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nRieta took the letter Noel had written, and she stood there for a moment.

nDon’t you think you can’t do without Noel?

nWell, it was fun to play with Noel . . .

nBut she didn’t know if it was possible to say that he was an indispensable existence.

nFor Rieta, indispensable meant clothing and knowledge suitable for a meal or a place.

nPerhaps she felt this way because there was a time when she didn’t have it.

nStill, she enjoyed being with Noel.

nAt first he only complained, but now he listened to pretty much whatever she had to say.

nBased on a relationship like this, would it be called good friends . . .?

nRieta, for the first time in a while, wrote a reply that was frank and full of gratitude.

nYes, I like playing with Noel.

nWould he like this answer?

nRieta squatted in front of the door, waiting for a reply.

nShe actually wanted to open the door and she wanted to see Noel and his face, but she couldn’t.

nBecause she couldn’t make Noel catch such a bad cold.

nBut no matter how long she waited, there was no reply.

nIs it back yet?

n“. . . Noel?”

nShe spoke quietly to him.

nShe didn’t say it out loud, lest other people overheard.

n“. . .”

nBut he didn’t answer.

nDid he go back to his room?

n“Noel.”

nRieta called him with a little regret.

nIt had been a while since she had so much fun . . .

nIt was still quiet outside the door.

nWhat was this?

nHe asked a strange question, which made her write something shameful. And then he just goes back to his room.

nWhen she met him later, she should just say, “It’s okay without Noel.”

nBecause it was annoying.

nHowever, after that . . .

nRieta, who could not let go of her regret, kept her ear to the door and waited for a reply for a long time.

n* * *

nEarly that morning, Duke Mayer went to Rieta’s room briefly, after finishing some of his work.

nHe was sorry that Rieta had caught a cold because it seemed like it was his fault as her guardian.

nThe winter in the kingdom was softer than it was here, so careful attention was needed.

nHad he known this, he would have bought the thick fur scarf and thick socks that Madame Emily had recommended last time.

nHe refused, saying the shape was not beautiful, but it was not the time to question that.

nHe hopes that Rieta will be healthy the rest of the winter.

nThe second winter would be better than this.

nWhen he arrived in front of her room . . .

n“. . . Hmm?”

nThe Duke was very rarely startled.

nNoel was lying in front of Rieta’s door.

nWhat the hell is this?

nHe panicked and ran to his son.

nHis cheeks were cold to the touch.

nHis body was trembling in only a thin nightgown.

nIt wasn’t good.

nThe Duke frowned, holding his frozen son in his arms.

nEven indoors, the hallways were rather cold. And yet Noel had slept on the floor?

nHe was just glad that his son’s lips didn’t look bad.

nDrop-

nA thin slip of paper fell from Noel’s arms.

n“. . .?”

nThe Duke looked down at the paper that had fallen at his feet.

nThere were a lot of cute words written on the paper filled with the handwriting of children.

nIt seemed that this paper was what caused Noel to fall asleep there.

nAnyway, he now had to quickly take the child to a warm place.

nThe Duke picked up the paper and hurried his steps a little.

n* * *

nThus, there were three cold patients in the Duchy.

nAs for why the toll became three, it was because Darrell had caught a cold from a friend at the Academy.

nRieta had a fever.

nNoel had a runny nose.

nDarrell had a sore throat.

nCaring for three children with different symptoms, the Duke would be lacking in time even if he could split his body in two.

nStill, he didn’t forget to stop by his family room to see the portrait of Victoria before he fell asleep.

nIt was because he missed her, and also . . .

nIt was because Rieta had asked for something.

nIn the early morning when the moon was full, he stood alone in the Duchy’s family room.

nHis gaze was on Victoria alone.

nFor a very long time.

nBut at one point, his head moved slightly.

nHe felt a presence.

n“I’ve been waiting. Sir Jenkins.”

nHe murmured softly, and bowed politely.

nIf anyone had seen it, he would have looked like he bowed to thin air.

n“I know you are annoyed with me. However . . .”

nThe Duke took out the scarf Rieta had given him from his arms.

nA rather dark-colored woman’s scarf. There was no way the Duke could not recognize it.

nBesides, he had already heard through reports that Rieta and Sir Jenkins had met.

n“I’ve been waiting to return this. It’s something you cherish.”

nIt was only in the dark that Sir Jenkins revealed his appearance.

nAlthough his hair was white, he was still a knight working for the Emperor.

nThose combative eyes that did not at all grow weary with age were directed towards the Duke.

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