IFAHWIPUTML Chapter 26

A little past noon.

Raphel and Verasielle had finished their meal and were out in the garden.

Since she hadn't been able to move because of her ankle, this was the garden after a long while.

She'd occasionally gotten some air through the large window, but directly feeling the wind on her whole body? The refreshing feeling was on an entirely different level.

Since arriving at the ducal estate, Verasielle had spent almost every day taking walks with Raphel or passing time in the garden.

As a guest, that was all she could do here.

Even when she wanted to go out, Chayston blocked her, saying it was dangerous.

Having spent over two weeks either taking walks or spending time in the garden, being cooped up in her room for the past few days had been absolutely unbearable.

"I can finally breathe."

"It must have been stifling, right?"

"Really. I thought it was a prison."

She sat comfortably in a chair, chatting with Tia.

Raphel sat beside her, munching on cookies.

"I'm glad you recovered quickly."

"Yeah. It was just a simple sprain. I may not look it, but I have good reflexes."

Verasielle laughed, feeling proud of herself.

She was quite satisfied that thanks to moving fairly nimbly, she'd only slightly sprained her leg and that was it.

"That's right."

Tia agreed with a smile, following Verasielle's lead.

She'd clearly seen Verasielle panting after running just a little while playing ball with Raphel, but she pretended not to notice.

"It's a bit cold."

Verasielle rubbed her arms with her hands.

The wind kept blowing, and the dress fabric was thin, making it a bit chilly.

"Shall I bring you a shawl?"

At Tia's question, Verasielle shook her head and looked at Raphel.

"Raphel. Aren't you cold? Want to go back to the room?"

"Mmm... No!"

Like Verasielle, Raphel, who was out in the garden after a long time, was enjoying this moment too.

Besides, they'd only been in the garden for a short while. He had absolutely zero intention of returning to the room right now.

"Tia. Watch Raphel for a moment. I'll go to my room real quick."

Verasielle stood up. She needed a coat if she was going to stay in the garden a bit longer.

"I'll bring it for you."

"I'll go get it. I haven't been able to move and have been stuck inside lately, so my body feels too stiff."

Blocking Tia from stepping forward, Verasielle patted Raphel's head.

"Raphel, keep playing."

"Yeah!"

Finding it admirable that Raphel now stayed well with Tia, not just her, Verasielle headed to her room.

She entered her room, gathered her shawl along with Raphel's coat, and left.

Then she descended the stairs, passing through the hallway that now felt so familiar, like her own home.

The estate was so large—endlessly so—that it could drive you crazy, but now that she'd adapted somewhat, it felt rather familiar and comfortable.

It was when Verasielle left the estate and headed toward the garden. A voice came from behind her.

"I heard you've fully recovered."

She turned around to see Chayston standing at a distance.

He was holding a thick leash.

Following the leash with her eyes, she saw Worden sitting beside him.

"Yes. Out for a walk?"

Finding it curious that Worden was sitting calmly unlike before, Verasielle stared at him intently.

Back then, he'd charged at her without mercy, but now, next to his master, Worden sat still as a doll.

"Worden has prepared something."

"Worden? For me?"

The two conversed while maintaining their distance. Neither approached the other first.

Just in case of any unexpected situations.

"Worden."

"Whine..."

"Go on."

At Chayston's urging, Worden dejectedly drooped his ears and approached, carrying a single flower in his mouth that his master had given him.

Thunk.

At Chayston's instruction, Worden set down the flower he'd been carrying at a spot slightly away from Verasielle.

The apology she'd demanded.

"You're really smart."

Verasielle, who'd been watching with interest, laughed as if amused and stared at Worden intently.

Looking at him like this, he was exactly like a gentle sheep.

The beast-like appearance from the garden the other day was nowhere to be found—he was completely docile.

She picked up the flower Worden had given her. The unnamed yellow flower was quite pretty.

"Will he bite if I pet him?"

Feeling reluctant to just leave, Verasielle glanced at Chayston. She wanted to touch him once, but she was cautious in case he suddenly charged.

"Would you be all right with that?"

"Yes. It'd be good to become friends."

Especially those folds and all those wrinkles—she desperately wanted to touch them.

Wouldn't it feel like holding soft carpet in her hands?

At Verasielle's request, Chayston loosened the leash he'd been gripping tightly.

Then Worden, sniffing, began gradually approaching Verasielle.

She'd spoken boldly, but as Worden approached, Verasielle's expression gradually stiffened.

The memory of Worden charging fiercely was still vivid in her mind.

"Extend your hand."

"It'll be all right, won't it?"

"I'll be watching."

She didn't know why, but somehow Verasielle found his words strangely trustworthy.

Swallowing, Verasielle slowly extended her palm toward Worden.

Worden endlessly circled around Verasielle, sniffing, then brought his nose close to her palm and sniffed.

Worden's breath tickled her palm.

"You may pet him now."

Chayston's permission came.

Verasielle slowly crouched down and stroked under Worden's chin. Fortunately, Worden didn't bite or charge.

"Wow. You really do have a lot of wrinkles."

A handful of Worden's skin filled her hand. The wrinkles folded on his face and his drooping eyes were charming.

"What breed is he?"

"Bloodhound."

Worden even rolled over on his back, exposing his belly, as if he liked Verasielle's touch.

"You charged at me so fiercely back then. Are you asking to be friends?"

Verasielle burst out laughing at the large Worden's aegyo and vigorously rubbed his belly.

Worden panted while lying on the ground, wagging his tail energetically.

Chayston watched Verasielle and Worden silently.

"Thanks for the flower."

After petting Worden for quite a while, Verasielle stood up. Then she clutched the yellow flower Worden had given her tightly in her hand.

Come to think of it, Worden bringing the flower meant he'd received repeated training, right?

Verasielle couldn't imagine Chayston training Worden while holding a flower.

Always so taciturn and cold—this was unexpected.

That he'd actually prepared this, not dismissing her words casually.

"Thank you. Well then, finish your walk."

Verasielle bowed to Chayston and returned to Raphel.

She felt intrigued, like she'd seen a new side of him.

"Woof! Woof!"

Worden, seemingly disappointed to see Verasielle leaving, spun in circles and barked.

"Worden."

Chayston calmed Worden by patting his head.

He watched her retreating figure as she walked away with light steps, then handed Worden's leash to a knight who'd approached.

"You finish the walk."

Then he followed after Verasielle.

"Haa."

Verasielle, who'd been spending time with Raphel wearing the coat she'd brought and eating madeleines, sighed.

The reason? Chayston.

She didn't know why, but he kept hovering around her.

At first, she'd thought he had some business, but he didn't speak to her or anything.

"Perhaps he has something to say?"

Tia, who'd also belatedly noticed Chayston, whispered quietly to Verasielle.

"Then he should just say it directly. Why's he lurking around?"

"I think it's because of me. Should I excuse myself?"

"No. I'll go."

While Tia and Verasielle were exchanging words, Chayston stood under a tree some distance away, watching the two of them.

"My Lord."

Rohan approached Chayston's side.

Rohan spotted Verasielle glancing this way and lamented deeply inside.

His master seemed to think he was hiding himself, but that young lady had apparently noticed quite a while ago.

"Do you wish to share her company?"

"What?"

At Rohan's words, Chayston frowned.

"Were you not secretly watching the young lady?"

"Secretly, nothing."

Chayston answered curtly as if it wasn't true, but inside he was quite flustered. Rohan had hit the mark.

Actually, he'd followed to watch Verasielle and Raphel from nearby.

Feeling like he'd misunderstood Verasielle, he'd wanted to directly observe how she treated Raphel.

But unexpectedly, Verasielle had immediately noticed Chayston was hiding, and he'd had no choice but to stand there.

While maintaining as natural an expression as possible, as if nothing was wrong.

"I thought you were secretly hiding. Then again, who would hide so obviously like this?"

Rohan immediately realized his master was lying, but deliberately pretended not to know while sarcastically telling him to try hiding better.

"..."

He'd been hiding well in the tree's shade, but apparently it showed.

Chayston was seriously considering whether he should just climb up the tree when—

"Did you want to play together?"

Before he knew it, Verasielle was standing in front of Chayston.