CHAPTER 12: PICNIC

From the very beginning, I knew that winning over someone like William Dickens would be no easy task. I was prepared in advance for various risks and consequences, including the possibility that my threat to the emperor would not work...

But fortunately, everything turned out fine.

After I proved that I could be "useful" to him, the duke agreed to my proposal. We became allies and from now on must act together. However, in order not to arouse suspicion, all this must be kept secret.

Duke Dickens came up with the perfect cover. To justify my stay at the estate and my meetings with the duke’s family, I would become Roger’s tutor. Once a week, I would come and teach him etiquette and art. This was a common practice among noble families, and since Grace was well educated, it was entirely possible.

But of course, that was only how it looked from the outside. In reality, I had no intention of actually teaching him. It was a kind of plan to force high society to reconsider its attitude towards me. After all, William Dickens was a respected man, and his appearance next to me would undoubtedly cause a stir. The duke would also help us with money, as payment for "teaching his son."

In this way, Duke Dickens would repay me for my service. After all, I had really helped him a lot when I released him from his position at the palace. The duke got what he had been striving for so long — his long-awaited independence. It really deserved a worthy reward.

The duke explained the title he had given me to people as follows:

"Indeed! My son has known nothing but swordplay since childhood. He could use such a mentor."

And so it was decided. As I was returning from the Dickens estate, Roger unexpectedly caught up with me.

"Lady Weinstein, wait...!"

"Huh?" I froze in surprise just before getting into the carriage.

Roger stopped in front of me, out of breath.

"I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Yes?" I smiled. "What is it?"

"You..." The guy clenched his fists. "Are you free this weekend?"

"What?"

"I..." He searched for words. "Now that you’re my mentor, I thought it would be nice for us to get to know each other better," Roger said unexpectedly. "I was going to ask you to go to an exhibition at the art museum."

I froze in surprise. Roger said these words with the same cold expression on his face as usual. So I had no idea what he was thinking.

And yet...

"It’s just a cover," I objected, "We don’t have to..."

"Even if it’s a cover, it has to look plausible. Don’t you think so?"

I had my doubts. Who knew Roger would take this so seriously?

Besides, it was just between me and his father. Even Roger wasn’t privy to all the details. And yet... I suddenly felt a chill.

This isn’t the moment when, contrary to the plot, the love interest falls in love with someone other than the main character, is it? I’ve often seen this kind of plot in novels, but I never thought it would happen in a game. After all, the system has to control the characters’ feelings in some way.

But that wasn’t the case!

In any case, I hoped I was wrong. Maybe the guy is really just a good son to his father? After all, I didn’t know his younger version as well as his adult one. Roger’s childhood before running away from home was only shown in flashbacks. It’s not worth distancing myself prematurely and ruining my relationship with the Dickens family. Especially since it’s not in my best interest. For now, I’ll just observe.

"Sounds good," I smiled weakly, "but unfortunately, I can’t make it that day. I have things to do."

What I do in my free time was none of his business. But still, in response to Roger’s puzzled look, I decided to clarify:

"Ruby and I are going on a picnic."

"A picnic...?"

"Uh-huh," I nodded. "You know, not long ago, my older sister sent me her niece to raise. I have to take good care of her."

"Oh... I see."

At that moment, the guy looked away with a puzzled expression on his face. It was as if he felt uncomfortable talking about it.

"Do you remember my Ruby? Tell me, she’s a lovely child!" I said enthusiastically.

"Indeed," Roger smiled tensely. "That’s right."

The guy and I stood there awkwardly for a couple of minutes, then finally said goodbye and went our separate ways. All the way back in the carriage, I couldn’t stop thinking about one thing.

"What did his expression mean?"

***

As I promised Ruby, we went on a picnic together to the local city park. Couples and families with children often spent their weekends here. And since it was the height of summer, the park was always crowded. There were stalls everywhere selling treats, balloons, and other entertainment items.

I spread a blanket for Ruby and me under one of the flowering trees. The girl looked around enthusiastically. Her face was frozen in indescribable delight. It was obvious that Ruby was really at such an event for the first time in her life.

"Aren’t you hungry?" I asked her with a smile. "Auntie has prepared so much! I really tried hard for our picnic and spent the whole day in the kitchen."

The basket I brought with me contained seven kinds of snacks and refreshing lemonade. Rubiella’s eyes sparkled.

"Auntie, it looks so delicious!"

I laughed. While Ruby sampled my provisions, I enjoyed the magical atmosphere of summer. The sun was shining brightly and the weather was wonderful. It was probably the first day in the last month when I could think of nothing and just relax.

Ruby also seemed very happy.

"What beautiful flowers!"

I looked up in delight. The sight of the soft pink petals flying in the wind was truly mesmerizing. What a great day to admire the summer scenery.

Rubiella and I spent several hours in the park. I bought her a balloon, and we played a simple board game. I was glad to see that she was having fun.

By evening, people slowly began to disperse. I thought that it was time for Ruby and me to go home too. But before that, I decided to go to the lake to feed the local ducks.

There was a large lake in the park where you could rent a boat to go for a ride. There were also beautiful mandarin ducks here. I took some leftover food and walked to the edge, where they had already gathered, waiting for kind park visitors.

"Quack, quack... Come here, my dears!"

I was feeding the ducks until I accidentally slipped on the slippery shore and fell into the water. It was too unexpected. The mud at the bottom quickly pulled me down. I felt like I was drowning.

Damn it! I can’t swim at all...!

And, as luck would have it, the other visitors who had been nearby just a moment ago had already left. I called out to Ruby with all my might:

"Ruby, hurry...! Call someone for help!"

The water was already up to my throat. At this rate, I was really going to drown.

Rubiella watched what was happening with an indifferent expression. From where I was, I couldn’t see the look on her face.

"Ruby, hurry...!" I was choking on water.

But the girl stood frozen to the spot and didn’t even move. She looked at me with a strange expression. The emptiness in her pupils was mixed with a thirst for death.

"Call for help? Why? Auntie, you seem to be fine."