Chapter : 35
A girl wearing a dress covered in frills appeared behind William. She looked at Benjamin with bright, intelligent blue eyes.
“Hello, Olivia.”
“Hello, Benjamin.”
Behind Olivia stood her nanny. Jacqueline gave her a light nod, which the nanny returned with a polite smile.
Benjamin turned his gaze to William and, as if reciting a rehearsed line, spoke fluently.
“William, could you prepare refreshments in the greenhouse? I’d like to have tea time there with Olivia.”
“Yes, young master.”
They immediately headed to the greenhouse. Late spring, nearing summer, carried a gentle warmth in the air. It was slightly hot, but not enough to be bothersome.
Betty set out the refreshments on the table. Olivia, already familiar with the routine, ate cookies and drank lemonade. Even so, she kept glancing at the maids, as if checking when they would leave.
Olivia whispered so only Benjamin could hear.
“You didn’t forget your promise to let me collect cicada shells, did you?”
“Of course not. But shouldn’t we send your nanny away first?”
At that, Olivia looked at her nanny. The woman, who had been standing a step behind, asked, “Do you need anything?”
“Benjamin, could you let Marie rest for a bit?”
“Of course. William, please take Marie somewhere to rest and serve her tea. We’ll talk here, so everyone else may leave. Ah, except for Professor Somerset. She’s our guardian.”
“Yes, understood.”
William glanced at Marie as if asking what she would do. She looked at Olivia with worry.
Olivia answered casually.
“Go rest a little, Marie. I won’t move a single step from here. What’s there to worry about? This is the Preston estate.”
“Yes, understood, young lady Olivia.”
Only then did Marie follow William with lighter steps. Jacqueline watched the two children with a somewhat amused gaze, wondering where they had learned such clever little schemes.
Then she suddenly thought back to her own six-year-old self. She, too, had once told countless lies to escape her parents’ watchful eyes. Lies that adults could clearly see through—but she had been completely serious about them.
“Alright, let’s start collecting cicada shells!”
As soon as Marie disappeared, Olivia urged Benjamin impatiently. This was a brief act of rebellion with limited time, so she was eager.
Benjamin nodded solemnly and headed out of the greenhouse.
“Follow me. I know where there are lots of cicada shells.”
“Okay!”
Jacqueline trailed a few steps behind, leisurely following the children. There was no need for her to intervene.
Benjamin was eager to show off everything he knew to his first friend.
“Uh… hmm…”
But after a short while, Benjamin let out a confused sound, his eyes darting around. Olivia frowned sharply, her large ribbon shaking.
“There aren’t any cicada shells, Benjamin.”
“That’s strange. They were always here…”
Benjamin muttered gloomily, looking around. Then his eyes widened and he reached toward a leaf.
Snap.
A small insect he had caught began to struggle belatedly. Benjamin turned to Olivia proudly.
“It’s a ladybug. See the red shell with black spots? Isn’t it pretty?”
“Oh, it really is! Can I touch it too?”
“Of course. Here.”
Benjamin placed the ladybug into Olivia’s small palm. Olivia stared at it as if enchanted.
Then she brought it to her chest. Jacqueline’s eyes widened as Olivia smiled brightly.
“How is it? Doesn’t it look like a brooch?”
“Wow, it really does.”
“Right?”
Giggling, the children admired the bug while Jacqueline stepped back slightly, grimacing. The ladybug’s legs twitched.
“Ugh…”
A groan escaped her lips. She used to like ladybugs as a child, but now she found them oddly creepy.
Perhaps humans become more fearful as they grow older.
At that moment, Benjamin placed a stag beetle on Olivia’s head.
“It’s like a hairpin. It looks really strong with those horns!”
“Really? Thank you.”
With a stag beetle on her head and a ladybug on her chest, Olivia smiled as sweetly as if she were the happiest girl in the world.
“I want to catch one too.”
“You just have to sneak up carefully so it doesn’t notice you, then—swoosh—grab it.”
“Okay! I’ll try!”
Jacqueline scratched her arm absentmindedly, feeling an odd itching sensation all over her body. No matter how much she scratched, it didn’t go away.
She tilted her head back slightly—and froze.
Sunlight poured through the leaves. Thin strands of golden light, like Windsor’s hair, rained down across the bushes.
Laughter echoed between Benjamin and Olivia. A soft smile formed on Jacqueline’s lips.
“Benjamin, Olivia. Look up.”
At her voice, the children lifted their heads.
“Wow!”
“It’s beautiful!”
They squinted against the bright light, exclaiming in awe as shadows and sunlight rippled across their faces.
Jacqueline rolled up her sleeves, hoping this moment would become a precious memory for them.
“Alright then. Shall we begin our expedition in earnest?”
“Yes!”
They stepped forward into a new world. Cicadas in the trees sang louder than usual.
Meanwhile…
Windsor walked down the corridor with perfect composure. William, following behind, handed him a hat.
Just as Windsor took it and stepped out the front door, a carriage rolled into the estate and stopped. He paused, watching as the door opened.
A young lady stepped out with the help of the coachman. She wore a lavish pink-frilled dress.
Her chubby cheeks looked like she was holding a candy, and her small stature barely reached Windsor’s shoulder.
She noticed Windsor standing at the entrance and stopped in place, her round eyes widening further.
She stared at him, waiting for him to greet her first.
—“You must not keep a lady waiting. A gentleman should greet first.”
Jacqueline’s nagging voice echoed in his mind. Windsor finally descended the steps and greeted her lightly.
“Good day, Miss Humble. I was informed of your visit today.”
“Good day, Lord Preston. Thank you for allowing my visit.”
Samantha curtsied slightly, then looked up at him again.
She couldn’t take her eyes off his shimmering blond hair and mysterious gray-blue eyes.
Just as she fell into a dazed moment, Windsor’s polite voice broke her thoughts.
“I understand you are Miss Somerset’s friend. You are welcome here. William, please treat Miss Humble as our guest.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Lord Preston.”
“Not at all. Please enjoy your time here.”
He boarded the carriage and departed. Samantha watched his figure until it disappeared beyond the garden.
“Sammy!”
At that moment, the front door opened and Jacqueline ran out. Samantha finally turned away from the carriage and hugged her tightly.
“How have you been, Jackie?”
“What brings you here? Nothing bad happened, right?”
Jacqueline asked worriedly as she pulled back. Samantha smiled mischievously.
“What do you mean? I told you I’d come again.”
“Well, yes, but…”
Jacqueline hadn’t expected her to come so soon. And this wasn’t even her home.
Sensing William’s gaze, Jacqueline hesitated, but Samantha acted as if she owned the place.
“Come on, let’s go inside. We can talk over tea.”
Jacqueline sighed helplessly and followed her.
They went straight to the drawing room, where Betty, instructed by William, welcomed the guest with utmost formality.
Once tea and refreshments were served, their conversation began.
“Jackie, I’m so glad to see you again. Truly.”
Jacqueline smiled gently, though her mind was conflicted.
She was happy to see her closest friend—but also unwilling to reveal her fallen circumstances.
A river now lay between them that could no longer be crossed. Jacqueline softened her gaze as she looked at Samantha’s innocent expression.
Samantha hadn’t changed. Only Jacqueline had.
“I saw the engagement announcement in the paper. Congratulations, Sammy.”
“Thank you. Jackie…”
Samantha’s cheerful smile faded. She hesitated, as if struggling to speak.
Jacqueline watched her curiously.
Samantha spoke carefully.
“If there’s anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to tell me, Jackie.”
“…Alright. I will, Samantha.”
Jacqueline smiled with closed eyes.
Samantha must have been worried about her, thinking she was struggling through hardship.
Unaware of her friend watching from the riverbank, Jacqueline had barely managed to cling to the rocks of survival.
Only now did she notice her.
“Sorry I couldn’t contact you, Sammy. I was overwhelmed with problems at the time.”
“It’s okay. I understand, Jackie. If it were me, I would’ve been the same. You don’t need to apologize to me.”
“Thank you.”
Only then did Samantha relax and reach for a cookie—true to her love of sweets.
And strangely, that simple sight brought Jacqueline comfort.
Some people change.
And some do not.