âJerome, youâre so cool.â
With a dazed look in her eyes, Rosé clapped her hands as she said this to the older boy.
âIâm indubitably honored by your praise, Your Highness.â
Stumped by the difficult word, Rosé turned her head to look at Sera.
âWhat does that mean?â
Rosé mouthed the words silently and asked for help.
âItâs a big compliment. Heâs thanking you!â
Sera also answered back silently.
âUm⊠It⊠Itâs not a big compliment. YâŠYouâre too humble, Jerome.â
Rosé ducked down to hide her pink face, hiding shyly.
While Sera immediately thought of how sheâd tell the story of RosĂ©âs new behavior to Helios, Jerome glanced back.
But then, when Jerome glanced at Sera, his face was so obviously red.
âYour Majesty, thank you very much for the meaningful occasion. Thank you as well, Your Highness Roseline and Your Highness Ferreritan. I had a great time today.â
As politely as he did when he greeted them for the first time, Jerome bowed courteously before returning home with his parents.
Marquis and Marchioness Brunner had pleasant smiles on their faces as they stood behind their son, and it seemed like they were already familiar with his good attitude.
âIâm glad that you enjoyed your time here today, Young Lord Jerome. Be careful on your way home.â
Jerome bowed deeply once more as Helios said this.
Facing the other boy, Ferre looked a bit sad that they were saying goodbye. Nonetheless, he waved his hand.
âSee you next time, Jerome.â
On the other hand, the most disappointed person about this goodbye didnât budge from her place. RosĂ© didnât say anything at all.
Perhaps shy, RosĂ© tightly clutched Heliosâ pant leg and didnât even wave one hand like Ferre.
As she watched from behind, Sera knew that Rosé would regret not saying goodbye today. She approached Rosé and softly whispered to her.
âPlease wave your hand even a little, Your Highness. Thatâs how youâll say that you want to play together again next time.â
Rosé glanced up at Sera furtively, then she soon turned to Jerome and reluctantly did as she was asked.
Her fingers, which were tightly gripping Heliosâ pant leg, only unclutched them but did not move far from her chest.
âBâŠBye bye, Jerome⊠See⊠See you.â
RosĂ© spoke with great difficulty, then soon lowered her head and hid behind Heliosâ leg again.
The adults couldnât hide their blooming smiles because of the little princessâ obvious puppy love she had for Jerome.
Jerome, however, looked as calm as ever. Perhaps he already knew RosĂ©âs feelings towards him.
âYes, Your Highness.â
He soon followed behind the marquis and marchioness as they walked towards House Brunnerâs waiting carriage.
Walking with proper posture, Jerome looked back only once, and somehow⊠Sera felt that this gaze seemed to be directed at her.
âYoung Lord Jerome seems to be more mature than I expected.â
Helios said this to Sera as they were walking behind the children on their way back to the Star Palace. The twins were holding hands.
Walking alongside him, Sera replied with a light smile.
âIt does seem to be that way. I was surprised when Young Lord Jerome acted with more authority, but he played well with Their Highnesses today. He taught them about dominos, too.â
âIâm glad they had a great time.â
âYou donât have to worry, Your Majesty. Their Highnesses are both good kids who can get along with anyone.â
Sera knew that Helios was also worried that what happened with Young Duke Elijah would happen again.
As her eyes turned to look at him, she was met with a bright smile.
âRosĂ© and Ferre will one day become mature as well.â
He watched his younger siblings running around and playing freeze tag again.
âItâll happen before you know it. Kids grow up so fast, and Your Majesty might feel a bit saddened by that, thinking, âWhen did they grow up like this?ââ
Sera answered sincerely, but Helios burst into laughter.
âYouâre right. And after seeing RosĂ© today, I definitely think itâll be soon.â
âSo Your Majesty also noticed. That Her Highness RosĂ© likes Young Lord Jerome.â
âOf course. Iâve never seen RosĂ© act so shy.â
Helios smiled slightly, recalling how she hid behind him that time.
But as though he was troubled by another unexpected development, he touched his forehead and shook his head in dismay.
âUnfortunately, it seems like Young Lord Jerome has someone else in mind.â
âYoung Lord Jerome seems to like you, Miss Popo.â
When Helios said this, Sera stared back at him blankly for a moment.
Of course, Sera also noticed the peculiar glances that Jerome gave her earlier, but those glances alone werenât an obvious indicator.
It was rather strange for His Majesty to know when even the astute RosĂ© didnât notice.
âHow do you know that, Your Majesty?â
So, Sera smiled lightly and asked Helios.
And as if he couldnât understand Seraâs question, Helios asked back.
âNo, I was just wondering how Your Majesty came to the conclusion that Young Lord Jerome likes me. It seems like Her Highness RosĂ© didnât notice either.â
She didnât think much of it as she said this. Even so, the innocent look on her face somehow flustered Helios.
âWeâre almost there.â
Helios dodged the question entirely, giving her a completely different answer.
It was strange. Sera couldnât figure out why His Majesty was suddenly acting uncharacteristically.