Published: August 15, 2025
After watching the couple’s banter to its end, Mio said, “I’ll go make some tea,” and left the room.
At that moment, Anastasia suddenly remembered something and lifted her handbag with a flourish.
“Oh, right, Marie, congratulations on the birth! It’s a bit late, but today I came to bring you a gift to celebrate.”
It was a basket about the size of an armful. Peeking inside, I saw five wooden crafts. They resembled cylindrical birdcages, each enclosing a colored ball within.
“Are these perhaps toys for the baby?”
I asked, and Anastasia smiled, narrowing her eyes fondly.
“Yes. I made them while reminiscing about how much I liked these kinds of toys when I was a child. I hope Lisa will like them.”
“Eh, did elder sister make these by hand!?”
I picked one up and examined it closely. Amazing—there were no seams visible on the outside. How did she manage to trap the balls inside? The size was just right for a baby to hold, and since it’s safe even if licked, no paint was used—they were polished carefully. Looking more closely, the name of my daughter, Elisabeth, was engraved on each, in decorative letters resembling grapevines… such delicate craftsmanship.
“They’re wonderful… thank you so much. I’m sure Lisa will love them.”
I was enchanted by the work my real sister had poured her heart into creating. I couldn’t help but let slip a thought from my heart.
“…Really wonderful… I almost want one for myself…”
“I thought you might say that, so I made one for you too, Marie.”
“Eh!?”
I quickly accepted the simple offering she handed me.
Elder sister had made one for me too!? This one wasn’t a toy but a wooden comb. It had a glossy base with the same carving as my daughter’s toy—a simple but very cute design. I cried out in delight.
“Wow…! Wowww…!”
“Do you like it?”
“Of course! I’m so happy!”
When I shouted this, my sister smiled shyly.
Ah, I am truly happy. Half of my admiration was for how carefully and beautifully made these were, far better than anything commercially available. The other half was joy at the fact that my sister made them just for me. I felt like a young girl, gleefully excited.
“Lord Ruifeng too! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come celebrate.”
Only now did I bow my head to my sister’s husband.
He usually waved it off casually, saying, “Don’t mention it.” But today, for some reason, his words seemed hesitant.
“Ah, yeah. We already got a wedding gift too.”
He said that and looked around cautiously.
“…Where’s Lord Cyrus? I heard he wouldn’t sail out until the baby stopped being shy around strangers…”
As he asked, Lord Ruifeng’s expression darkened. He probably already knew the answer without waiting for mine. I understood too: Lord Ruifeng had not come to celebrate a friend but to mourn.
After confirming my daughter was sleeping soundly, I gently moved her to the cradle. I placed my empty hands on my lap and faced Lord Ruifeng directly.
“The duke’s condition is said to be critical these past few days.”
“…I see.”
Lord Ruifeng quietly lowered his gaze.
Unlike us, who had been abroad, he must have already received news.
“Both Lord Cyrus and Lady Ryuu-Ryuu had braced themselves for years, saying they would send him off with a smile… and went off alone together.”
“I see. Yes, I think that was the right decision. If I were in the same position, I wouldn’t take Anastasia to the Duke’s mansion either.”
I nodded silently with a complex feeling.
When I heard the prognosis of my father-in-law’s remaining days, I naturally intended to rush to the Duke’s mansion. But Lord Cyrus insisted firmly that I stay behind. Officially, it was said the journey to the mansion was harsh on a postpartum woman and infant, but I soon realized that was an excuse. After all, last month, once things settled, he returned by a combination of ship and carriage.
But his tone left no room for argument...
As if to speak for me, who could not accept this, Anastasia spoke up.