To him, Alyssa’s life was an unknown world that he could not guess at all.

What Gilbert felt when looking at Alyssa was that she seemed so cold.

It was for that reason that Gilbert hesitated to speak up.

He can’t just keep Alyssa looking too cold here.

“…My wife boils her egg porridge amazingly, madam. If it was before eating, and if not rude…”

Alyssa nodded before Gilbert even finished his words.

“I will go! I want to go. So please don’t take back that invitation.”

It’s the first meeting, but she’s making his heart ache. Gilbert nodded. He couldn’t turn down Alyssa, who looks noble more than anyone but looks colder than anyone else.

“Yes. It’s a shabby place, but I’ll serve you.”

***

Sasha rolled her feet, waiting for Alyssa, who wasn’t returning even at the time it was getting too late. However, she couldn’t say the words that she did not return from the garden. What would be Alyssa’s fault?

However, it seems that Sasha wasn’t the only one waiting for Alyssa.

Juliana stood still next to Sasha wandering by the porch.

“Is it still?”

“Yes, Yes? Grand Madam!”

Sasha, startled, shook her head.

It was when she was wondering what to say, rolling her feet. Instead, Juliana opened her mouth first.

“…No wonder. There’s nothing to worry about. I know Alyssa is not returning from the garden right now.”

Juliana glanced over the front door.

“…Grand Madam…”

“If you can’t attach yourself to the mansion, it’s a good thing you can attach yourself to the garden.”

Juliana’s muttering eyes were so mournful that Sasha shut her mouth tight. She felt a little bit aware of why Alyssa said the people of this mansion weren’t wrong.

“There’s nothing to worry about, Sasha.”

The grand madam sighed.

“If she doesn’t come from the garden, she must be at Gilbert’s house. He’ll be serving Mona’s dinner there.”

“How can…”

Juliana smiled cheerfully. She chooses a word for Sasha to reassure her, who was worried.

“Because my kids did the same. They will always be huddling in that little hut and eating dinner. Then when their stomach was full and they came back, exuding a savory smell, and talked about what they were doing in the garden. They are good people. I’m sure Alyssa will come back with a good face.”

Juliana’s deep eyes traced her memories of the brilliant past. Kendrick, Seidrick, and finally Ophelia. No child did not hold Gilbert and Mona’s hands. Since Kendrick’s death, Ophelia is having a hard time recalling her memories with Kendrick. She cuts her feet off from the garden, but not Seidrick.

Is it because the memories Gilbert and Mona planted in their children are warm?

Seidrick still did not forget the garden.

Certainly, Alyssa will do the same. After Mona’s dinner, she’ll hear Gilbert hum and talk before returning. The children who tasted the warmth went out crying and returned with a smile.

“…”

Sasha lowered her head slightly.

If it could, please, for Alyssa, who went out with a face that seemed to disappear from the world, would come back with a smile, Sasha seemed to be able to give out her wrist. Since she left, Sasha has been beating her heart, and she hasn’t even sat down properly.

She thinks she can guess Alyssa’s aching heart a little bit.

However, the garden is a magical space.

A small smile stayed on her face when she visited the garden as if it could be a comforting place for the cold and lonely Alyssa.

Sasha held her hands together. And not long after, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching the front door of the mansion. It was Alyssa.

“Look at that. Didn’t I say she’d be back soon?”

Juliana turned her body and climbed the stairs as if she did nothing to be by Sasha’s side so far. By the time the door opened, it was already after Juliana disappeared. Sasha turned her head to the front door, not catching the grand madam, who was moving away.

“Oh, Sasha? Sorry. Have you been waiting long?”

As Juliana said, Alyssa returned with a smiling face. There was a pink blush on her pale, white face.

“Madam…”