𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟓: 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞-𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐚
Heyerdahl is in the midst of the holiday season. Nobles and commoners of Heyerdahl alike can be seen heading out with their picnic preparations to the highlands, fields, and lakes.
“I’m embarrassed to say, I didn’t know it was such a beautiful and comfortable place.”
At my words as I walk along the lakeside with a parasol, Theodore-sama next to me seems proud.
“In the royal capital, the impression of Heyerdahl is still strongly associated with the suspicious border invasion seven years ago, and the transportation is also very poor. So it’s natural that it’s not well known. It’s not something to be ashamed of, rather, I’m glad you didn’t know.”
Theodore-sama narrows his eyes as he looks at me.
“I can see your face, genuinely moved by the scenery of Heyerdahl.”
“That’s. . .”
“I want to show you more of the beauty of Heyerdahl. And I want to see your happy face.”
My cheeks become hot, and I don’t know what to say.
Even when I fall silent, gripping the handle of my parasol, Theodore-sama seems pleased.
I quietly peek at Theodore-sama’s face from the corner of my parasol.
His handsome face with silver hair swaying in the lakeside wind is so beautiful, strong, and gentle that it’s hard to look directly at him.
ーーWhy is he so kind to me?
Noticing my gaze, he tilts his head.
“Hmm. What’s up?”
“. . .Um. . .Theodore-sama. . .”
“Lord Fatherー! Chloe-senseiー! I found a beautiful magic stone piece～!!”
From the lake, the youngest Maria comes running. I put down my parasol and kneel down to catch her, who is running barefoot in her water play dress, looking happy.
In her small palm is a transparent purple stone.
“I’ll give it to Chloe-sensei. Here!”
“Thank you. . .What a beautiful gem. If we put it in a glass locket, we can make a pendant.”
When I hold it up to the sunlight, it shines like amethyst.
The older children who followed her make a dumbfounded face at Maria.
“Maria, you shouldn’t interrupt adults’ dates.”
“A, a date.”
When I deny it, they look at each other and grin.
Thinking that Theodore-sama next to me must be troubled, I look at him, but he is also squatting next to me, stroking Maria’s hair, which is damp from the water. There is no anger or confusion on his face.
“You chose a good present. Thank you.”
“Hehe.”
Maria and Theodore-sama, they look like accomplices.
I deliberately clapped my hands as if I remembered something.
“L, Let’s have lunch. Everyone, you must be tired from playing so much, right?”
“Yes.”
The children run to the villa by the lake, giggling happily.
The heat in my cheeks is not just from the direct sunlight.
“Shall we go, Miss Chloe?”
Theodore-sama picks up the parasol and holds it over me.
“Thank you. . .”
And so, we decided to have lunch.
