Don’t Remember Me

Flitta felt embarrassed and put her fork down, opening her mouth. But before that, Adela had already interrupted her and apologized, which made Flitta feel more embarrassed.

However, Adela could not comprehend why dropping the pudding on the table was such a big deal, and on top of that, apologize for it. So without realizing, Flitta searches for Rosé, turning her head behind her.

Just then, the countess clicked her tongue and spoke to Adela.

“Why are you so clumsy? Is this how you’re going to be ladylike?”

“I… I’m still young, Mom.”

“Even so, sooner or later, you will debut in the social world.”

Despite her harsh words, the Countess was full of a friendly smile and Rosé was not numb to it.

So, it was natural that Flitta felt it. She tried to pick up her fork but her eyes widened, turning to the mother-daughter pair. Following that, the strength in her shoulders felt drained.

It was her mother watching her daughter with her affectionate eyes for the first time she had ever seen.

‘… A mother.’

Suddenly a gush of envy came to her heart. She pretended that nothing was wrong so she raised her fork again and put her gaze towards her plate.

The table was full of sweet desserts, but they were no longer delicious to her eyes. Cakes with her favorite apricot jam, crispy cookies, and juice with chewy strawberry pulp.

Haa.

Flitta put down her fork again.

‘… I wish I had a mother too.’

She always had that one wish yet she never expressed it outwardly. Besides, even if she does not have a mother, she has a father. But she was not all right, but still preserved. In addition, she has Rosé now so she thought she was fine.

Yet…. she felt envious.

A mother and an older sister. Someone to call a mom and to be called older sister.

“It doesn’t suit your taste, Princess? Then, how about trying this one?”

At that moment, Rosé, who was standing behind her, approached her side and spoke cautiously.

Flitta turned her head and looked at Rosé, her gentle gaze filled with concern for me.

“… Hnnng.”

The feelings that she tried too hard to restrain poured out all at once. Her tears leaked out of her eyes uncontrollably and she became more saddened- tears falling from her eyes.

“Princess?”

Rosé was taken aback by her crying and quickly squatted down in front of her. The countess and her daughter were equally embarrassed, so they put on a bewildered expressions.

“Princess, why are you like this?”

“….”

Flitta shook her head, holding back her tears at Rosé’s question. She kept her mouth shut, as if she didn’t want to speak.

“Princess, do you feel uncomfortable? If so, you must tell me…”

The countess intervened, clicking her tongue softly, as if treating an immature child. Just when Flitta was running her eyes with her hands, holding back her tears, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

“Oh, my goodness! Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

The Countess, and her daughter jumped to their feet in embarrassment. Haven glanced at them as they greeted him, then cast a glance at Flitta. His brow furrowed as he saw his crying daughter. But instead of asking Flitta why she was crying, he asked Rosé an unanswered question, who was still soothing Flitta.

Haven’s mouth opened only after Rosé, who had no way to respond to that gaze, shook her head slowly.

“Why is Flitta crying?”

“…”

Flitta looked at her father and shook her head.

“Sorry… sniff, sorry.”

What was so sad that Flitta couldn’t stop crying? Even so, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for Flitta, who was holding her tears back.

“Hooh…”

Haven watched her, then turned her gaze to the countess. She held the hem of her dress, let go of it, with her face paled.

Since it happened while she was having teatime by inviting the princess, she seemed to think it was her fault. Moreover, the sight was caught by the Grand Duke before the matter was settled.

“I need to ask the Countess for her understanding.”

“… Yes?”

“May I take Flitta in first?”

“Ahhh! Yes! Of course, Your Highness!”

The Countess wondered what he was talking about then answered right after realizing. Haven bowed his head slightly to greet her in return.

“Let’s go in, Flitta.”

“Ugh… Is that okay?”

Flitta managed to stop her sob and looked at Haven, then she turned to where the countess was. She nodded her head as the countess sighed in her coolness.

“Of course, Princess. You can do whatever you want.”

Flitta let out a sigh of relief and bowed her head when she heard the words of the countess. But the child’s expression was still dark. Haven looked down at Flitta and then opened his mouth to Rosé.

“Take the child and follow me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Rosé followed Haven, who turned away first, and entered the mansion with Flitta. All the way to the guest room, there was only heavy silence. Haven, Flitta, and even Rosé didn’t say anything. It’s because each of them couldn’t control their complicated feelings.

‘Why did she suddenly burst into tears?’

Rosé held her hand and looked down at the top of Flitta’s head as they walked towards the room. She felt close to her but this time, she cannot fathom Flitta’s heart.

‘She wouldn’t have cried if the Countess didn’t play with her…’

She is barely five years old, but she has matured because of these situations. It would had been better if she had cried because of that reason but she was more concerned if that was not the case.

The three of them, who had been walking in silence, arrived in front of Haven’s guest room. Haven opened the door and went in first, followed by Rosé, who was trying to enter with Flitta, but stopped involuntarily when she saw the scenery in the room.

It was because the officials who had come all the way here along Haven were sitting here and there in the room looking at papers, then raised their heads almost simultaneously.

“Oh, my, my!”

Flitta was also surprised to see their wide eyes, and she held Rosé’s hand tightly. Haven looked back at Flitta, clicking his tongue, speaking,

Let’s take a break.”

“… Yes?”

“Pardon?”

The officials stuck their heads out and asked him loudly but instead of answering them, Haven nodded his head. Then, the men exchanged glances to each other and ran out immediately. It was as if they were caught being lazy.

Rosé was dazed for a moment, leaving behind the people who had slipped away in a dash, when Haven’s voice was heard.

“… I should have cleaned while working.”

“Ah! I’ll clean it up…”

Rosé finally came to her senses and tried to clean the room covered with all sorts of papers. But Haven stopped her with a wave of his hand and pointed at the couch.

“You can call someone to clean it up later.”

“But…”

“Fleeta, come and sit down, too. I think your maid will listen to me only if you sit down.”

Haven gestured to Flitta instead of the hesitant Rosé. Then Flitta reluctantly approached and carefully sat down on the couch he pointed to. It was only then that Rosé had no choice but to approach Flitta. Even so, she did not forget to collect the documents scattered around the child and put them on the table.

Haven raised a corner of her mouth slightly at the sight and calmly followed her with a tea in his hand as if nothing had happened and put it in front of Flitta.

“Drinking tea will calm your mind. Drink it.”

“Your Highness, giving that kind of tea to Flitta…”

Rosé was frightened by the sight and tried to stop him. Even when having teatime, it was natural to give young ladies milk or cocoa instead of tea. But now, to give a five-year-old child the tea that grown-ups drink.

However, before she could stop him, Flitta quickly raised the teacup with both of her hands. It was because she was curious about this different tea that adults drink, and in addition, she liked the fact that it was her father who poured it for her.

“Ugh, it’s bitter…”

But the price of curiosity was high. As soon as Flitta took a sip of the tea, she frowned and made a whimpering sound. She was surprised by the bitter taste of the tea, and it was an action that came out without her knowing.

“Oops.”

Flitta stuck her tongue out to get rid of the bitter taste lingering in her tongue, but belatedly realized what she was doing, she hurriedly shut her mouth. But she still had a tingling sensation in her mouth, with her face teary-eyed.

“Ah…. I made a mistake.”

It was only when Haven saw Flitta like that that she realized her mistake and put on an embarrassed expression.

“Wait a minute. I’ll ask you to bring some snacks for you to eat.”

“No. I don’t have to eat snacks, Dad.”

But after Flitta stopped Haven from calling a maid, she shut her mouth. Looking at the child who seemed ready to speak, Haven asked again with a serious expression.

“Why were you crying earlier?”

“… Hng.”

She hesitated for a moment, as if Flitta had no courage to speak her mind. But she soon caught her breath and raised her head, and she looked at him. Like the tea the child drank a moment ago, he was contained in er light green eyes.

“… Mom is.”

And the words that came out of her child’s mouth were unexpected. Rosé was listening to Flitta’s words but involuntarily flinched. However, Flitta, who had no way of knowing Rosé’s reaction, took a deep breath and asked him a clear question.

“What kind of person was Mother?”

“…”

Haven was also stunned. He had never imagined that Flitta would ask about her mother. No, he had expected his child to be curious about the woman who gave birth to her. But he never expected Flitta to ask about her Mother so soon.