Chapter 149

Side Story (3)

“My Lady, did you enjoy your food?”

The nanny then brought along a cloth to wipe her mouth. It was a shame that the sweet taste of whipped cream had disappeared, but since she was fond of her touch, Ashley remained quietly. On top of that, there was still an important mission left for Ashley.

“Now, flower! Flowers for Daddy!”

“Okay. Let’s go to the greenhouse and get some flowers for the Grand Duke.”

“Yes yes—no no.”

Ashley suddenly shook her head.

“I will go alone.”

“You’d like to go alone to the greenhouse, My Lady?”

“Yeah!”

A worried look flashed across the nanny’s face.

“But My Lady, do you know where the greenhouse is?”

“Yesh!”

“Do you also know how to go to His Highness’s study from the greenhouse?”

“Of course!”

The nanny smiled faintly. No matter how confident it got that they were doing rather well, the number of things that could have occurred to children was ultimately endless. While thinking that she had to sneak behind Ashley, she then nodded.

“Then, please promise me one thing, My Lady.”

“What is it?”

“Look at the ground very carefully. The sky too and all of your surroundings as well. If you ever lost your way, please call for me. I’ll come over soon.”

The child’s small head bobbed up and down. I hope she can do just as well as her answer. The nanny smiled, softly crumpling her nose bridge before letting off Ashley’s hand.

“Then, please be careful on your way.”

“I’m going!”

The child seemed to have waved somewhat politely. It was clear that if Knox or Vivian were to see this, they would hug the child while saying something like, ‘I can’t bear to see my child leaving my arms just yet’. I’m so glad the Grand Duke couple isn’t present right now.

The nanny was still able to picture the behavior of those two, which was completely different from all the rumors. The Grand Duchess who always smiled gently. Even the polite behavior of the Grand Duke, who was initially thought to be as terrifying as an evil spirit. After experiencing their kind treatment towards herself who was merely a servant, the nanny eventually vowed to settle down right here.

There should have been no flaws in their lovely children, but it was a very different matter in regards to their education. The nanny then carefully sneaked up behind Ashley.

Contrary to all expectations, Ashley was bravely walking forward. Most of the children would be scared even if they said that they could, but Ashley was different. Her steps that had been properly recognized to where she was headed were directed exactly to a single place.

Although they were very slow due to her short and chubby legs, Ashley still moved steadily forward. The servants who recognized their little master had greeted her. The small and lovely Ashley, along with the Grand Duchess were just like the warmth of the Grand Duchy. When they approached closer out of wariness for the young Ashley who was walking all alone, the nanny immediately popped out a bit and waved her hand.

As she passed through so many people, Ashley finally managed to reach the greenhouse. The servants who had just been gardening inside the greenhouse were surprised and then only they bowed to the little master.

“My Lady, what brought you here?”

“…flowers for Dadda.”

As she looked at the unfamiliar people, Ashley’s lips were mumbling faintly. Ashley had lesser chances to run into these gardeners since she didn’t really go out to the garden that often. But in contrast to the child, the servants were all feeling touched.

‘The little master who I could only hear from others is right in front of my very eyes!’

They had heard that she was small and appeared just like an angel, but they never thought that she would be this cute. Whenever she spoke, her soft cheeks would move adorably as if they were alive as well. If there had not been any difference in status, perhaps they would have hugged her and kissed them right away.

But the servants were well aware of their own position. They managed to stop their hands from moving involuntarily.

“What kind of flower would you like, My Lady?”

“Thaaat one.”

Ashley pointed out with her finger. The shape of the flower was rather strange, but it was a flower that she had always seen before. An artificial flower that was preserved semi-permanently by magic. It looked real, but the flower was  like the real one, but the flower that was fake in the end but emanating fragrant, her father, Knox, always put it near the bed.

When her chubby finger pointed, the servant quickly went to prune the flower carefully so that the stalk wouldn’t be so bad. Then, they trimmed the leaves worrying what if it hurt the child’s hand before giving it.

“Will this much be enough, My Lady?”

“Yeah!”

Feeling satisfied, Ashley then sniffed the bunch of flowers in her hand. When she had already caught on the fresh scent, she turned her head away. The only thing that had been left to do was to deliver them safely straight to Knox himself.

“Bye bye!”

The child, who hadn’t learned to say words of thanks yet, waved her small hand. Nevertheless, the servants who felt healed by her small act followed in waving their hands along.

Ashley began to walk again—one step at a time. Along her way, she had successfully avoided a big muddy wormhole. Then, she also evaded the horrifying earthworm beast before she finally managed to walk back to the mansion.

“Huft.”

Ashley, who had gone on a much more exhausting journey than ever before, eventually wiped the beads of sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand. But when she looked at the still fresh flowers in her hand, a smile began blooming on her lips instead.

“Oh my, isn’t this the Young Lady?”

Ashley turned her head at the words which were addressing herself. It was the chief physician of the Grand Ducal family, Cedric, who had been waving his hand.