The Georg in my memories had a wishy-washy air, and was like a bright ray of sunlight in Spring. He and his mother were like two peas in a pod with their sweet good looks; his shy demeanor when he blushed was very charming.
I now got a completely different impression from the boy standing before me.
He had the same coloring, and I could sense the blood relationship between him and his mother from his well-defined features, but everything else was different. From his cool-headed point of view, to his tone of voice, and even the way he silently looked at others; rather than Lady Emma he probably took after the head of…he took after his father.
I smiled, come face to face with this boy who was clad in a cold and dignified air, like a wintry morning.
“It must have been four years since last met in person. If I remember correctly, the last time was for the celebration of your ninth birthday.”
“…………”
Even daunted to some extent by the atmosphere which made it hard to approach him, I forced myself to make conversation.
It really had been a long time, so I didn’t know how to start, but it was less discomforting than keeping silent. He wouldn’t respond, though!
“You’ve grown really tall. Although we were around the same height before.”
Silence.
“Is auntie doing well? It has been more than half a year since I’ve been able to visit, but I trust her physical condition hasn’t gotten worse?”
“…………”
Silence.
“She seemed to be in good spirits from the letters I received, but there really are a lot you wouldn’t know unless you met in person.”
“…………”
Silence.
Hey, please make some sort of response. This is really awkward.
Could it be he didn’t remember me? ……can’t be, earlier I swore I heard him say my name.
Georg kept looking at me like a block of stone, silent. It bothered me.
“Georg…?”
“…………Miss Marie……?”
Oh. He finally spoke.
Georg blinked, lashes so long women would be jealous slowly moving. I followed the motion with my eyes, and I smiled in response.
“Yes.”
“……!!”
There was the sound of breath catching. His stared at me with wide eyes.
Unknowingly, I copied his expression. What was his problem?
I tilted my head to the side, staring back at the confused and lost Georg.
His beautiful face flushed bright in an instant.