But it wasn’t the recipient of the gift who entered the room. As if hearing the bustle, Cecilia walked into the room with a curious look on her face. Her slow walk quickly turned into a trot as she spotted the pile of gifts. When she reached Estella, her eyes lit up.

“What is this?”

“It’s for Master Cedric.”

Estella said, lowering her gaze to meet Cecilia’s. Cecilia’s excitement quickly turned to frustration. Cecilia asked indignantly.

“Mine?”

“Uh, I don’t know, where’s your present…….”

With a playful twist to her words, Estella swooped down and grabbed Cecilia around the waist. She swept Cecilia up in a quick hug and spun her around.

“My lady’s present is in your room!”

With that, Estella set Cecilia back down on the floor. As soon as her feet touched the floor, Cecilia ran out the door, her face lit up with excitement. Estella shouted after her as she walked away.

“Walk, don’t run, you’ll fall!”

Diego, who had been watching the scene for a while, chimed in.

“When are you going to let go of the children?”

“Well, I’m trying, but it seems like it’s become a habit. It’s not easy to fix.”

Estella folded her arms behind her back in a cool manner. She shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, people will think I’m being very polite, after all, they are the Duke’s siblings, right?”

Diego was about to retort, but a servant’s voice came from across the hall.

“Duke, Master Cedric has come.”

Estella and Diego both turned in the direction of the voice. Beside the servant who had spoken was Cedric, covered in dirt and looking terribly flustered. Cedric glanced up at the servant beside him, and then walked stiffly into the room. Cedric looked at them with suspicion.

“Why are you two here?”

“Don’t you think you’re being too unwelcoming?”

Estella replied, sounding offended. Then, as if complaining, she added, “It seems pointless to teach these students….” Cedric, who knew that Estella’s reaction was just an act, narrowed his eyes. Eventually, Estella changed tactics and spoke honestly.

“I came to bring you a gift.”

“A gift? Why are you giving it to me?”

“Last time, Miss Cecilia also received a hairpin as a gift from the Duke. It’s only fair that I give one to you, young master.”

Still, Cedric was unable to shake his defensive attitude. It was hard for him to accept the gift because he was the one who gave it. Cedric glanced uneasily at Diego. Diego was about to say something to him, but he kept his mouth shut. All he had to do was say, “I got this for you,” and he didn’t know how that could feel so foreign.

In the end, it was Estella who spoke up on Diego’s behalf.

“Go and unwrap them, they come in all kinds of colors.”

With that, she nudged Diego. She was still unhappy with the vast quantity and wide variety. Showing sincerity didn’t mean going all out.

Cedric was equally surprised by the sudden influx of gifts. Cedric looked up at the tower of gifts with a dumbfounded expression.

“These are all mine?”

Being a child, Cedric was not yet good at hiding his emotions from the person in front of him. Estella could read the surprise in his eyes, along with a hint of excitement.

After hesitating, Cedric stepped forward and pulled out the lowest box, which contained a pair of children’s boots along with a small riding whip. Cedric lifted the lid and looked back at Estella.

“I haven’t learned to ride yet.”

The previous duchess, Anna, had not taught her son to ride, to avoid a possible falling accident. Childhood was a time when a child at the center of a power struggle could easily have an unsavory accident. Anna wanted to eliminate the possibility that the son, who would preserve her position, would be harmed

Somehow, she’d swept it up without looking, and it had gotten mixed up with things she didn’t need. Estella rolled her eyes and looked back at Diego. He looked like he’d never heard of it before. There was no way he was familiar with Cedric’s education. Estella quickly took charge.

“So you’re going to have to start learning.”

Luckily, Cedric seemed to understand. Cedric crouched down on the floor and began to pull on his riding boots. It was so cute to watch him wiggle his little body and slip his feet in. Estella gave him a thumbs-up like a store clerk encouraging him to buy.

“You look so good in them, young master.”

The corner of Cedric’s mouth twitched. Cedric shook his head, trying to compose himself. Then, as if on cue, he asked.

“But I know how to ride a horse?”

Estella glanced at Diego again. Diego just blankly received Estella’s gaze. Unnaturally, Estella laughed and stood next to Diego. Then, she whispered in his ear.

“Please give him a piggyback ride.”

“…Me?”

Estella quickly gestured with her eyes between Diego and Cedric, as if expressing her frustration.

“That’s right! How can you just pack anything without even thinking about what the children need?”

“I’m just as confused. I’ve already learned horseback riding at his age, so…”

“Young master! Instead, this older brother will give you a piggyback ride!”

Estella shouted at Cedric, ignoring Diego’s protest. Momentary confusion flickered across Diego’s face. This time, Diego held Estella. He urgently grabbed Estella’s arm and pulled her towards him. He spoke in a hushed tone that only Estella could hear.

“Isn’t the child completely covered in dirt right now? Do you know how much I spent on this outfit I’m wearing?”

“Just a moment ago, you were bragging about your money, didn’t you? Get new clothes. Have them laundered.”

Estella replied in a sullen tone. Diego was left speechless by the absurdity of the situation. Diego briefly turned his gaze towards Cedric and saw a frightened expression on his face for some unknown reason.

Seeing Cedric take a step back, Diego paused. Even without delving deep, he could understand it well enough. Cedric was afraid of him now. And if he backed off, another barrier would be created between them.

Diego’s eyes closed slowly. He sighed and eventually knelt down in front of Cedric, bending one knee. With a determined expression, he cleared his stiff lips and spoke.

“…Cedric, come up here.”

It was a voice that carried determination. Despite Diego’s efforts, Cedric only lowered his head and didn’t move. Cedric looked at Estella as if she were his savior. Cedric gently pursed his lips and asked.

“What is this all about?”

“Hurry up and get on.”

Diego urged in a slightly softened voice. He didn’t want to prolong this uncomfortable situation of sitting on the ground.

But Cedric’s resistance seemed to stem from more than just fear of his brother. Cedric, who had never dared to be angry with Diego, shouted at Estella.

“I’m eight years old! Isn’t this something you should do for little kids like Cecilia?”

“Who’s the young master here?”

Estella chuckled and lifted Cedric like that. Cedric was reluctantly forced to mount Diego’s shoulders. He couldn’t even touch Diego and had to twist his body to maintain balance. With Diego holding Cedric’s thighs, he lifted himself up. In an instant, Cedric’s view became much higher. Cedric muttered with a pale face.

“I’m dirty…”

“It’s fine.”

“…Am I heavy?”

“Not at all. You need to gain some weight, your calves are too thin.”

As Diego spoke, he briefly stuck out his tongue. Despite Cedric eating well compared to his peers, he was on the skinny side. It was natural to worry when he could feel his bones. They exchanged a few more words in hushed tones.

Since Cedric complained of dizziness, the time they spent together wasn’t actually very long. Estella noticed that Cedric’s complexion was getting worse and suggested that he get down. Only then could Cedric set his feet on the ground.

It was a momentary contact, but it made a difference. The dirt on Cedric’s shoes had completely soiled Diego’s upper garment. Diego went to change his clothes. But when he went outside, his face didn’t look as dissatisfied as one might expect.

As soon as Diego disappeared, Cedric opened his eyes and glared at Estella.

“Teacher said something strange, right?”

“How did you know? I just told him what the young master was worried about.”

Estella retorted naturally. Cedric looked up at her with a puzzled expression.

Estella abruptly reached out and stroked Cedric’s head. Disheveled hair fell down over Cedric’s face, obscuring his fierce gaze. Cedric blinked several times, feeling dizzy. After a while, he shook his head and finally regained his composure. Cedric shouted in an angry voice.

“Traitor! Snitch!”

“Yes, I told him everything. I think the Duke must have been shocked as well? He must have been deeply wounded.”

With these words, Estella crossed her arms and embraced her chest. Her tone implied that she had been hurt. While it was closer to a lie than the truth, Estella didn’t care much. She was someone who believed in the concept of well-intentioned lies.

Cedric was greatly perplexed by Estella’s acting. Cedric spoke as if in protest.

“I didn’t tell you to tell my brother right away!”

“If I didn’t, won’t the young master keep having strange thoughts?”

Estella retorted in a stern voice. Cedric, at a loss for words, closed his mouth. Estella observed Cedric’s defiant gaze and his small, sniffly nose for a while. After relaxing her solemn expression, Estella spoke in a tender tone.

“Your brother is trying to put your mind at ease.”

“……”

“The young master doesn’t have to worry about what you were concerned about anymore.”

Cedric stared at Estella in silence. It was only after a while that he turned his head away. Although his expression had oddly changed, it seemed that he didn’t intend to inquire further about the events of the day. Estella asked with a cheerful expression.

“Well, don’t you trust the teacher?”

“You’re not my teacher anymore.”

Even so, Cedric kept his lips sealed until the end. It was unclear whether his stubborn nature should be considered fortunate or not.

* * *

Diego looked at his reflection in the mirror. His crimson hair was completely wet, clinging to his scalp in a messy manner. Diego suddenly pulled the corners of his mouth together to form a smile. The reason for his unexpected behavior was that he truly wanted to find an unexpected side of himself.

Turning his head back and forth and carefully examining his face, Diego returned his expression to its original state. Having looked at it all his life, he couldn’t give an objective evaluation. The only thing he could be sure of was that he didn’t necessarily give off a likable impression to everyone.

Where could she have seen his potential for change.