Ch#96
“Ah, that was fun. Right, Ibi?”
“Yes, yes……”
Airin finally looked satisfied, gazing proudly at the stacked boxes of clothes.
Beside her, Ibi's eyes were spinning.
‘How many outfits did I try on today?’
Just the ones Airin had held up to herself numbered over a hundred.
And those were supposedly the lighter, everyday casual clothes.
The far more important and expensive outfits had been ordered separately while viewing Madam Crevel's sketches and sample pieces.
Each time, Ibi had given honest advice.
“Airin's hair sparkles like moonlight, so silver or even black would look pretty. And the ribbon— this one! Blue suits you better.”
“That bag seems too big for Airin. A smaller one like this would look even prettier!”
Each time, Crevel watched Ibi from behind with an expression of 'She has a good eye.'
And indeed, when changed or held as Ibi suggested, they looked much better even to Airin herself.
‘There aren't many people who speak so honestly like this.’
Everyone else always watched Airin's reactions, saying everything she wore or carried was pretty no matter what.
So she had deliberately tried on colors that horribly clashed with her. Even as she pretended to love them, everyone said they were pretty too.
But not Ibi.
“Ah, that's not pretty!”
When she held a bag that obviously didn't suit her, Ibi freaked out and set it down.
‘My Ibi is so honest!’
Airin recalled her sister's words.
“Airin, make friends with people who tell you their honest thoughts. They'll see you as Airin, not just a Terrins.”
Back then, she wondered if such people even existed.
There were occasionally those who made sharp remarks. Like how something didn't suit her or she shouldn't do certain things.
At first, she thought maybe she should befriend them. But soon Airin realized.
They were always trying to find her flaws.
‘They never said anything nice even once.’
That wasn't honesty.
It was rudeness disguised as honesty.
But Ibi was different.
Even amid the mountain of items, she carefully selected what she thought was prettiest and brought it to Airin.
And when Airin wore it, she smiled as if happier than if she were wearing it herself.
‘Found you, my friend.’
Airin's lips kept curling up into a grin.
Yeongjae Academy's summer break lasted five weeks.
‘Two weeks at my house, one at Arcel's, one at Ruska's. Then back to mine for another week.’
Three weeks, one week, one week.
No matter how she thought about it, it was perfectly fair.
She wanted to give Arcel and Ruska just three days each instead of a week, but that would mean enduring resentful glares and mutters all second semester.
‘So I graciously allowed a week. They should be grateful.’
Airin shrugged as if she had granted the time herself.
Then she turned back and grabbed Ibi's still-dazed arm.
“Tired?”
“A, a little……”
“Then let's go eat something delicious now.”
Airin linked arms with Ibi and headed downstairs.
Below, Madam Crevel was confirming the prepared items and directing the staff to load them into the carriage.
“You've come down. Satisfied with today's shopping?”
“Of course. But you'll be busy now with the Autumn Ball coming up, right?”
“Indeed. We stopped taking reservations early this year right after last year's ball ended. So luckily, it's not to the death.”
“Really? Then could you make one more?”
At Airin's words, Crevel winked.
“A small outfit shouldn't be a problem.”
“Love you, Crevel.”
“What are you saying? We benefited so much from handling your dress last year. This year's Autumn Ball is the official first imperial event, so even more people will see it. And……”
Crevel whispered to Airin.
“I heard Ibi's guardian is His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Yeah. So…… you know?”
“Of course, hehe. Look forward to it. Designs I want to dress her in are flooding my mind already. I'll send sketches to the Terrins mansion in a few days—take a look. Or visit the shop again, or my workshop. You're welcome anytime.”
“Really? Then I'll come to your workshop with Ibi.”
As she spoke, Airin glanced at Ibi.
“Ibi hasn't seen much of the capital yet. So I want to tour around together.”
“That's even more welcome. Just tell me a convenient day. I'll clear everything and wait.”
“Then reserve nearby restaurants too……”
“Desserts here……”
Like that, the two secretly planned Ibi's schedule without her knowing.
* * *
“Goodbye!”
Ibi waved to Madam Crevel, who waved vigorously for a long time.
On the way out, Crevel had gifted them matching hairpins with ribbons of the same design and color, thanking them for visiting.
When she and Airin wore them, the tiny glass bead decorations at the ribbon ends sparkled in the sunlight.
‘To give such pretty things as gifts.’
She hadn't bought anything herself— was it okay to accept this?
But Airin had quickly pinned it in Ibi's hair, then her own.
So Ibi quietly closed her mouth. She felt sorry, but having the same thing as Airin made her happy.
“Alright, now let's go eat something delicious for Ibi, who's worked hard with me so far.”
“Something delicious?”
“Yeah, something not at Yeongjae Academy.”
With that, Airin headed to a nearby cafe.
As if contacted in advance, the manager greeted Airin politely upon arrival and led them to the best spot at the end of the second-floor terrace.
It overlooked the street perfectly.
“Mind if I order? There's something I really want you to try.”
“Sure, sounds good.”
The menu was full of things Ibi didn't recognize anyway.
While Airin ordered from the server, Ibi enjoyed the cool breeze under the parasol.
Finished ordering, Airin closed her eyes to savor the wind too.
“Ah, this is the best. I don't hate Yeongjae Academy, but sometimes I want to go out like this.”
“Do you come to places like this often, Airin?”
“Yeah. I love delicious food and seeing new things. What do you like doing, Ibi?”
“Me…….”
What did I like?
Ibi thought about what she enjoyed.
“Um…… playing with Airin, Arcel, and Ruska?”
“No, not that. What do you do alone for fun? Like a hobby.”
“Hmm……”
Hobby. Something she liked.
Then she recalled what she'd written for Yeongjae Academy enrollment.
“Cleaning?”
“……”
“Or tending the garden? Helping young friends eat?”
Airin's expression hardened with each answer from Ibi.
“Those aren't hobbies. Those are duties.”
“But they're fun……”
Then a cafe staff brought a tray with two large cups and set them before the pair.
Inside the morning glory-shaped glass cups, various ingredients were layered.
Cereal, jelly, ice cream, chocolate chips…….
And topping the cup was a strangely shaped fruit.
“What's this?”
“It's called pineapple. Yeongjae Academy doesn't get it, right? It's a southern fruit.”
She'd heard the name. Seen pictures too, but seeing it in person felt totally different.
“It looks like it grows on trees, but actually it grows on grass on the ground or something. Anyway, it grows ridiculously. But it's super sweet and tangy.”
With that, Airin scooped a full spoonful of pineapple sorbet from the top, mixed it with cream, and fed it to Ibi.
Nom nom.
Ibi swallowed the sorbet in her mouth, squinted slightly as if sour, then widened her eyes.
“How is it? Delicious, right?”
“Delicious!”
It was a novel taste. Tangy and fizzy at first, then a refreshing sweetness filled her mouth.
“Here, one more. Ahh—.”
“Ahh—.”
Truly liking it, Ibi opened her mouth first for the pineapple sorbet Airin offered.
Watching Ibi marvel and enjoy the new flavor, Airin resolved herself.
‘Good. This summer, I'll make a hobby for Ibi.’
She vowed to prepare the best in every field. Calling a staff over, moments later they returned with two letters and handed them to errand boys.
They quickly set off to deliver them to the addresses.
* * *
Back home, Ruska sprawled on his bed after hours of sparring with his brothers.
“I'm…… dying……”
His brothers had relentlessly drilled him, saying his body had gone sluggish at Yeongjae Academy.
‘Is this living?’
He wanted to go back to Yeongjae Academy. Raid the cafeteria with Ibi and gorge!
“Not happening……”
Ruska sighed deeply. His brothers were right.
His body had slowed from too much comfort at Yeongjae Academy.
Was this worthy of a son of the renowned knightly Ragselbv family?
‘At least this is what I'm best at.’
Comparing himself to Arcel, he felt down briefly, then recalled Ibi insisting he was better at many things.
“Ugh, kid. Sneakily perceptive when it counts.”
Thinking of Ibi, Ruska chuckled.
‘What to do when Ibi visits.’
Even he thought there wasn't much at the Ragselbv marquisate that Ibi would like.
Couldn't ask a little kid to hold a sword.
Then a servant knocked.
“What is it?”
“Urgent letter for you, young master. From Airin Terrins……”
“What.”
Ruska grimaced oddly.
‘Why send a letter all of a sudden?’
Did something happen to Ibi?
That thought hit, and Ruska snatched the letter, ripping open the envelope.
He read the first line.
[It's me, Airin Terrins. Hand over a horse from your house.]
Ruska was dumbfounded.
Thief?
His eyes went to the next line.
[Ibi wants to ride one. Prepare the famous steeds of the Ragselbv marquisate.]
At that, Ruska bolted up and dashed downstairs.
“Father! Brothers! Lend me some horses!”
* * *
At the same time, Arcel received Airin's letter too.
[Can I borrow the beautiful library of Duke Kailun's residence for Ibi? Also, if possible, I'd like to visit the music room of Duchess Kailun, patron of the capital's music scene.]
“……”
Quite the request.
Of course, Duke Kailun's library overwhelmingly outdid the Terrins mansion in antique grandeur, size, and collection.
But no need to visit specially. And her mother's private music room too?
Not like Airin, who flinched at marriage talk.
Then Arcel's eyes read the next line.
[Want to make a hobby for Ibi. Don't know what she'll like, so trying everything.]
Arcel stood immediately.
Heading to his mother's room, he knocked.
“Who…… Oh, Arcel. What is it?”
“Mother, I have a favor to ask.”
At those words, the duchess stared at her son, speechless.
Arcel asking a favor. First time since he was very young.
