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TN: I can only say sorry for the sporadic update. My job has been demanding too much time and I’m in the middle of searching for a new one, so not much time to do anything else. Sorry. As usual, quick and unedited translation, if you find anything weird, please tell me.
“Why!　Why are you going alone as a foreign exchange student?! “
“Well, because that school have a lesson I’m interested in. Besides, the quota was only for one person.”
“Mary-sama, this is just cruel! Patrick-sama too, if you knew about it, why didn’t you tell me! “
“Why? Well, because I knew it will be like this.”
Patrick said bluntly, as he sipped on his black tea. He threw a glance at Mary that said, ‘isn’t there a better way to tell them?’, criticism in his eyes.
Mary, who felt the glance, regretted her carelessness as well when she looked at the two noisy person. It slipped out from her mouth, even though she planned to explain things in order in a calm place. And for Addie, she planned on bringing her father too.
Apparently her happiness of being ‘un-drilled’ was more than she was aware of.
In contrast to Mary and Patrick, Addie and Alicia made face full of dissatisfaction. In particular, Alicia had a headache-inducing puffed cheeks to the point one could only think, ‘this is our country’s princess?’.
Unable to watch it, Mary sighed as she put her teacup down onto the saucer.
“Hey, this exchange study only last one year. Besides, the school is still within the country’s border so it doesn’t take long to come and go. I will come back often so don’t make a ruckus please.”
“But, one year without Mary-sama…If the distance is close enough for daily trip, isn’t it better to commute from home?”
“No way, so troublesome.”
To go beyond the country’s border everyday just to go to school, Alicia’s cheek puffed even rounder as Mary cut her down with those word. On the contrary, Mary wrinkled her eyebrow as Alicia gulped down the tea in desperation, the elegance of a princess was nowhere to be seen.
And Addie, who received the baton from Alicia, looked seriously at Mary, “Then,”
“Please come back once the last class is over before the day off. And when the holiday is over, please leave at the last minute before your class start. I will agree if it’s like that.”
“Harsh! Anyway, why do I have to get your permission! “
“Then I will also…! “
go together with you, Addie swallowed the words he was about to say.
Rather, it wasn’t possible to say anything because Mary clasped his cheeks with both her hands. It was a light sound that couldn’t be said to be a slap, but Addie, whose cheeks were pressed, and of course, Alicia and Patrick too could only widen their eyes.
Only Mary looked at Addie with a strong gaze, and seriously said, “I won’t forgive you if you say anything more.”
“Hey, why do you think I let other people says that I’m a fussy lady who have to bring her attendant to school? “
“That’s…because I have something I want to learn at Carelia Academy…”
“Right, you have things you want to learn here, and I have things that I want to learn on the other school. Then what we should do is obvious.”
Being told off like a child, Addie could only looked troubled as he lower his eyebrows and answer with a “You’re right.” Mary could only let out a small sigh as she looked at him, “Honestly.”
And when she was about to release his cheeks, this time it was her turn to be caught. Surprised, Mary looked up again at Addie, his previously meek rust-colored eyes stared at her.
“Addie? “
“Then please, at least promise me you won’t do anything rash over there. To have you go beyond the reach of my hand, I don’t even want to think it.”
With a serious look, he gazed at her passionately, so different with his previous appearance.  In contrary, Mary hold her breath and glanced away nervously.
She always thought she was weak to Addie’s smiling face, but lately she found herself to be weak as well to this passionate glance he occasionally show. Under his gaze, she felt restless and she even felt her heart tightening and goes numb.
Not knowing the reason for her discomposure, Mary let out a small cough, and pretended to sweep her hair, gently slipping her hand away.
Her silver hair swayed gently. Her gesture was exactly like a perfect noble daughter.
“Ye, yes…I understand. You’re right, we’re always together, even if it’s only for a year, it can’t be helped that you will worry. I will come back frequently, do please don’t worry.”
“Then please come back in the morning of the day off by carriage and return on the last minute on the last day of the holiday.”
“Where is the compromise! “
“Besides, what do you want to learn over there! What do you want to do you have to go beyond the country’s border! “
“Business Administration! “
“The plan for migratory bird bento shop is still continuing! “
Where did his passionate gaze go, Patrick could only sigh as Mary and Addie returned to their usual banter as if being switched. “Only one more push,” Patrick muttered. Addie and Alicia who heard his word grabbed Mary’s arm from both sides and turned to him, “Patrick-sama, please help us! ”
Of course, as the eldest son of Dyce House and future prince, he couldn’t possibly do that.  Although, he didn’t feel like helping Mary as well, he only devoted himself as a spectator who watched them elegantly from the beginning to the end.