It was a wide smile I was granting while we silently saw her off. I had seen how the duchess did so as well… yet as soon as I turned to look at her, no sign of such smile remained in her.
"Carol, what kind of flower is it that she brought today?"
"… Peony it is, your Grace."
"Hmph… one that symbolises protection… yet is it truly what this girl wishes I wonder… if she comes again say I am asleep."
"Yes, your Grace."
'? Is the duchess also suspicious of Karina?'
"… You must be wondering what kind of exchange that was, are you not, Lady Marianne?" — Clemente's mother, already knowledgeable of what I could be thinking said while watching how Carol inspected the vase. — "Lady Karina has been a guest at our house for a while now… we have been taking care of her after Dolton agreed to help with her education as we are closer to the Capital than she would be back at the Baron's….. a good girl she is…"
"…"
"And yet… her intentions are not clear even with how honest she appears."
