CH 251

Words : 964 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Mr. Ekenhart Looked Exhausted The only one who I might hire in the near future was Milina… As she was interested in learning about medicine, she could help me in various ways. That being said, would I really be hiring anyone in the future…? If I was just going to stay here making herbs, and have the duke’s men sell them, then there would be no need. “…Mr. Takumi. There you are.” “…Ms. Gelda. Is something the matter?” “Preparations for lunch are complete.” “I see. I will go there right away.” As various thoughts went through my mind, Ms. Gelda appeared and told me that lunch was ready. And so I headed to the dining hall with Ms. Lyra. …Now that I thought about it, what had happened to Mr. Ekenhart? As she was playing with Tilura and Sherry as well, I was sure that Leo wasn’t doing anything reckless. I just hoped that he could get used to Leo even a little. “Excuse me. I brought Mr. Takumi.” “…Mmm.” “Wuff? Wuff-wuff!” “Oh, Leo. So you were already here?” “Wuff!” When I entered the dining hall, Mr. Ekenhart, Ms. Claire, Tilura, and Sherry were already there. As Sebastian was there as well, he must have finished his business in the kitchen. I suppose I had been talking with Ms. Lyra and Nick longer than I realized. Leo rushed towards me as soon as I entered the room. Since she was wagging her tail enthusiastically, I petted her thoroughly. It was nice that she was happy, but her tail was causing a great wind that threatened to push up Ms. Lyra’s skirt. Be careful, okay? “Well, let us eat then… Phew.” “Yes.” “Wuff-wuff!” “Kyau!” I made Leo calm down as we went to the table together. And then on Mr. Ekenhart’s signal, we began to eat. …Still, Mr. Ekenhart really did look tired. Also, Ms. Anne wasn’t here. Was she still sulking in her room then? “Father. You look very tired?” “Mmm… Yes.” “What happened? …I don’t think anything happened that would make you so tired…” “Well, that is true. With the whole matter with the store settled, there is nothing to trouble me… But Leo…” “Leo?” “Wuff?” Ms. Claire had seen that her father was not eating at his usual speed, and she looked concerned. Mr. Ekenhart glanced over to Leo as he replied. It seemed like he had expended a lot of energy in playing with Leo and Tilura. Leo heard her name, and she looked up and tilted her head, while a sausage was still in her mouth. It’s really nothing Leo. Keep eating… “Mr. Takumi made me…” “Made you? You make it sound very bad…” “Mr. Takumi?” “I was going to play with Tilura and Leo…” “So that’s why you are tired… Well, you rarely play with Tilura. So isn’t it a good thing?” “Well…yes. It is, but… Yes, I do feel less afraid now…” “Did you have a good time, Tilura?” “Yes! It was fun being with father!” Tilura answered her sister in a cheerful voice. Upon seeing this, Mr. Ekenhart was not able to say anything. A father couldn’t complain about being tired when his daughter said she had so much fun. Ms. Claire had clearly asked her that question deliberately. That being said, Mr. Ekenhart had lost his fear. So it was all good in the end, I suppose. “By the way, I see that Ms. Anne hasn’t come down… Is she alright?” Now that the conversation had ended, I decided to ask about Ms. Anne out of curiosity. “Lady Anneliese is staying in her room. She said that she does not want to eat. That’s how effective your rejection was, Mr. Takumi.” “She overestimated her power as a noble and was shocked as a result. Really, the very idea of using power to get a husband…” “Hahaha… Indeed…” Like Sebastian had explained, Ms. Anne would not come out of her room. It was clear that Ms. Claire resented her, and she was muttering angrily to herself… But I didn’t want to get involved, so I focused on my food. “Ah, Ms. Lyra. Do you know where Ms. Anne’s room is?” “Lady Anneliese’s room? Uh…” After lunch, I decided to check up on Ms. Anne. And so I asked Ms. Lyra where her room was. Perhaps it would be odd for me to see her after rejecting her… But I couldn’t help but worry about her… “I see. Thank you.” “Not at all. I could take you there?” “No, that will be fine. I doubt I will get lost.” I asked Ms. Lyra for directions and then thanked her. She must have recalled how I had asked her to guide me when I first came to this mansion, and offered to take me there, but I refused. It wasn’t too far from my own room, so I shouldn’t have trouble getting there. Besides, I wasn’t going to visit her right away. I needed to talk to Ms. Helena first… “Sebastian. Do you have a minute?” “Yes. What is it?” Mr. Ekenhart and the others were now gone from the dining hall. Each had things to do, like work or studying, and so they had all left right after taking their tea. Ms. Claire and Mr. Ekenhart seemed like they had much to discuss about the property. Tilura took Sherry with her to study. …I doubted she could concentrate with Sherry around, but… Well, I’m sure it would be fine. Now that I knew where Ms. Anne’s room was, I called to Sebastian as he was clearing the dishes.

CH 251

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