“Aria-chan, that was amazing!”

It’s completely different from the imitation she did before.

“Hehe! Pretty amazing, right!”

Aria-chan proudly places her hands on her hips.

No, seriously, why is it this different? Even I, who doesn’t know much yet, can tell at a glance that it’s different.

“You know, Aria is being taught ‘lady education’ by mother right now!”

“Aria-chan is amazing! Lady education!”

Just a little while ago, I thought lady education sounded like a pain, but after seeing Aria’s beautiful bow, I want to start learning it as soon as possible too.

“It’s quite early since it normally starts at ten, but she insisted she wanted to be like an older sister to Hikari-chan.”

Aria-chan’s mother mutters that with a warm smile.

After our lively back-and-forth settles down, we move in front of the duchess.

“Thank you very much for the invitation today. I am Oswald Wingart. This is my wife—”

“I am Philia Wingart.”

They give a perfectly refined bow like true nobleman and lady.

“Come to think of it, we didn’t properly introduce ourselves before. I am Melrod Cellite. And this is my wife—”

“I am Mei Cellite.”

“Your tummy is so big… is there a baby?”

I end up asking without thinking, looking at Aria-chan’s mother, Lady Mei, who is sitting.

“Hikari!?”

Father looks flustered, but Lady Mei simply smiles.

“That’s right. Aria is going to have a little brother.”

However, she doesn’t seem angry at all, and gently pats my head.

She’s such a kind person! Well, she’s Aria-chan’s mother, so that makes sense!

“Aria-chan, you’re going to be a big sister!”

“Pretty amazing, right!”

“It is!”

So that’s why she wanted to teach me so many things. With her getting a younger brother, and me looking up to her like a little sister…

She really feels like a girl her age, and she’s super cute. I love Aria-chan!

“Hikari too, okay? Someday you’ll be a big sister, so become a big sister like Aria-chan!”

“Really?”

“Yeah!”

I’m so happy that I blurt out everything about mother’s pregnancy.

“Philia, you’re expecting as well?”

“Yes. It’s still so early that we don’t even know the gender yet.”

Lady Mei turns the topic to mother, covering her mouth lightly in a graceful gesture.

“Then you must take care and rest properly. Would you like to sit beside me?”

“Then I’ll gladly accept!”

“In that case, Lord Oswald, if you would please take this seat.”

“Thank you, excuse me.”

Mother sits on the soft chair beside Lady Mei, while Melrod and father take the elegant reception chairs.

Somehow, the mothers seem to share a relaxed atmosphere that doesn’t feel like their first meeting at all.

The bond between the children and the connection between the husbands has softened the atmosphere so easily…

“Aria-chan! Hikari is learning letters right now!”

“Really? Then let’s read a book together!”

“Yeah!”

“If you two are going to read, there are children’s books in Aria’s room. Would that be alright?”

“Yeah! I’ll invite Hikari-chan to my room!”

“Aria-chan’s room!”

'I’m way too excited for this!'

She really trusts me a lot!

“Hikari-chan. Yesterday, Aria worked really hard cleaning her room because she said she wanted to invite you. Will you play together in her room?”

“Yes!”

I raise my hand energetically and give Melrod a bright, full smile.

“Thank you. Aria, please guide her.”

“Yes, father!”

“Hannah, you don’t need to stay here. Please accompany them.”

“Understood.”

Together with the maid by the door and Aria-chan, we leave the room and head toward her room with light steps.

“Now then, thank you again for coming today.”

Melrod’s tone becomes more relaxed, and his formal smile softens.

“Today, I’d like to speak with you not as duke and count, but as fellow parents.”

“Of course, Melrod.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Oswald.”

“Philia as well.”

“Then I’ll take you up on that, Mei.”

With the children gone, a casual yet heartfelt conversation between fathers and mothers—one they couldn’t have in front of us—is about to begin.