As soon as Lucy stepped aside, the Bergs maids strode into the room. And started putting the things they were holding neatly on the table. In an instant, the table was packed with mysterious boxes.
This is a gift from the Duke of Berg to Miss Keenan to commorate the signing of the sponsorship.
Mary stood in a few places in front of the presents on display. Lucys eyes widened at the word gift.
What?
Wow!
Unlike puzzled Lucy, Jemima, who was standing next to her, stepped forward with more excitent.
These are all gifts from the duke? And a sponsorship deal? What does that an?
She picked up the presents one by one, bombarding her with questions. Jemimas fingers hovered around the ribbon as if she were about to unpack it. However, the person who received the gift looked confused. Lucy didnt know how to react, so she just rolled her eyes in her seat.
Burden ca before the joy and surprise of the gift. The sponsorship contract, which was made because of the dukes push, and the gifts that ca into her room were all unilateral. Moreover, as she recalled the face of the Duke of Berg she t last night, Lucy felt an unknown prickly feeling.
T this is too much. Im already getting sponsored I dont think I should be getting gifts like this.
Its the sa gift that every ward of the Berg family receives.
Mary explained with a friendly smile.
My master said not to feel pressured.
Why dont things go my way?
Before Lucy could say anything more, Mary bowed to her. Imdiately she took the other servants out of the room.
Wait! I cant take it. Please take it back!
Lucy shouted at their backs. But no one looked back. After leaving gifts and flowers in her room, they left the room as quickly as they did when they appeared.
As soon as the door closed, Jemima sat down in front of the table stacked with gifts.
What does sponsorship an? And youre going to open this right now, right?
Before Lucys answer fell, Jemimas hasty hands were already loosening the ribbon. Jemima, who opened the box, admired it with wide eyes. The gifts were made up of items that won of Lucys age would like. Luxurious dresses, shoes, necklaces and earrings.
As expected, it was burdenso.
I cant accept this.
Lucy picked up the lid of the box Jemima had opened and put it back on the box and started wrapping the ribbon as it was. Jemima watched from the side with a sad face.
Are you going to give it back? I think itll look good on you.
Its too expensive.
In addition, when she rembered Felixs face, she felt like receiving the gifts would make her shaless. Jemima, who was looking at the presents that she was repackaging with a sullen face, turned to the flower basket.
Are you going to send this back, too? Flowers wither anyway. Even if you send it back, the duke will think its trash.
Jemima picked up the large flower basket and took it to the window. She put aside the vase with so withered flowers and put the basket on it. The window filled with colorful red flowers soon transford into a colorful atmosphere.
Wow! Its pretty.
Jemima smiled innocently as she looked at the basket. But Lucy soon took her eyes off the flower and tied the ribbon.
* * *
At the library, Lucy was wondering how to return the gift to the duke.
I hope he wont feel offended.
When she imagined the dukes displeased face, she felt terrified. Thinking about it, the duke doesnt resemble his sons. When I think of Adrian, who is friendly, or even Felix, who sotis gets angry but never ignores others, I find it hard to believe that they are related.
Is that what happens when you beco a duke? Then if Felix becos a duke
Lucy imagined him succeeding the title and leading people. However, it was also difficult to imagine him being cold-blooded like the current Duke.
Lucy, are you still feeling down?
At that ti, soone tapped Lucys shoulder, who was sitting blankly. Looking back, she saw Noel looking down at her with a light smile.
Its ti to switch shifts with .
Oh, is it already ti.?
Lucy checked her watch. Today, she was thinking about sothing else all day, so she wasnt able to work smoothly. Stabbed with conscience, she tried to get up from the sofa to settle all the unsorted books. But Noel slumped next to her and stared at her face.
Uh Why?
Noel sighed suddenly.
Cheer up. Dont be down. You can do well on the next test.
Noel seed to have so misunderstanding.
Or would you like to play with on the weekend?
At the unexpected suggestion, Lucy suddenly stepped back and said, Uh
Youre in a bad mood, so wouldnt it be worse if you stayed in the dorm until the weekend? Lets go sowhere together!
She was grateful that Noel cared about her mood, but his suggestion was not tempting. Moreover, it was burdenso to go out of the academy.
Ahm, I.
Co on. Actually, I feel sorry because of my brother. I want to make you feel better! I even checked the botanical garden.
A botanical garden?
Lucys eyes sparkled at the word botanical garden. Then Noel smiled and actively explained.
The large botanical garden in Bethel. Its the most famous botanical garden in the Empire, and Im sure youll like it.
I like it.
Lucy already knew about the existence of Bethel Botanical Garden. It was also a place she wanted to visit when she visited the capital eight years ago. But unfortunately, the greenhouse was under construction, so it was impossible to enter. I rembered that I had to turn around while looking at the building from a distance with disappointed eyes.
What do you think? Dont you want to go?
Noel asked repeatedly with a subtle smile.
When it gets cold, there will be fewer flowers in the outdoor garden. Then we wont be able to see it until next year.
Noels persuasion gradually moved Lucys mind.
Well.
Youre going to go, right?
Yes.
Yay!
Noel clenched his fist and rejoiced when Lucys consent fell from her mouth. Lucy, who was not very willing at first, just smiled at Noel, who was so fond of her.
Where are you going?
A familiar voice fell on the top of their heads.
Its Adrians voice, but its not as sweet as Adrians.
Lucy looked back in surprise.
There was Felix standing. Below the bangs that covered his foreheads, the lake-like blue eyes were shining as usual. As soon as she t his eyes, Lucy avoided them with a bewildered face.
Where are you going?
Felix asked, looking at Noel this ti. Though his eyes were quite sharp, Noel shrugged with a completely impervious look.
Us? Here.
Felix raised an eyebrow. He doesnt seem satisfied with the answer of his junior. His gaze shifted to Lucy, back to Noel, and back to Lucy.
He stared down at Lucy.
Do you have anything to say?
Yes.
To Noels question, Felix answered without taking his eyes off Lucy.
Lucys heart beat fast. She looked around unconsciously. It was a new habit every ti she spoke to Felix, she beca conscious of peoples eyes whenever she talked to him. Fortunately, no one was paying attention to the rest area, which was relatively far from the students studying.
Felix, who was standing with his hand on the sofa behind her, turned around the sofa and approached Lucy. Lucy looked up at him with a nervous face.
Theres a lot of people. What are you going to say here?
Suddenly Felix grabbed Noels arm as she wriggled her hand with a worried face.
You co out for a second.
Whats wrong with you?
Noels slender body was raised at once by Felix. Felix tried to drag him with his arm in his grasp.
Lucy, help !
Noel called her in an urgent voice. Lucy scrambled and tried to stop him, but Felix put Noel on his shoulder, struggling. As so students turned their heads to look at the disturbance, Felix hurried out of the library with Noel in his hand.
Uh.
Lucy, who was left alone on the sofa, stared blankly at the door where the two disappeared.
After a while, Noel returned to the library. Fortunately, he looked fine. Except for his complexion that looks drastically tired.
Sunbae, the Botanical Garden on the weekends. Youre going, right?
As soon as Noel ca in, he asked in a much more subdued voice than before.
Yeah. Are you alright?
Of course.
Noel replied cheerfully.
Then Ill pick you up on the weekend morning.
Then he began to sort out the returned books on the book cart with blank eyes.
Sienna
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