In her own room, Tinaria, who was repairing the clothes of the children from the orphanage she brought back home, took a short rest after finishing repairing the last piece of clothes. She remembered the smiles of the children and a smile naturally appeared on her face. Since she was called to serve at the tea party this afternoon, she returned to the castle after lunch. Tinaria carefully folded the clothes and put them in order, after a short time of hesitation, she took out a cloth parcel, and slowly took in her hand the white handkerchief that was inside like handling something fragile. It was a silk handkerchief given by the director.
Even if I give the embroidery of celebration, it might only be a nuisance for Keith… Such a though was considerably spinning around in her head and she couldn"t make up her mind. However, before the director made arrangement for the handkerchief with enthusiastic encouragements, she couldn"t set her mind on trying to make it, let alone whether to give it or not.
The embroidery threads she seriously chose from the toolbox were light white and pink, and new leaves green. Those threads which were pa.s.sed through the needle, were put together thoroughly one by one in the embroidery by the hands of Tinaria and were forming beautiful yet cute small flowers. The embroidery sewed together with love and time brought colors to the handkerchief, it gave a beautiful finish that everyone could perceive.
"Oh, those flowers are primroses. They are very beautiful."
"Is, is that so… I wonder… is there something weird…?"
Tinaria confirmed over and over again, worried that there might be a fraying or a weird spot. Maria sent her encouragements to Tinaria who was anxious about whether it was a good idea to hand it over even if it was finished.
"Tina, you went as far as doing it so beautifully, let"s give it to his Highness! It is a custom here, I"m sure he will accept it without hesitation."
Encouraged like this, the next day, Tinaria went for serving with the handkerchief in her pocket, in order to give it to him at the arbor after the tea party. There was a considerable distance from the detached room of Tinaria to the reception room where the tea party was held, so she decided to pa.s.s near the office of Keithfalt on the second floor on the way.
When Tinaria looked up at the office while pa.s.sing through the hallway in the first floor, she found Keithfalt and Clianna, who were pleasantly chatting in front of the door.
Clianna, noticing Tinaria who had reflexively stopped, softly smiled in her direction, put her face near the ear of Keithfalt and whispered something like they were intimate. Then, Keithfalt glanced at Tinaria, held the shoulder of Clianna and disappeared into the back of the door.
———Again. Each time Tinaria witnessed the two of them together, she was holding her chest, feeling a pain like her heart was crushed. She illusionary felt that the content in her pocket was becoming heavy. Tinaria walked away with heavy legs and went to the reception room"s tea party.
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After her work as a waitress came to an end, Tinaria was about to go to the arbor, holding a book like always, but the sight of today drew her legs like a heavy load, and she took a different path. The thing that was becoming heavier was the celebratory embroidery. Remembering Keithfalt and Clianna talking, something like giving the celebratory embroidery was a hindrance to their love, it would invariably be an offense instead, then she tightly hugged her book in her chest.
At that moment, Tinaria, who felt she had heard people talking, turned her face towards the voices. There shouldn"t be people around here, at the back garden. When she drew nearer until she could see their faces, she was able to confirm that two persons were talking, lowering their voices.
Those persons… I am sure it is the Marquis Dinoa and… I wonder who this merchant is… ?
I remembered the face of the Marquis who had a friendly talk with Keithfalt during the garden party, but I really didn"t know about the man who was looking like a merchant. Afterwards, the two persons immediately parted in different directions to avoid been seen together. It was a matter of concern for Tinaria, but because she had no way of confirming it, she went to the arbor as planned.
Reaching the arbor, Tinaria saw Keithfalt, who was going through his doc.u.ments while relaxing in a chair as usual, she then took a breath in relief. Keithfalt, who only glanced a little at Tinaria who appeared considerably later than usual, gave a small nod to greet her as usual and immediately dropped his line of sight to his doc.u.ments.
———Keith only gave me his permission to stay here. Even so, I was happy as if I was welcomed in the atmosphere of this quiet garden. The weight in my chest smoothly melted and disappeared.
Really, it was a miracle to be by his side this way. This alone was more than enough happiness. Getting used to this happiness, I ended up becoming a little greedy… ——— That day, Tinaria didn"t took out the content in her pocket in the end.