Hearing Helen's words, Saiki's entire body stiffened.
“They're looking for someone?”
At the same time, Saiki immediately thought of Clint.
She held Sherit in her arms again and asked with difficulty: "It can't be like this...more than four years since I left the Marchioness. There's no way he's still looking for me."
After forcing herself to think that this was not true, Saiki slowly calmed herself down, and put on an indifferent expression.
Helen, as if it were no big deal, shrugged her shoulders and continued talking.
"Yes, but it seems he couldn't find you. He left in a hurry, didn't he? He said he would stay until today. I heard that while I was in the crowded area yesterday. Where was he? He was staying at the inn?"
Psyche felt a strange sensation but ignored it, thinking it couldn't be real. The relationship between the Marquis and her had never been that deep in the four years since her passing, and there was no reason for him to seek her out.
But suddenly.
“Could it be… because of the baby?”
Saiki found herself unconsciously chewing her lips. Was he obsessed with the missing child?
Thinking this way, Saiki became even more worried.
“….”
“Oh sis, are you interested?”
Because she didn't know Saiki's inner thoughts, Helen laughed lightly and continued.
“The sister married a noble in the capital. So, the level should be high there, right?”
Psyche suddenly regained consciousness and asked in surprise: “What are you talking about?”
"I mean, about getting married again. My sister's not bad looking, and with a little dressing up...are you seriously considering it? Should I know where the inn is?"
“Helen!”
"Ah! Why are you screaming!"
The soul exploded with anger without realizing it.
“Weird. Especially today.”
Helen frowned, jutting her lips.
“I'm tired. I'm going out.”
“Sister is really strange.”
Seeing Helen leave with a blank expression, Psyche is left alone with Sherrit.
Without realizing it, she sighed deeply.
“Ma!”
Suddenly she realized that Sherit was in her arms, so she smiled artificially.
Were you bored?
“Ma, ma!”
Sherritt, feeling as if Psyche was showing interest in him after a long time, burst out laughing.
Thinking about it, she was only thinking about doing something big for his birthday and didn't think about playing with him.
“It doesn't seem like things are going well,” she said, feeling guilty.
Because of the story I heard from Helen, it seemed as if it wouldn't be of much value.
After putting the papers aside, she hugged Sherrit properly again and allowed him to see her face.
Are we going out for the first time in a while?
“Kya!”
As if understanding her words, Sherritt showed his excitement as he waved his arms.
Suddenly feeling a sudden attack of guilt, Saiki prepared to go out.
Part of the reason she turned away from Sherrit was because she had become the Lord and had to take care of the area.
Today is his birthday too.
“Sherit really likes you.”
“You seem more excited?”
Saiki looked at the two men standing in front of her with eyes that seemed a little dissatisfied.
Rumors about Shiret and Psyche going out together quickly spread throughout the castle, and since everyone knew about Shiret's secret relationship with Psyche, all the staff willingly helped them.
Suddenly, with a smiling face, Claude volunteered to accompany them.
“What about me? I’m just volunteering as a bodyguard to make sure you two get out safely.”
Claude was wearing an unfair expression, but the hurt was clearly visible on his face.
“Okay, you're talking.”
“Haha. Of course. Where should we go? Should we head towards the crowded area?”
“Oh no!”
When Psyche looked surprised, as if something had disturbed her, Claude made a strange expression.
“Just say you don't want to go there; is this place not to your liking?”
“Well, that's not the case… Anyway, let's not go to such places. Let's go somewhere less crowded. There's nothing good about standing around for no reason.”
“Mmm, where would our young master prefer to go?”
Claude turned his head towards Cherette.
"Kya! Mama!"
“He says any place is good as long as God is there.”
“What? Do you translate Sherritt’s words as you wish?”
"Isn't that right? Sherit and I understand each other. We can understand everything he says."
"prattle."
“But it's true.”
Claude made a sullen expression.
“Okay, let's get started now.”
“Shall I show you somewhere nice?”
“Let's go somewhere that's not so cold.”
The winter in Alistair's territory was not as harsh as the capital, but it was harsh nonetheless. The surrounding mountains made the weather even colder.
However, she did not know how well the castle had been preserved to withstand the winter. Claude nodded.
“Oh, and not to the noisy area!”
In case it was Clint. If by chance it's Clint, should you meet him? Psyche anxiously entrusted Claude with a request regarding Clint.
He admitted this and began to sit next to the driver, and the carriage started running smoothly.
After a while, the cart began to roll smoothly on the ground.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Kya-ma-ah!”
As they passed through the crowded area and somewhat left the outskirts of the city, a village appeared where the entire city could be seen.
Although there were not many people, the scenery looked very picturesque.
The cool wind blew refreshingly, making the mood naturally pleasant.
And it seems like Sherritt was pretty excited, too.
He was holding a strand of Saiki's dress, laughing happily.
“Is it good?”
“Maah!”
Sherritt nodded vigorously.
"We've been talking for a long time. I have to teach Sherritt how to talk."
Psyche muttered to herself, looking at Sherritt with pitiful eyes.
In fact, Sherritt's language development was slower than that of children her age. While some of the children were already speaking fluently, Sherritt was unable to pronounce a single word correctly.
“No, it's just a little late.”
"Is this correct?"
"Yes."
Psyche felt responsible for Sherritt's late speech, and her mouth was bitter.
Moreover, because he loved her so much, she regretted not going out with him more often.
“Here, please wait.”
“Where are we going?”
“I asked on the way, and it seems that there is a festival in the village today. Near this area, street vendors will be setting up when it gets dark. I will go take a look and come back, so please wait here.”
“I see. We should be back soon.”
“Yes yes.”
After Claude playfully pinched Cheret's cheek, he quickly ran forward.
“Come here, Sherritt.”
Grabbing the hem of her dress, Psyche pulled Shirit towards her, and they both sat down.
Then she gently tapped her knees.
In response, Sherit blushed smoothly, bent down, and sat down close to her, as if it were the most natural thing.
“The sun is about to set. Isn't that beautiful?”
Psyche asked Sherritt.
“Kya!”
Sherrit nodded happily, enjoying being with Saiki.
“Let's go out together more often.”
“Maah!”
Sherit laughed gently.
Although Psyche didn't know who he looked like, Sherrit's appearance was unusual. With his golden, honey-like hair, his curls looked extraordinary for an ordinary child. The color of his eyes matched his hair, sparkling like jewels sometimes.
In fact, Saiki kept her distance from him partly because of his appearance; He didn't look like a neglected child. She still has vague thoughts that his parents might be looking for him, making it difficult for her to easily accept him as her son.
Psyche looked into the child's eyes, feeling that it was time to tear down the walls between them.
“What a terrible thing you did.”
Because he knew she would be called “mom” when he followed her.
“Come here, Sherritt.”
She hugged Sherit tightly, and the warmth conveyed a feeling of joy.
After she hugged him, she sat him next to her.
“What are we going to play?”
“Maah!”
Sherritt showed a very excited face a while ago and burst into laughter as if he was happy to do anything as long as Saiki was around.
After considering their options, they began making a crown of nearby flowers.
Sherritt seemed to enjoy everything Psyche did.
Without realizing the passage of time, they gathered wildflowers until their fingertips turned blue.
“We are, Sherritt. It is very beautiful.”
“Mama-mama!”
While handing Siki the poorly arranged flowers, Sherit's face flushed.
“Will you give me this?”
Psyche greeted the cut flowers somewhat clumsily with a friendly smile.
The chirita was more beautiful than flowers.
It was incredibly charming.
At that moment, Saiki couldn't help but place him above the child she lost.
“…”
“What?”
Psyche noticed Sherritt's suddenly stiff expression, so she quickly pulled him into her arms.
"No, no! She's very pretty. But Sherritt is much more beautiful than flowers."
Saiki tried to laugh hard, and tried to hold back her tears.
The painful memories became more vivid the more I tried to forget them. Over time, some things got better, while other things became more painful.
Her child's memories belonged to the latter.
As time passed, it didn't get any easier, making Saiki's attempt to smile even more painful.
Her tearful smile was reflected in Sherritt's golden eyes.
Then Sherritt slowly opened his mouth.
"mama…?"
“…”
Saiki widened her eyes in surprise.
“Oro?”
Although the pronunciation was a bit slurred, Sherritt called Psyche “mom” and even asked her if she was crying.
She couldn't believe she heard a "mom" sound from him, especially considering how late he spoke. His question about her crying made it even more emotional.
Complex emotions overwhelmed her as her tears burst uncontrollably.
“…”
But she was unable to make any sound in front of Sherit.
Despite all the pent-up emotions that were pouring out, she couldn't scream out loud. Instead, an involuntary choked sound came out of her.
Sherit quickly sank into her embrace, with an uncomfortable expression.
"No, no! She's very pretty. But Sherritt is much more beautiful than flowers."
Holding back tears, Saiki forced a smile.
In front of Sherritt, she couldn't make a sound. Despite the huge rush of emotions, she couldn't cry out loud. She had to pretend she was fine and made a muffled sound instead.
Sherit looked at her with a helpless expression and joined in her tears.
“Hooooh.”
“Oh…”
However, at that moment.
Suddenly, the shadow of a man appeared on the side where Saiki was sitting.
“Here, why are you crying?”
It was a voice that spoke from somewhere nearby...
So familiar and unexpected that Saiki was shocked and suddenly raised her head.