n

n

nJust like the other families, the St. Claire's were also busy preparing for the King's birthday banquet.

nSince this would be Howard's introduction as the Heir of the family, Rutherford personally took it upon himself to train and teach him.

nThey had begun their classes on Saturday evening which was continued the next morning.

nHalf the day had passed but there was still no sign of the two men of the household as brushed up on what was necessary for the banquet.

nTherefore, this beautiful Sunday evening, Yvonne and her mother were having tea in the garden while the father and son pair were busy in the Office room.

nThe evenings were cooler so Yvonne sipped warm tea which soothed her throat and belly alike.

nRaylene smiled while passing a plate full of her daughter's cookies and watched as she ate them with gusto.

nYvonne was too busy munching on the treats to notice her mother's gentle gaze on her.

n

"Vonny?

" The Countess called out to get her attention and succeeded as the child soon looked up at her.

nTilting her head, the little girl paused her movements to see what her mother wanted.

n

"Have you come up with a plan yet?

" Raylene inquired while wiping the crumbs off her daughter's chin with a soft silk handkerchief.

nIt was a good thing that there was still some warm tea in the cup as, soon after this question was placed before her, the little girl choked on her cookie.

nGulping the tea to wash down the half-chewed cookies, Yvonne heaved a sigh in relief when she felt her throat relax.

nClearing her throat, she placed the cup away and shook her head.

n

"Nothing yet.

" She answered as a grumpy mood took over her.

nSince the conversation with her father, she had had an entire day and all she could come up with was a few options for what she would name her business.

nHowever, without a proper plan on what her business would be about and who would be her representative before the nobles, these thoughts were like building castles in the sand.

n'One wave of questions from my father and swoosh they go.' Shaking her head at how slow her progress had been, a dejected pout appeared on her face.

n

"My Vonny will come up with something soon enough.

" Raylene encouraged her with a pat in an attempt to cheer her up.

n'Wait a minute…' Yvonne paused when she heard this statement and then looked up at her mother with eyes wide open.

n

"Mama knows about my plans?

" She blurted out in her surprise.

nRaylene's chuckle accompanied by the nod was enough to answer this question.

n

"And I also know that you will be a great businesswoman.

" She added which once again surprised her child.

n'She isn't against my ideas?' Yvonne was left bewildered at this difference she had noticed from her expectations.

nHer mother was not only aware of her plans but she was also encouraging her.

nThis brought a wide smile to her face as she jumped off her seat and stepped closer towards the older lady.

nRaylene was confused when she saw this but before she could utter a single word, she felt tiny hands wrap around her stomach as she remained seated.

nWarmth and joy spread through her heart as she looked down to find her daughter's beautiful violet tresses clinging to her dress.

n'I felt like doing it.' Yvonne defended her uncharacteristic behavior.

nHer arms were still around her mother and when she looked up, her beautiful amethyst eyes came in contact with her mother's pink orbs.

n

"But will Papa accept this?

" She muttered, aggrieved that he had not been as understanding as her mother.

nRaylene leaned forward and lifted her daughter to make her sit on her lap, patting her back once she was secured in place.

nYvonne sighed as she enjoyed this soothing sensation of being able to hear her mother's heartbeat while her back was being patted ever so gently.

nThe mother glanced down at her child who was resting her head on her chest and looked up at the lush green grass as a smile came across her face.

n

"I am sure that he will come around.

" She muttered vaguely, not giving out any definite answers to her child's query.

nThe four maids who stood at a distance could not hear what they were speaking but looking at this heartwarming scene, they all shared a smile.

nFor the rest of the tea time, Raylene refused to let her daughter off her lap so Yvonne had no other choice but to suffer the consequences of her impulsive actions.

n'No more hugging now!' The little girl declared as she puffed up her cheeks, only making her look more adorable in the sights of the women present here.

nWhen tea-time came to an end, Raylene had to let her daughter down and chuckled when she saw the girl darting out of her reach within a second.

n'Better stay at a safe distance.' Yvonne eyed her mother warily as she fretted that she would be carried all the way back to the Mansion.

nThe Countess did not wish to tease her any further so she decided to let her walk back home with her.

nWalking next to each other with the maids following them, the small group left the back garden and ventured towards the entrance of the Mansion.

n*Neigh neigh*

nThe group halted their steps when they heard a noisy ruckus, loud neighs which could only belong to multiple horses coming from around the corner.

nThey could also hear the galloping noises produced by horses running at a high speed.

n'The stable is on the other side of the Mansion.' Yvonne's brows furrowed as her eyes were fixed in the direction these sounds were coming from.

nThis was the same direction that they were heading in, the entrance.

nSo the chances that these sounds were being made by the horses in their estate was close to none.

n'If these aren't our horses then… Whose are they and why are they here?' She frowned as she did not get a good feeling about this.

nRaylene too had no idea why these sounds were coming from this side of the house but something needed to be done.

n

"Vonny, you stay here with your maids. We will go take a look and be back.

" She announced as her protective maternal instincts had taken over her.

nWith no knowledge of why these horses were here and who had brought them here, she was not willing to risk the safety of her child.

nTherefore, she shot a sharp gaze at Mrs. Jacinth and Roselie who immediately came forward to obey her commands.

n'You think I will let you go without me?' Yvonne narrowed her eyes and frowned but knew that this would not work.

nHence, she donned an aggrieved appearance and clung to her mother's dress while shaking her head pitifully.

nThis sight softened her mother's resolve but something had to be done to see what was happening in their usually peaceful estate.

nJust as Raylene was about to pick her up and hand her over to the nanny, someone had come to the little girl's rescue.

n*Neigh*

nAnother loud neigh was heard but this time it came from behind.

nAs they turned around, some trembled, some gulped in nervousness but there was one who had her eyes sparkling at witnessing this appearance.

n

"Demon!

" Yvonne yelled out as he was a sight for sore eyes.

nRoselie, the youngest maid there, hugged Mrs. Jacinth as she gazed at the enormous horse galloping in their direction.

nYvonne felt her mother freezing at this sight so she shook her head and patted the lady's hand in an attempt to comfort her.

nRaylene snapped out of her fear when the horse finally came to a halt right before her.

nHolding her breath in, she stood still as the horse came closer.

nHowever, in the next moment, every woman present there breathed a sigh of relief when they noticed that the huge horse did not approach them but leaned closer to someone else.

nIt was the Young Miss who was fearless enough to raise her hand and pat the horse's head.

nThe four maids watched as the ferocious-looking horse whose eyes resembled crimson blood was behaving like a cute puppy as it wagged his tail after getting pats.

n

"Demon, did you come to protect me?

" A childish voice inquired while gazing at the horse.

nThe maids were unaware of the horse's identity but Raylene knew who he was.

nHer daughter's etcher was swift to nod in admittance as his ears perked up while glancing in the direction where the other horses had been heard.

n'I thought so!' Yvonne smirked as her pet was the best and was so protective of her that he would have hurried over after sensing newcomers in the estate.

nThis was true as the resting etcher was awakened at the sounds of numerous horses entering the estate and when he sensed his Master walking in the same direction, he rushed over to make sure that she was alright.

nHaving received her answer, the little girl looked up at her mother with pleading eyes.

n

"Mama, Demon will protect us so can we go together?

" She jutted her lower lip out to appear even more adorable, succeeding in melting her mother's heart.

n'Ruthy should have already arrived to take a look at who it is.' Raylene nodded in reply as she was confident that her protective husband would surely be out by now.

nThe few moments that they had stayed here to greet the etcher must have been enough for him to arrive so she did not reject her daughter's suggestion this time.

n

"Then Demon, we shall depend on you.

" She looked up at the horse and handed over this responsibility to him who gladly accepted with another nod.

n'She's starting to warm up to him.' Yvonne was amused with this change but nodded with her horse that he would ensure that everyone was safe.

n