents passed, I’ve been trying my best, but it hasn’t been easy… And I didn’t want to show weakness in front of Ailee.”
Once I started speaking my mind, the words kept coming.
“If our parents were watching, they’d say I’m doing well. Thinking that kept me going… I was lonely with no one to rely on, so I’m really glad I met the Marquis.”
As I sheepishly smiled and glanced back at the menu, I suddenly felt a soft hand on the top of my head.
It was sudden, but the large, warm hand felt pleasant.
‘Yes… this is how it feels.’
Whenever I did something to be praised, my parents would always stroke my head like this.
And now, this gentle touch made my shoulders feel a little lighter.
It felt as though I was being praised for everything I’d done so far—not just for Ailee or Layton, but for myself as well.
A wave of emotion hit me, and I couldn’t speak for a while.
I lifted my head slightly, and Layton startled, awkwardly withdrawing his hand.
I smiled at him warmly and said:
“Marquis, from now on, if I do something well, will you always praise me?”
He hesitated for a moment, then whispered softly:
“Even if it’s something bad, I will praise you.”
I had expected a positive response, but this answer was even bolder.
I tilted my head in curiosity.
“Even if I do something bad?”
“Yes. Even if it’s wrong, I’m on your side, Selena.”
My side.
I couldn’t tell you how much I wanted to hear that.
“Alright! Then I’ll always be on your side too, even if you do something wrong.”
His handsome brows furrowed slightly at that, but he soon smiled.
“…I feel like I want to trust you.”
“What? What did the Marquis say?”
“Nothing.”
I hadn’t heard whatever he said, but I didn’t press the matter.
Thud-
“Ah…”
A small gasp escaped me as the menu fell to the floor with a dull thump.
Both Layton and I looked, and the server jumped, startled, and quickly turned to rush back to the kitchen.
‘…Hmm?’
His suspicious behavior drew my attention.
‘Why did he get so startled?’
It wasn’t like we had said anything shocking.
Yet the server’s eyes were wide and round, avoiding our gaze entirely.
‘What’s going on? Why?’
I quickly looked around, but it was still just the two of us.
“Selena.”
Layton called my name.
“Yes?”
“Look over there—at Ailee.”
I followed the direction he pointed. Ailee was crouched in front of the hamster, with Chik-Chik perched atop her round head.
“Ah! Chik-Chik! You’re messing up my hair! Get down!”
“Chik-Chik!”
Ailee waved her hands over her head, pausing, and asked:
“Are you scared of the hamster?”
“…Cheep? Chik-chik!”
Chik-Chik leapt to the side onto another table, clearly indicating it wasn’t scared at all.
Ailee grinned meaningfully and carefully placed the hamster on her palm.
“Whoa!”
With a small exclamation, she extended it toward Chik-Chik.
“Chik-chik-chik!!”
Startled, the bird chirped loudly and flew up.
“He’s scared!”
“Chik-chik!! Cheep! Chik!”
We laughed as Chik-Chik flew toward me.
“Ailee and Chik-Chik are really enjoying themselves.”
“I’m glad.”
“Chik-Chik, did you have fun?”
I asked, looking at him on my shoulder, and he pecked me energetically.
Probably meaning, ‘Are you crazy?!’
I ignored it and told Layton:
“Chik-Chik had fun too.”
“…That’s good.”
“There will be more moments like this, right?”
For some reason, Layton didn’t reply.
He just smiled gently, avoiding my gaze.
“Re…Ren…”
“Yeah, I saw it too.”
Luca was not in his right mind.
His hands shook, and he dropped the menu he was holding.
Then he slumped to the kitchen floor.
“This is a nightmare! It feels like I’m in a terrifying dream!”
“…So that’s Princess Selena Bennet, huh.”
“Ren, hit my cheek hard. That’s the only way I can wake up from this nightmare.”
Ignoring Luca’s nonsense, Ren looked at the two girls in the hall again.
Across from Layton, the girl looked clumsy but shared a warm, affectionate gaze with him.
Her upturned eyes gave her an elegant air, a beautiful noble girl.
But that was all.
Even someone with typical tastes like Ren could see she was pretty, though nothing extraordinary stood out.
“Selena Bennet or whatever, just hit my cheek! Ren, why aren’t you listening to me?”
“Luca, quiet down.”
Luca looked aggrieved, pounding his chest in frustration.
“You saw that murderous look earlier! He almost got caught by the princess!”
“…True.”
“No matter how I look at it, it’s strange.”
Even Ren thought Layton’s behavior was odd.
‘Not like the usual head of the household.’
He was focused entirely on the princess.
His eyes lingered on her actions, and he responded carefully to every little word.
Since entering the teahouse, all his attention had been on her.
‘Is he really trying to act like a guardian?’
Ren shook his head at the thought.
That couldn’t be it.
The Bennet family must know how to lift the curse, so he’s probably just pretending to be sincere.
After all, he’s the type to go to extremes to get what he wants.
At that moment, the tinkling of the doorbell announced someone entering the teahouse.
“…Who is it?”
Today, they weren’t supposed to receive any guests besides the head of the house.
Luca stood and walked over, assuming it was an unexpected visitor.
But the person entering was none other than Layton, returning to the teahouse.
The outing to the teahouse with Layton, Ailee, and Chik-Chik had been a great success.
We returned to the estate in high spirits, but soon after, my mood plummeted.
“What? You’re quitting?”
I asked Lady Baroness Retina once more, who had come to the reception room.
“Yes. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“Suddenly… may I ask why? You’ve been teaching Ailee well so far without issue.”
“Of course I have. I’m very sorry, but circumstances have arisen.”
Her calm tone carried an unmistakable firmness.
A resolute decision not to continue teaching.
It was frustrating and disappointing.
Lady Baroness Retina was famous as the empire’s finest etiquette instructor.
It was extremely difficult to hire her as a governess.
She had even taught Ailee and me while our parents were alive.
Strict at times, yet both Ailee and I respected her.
‘…I’ll have to find a new governess.’
I wasn’t sure if I could find someone as excellent as her.
“…Understood. How soon will you be able to work until?”
“I intended to conclude as soon as a new governess is found.”
As soon as possible.
Her calm, firm words made me bite my lips in disappointment.
Had she been dissatisfied with anything during her work?
“…Alright. I’ll try to find a new governess as soon as possible.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Not at all. Thank you for teaching us so well all this time.”
She stood, gave a short bow, and left.
‘…Was it just my illusion that the estate has been running smoothly without parents?’
Negative thoughts kept arising, but I quickly shook my head.
‘No. She’s just one governess quitting.’
In the seven months since our parents passed, the Bennet household had remained stable.
Though some foolish nobles tried to grab our wealth, Layton’s role as guardian kept them at bay.
‘Nothing to worry about now.’
The entire household looked to me alone.
To meet their expectations, I had been carrying out my duties with the help of Butler Hyle, Layton, and many others.
The Bennet household was regaining stability.
My hand tingled slightly.
Looking down, I realized I had been clutching my dress tightly all this time.
“…Lady Baroness Retina had her reasons. I shouldn’t overthink it.”
But all of this was just the beginning.
