The silence grew in the halls. Ian carefully walked towards the room while guarding the two shorter children behind him. He vowed his head and whispered gently.

"Are you sure we're allowed to do this?"

Edwin and Linda both stared at each other then stared back at Ian. Edwin heaved a sigh and then smiled brightly at him.

"We're the ones who brought her here, shouldn't we at least get to know each other more? Or is it wrong for us to go and hang out with someone who is the same age as us?"

Ian stared at them with wide us, after thinking for a while, he nodded in agreement. He truly forgot their positions for a second. How pitiful they are to not have any friends their age to hang out with.

Feeling the sympathetic gaze at both himself and his sister, he just continued to smile ignoring the uncomfortable feeling coming from this child.

Linda whistled at her brother's arrogant appearance then turned her head to also give a small smile and nodded her head in agreement. Ian widened his eyes even more seeing her rare smile given to others.

"Your wish is my command."

Having this solved, they finally arrived at the second floor where the guest room they placed that child was. Edwin unintentionally gazed at Linda making him regret gazing at her expression.

Hearing this, Linda turned her head to stare back and innocently tilted her head, giving a motherly smile. This made him shudder. He hurried his steps and knocked on the door in front of him.

"...Come in..."

A small voice you could barely hear spoke behind the door. Before Ian could reach out and open for them, someone from the inside welcomed them, opening the door.

"...Welcome, young master, young lady."

Edwin just glanced at Juliet and then turned his gaze to the girl who was currently staring at Linda.

'Is it only me or do her eyes seem to be brighter than the last time that we met?'

He curiously stared at her leaving Linda's side and standing near Ramona. She turned her head and flinched in surprise. Her ivory eyes stared blankly at the boy in front of her.

"So... Can you tell me your name?"

She blinked in surprise and nodded shyly, sneaking a peek at Linda who was silently standing behind Edwin. Ian sighed helplessly as he noticed that her focus had been on Juliet ever since they came in.

"Rom... Ramona..."

Ramona nearly blurted out the name her father often called her whenever they were around people. She nervously grabbed her new light pink dress.

Edwin nodded and placed his hand on top of her head. He couldn't help but compare Ramona to a trembling rabbit in front of its predator.

Juliet cleared her throat and swiftly stood behind Ramona. She silently raised her head and glared at him. Edwin widened his eyes and smiled awkwardly, placing his hand away from her head.

"Ah... I'm sorry..."

Juliet bowed her head in response and turned herself towards her now lady.

"Lady Ramona, would you like to treat our guests to your table."

She smiled softly at the flushing girl in front of her. When she first met her, she seemed to act dully and slow to respond to her situation. But after a week of adjusting, she slowly regained her emotions and acted like a normal child.

Juliet still wonders what happened to her to make her so dull in life and become attached to herself after treating her kindly. She inwardly sighed in helplessness. Either way, she is now the only precious one in my life from now on.

"Then I will bring the refreshments while you guide them to their seat."

Ramona hesitated and nodded obediently. Juliet smiled then turned onto her heels and left the room. Linda's gaze followed her back until she shut the door.

"Whew..."

Linda released a frustrated sigh. Guess she missed the time to crush her while she was still assigned to them. She should've followed her brother's idea back then rather than hesitating.

She now decided to stare at her brother's situation, making her gaze suddenly stop at the sight she was seeing.

"No..."

She ran and grabbed a hold of her brother's arm. Edwin looked down at his sister in surprise. She also widens her eyes in surprise at her action.

Ramona looked puzzled and tilted her head at Linda. She couldn't help but grab onto her brother's arm even tighter.

"Lin..."

He patted her head in concern. She stared back at his worried eyes with a blank expression. She didn't understand herself either. She wasn't that clingy and would also laugh whenever her brother was in a pathetic situation.

She stared at Ramona for a few seconds before letting go of his arm. But she can tell one thing she is feeling.

"I don't like how you guys are so close with each other without me..."

Linda glared at Edwin and mumbled quietly. He widened his eyes in surprise. How many surprises is he getting today? He chuckled and hugged her happily.

"Awwwe~ Are you jealous~?"

"Tsk!"

Linda looked at him in annoyance but didn't reject his hugs. Ramona stared at them with an unknown expression at their interactions.

'I miss Momma...'

Tears suddenly burst from her eyes. She hurriedly wiped the tears from her eyes but couldn't stop them.

"I want Momma!!"

She screamed and started to cry even more. The twins and Ian turn their heads toward the crying girl in surprise.

"Waaaaaahhh—!"

Her cries grew even louder remembering her father leaving her here. Even after meeting the duchess who kindly added her to their family registry, she felt intimidated due to the strong aura she 'saw.'

"Lady Ramona!"

Juliet slammed the door open and stared at her in surprise. She quickly ran towards her side. Hearing Juliet's voice, Ramona ran and hugged her tightly.

"Shhh, I'm here. Sh, my little princess..."

She gently soothed the child in her arms. The trio couldn't help but look at this scene in surprise.

Finally feeling that she calmed down, Juliet got up and bowed her head respectfully.

"My apologies, but it seems Lady Ramona is in a state to host you in her room."

The two nodded and looked towards the sniffling child who was tightly grabbing onto Juliet's long skirt.

 

 

AKS