MOTHER (1)

[A few weeks ago…]

"WHAT IS it?" Lewis asked Lady Hanna awkwardly. "You're not the type to stare at other people, Lady Hanna."

"I want to say something, but I'm afraid it might offend you."

He avoided the young lady's gaze, and then he stared into the pond in front of him.

Right now, the two of them were in Princess Neoma's favorite pavilion by the pond. The Imperial Princess granted Lady Hanna access to that place.

[Only a few are allowed here.]

"Can I say it, Lewis?"

"Go ahead, ma'am."

"You don't need to speak so formally to me, you know?"

"I have to get used to talking formally to the future Duchess Hanna Quinzel."

"You don't have to do that," Lady Hanna said while shaking her head. "Of course, you must talk to me formally in front of an audience. But if it's only the two of us, or if we're just with our friends, then you may talk to me casually."