Chapter 9 – [Part 2]

In fact, I wanted to keep holding it, but I stopped because the child’s face didn’t look so comfortable. However, the child looked down at Min-ha’s hands and looked up at her with eyes as though he wanted something.

“……Huh?”
“……..”
“……Ah! That’s right! Oh, my god!”

Min-ha, who was agonizing about why he was looking at her eyes so closely, briefly expressed her realization, recalling the reason why she decided to meet the child today.

Then, she took out a lion and a rabbit doll from the basket she had just put down and put them out in front of the child.

“Ta-da! It’s all fixed. And this rabbit doll is a gift as an apology!”
“……Rabbit? What is this?”
“It’s a gift from big sister. I made it because there were a lot of thread, cloth, and cotton left after I fixed the lion. What do you think? Do you like it?”
“……Yes.”

The child, who received the two dolls with his small hands, nodded and responded with a flushed face. He was so cute that Min-ha said, gently patting the child’s head unknowingly.

“It’s a good thing that you like it! I worked really hard on it!”
“…..Really? Thank you.”
“Yes! Wouldn’t it be nice to have a new friend, too?”
“…..Friend.”

However, the child’s face suddenly became noticeably dark at my words.

‘Hmmm.’

Min-ha took a quick breath and pondered over what she had just said. Or if she said something that would hurt the child.

However, I couldn’t think of any, so I asked carefully.

“……What’s wrong? Did I say something bad? If I did, can you let me know?”
“……No. I’m just jealous.”
“You’re jealous….of what?”
“…..Leo has a friend….. I don’t have any friends.”

The child said so and pouted his lips as if to cry. Min-ha became flustered when the child’s cute face became teary. I didn’t mean it at all, but he was hurt because I reminded him of a wound unintentionally.

‘How can his heart feel at ease……’

Looking at the child who was about to cry, Min-ha shouted impulsively, pulling the child’s hand and squeezing it tightly.

“W-Well! Would you like to be friends with big sister? Wouldn’t that work? Play with big sister, then! Play with dolls and read books. Okay? Can’t we do that?”
“…..But…..I…..”
“……..Hm?”

Then, the child muttered something in his low voice. It was a very intimidating voice, so I listened carefully because I couldn’t hear it well.

Growl.

But then, I heard a sound burst out from the child’s stomach that filled the silent annex. Min-ha looked surprised at the fairly loud sound, whereas the child’s ears became red. Min-ha asked, patting his small back affectionately.

“By any chance, you haven’t eaten?”
“……..Yes.”
“Why?”
“…..I don’t want to eat alone.”
“I see. Do you want to eat with big sister?”
“……..!”
“You don’t want to?”

When she asked carefully, the child shook his head violently from side to side. It was cute to see him shake his head as though it’d fall right away, so Min-ha laughed loudly and held the child in her arms. She couldn’t hold it in because the lovely child was so cute in expressing his emotions.

“…….Ah..”

Then, the child’s eyes opened wide. It seemed as if he was surprised by my sudden actions.

‘Oh, did you hate it when I hugged you?’

Min-ha looked at the child’s face and asked.

“You don’t like it? Do you want me to let go of you?”
“….Ah, no.”
“Well, let’s just go like this then! To eat a meal!”

Min-ha smiled quietly at the child who hugged her neck with his hands. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to hate it.

So, I came out of the annex holding a child in my arms. Then, as I walked, a thought came across my mind that made me halt.

‘……I’m taking him because he’s cute and I feel sorry for him, but I’m sure he lives in this mansion, right?’

Can I take him without his parents’ permission? What if I’m treated as a kidnapper for no reason? I was worried for a moment because of that thought.

‘Oh, I think this is where he lives, so he must be the child of a servant, not the Duke’s child.’

Wouldn’t it be alright for me to take him to his parents later? It’s not like I’d harm the child.

After a while, Min-ha made a choice she’d regret greatly and walked towards the mansion where her room was located.