“…Ron, bring your things over here~” After choosing a fishing spot by the river, Art shouted to Ron and others to come over.
Not long after, Lottie brought little George and a few others to where Art was.
"Master, this is really a good place for fishing!" Looking at the deep green and clear pond in the center of the river, Ron couldn't help but praise it when he came to the shore. Then he put everything he was holding on the ground and began to prepare for fishing.
Oli spread a large piece of clean linen on a flat boulder on the river bank, and then carefully took out the fruits, dried meat and wine prepared in the wooden box.
"Madam, the weather is so nice today!" Ollie turned to Lottie while making arrangements.
"Yes, we finally got through this cold winter. Look at George, how much fun he had." Lottie said with a smile on her face, pointing to George who was playing in the water by the river.
"That's right, the young master seems to have never been to the river to play much since he was born."
"This is not because of his busy father~" Lottie complained softly, turning to look at Art, who was threading the hook and baiting.
"Honey, what bad things are you secretly saying about me again?" Art muttered as he straightened the fishing line and prepared to throw the bait.
Lottie and Ollie covered their mouths and snickered...
After a moment, after everything was ready, Art and Ron each held a fishing rod in their hands, sat on the rocks on the river bank and started fishing.
It is early summer, and the water volume in the river has increased a lot compared to spring, and it flows southward. The banks of the river are decorated with wildflowers and green grass, giving it a unique charm. The gurgling water, green trees and red flowers, and the gentle breeze make the valley look like a paradise on earth.
On the water surface, the float shook up and down from time to time, causing waves of ripples.
"Master~" Ron, the guard officer who had been staring at the water, shouted softly.
At, who was looking around, looked a few times in the direction of Ron's finger. The float that had not moved for a long time began to beat back and forth on the water surface.
Matt stared at the float, holding the fishing rod tightly in his right hand, already ready to lift the rod.
In the blink of an eye, the float suddenly sank, the fishing line tightened, and Art felt a force coming from the end of the fishing rod.
“The fish bit the hook!” Art shouted and stood up immediately. Ron on the side quickly threw away the fishing rod in his hand, took the fishing net woven with hemp rope and ran to the water, rolled up his sleeves and prepared to catch fish.
Hlottie and Ollie, who were sitting nearby, were also attracted by the sound of fish struggling in the water, staring at the water without moving.
"Ron, get ready!" Art pulled the fishing rod behind him, and a salmon of about five pounds finally surfaced.
"Caught! Caught!" Ron lifted the fishing net smoothly, with a smile on his face.
"Master, look, this salmon is really fat~" Ron grasped the gills tightly with both hands.
"There's lunch for today!" Art said with a smile.
After a while, Ron pressed the fish on the stone with his left hand, took out the shorts from his waist with his right hand, and expertly disemboweled the salmon. Not long after, the cleaned salmon was put on wooden sticks and grilled next to the fire...
"...Well, it smells so delicious!" Art tore off a piece of the sizzling and oily fish and put it into his mouth, eating it with relish. Then he picked up the wine that had cooled down in the river and took a big sip.
"Come, George." Lottie took the fish meat that Ollie had torn off and handed it to George, who was already greedy. The little guy picked up the fragrant fish and stuffed it into his mouth, making everyone laugh. Seeing the children enjoying themselves so much, Lottie was filled with emotion.
Nowadays, Art is finally no longer running around all day, and has time to spend with himself and his children. As a woman, or rather as a Countess of Wales, she was quite content.
"Ron, Ollie, there are no outsiders today, so you two should be casual. In the eyes of my wife and I, we have long regarded you as a family. Come and eat~" While Art was devouring his food, he did not forget to greet his entourage who had been following him for many years.
"Thank you, sir, thank you, madam." Ron quickly bowed his head and thanked him, then tore off a piece of fish and handed it to Ollie, then he also tore off a piece and put it into his mouth and chewed it with relish.
"Come, it's hard to have such a leisurely day today, let's raise a glass together and enjoy this rare moment of joy~Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Let's all raise our glasses and drink together.
After a moment, Art suddenly became concerned about the private lives of Ron and Ollie. He turned to look at Ron and Ollie who were standing next to each other and said, "You two have been married for a while. Ron, when will you let Scott and Emma have a grandchild~"
After hearing this, Ollie's face instantly turned red and she lowered her head shyly. Lottie, who was sitting next to Art, patted the count who was suddenly a bit unruly. Art and Ron laughed loudly.
The people stayed by the river until the afternoon before returning to the carriage parked in Gujiandi Village. Immediately, Art and Ron rode in front, and Lottie and Ollie took George into the carriage and followed behind. In the evening, the group rushed back to the wooden castle and ended the fishing trip.
………
“…My dear, George is not young anymore. I think it’s time to send him to school for education.” At night, Art, who was lying in Lottie’s arms, said while stroking Lottie’s fingers.
"Enter the school?" Lottie, who was used to George being by her side every day, didn't react for a moment.
"Well, enter the school and receive education together with those children of the same age."
It's not that Lottie doesn't understand Art's thoughts, it's just that George has been by her side all the time, and she is worried that he will not be able to adapt to him when he is suddenly sent to the school for education.
Lotti stroked Art's face from time to time and said nothing for a while.
"Dear Lottie, what's wrong with you?" Seeing that Lottie was lost in thought, Art asked again.
"Well, it's nothing. I'm just worried that George won't be able to adapt when he enters the school. After all, he has been by my side for the past few years, so I always feel a little inappropriate about letting him enter the school like this." "I don't think George can't adapt to getting along with strangers. He is my Art's son. If he doesn't even have this courage, how will he inherit the title of earl in the future." Art has full confidence in his son.
"Over the years, you have been by George's side, and I, as a father, have indeed not fulfilled my responsibilities. But today is different from the past. The situation has basically stabilized, and I no longer have to fight around." Art said, standing up and holding Lottie's hands in his. "This way, I will have more time to be with you to make up for the days when I am not with you."
After hearing this, Lottie's eyes suddenly lit up and she said, "You are not allowed to go back on what you said!" There was a certain firmness in her tone.
"As the Earl of Wales, I promise the countess that I will accompany you safely in the days to come." Art said playfully.
Looking at Art's vow, Lottie was filled with joy and threw herself into Art's arms.
The whole next night, the two of them were lingering and affectionate like lovers who had not seen each other for many years, and they fell asleep until it was almost dawn.