I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 270

Sonia wondered if it was really okay to be this happy today.

Her lips, hanging from both ears, seemed reluctant to drop, and everything looked beautiful.

Of course, it wasn’t as if the joy of getting the board game she wanted was absent.

But what made her even happier was the people who had come from various places just to see her.

Especially.

“When are you leaving, mister?”

Kelrag, who had visited the castle after such a long time, was a prime example.

Looking up at him, whom she felt was almost twice her size, Sonia smiled as she always did.

Time had passed, and she had come to understand who Kelrag truly was, yet her way of speaking remained much like how she would address a neighborhood uncle.

After all, this was something Kelrag had wanted.

“I should leave at the latest by the day after tomorrow. Once I finish stabilizing things and come back, I might be able to stay a bit longer.”

“Really? Then are you going on a date with Minette that day?”

“…I suppose so.”

Had it been quite some time since he had started dating Minette?

Kelrag, now capable of responding to such sudden comments without much fluster, kept his composure.

“Heh, you’re not embarrassed anymore?”

“Come on, how old do you think I am to be embarrassed about this?”

Kelrag replied with quite a bold attitude, but it held little effect on Sonia.

“But a few years ago, when I said I was playing with Minette, you were embarrassed… Hmph!?”

“Honestly, if you leave me an opening, I won’t miss it. Someone should sew that mouth shut.”

At that moment, just as she attempted to spill some more gossip, a hand, large enough to cover her face, landed on her with sufficient force.

“Ugh! Mmph!”

Sonia protested fiercely, but everything she tried to say was muffled by that broad palm, just echoing empty sounds instead.

Indeed, in the face of overwhelming strength, everything tends to submit.

“Kelrag! What are you doing to Sonia!?”

“Ah, it’s not my fault. She’s just being annoying today…”

Of course, it was usually Kelrag who ended up backing down.

With strength, there’s always a greater strength above it.

“Phew! I almost suffocated to death.”

“It’s all your fault, you idiot.”

“Hehe, but teasing you is the second most fun thing in the world!”

Given such a vague ranking, Kelrag was left wondering whether to be pleased or not.

If he had just declared it the top spot, he would have let out a chuckle but would have felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

Why exactly was it second or third?

Anyway, while the adults were enjoying their reunion, time passed after lunch, and the sun started to set outside.

The sun in Hespania was unusually short, but the primary reason time had flown by was the laughter and chatter shared among them.

Yulken, observing this scene, casually turned to Edgar beside him.

“Should we let the kids play freely now and make our exit?”

Yulken would have preferred to spend more time with Sonia and the grandkids.

But the other kids, aside from the three, might find the presence of adults a bit overwhelming since they didn’t see them often.

So it seemed sensible to step away at this point, allowing the kids to chat and play without feeling restrained.

This was also a decision Edgar had reached after consulting with Ariel, so he nodded readily.

“I was just thinking of that. But what about you, Father…?”

“I was thinking it might be nice to have a drink with the guys, getting together for the first time in a while.”

As Yulken made a gesture as if to clink his wine glass, he chuckled playfully.

Today was a perfect excuse to postpone work for Edgar since it was Sonia’s birthday, making it an excellent opportunity for him.

Edgar smiled knowingly, nodding as if he had expected this response.

In any case, he wanted to enjoy a drink on such a joyful day.

Moreover, while drinking with Ariel was nice, there were times he craved a leisurely drink with Yulken or Ransel.

“Then gathering in your study sounds great.”

“Sounds good. We can just grab some snacks for dinner, right?”

Just because they were high-ranking individuals, their drink gatherings didn’t change all that much.

It’s common for them to forget about food and fill up on snacks while pouring down drinks.

Edgar didn’t really mind this arrangement, so it wasn’t an issue.

There was just one problem.

“I’m fine with it, but I wonder if Mother and my mother-in-law will allow it…”

“Ahem. In that case, the three of us just need to keep our mouths shut.”

“Smart thinking.”

Since Edgar didn’t want to bring this up to get scolded by the two women, they decided on this plan.

Of course, if it got found out later, the repercussions would be doubled, but most men usually don’t worry too much about that.

Thus, after Edgar approached Kelrag, who was busy chatting with his sister, and got his consent, he was suddenly set to have a drinking party with the guys on his sister’s birthday.

“All right, let’s let the kids play and the adults will take our leave now.”

Just then, Helene clapped to liven up the mood and said this, prompting everyone except the children to nod in agreement.

Meanwhile, Sonia, who hadn’t been informed properly about the details, was trying to keep up with the situation, turning her head like a busy squirrel.

Eventually, as the adults began to put on their coats again, she cautiously approached Ariel to ask a question.

“Sis, is it already over?”

“No, you can still play. The adults are just stepping aside so as not to make you uncomfortable.”

“Oh…”

Realizing the thoughtful consideration from the adults, a soft gasp escaped Sonia’s lips.

For her, though having everyone together in a lively atmosphere was nice, it indeed might be uncomfortable for Claire or Allen.

She hadn’t considered that point as a friend, but it seemed the adults foresaw such details in advance.

Indeed, the term ‘adults’ doesn’t seem so light after all.

“Once again, happy birthday, Sonia.”

“Thank you, Sis.”

With Ariel’s embrace, once the adults cleared out of the room, the previously lively space suddenly went quiet.

However, it wasn’t an awkward silence.

Rather, Sonia, now free from the pressure of the adults, sprang up from her seat and fetched the board game she had mentioned earlier.

“Hey guys! Shall we play this from now on?”

Leaving behind the lively party, this was now a laid-back gathering with friends.

The two friends, along with Evan and Serina, rushed over to sit in a circle excitedly.

Everyone’s faces were lit with eager smiles.