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The dress prepared for Susie that day was a soft, bright green-colored one.

Was it different from the one she’d worn the day before? No, but this skirt had pleats, a slightly fuller shape, and a ruffled hem. Susie wondered, “Why is it that just having frills makes me feel a little better?”

With this thought in mind, she finished getting dressed alone.

She tied up her hair in the same style from yesterday. Since it was her first time attempting this style by herself, she felt uncertain about how well she’d do, but eventually, she managed to shape it. Feeling a bit nervous, she made her way to the living room to greet Sonia and Elrose, who were there that morning. As Susie greeted them, both of them returned her greeting with warm smiles.

While waiting for Howard to come to the dining room, Susie began helping to set the table.

Eventually, when Howard arrived, everyone took their seats, and breakfast was served. The meal included last night’s deer tongue stew and a fluffy omelet with cheese.

(Why does this fluffy omelet make me this happy?!)

Susie wondered. The adults all felt warm inside as they watched Susie enjoy her breakfast.

When she offered to help clean up afterward, Susie was left to do the washing up alone. Once she had finished washing all the dishes without breaking any, Howard called for her.

Howard asked Susie to accompany him to inspect the Demonic Beast they’d defeated the day before, as they needed to be disposed of. He told Susie that they’d be back around tea time and also suggested that they have lunch outside.

Hearing that, Sonia immediately came over and handed Susie a large basket, saying, “This is for the two of you.”

Elrose also passed her a thermos-like container.

“The soup is still warm, so be careful not to burn yourself.”

When Susie peeked into the basket to see a venison cutlet sandwich and a bacon and vegetable sandwich, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Whoa!” she exclaimed, and then, noticing the adults’ warm smiles, her cheeks grew an even deeper shade of red.

Howard, taking Susie’s reaction as enthusiastic approval, told her to wait a moment while he prepared the carriage, then stepped outside.

While Susie waited for him, Sonia brought her an apron and a hat.

The apron was white and long, with thick shoulder straps that crossed over the back. The shirred waist was entirely covered with ruffles that peeked out over her skirt. The waistband was also wide and long, wrapping around her torso and tying into a large bow at the back, creating a striking ribbon effect around her waist.

The hat was a white straw hat adorned with a black strip around the brim and the crown, with an eye-catching large black ribbon attached to the back.

Sonia and Elrose were pleased with Susie’s completed outfit.

Though Susie looked a bit embarrassed, she seemed to like it well enough, as she admired herself from different angles, her cheeks tinted with a rosy flush.

Shortly after, Howard arrived to call Susie, announcing that the carriage was ready. Sonia and Elrose guided Susie over to Howard, eager to show him the results of their handiwork. When Howard saw Susie’s finished look, he let out a surprised gasp, and his expression softened into a bright smile. Susie, in response to Howard’s reaction, blushed deeply and looked down.

“Shall we go, then?” Howard proposed as he escorted Susie to the carriage.

As Susie settled into the carriage, Sonia placed the lunch basket in her lap and bid them farewell, saying, “Have a safe trip.”

Feeling a bit shy, Susie replied, “We’re off,” and waved to Sonia and Elrose.

The carriage then departed from the Cloud residence, with Sonia and Elrose waving them goodbye.

◇◇◇◇◇

The carriage continued northward along the same route they’d taken the previous day. Although Susie saw the same scenery, everything appeared in reverse, giving the view a refreshing newness.

Even so, her cheeks still felt warm, and she placed her hands over them as if to soothe the blush.

(That’s odd… I don’t remember being the kind of person who gets this flustered. I was somewhat proud of my impudence. I’m not a damn child! But here I am blushing like a middle-school girl! Ugh! Damn it all!)

Susie squirmed inwardly, wracked with embarrassment.

To mask her feelings, she began speaking to Howard rather randomly, hoping to appear more composed.

“How long ago were those tree-lined avenues planted?” she asked.
“I think they’re so neatly aligned because whoever planted and tended them must have been very meticulous. For someone to have planned it this way from the start, they must have been a long-term thinker, don’t you think? A person like that must have been quite disciplined.”

She continued, “And why is Hodgson Pond still called a pond when it’s practically the size of a lake? I believe the water’s beautiful light blue and green shade comes from meticulous maintenance. Whoever is responsible must really appreciate detail and likely enjoys spending weekends there boating or fishing with family.”

Susie spoke her thoughts out loud, clumsily phrasing things that didn’t matter much.

Howard responded warmly to her, saying, “That might be so. I’ll be sure to check next time. I’ve never thought about the pond in that way. I’ll have to ask around. You have an interesting way of looking at things, Susie.”

He accepted her comments openly and engaged in the conversation with genuine enjoyment.

What began as Susie’s attempt to mask her embarrassment with idle chatter turned into a real, engaging conversation. Before she knew it, she was genuinely enjoying talking with Howard.

Upon reaching the forest’s entrance, Howard steered the carriage directly into the woods, unlike the day before.

“Yesterday, I made sure they’d know I had come in here in case of an emergency,” he explained.

At the words ‘in case of emergency,’ Susie’s expression grew slightly troubled.

Howard continued with a smile, “But it was also thanks to yesterday that I got to meet you, Susie.”

Though Susie’s expression still had a shadow of confusion on it, genuine happiness showed through.

When they reached the clearing in the forest, they saw three other carriages already parked there. Two of them were already packed to the brim with the body from one of the Boas.

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