79. To You, Whom I Cannot Forget Even If I Try (3)
"I want to see the flowers too."
"No, you can't."
"Why not?"
"Nanny will scold us."
Nanny had scolded me a lot after our last trip to the forest. A lot. I had witnessed firsthand how frightening a gentle person can be when angry. Nanny didn't raise her voice or use harsh words. She just held my wrists and spoke softly, but sternly.
"Nanny is scary when she's angry."
"Yes, Nanny is scary."
Robert agreed with a serious face. Suddenly, I felt a sense of kinship.
"Ugly one. One more."
"......"
But I wish he wouldn't call me that. Every time I forget, Robert calls me that.
Robert pointed at the white flowers with their round clusters of petals and urged me to hurry. I narrowed my eyes and looked around, then grabbed Robert's chubby cheeks and pulled them.
"Really, young master."
"U, uh!"
Robert flailed his arms. I pressed his soft cheeks and pulled them, making his mouth corners turn up.
"Will you call me ugly again, or not?"
"Uu, ugly one!"
"Will you call me ugly again, or not?"
"Ha, ha, no!"
"Will you call me ugly again?"
For a bratty kid, a pinch is the best medicine. But I couldn't pinch him, and I couldn't threaten to spank him like Nanny. So, after some thought, I decided to pull his chubby cheeks.
Robert tapped my hands as he flailed his arms, and finally, he reluctantly nodded. I exhaled and released his cheeks.
His plump cheeks turned red. Robert held his cheeks and sniffled. I folded my arms, daring him to cry.
"I'll tell Nanny!"
"Go ahead. I'll tell her too that you tried to get on the horse without me and fell off."
"......"
"If Nanny finds out that the horse stand hurt you, she'll get rid of the horse right away. Then you'll say goodbye to the horse forever. Right now!"
Actually, it would be Vincent who would get rid of the horse. He might even be doing it right now. But someone will definitely get rid of it.
My words seemed to have an effect, as Robert clamped his mouth shut. He looked sulky, but he couldn't argue, which made me think he had been planning to get on the horse again. How dangerous. Did he think I wouldn't notice?
I resolved to keep a closer eye on Robert.
"Here, young master."
Pretending not to notice his discontent, I picked another white flower with its round cluster of petals. Robert hesitated, looking serious, like someone grappling with a devil's temptation. When I gently shook the flower, his purple eyes followed the movement.
Soon, his small hand reached out and grabbed the flower.
I smiled and handed him the flower, then picked another one and blew on it. As the white petals flew around, Robert opened his mouth wide and blew on the flower in his hand.
When the air was filled with white petals, Robert beamed. Seeing his delight, I felt a bit better.
Just then, the wind picked up, scattering the petals even more. While Robert was distracted by trying to catch the petals, I picked some flowers near the forest.
I shook off the dirt and trimmed the roots to tidy them up. There weren't many flowers near the forest. It would be hard to make a bouquet without going into the forest. There was no garden here, as we were in the middle of the forest.
With these, I can make about three large bouquets. I'll have to send the rest by letter.
Robert showed interest when I brought the flowers.
"Me too! Me too!"
"Shall we make a bouquet together?"
"Yes!"
He unexpectedly showed a lot of enthusiasm. Before his resolve wavered, I started making a bouquet with Robert.
I arranged the flowers I had picked neatly, and Robert, using his small hands, gathered the flowers and clumsily made a bouquet. Of course, it was a bit messy.
"Who is this for?"
"It's for Mother."
"Wow. It's beautiful. You're doing a great job."
I didn't forget to give him compliments along the way. Robert smiled shyly.
The lush, colorful bouquet was even bigger than Robert. He must be greedy. Robert examined it, shaking it from side to side, and then pulled out a red flower and inserted a yellow one. He looked so serious, like a master bouquet maker. I couldn't help but laugh quietly.
Robert's second bouquet was as big as the first.
"Who is this for?"
"It's for Nanny."
"Nanny will like it."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Nanny would be grateful even if Robert spat out the cookies he was eating. I slightly tidied up the messy bouquet.
"Will you give it to Nanny yourself?"
Robert's eyes widened. It seemed like he was asking, "Me?"
I nodded with a smile. He hesitated, probably feeling shy about giving it himself.
I exaggerated that Nanny would be extremely, extremely happy if he gave it to her himself. Only then did Robert nod slightly.
As it got late, I made the last bouquet. This one was for a girl named Carrot. There weren't many flowers left, so it wasn't as elaborate as the ones Robert made, but I tried my best. I combined red and light pink flowers to make a shape that a girl would like.
Then I was puzzled.
"Is there no bouquet for Lord Vincent?"
"Yes. There isn't."
There's no bouquet for you, Vincent. I secretly chuckled.
Nanny returned a bit later in the evening. She looked tired, probably having just changed out of her outdoor clothes and come straight to Robert's room. Usually, Robert would run to her, shouting "Nanny!" as soon as she opened the door, but today he didn't, which made Nanny curious.
"You've written a lot."
"Yes. I wrote a lot, but there's quite a bit."
Handing over the rather thick stack of letters, Nanny smiled happily.
"I also made bouquets. Young master made them."
I handed over the two bouquets I had prepared. Nanny's eyes widened. Although they were a bit messy, they were made by Robert all afternoon. Her gaze on the messy bouquets was warm.
"Are these for Lady and the Earl?"
"No. They're for Lady and Miss Carrot."
Nanny's eyes widened again.
"Nanny, Nanny."
Just then, Robert tugged at Nanny's skirt. Nanny bent down to meet Robert's eyes.
"Yes, young master."
"This is for Nanny."
Robert extended the bouquet he had been hiding behind his back. A letter was also tucked between the flowers. It was a surprise gift.
"Nanny, thank you."
Robert kissed Nanny's cheek.
Nanny was startled when she took the bouquet and her eyes welled up. "Thank you. It's so beautiful. I love it." Robert, feeling shy from Nanny's praise, couldn't meet her eyes and stomped his feet on the floor. Then he turned and quickly hid under the bed sheets.
"Thank you. I'll deliver the letters well."
"Yes."
Nanny couldn't take her eyes off the bouquet Robert had given her. She gently touched the letter tucked among the flowers and read it. Her movements were delicate.
I stared at her face, which was smiling as if she might cry.
"Oh, there are colors?"
She asked, looking at the colored ink in the letter.
"Yes. It's colored ink."
"My goodness. There's such ink?"
"Is this your first time seeing it?"
"Yes, it's my first time. I've only seen black ink before."
Nanny looked at the letter curiously. Is it for sale? I had never seen colored ink before, except for a brief period in the past. But for someone like me, a commoner, it's understandable. However, if it's so expensive that even nobles can't easily buy it, where did Johnny get it from?
"But I'm not sure if we'll get a reply."
"Huh? What's the matter?"
"Since yesterday, Lady has been very busy, making it hard to see her."
Her face, which had been filled with emotion, turned gloomy. I was taken aback. What kind of person is she? All I had heard about Robert's mother was that she was busy, very busy.
"Hmm, what should we do?"
Nanny muttered, looking worried. I was also worried. If we said we would get a reply, it would be hard for Robert to wait. I needed to find a good way to get a reply.
Ah, there is one way.
"Should we tell the master?"
"The Earl?"
"Yes. Shouldn't we deliver the letters directly and ask him to get a reply?"
Actually, this was the most reliable method. Nanny nodded slightly in agreement.
But why today of all days...
I waited at the entrance for a servant to deliver the letters, as usual. The only difference today was that there were a few more letters. But the servant wasn't alone today. Vincent stood right next to him, and I couldn't hide my surprise.
"You have a lot in your hands today."
"Um... Yes."
I glanced at Vincent and bowed deeply. Then I respectfully handed over the letters I had brought. The servant, looking puzzled, took the four letters.
"What are these?"
"Well..."
It was hard to speak. I kept glancing at Vincent's feet.
Why did he come today of all days? After asking me to tell him about Robert's daily life, he hadn't shown his face. Honestly, there was no reason for him to come see me. So I had been living comfortably, but his sudden appearance was disconcerting.
Nanny knows that I report Robert's daily life to Vincent. So I wanted to ask the servant to pass on a request to him on her behalf, as she found it hard to speak to him directly. It was the most reliable and accurate method. If I explained it well, given his affection for Robert, he would likely agree.
Of course, it was also the least pleasant method. Nanny hesitated to make such a request, even when she was already indebted to him. I didn't want to be associated with him either.
But if Robert got on the horse stand again and had a big accident, I would be punished for taking care of him. I chose the safest method to avoid such a situation, but I didn't expect to need his help.
Since I started this, I had to finish it. I couldn't just let it slide.
At least, I was more at ease asking the servant to pass on the request.
One of the four letters was written by Nanny, asking for Robert's letters to be delivered. I thought it would be well resolved if I just handed it over, but I didn't expect to meet him in person.