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Episode 45

While Joanna and Betty conversed, Janet smiled quietly and looked around.

The crowd seemed to mysteriously gather around the three of them. People pretended to be absorbed in their own conversations, but she could feel their glances.

Of course, that was only natural.

A famous etiquette instructor from high society and the nanny of the birthday boy, Lord Geron, were gathered together—it was only natural for attention to be drawn.

Janet maintained her smile, conscious of the gazes.

Having connections with such remarkable people would only benefit her.

'Though I'm not particularly interested in social reputation.'

After all, a handmaiden's reputation reflected on her mistress.

"Oh, by the way, how is the oat milk venture progressing?"

Joanna, who had been talking with Betty, suddenly turned to Janet.

"Oat milk?"

"Yes."

Joanna briefly explained the situation to Betty.

She couldn't tell her everything, but she explained that Geron's stomach trouble was due to milk, and that Janet had provided the oat milk recipe as a solution.

"Making milk from oats—how fascinating."

"I was truly amazed as well."

"So when will the oat milk be sold? I'd love to try it."

Madam Betty's eyes sparkled as she asked.

"Actually, milk doesn't agree with me either. As I've aged, the symptoms have worsened, so this is wonderful news."

"If that's the case, I'll just give you the recipe separately."

"Oh my! I couldn't possibly. It's a precious recipe you've even patented."

At Betty's refusal, Janet shook her head.

"It'll probably take some time to commercialize it."

"Still, giving the recipe away to just anyone……"

"Just anyone?"

At Betty's objection, Janet spoke in a hurt tone.

"I thought we were dear friends. Doesn't Mrs. Sinclair consider me a friend?"

"Oh my. Of course not. Lady Graham is my precious friend."

At Betty's words, Janet smiled softly.

"Then, as a friend, I'll give you the recipe."

"Really. I can't win against Lady Graham."

Watching their warm exchange with satisfaction, Joanna chimed in.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to join this friend circle too."

"Of course you can, Joanna. You and I have been close friends for a long time, haven't we?"

"Oh my, I was asking Janet, not you, Madam Betty."

Unobtrusively, her address to Janet had changed from 'handmaiden' to 'Janet.'

"How about it, Janet? Will you be my friend?"

"Of course. I'd like to be friends with you too."

At having made such a young friend for the first time, Joanna let out a soft laugh.

"And for the record, you can call me Joanna too."

"Alright. I will, Joanna."

"Me too, Janet! You can call me Betty too."

"Haha. I will, Betty."

Janet, Betty, and Joanna.

As the three deepened their friendship, the party reached its peak.

It was around then that the Ludwig direct lines, who had been holding their positions, began to scatter.

"Lord Oscar!"

"Lady Rosina, I have something to tell you—"

"Lord Zephyr, could I have a moment—"

Those who had been watching their chance rushed toward them.

To get a word in and make an impression.

The only one maintaining composure amid the frenzy was Julietta.

In the past, she wouldn't have been able to bear the atmosphere where attention wasn't focused on her.

She would have felt the world was singling her out, and if anyone glanced her way, she'd wonder, "Are they mocking me?" and grew anxious.

But now—

'Where's Janet?'

That was her only thought.

Compared to her other siblings, receiving less attention actually felt refreshing.

She'd naturally come to realize that others' attention didn't matter.

Just then.

"My Lady."

At the welcome voice, Julietta turned with a bright smile.

"Janet!"

---

It wasn't just Janet and Julietta who had happy reunions.

Joanna, too, after confirming that the Ludwig direct lines had dispersed, quickly made her way to Geron.

'Don't act exaggeratedly or loudly.'

"Are you alright, my lord? Is there anywhere uncomfortable? If anything hurts, you must tell me. Understood, my lord?"

Pushing aside the meaningless worries that flooded her mind, she walked calmly.

'Hm?'

In the distance, she saw Geron sitting on a chair, swinging his legs. A man was bending down in front of him.

At first, she thought it might be Lord Oscar, but Oscar was elsewhere, surrounded by people and engaged in conversation.

'Then who is it?'

The two seemed to be talking.

Though she couldn't hear their voices from the distance, she could tell Geron was unusually excited.

Tremble.

The man gently caressed the child's cheeks as he trembled with joy.

Joanna stopped in her tracks, startled.

No matter how young he was, Geron was a Ludwig direct prince.

How dare someone touch a Ludwig direct line's cheek so casually!

This was unacceptable.

Standing still, a displeased Joanna resumed walking.

A few people crossed in front of her.

Just for a moment.

Her view was briefly blocked, then cleared.

But—

"……What. Where did he go?"

The man who had been in front of Geron was gone. Only Geron remained, his body trembling with excitement.

"My lord."

"Jo, Joanna!"

Joanna caught both of Geron's outstretched hands and lowered herself to meet his eyes.

"Happy birthday, my lord."

"Hehe. Thank you, nan, nanny."

Geron's spirited reply was utterly endearing.

Tenderly smoothing Geron's clothes, Joanna looked around and asked.

"By the way, who was that person you were talking to just now? He seemed like a stranger."

"Hup. You, you saw?"

She could see the child's round eyes through his mask.

Nodding, Joanna asked as calmly as possible.

"Was it someone you know?"

"Mm. Well, you see……"

Grin, grin.

The child, smiling slyly, lowered his voice as if sharing a secret.

"A hero."

"Pardon?"

"A he, hero came by."

A hero? What on earth……

Instantly, Joanna's mind flashed to the identity of the 'hero' Geron had mentioned.

"Could it be……"

"Shh. It's a se, secret. The hero's visit is a secret, so only Joanna should know…… Okay? Got it?"

Watching Geron press his index finger to his lips to silence her, Joanna could only nod blankly.

But she couldn't stop glancing around.

'If it really was him……'

Had Lord Kendrick finally come out of his villa?

At last?

Just as Joanna was deep in thought, unable to hide her agitation—

"Little one."

"Lord Geron."

"Mm, si, sister! Janet!"

At the appearance of Julietta and Janet, Joanna flinched.

'Does Lady Julietta know too?'

Everyone knew the relationship between Kendrick and Julietta was strained.

But still, they were the only full-blooded siblings in Ludwig—twins, no less.

"Happy birthday again, little one. I sent your gift to the villa, so make sure to check it."

"Mm!"

"This is my gift, my lord."

What Janet produced was a small brooch shaped like a cat's face.

It was a cute cat shape, but if you looked closely, it was set with jewels here and there.

"What. When did you prepare that?"

"I put it together whenever I had time."

In truth, she hadn't had time to buy a gift, so she'd asked Theo to handle it.

To get a brooch that a child would like.

"……You must have three bodies or something."

Julietta, unaware of this, was genuinely impressed.

Helping with Geron's illness, doing handmaiden duties.

She must have been busy with studying too, yet she'd even prepared a thoughtful gift.

Haha. Letting out an awkward laugh, Janet carefully placed the cat brooch in Geron's hand.

"How is it? Do you like it?"

"Mm! I, I love it!"

Nod, nod. The child nodded enthusiastically and fidgeted with the cute cat face, mumbling.

"This is like what the hero gave me."

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