𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐎'𝐒 𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐒

07; 𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐔𝐒

        𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 touches Celeste's porcelain skin, she slightly whimpered in pain when her corset dress tightened before it was tightly tied by Meleis. The woman sighs in satisfaction before turning her head to Meleis with a kind smile, telling her that she did a great job and kindly telling her to aid Leonia. The knight obliged her command and left the room. Celeste soon sat down at the edge of the bed, looking over the door and then to her fingertips.

Suddenly she heard yelling downstairs she couldn't help but sigh and listen to their banter "I was still a human before! You shouldn't compliment people at times like this!" Leonia roars in anger.

Philio averted his eyes away from her and retorted "Why should I compliment someone who isn't that pretty?" Leonia slams her small hands into the hand of the couch where Philio is currently sitting "Mister! Aren't you too much?! You're even my dad now! How could Lady Angel handle you!" She was irked but soon calmed down when Philio spoke softly "And you still call me Mister"

Leonia soon turned red as a tomato from embarrassment "I'm not used to the word Dad!!" Philio leans on his palm while looking at her with a deadpanned "I'm not familiar with compliments either."

"Doesn't Lady Angel compliment you all the time?" Leonia tilted her head cluelessly.

They both went silent before they heard a soft laugh from the stairs and saw Celeste coming down, Meleis quickly went nearer to the stairs and offered her hand, the duchess thanked her happily as she helped her descendent the stairs and walked towards her two children who still glared at each other unknowingly.

Leonia pouted before she was carried by Celeste, the child couldn't help but slump her arms in a comfortable position. Celeste smiles brightly at the child as she softly brushes the soft brown locks of Leonia who leans on her touch. Philio stood up from the couch and made his way beside Celeste, leaning a bit close to Leonia "If you want compliments that much, gain some weight" he said quietly.

Celeste couldn't help but smile secretly as she saw the two start to get along pretty well, Meleis excused herself to check the carriage and leave the married couple with their adopted child.

"Did you sleep well?" Celeste asked Leonia as they started to walk out of the inn. The child happily nodded and started to show her dress with a gummy smile "Yep! Meleis-unnie assisted me with this dress!" The woman couldn't help but rub her cheeks with hers with a soft squeal "You're so cute Leonia~" She said joyfully without glancing at Philio who huffed.

Philio quickly took Leonia in her arms and carried the child instead which Celeste didn't seem to mind "Let's go" He said and with his free arm, he intertwined both of their fingers together.

Outside the inn, three knights stood as the two listened to Meleis with a frozen look, and surprised look plastered on their faces when Meleis told them the unexpected "His grace just treats the Lady differently than he does to others" she says while rubbing her chin.

The two chibi knights' mouths agape like saucers "Meleis, what are you looking so serious for? What do you mean the Lord is not like usual.." the knight asked curiously for further gossip only to be interrupted by the Grand Duke who looked at them authoritatively with Celeste behind him yet their hands were still entangled with one another.

"What are you doing in front of the door?" Philio asked with Leonia looking at the three with a dotted look. The knight flinched and quickly apologized, panic filled his eyes as he greeted the grand duke and the duchess "It's a beautiful morning, isn't it, your graces?" He slightly exclaimed.

Celeste looks at him with a bright smile "Yes it is!" Philio quickly tugged her fingers as he pulled her with him, the three quickly walked their way to the dining room which was next to their inn. The two knights watch as Meleis talks to Celeste who questions about breakfast "It'll take some time to prepare your meals" she says.