Our carriage soon arrived at Cece’s manor. Although her family holds Ducal rank, they were granted permission to build a vil within our Marquisate, as our fathers are sworn brothers who studied the same martial arts under the same master who now trains my brothers.

  Jane swung open the carriage door, and at the bottom, we were greeted by their ever-reliable butler, Daryl. Jane stepped out first, while Cecil handed her all my books and study materials. Once she had everything, Cecil got out and offered me her hand to help me down.

  "Am I the first to arrive, or has Eri already gotten here?" I asked Daryl.

  "She’s not here yet, young miss."

  I couldn’t help but smile at Daryl’s answer. "Hehehe, I won this time! I wonder what I’ll have her buy for me."

  "Better not be any more sweets, young dy," Jane cautioned. "The madam might not be too happy if you end up with a toothache." As always, I pretended not to hear Jane’s remarks.

  Just as I was about to enter, I heard the sound of a carriage speeding to a halt. The door flew open, and out rushed a petite, energetic girl, almost stumbling as she hurriedly climbed out of the carriage. This girl is my cousin, the daughter of my mother’s sister, Aunt Elle.

  "Cherry, quick! Before Nia arrives!" Eri called out urgently as she dashed ahead.

  "Wait for me, young miss! And please don’t run—you’ll hurt yourself!" Cherry called back, struggling to gather the books that had fallen from her arms.

  “You’re too slow, Cherry! Hurry up!” Eri urged, but as she gnced up toward the door, she finally spotted me standing there, arms crossed and a smug smile on my face. Her expression immediately shifted to one of defeat, and she came to an abrupt halt.

  “You’re te, Eri,” I said with triumph, unable to hide my satisfaction.

  She sighed, conceding the fact that I had beaten her to the door. “Cherry should’ve woken me up earlier,” she muttered, dragging her feet toward me.

  “I’ve tried, young dy,” Cherry retorted, her voice tinged with exasperation as she picked up the fallen books.

  The race to be the first to arrive at Cece’s manor became a mini competition between Eri and I, and we always made sure to pce a wager. The st time she won, she had me search for a particur caterpilr. I found it strange, but she insisted it would transform into a beautiful butterfly—though she has yet to prove that to me.

  She’s striking in her own unique way—shoulder-length wavy strawberry blonde hair, soft purple eyes, a petite button nose dusted with the cutest freckles. But beneath that charming appearance lies a rather unconventional passion for a noble dy: she adores bugs.

  Yes, bugs.

  She once decred—quite proudly—that insects are infinitely more fascinating than humans, and she found it downright offensive to compare a cockroach to a person. In her eyes, humanity ranks below the insect kingdom… with the sole exceptions being her family and close friends, of course.

  I always made sure to win because I never wanted to go back to searching for another caterpilr or any kind of bug. It was a nightmare—not so much for me, but for Jane and Cecil, who weren’t fond of handling bugs. Their cries would echo through the forest, likely startling the animals that lived there. Watching them struggle was both a sight to behold and highly amusing.

  “I haven’t thought of anything I want right now, Eri. I’ll think it over. Let’s go visit Sweet Anomaly ter,” I said as we entered the manor together. Eri, still looking defeated, nodded in agreement.

  “I had pnned for you to catch a centipede, but I suppose I’ll have to do it myself,” she replied.

  I heard Jane let out a relieved sigh—she and Cecil were likely grateful we had arrived earlier.

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