It was the place that they had to go to handle the business related to Nainiaie.
“to the west…”
Riley also didn’t mention the matter regarding Nainiae. Riley avoided his mother’s gaze and moved his eyes away slowly.
‘There is no need to make her worry, so…’
Iris watched her son who was hesitant to look at her in the eyes. It seemed she was finding it suspicious, but she brightened the look on her face soon and said to Riley,
“My Riley… you won’t do something like not contacting like before, would you?”
For a moment, Riley didn’t understand what Iris was trying to say. He asked carefully,
“Like before?”
“Like what happened when you were at the Rainfield.”
“Ah…”
Riley opened his mouth vacantly like someone who just remembered something. Riley apologized to Iris with ashamed look on his face.
“I am sorry. During that time, there was a circumstance that could not be helped.”
“… It’s all right.”
Riley smiled like a fool. Watching his son, Iris stroke his son’s head as if she just could not help herself.
“You just need to make sure to not repeat the mistake.”
“… Yes.”
Do not repeat the mistake… Having heard Iris, Riley nodded with a bitter look on his face. Iris finally got to face Riley. She smiled gently and said,
“If you repeat the same mistake?”
“…?”
“When that happens, you need the courage to reach out to another for help… the courage to ask for help to not repeat the mistake.”
Having heard her gentle advice, Riley, who was vacantly opening and closing his hand, relaxed the bitter look on his face a little and nodded.
“Yes.”
* * *
The night when Riley told Iris that he will go one a trip, Iris asked Sera to come by. Iris steadily glared at the cup of tea that Sera poured before speaking.
“Sera, are you aware that Riley will be going on a trip tomorrow?”
“Ah, yes! I think I definitely heard that… he will be heading west? Nainiae told me. Now that they have Lady Iris’ permission, she will be preparing so they can leave immediately tomorrow. Is there a problem?”
This time, Sera asked, and Iris responded with a bit of hesitation.
“I have a favor to ask.”
As soon as Iris said that, Sera got excited as if she thought it was so unexpected, about as unexpected as the sun rising from the west. Sera looked at Iris and waited for her to explain the favor.
“When Riley leaves the mansion tomorrow, I would like you to go with him.”
“Pardon? Me too?”
Sera pointed to herself and asked back.
“It seems Riley looks a little… unstable. That’s why.”
“Young Master is?”
“Yes”
Iris nodded. With concerned look on her face, Iris asked Sera again.
“Can you please do that?”
“I’ll be okay, but… If I do, there won’t be anyone beside you?”
Now, Sera also looked concerned. Iris responded right away as if she thought there was no need to worry.
“It’s all right. I asked Willa.”
“To Ms. Willa?”
Willa was Sera’s boss.
Thinking about her strict maid boss, Sera gulped.
.bg-ssp-10081{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} “She said she got some spare time now ever since Lloyd was declared as the successor.”
In middle of the sentence, it seemed she thought about Ryan who was kicked out of the mansion. Iris showed gloomy face for a moment before continuing.
“Anyway, Sera. Please, I’m counting on you. Ian is very lacking in fine details. As for Nainiae, she still has things she is not so experienced in. I feel uneasy with just Nainiae and Ian accompanying Riley.”
Compared to the butler who served Riley, Sera had a smart, snappy personality. Iris thought having her go with Riley along with everyone would be helpful.
“Yes, I understand.”
Sera figured out what Iris was trying to say. She made tight fists and nodded.
“… By the way, what do you mean by Young Master Riley not looking so stable?”