After coming out of the study, Nanna was debating if she should go back to her room and placed the suppressants and the book before going down to look for Lila, since Ms. Langrin didn't tell her where to go after or what to do.
But before she could reach her room, which was just right around the corner, she heard someone called out to her. "Nanna, there you are!" The cheery and yet soft voice rang in the empty hallway.
Nanna smiled seeing Lila, she noticed the basket she was holding. "Hey", she greeted her equally cheery as Lila was. "What have you got there?" she pointed at the basket Lila was holding on to.
"Oh! I almost forgot I was looking for you~" Lila said excitedly as she remembered why she was looking for Nanna after helping in the kitchen. "It's almost lunch time and I asked Elise to pack up some food for us!"
"Why?"Nanna asked curiously. 'Won't they eat at the great hall with everyone else like before?', she thought.
"Of course to have a picnic!" Lila said as if it was very obvious even though she just have thought of it earlier.
"Why?" Another question left Nanna's lips but with the same meaning.
Lila frowned hearing Nanna asked another question."Why are you asking too many questions? Just come with me and you'll know why." She pulled Nanna by hand as they made their way down the stairs.
Nanna hesitantly followed Lila as she got pulled, the thought of stopping by her room was just now in the past, she carefully walked behind Lila trying not to trip as they made their way down the stairs.
After arriving at the foot of the stairs, Nanna bumped on to Lila's back making her rubbed her forehead as she tried to ease the slight pain. She was puzzled as why Lila stopped. Before she could asked Lila turned around and faced her.
"Wait. I almost forgot to ask. Do you have any more task to do?" Lila's face was in panic and was slightly remorseful after realizing she didn't asked Nanna about her task. Even though she really wanted to have a picnic with her, she should have thought of Nanna first after all she didn't want Nanna to get in trouble because of her, that would be dreadful.
Nanna was taken aback when Lila turned around and faced her. She then smiled hearing what Lila asked. "No. At least not that I know of. Ms. Langrin didn't say anything. Even young master Rem only let me go after talking for awhile so I think I'm free for the day unless I get called over."
Lila sighed in relief, "Good! I thought I'll get you in trouble. I don't want that to happen. Now, let's go! Clause is probably waiting for us there already." Lila was again happily pulling Nanna to who knows where.
Hearing Clause would be there, Nanna was about to ask Lila about it but before she could she found herself, yet again, trying to not stumble on their way to the appointed meeting place.
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Lila pulled her as they made their way to the back of the mansion then at the forest behind it. She tried to maintain her footing as they walked inside the forest almost tripping on the exposed roots of the tall trees and occasionally on small rocks on the path.
They walked for sometime traversing the forest, slowly getting higher and higher and far from where they came from. Once they reached what seemed like the top, they were greeted by a clearing. The placed was a plateau blanketed with greenery and colorful flowers. It was pretty.
The fatigue they felt after awhile of walking was erased by the breathtaking view of the nearby mansion and the village which was not too distant as well as the lush greenery that surrounded it.
As they walked further in, they were welcomed by a cool breeze and fragrant flowers. If you looked closely, one will be able to see the people on the mansion going about on their own things.
Before Lila and Nanna could get taken in by everything around them, a cough was heard followed by a voice laced with impatience. "Why are you just now? I've been waiting here for a long time." They both looked to where the voice came from and they saw Clause leaning lazily on a tree not too far away from where they stood.
Lila sighed seeing Clause's face that showed irritation, "Why are you looking like that? It is only right for boys to wait on girls. You should have waited for us and helped in bringing the basket but instead you went ahead."
"I don't need to help you on the basket since I brought the picnic blanket." he said pointing at the center of the plateau where the picnic blanket was laid out neatly.
The two girls followed Clause's hand as it pointed to the picnic blanket. True to his words, a blanket big enough for 5-6 persons was laid out at the center.
"Fine , fine. We're already here with the food. Let's all eat to our hearts content!" Lila announced excitedly. "Elise packed us a lot food." Lila said making here way to the center. She put out all the foods at the middle as the two sat on an empty space on the side.
Nanna was about to ask what was the reason they are having a picnic at a high and beautiful place when Lila spoke, intently looking at Clause, "Don't you have anything to say to Nanna?."
Nanna was confused switching her attention from Lila to Clause. When Clause showed no intention of opening his mouth, Nanna swore she saw a Lila glared at Clause for a moment there, making Clause sighed looking defeated.
Clause looked at Nanna slightly before turning his gaze somewhere else while rubbing his head sheepishly, "I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have been rude to you." He said a bit inaudible but Nanna was still able to hear it.
Nanna smiled at Clause making the other shy, his cheeks faintly tainted with red. She was really taken aback from his attitude earlier but she didn't really took it to heart. She accepted his apology.
"There! See, it wasn't that hard. Next time, don't be so rude to anyone or I will sure to tell master Rem!" Lila warned Clause who just scoffed. Nanna giggled at their interaction as she thought that the two was really close to each other.
Nanna turned to Lila, "You haven't told me yet why are we eating here?" she asked. "Of course, it's to celebrate your arrival at the mansion!" Lila exclaimed.
"I was forced to be here but still welcome. Make sure you don't cause any trouble." Clause made sure to remind her before he took a sandwich and bit on it. His cheeks still faintly tainted with red.
Nanna giggled again. She was sure lucky that the one who took her in has a lot of good people around them otherwise her days won't be this peaceful. "thank you~ the both of you. I hope we all become good friends for a long time" she said as she took Lila and Clause's hand shaking them.
Lila smiled widely and shook Nanna's hand too," Definitely! We would love that! Right clause?" she said making sure Clause was on board here.
"Hmm" he answered briefly taking another bite on the sandwich he took.
Nanna knew Clause wasn't really a bad person. He must have experienced something in his past that lead him to not really able to express himself in front of others and be wary of those he just met, just like what Lila said to her earlier otherwise he wouldn't be here even if Lila threatened him.
The three of them enjoyed all the food and the scenery before them. After they have eaten their lunch, they all stayed in the plateau for awhile, resting and enjoying the company of each other. They talked and laughed. It was mostly Lila and Nanna. Clause on the other hand just listened occasionally joining in the conversation when he was asked or he would hum in agreement.
When it was almost sunset, the three decide to go back. They were glad that they had the time to spare that day. They were able to learn a lot of things about one another. Nanna was especially glad that she have met them, now she has two friends beside her to whom she can confide things in the future.