Chapter 33

The boy stammered, very nervously. I thought he was cute at that moment.

At first he reminded me of someone in my past life, and now I don’t recall him anymore when I found him at a loss what to do.

“Oh, I don’t know! I was born like this from the beginning. Let me just talk informally to you. If you are uncomfortable about it, just complain formally.”

“Okay. Then, can I complain to your father formally? ”

“Oh, no way!”

“Why not? As a member of a noble family who values honor, you don’t want to retract what you have promised me, right?”

“Dang it! Yeah, go ahead if you want. I’m ready!”

When I saw the boy muttering with his head down, I burst into laughter.

It was the first time I had a hearty laugh like that. I really felt refreshed to hear that.

As I was obsessed with thinking that I should act with dignity as the crown prince’s fiancée, I always smiled silently according to the imperial manners, so I have never laughed like this once.

“Wow! You know how to laugh, huh?”

“…”

“Why are you so serious? What’s wrong?”

I hurriedly changed my expression when he stared at me with his eyes wide.

He mumbled something then said, clearing his throat, “Hey!”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“As we have apologized to each other, I think we have reconciled with each other, right?”

“So what?”

“So… You can come back to my house from now on.”

I smiled at him when he said it casually.

“Well, I don’t have to go to your house, but…”

“Huh, why? Did you give up? Huh? Are you quitting fencing that you wanted to learn so much? ”

“I never said that.” I replied calmly to him when he asked nervously.

After taking a deep breath, he asked again, “Then, why are you not going to come to my house? Are you still angry?”

“No, what I mean is I don’t have to practice with you any more.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Sir Seymour decided to coach me. I just hope I won’t be a burden to him as I’m lacking in skills.”

“Sir Seymour? Are you talking about that royal knight?” He said with a frown, adding, “Why is he protecting you? You are not a member of the imperial family, right?”

“… Well, I’m nominally a royal family member.”

“Nominally? Are you sure?”

“Yes, yes, I am. Did you not know that? ”

“Oh, I heard that the crown prince’s fiancée is the only daughter of the Monique family. So, that daughter is you, right?”

“… ”

“Got it… Damn it.”

Tracing his memory, he slurred and became silent as if he finally remembered the fact.

I was silent, too, but shortly afterwards, he said with a frown, scratching his head, “Well, it doesn’t matter. As my father ordered me to coach you, I can’t ignore it. So, let’s do it like this. You keep letting him coach you. Instead, I will come over here.”

“Are you going to come here?”

“Yes. I would like to see how good that knight’s fencing skills are, and if I feel I need to learn from him, I would like to learn while watching him.”

“… ”

“Okay, hope I’m in great hands!”

I sighed at his casual remarks. He should learn how to behave himself, but it was hopeless for me to expect that. When he grinned at me casually after declaring he would come to my training field, I suddenly felt a headache. I missed the peaceful afternoons that I used to enjoy without anybody’s interference.

<Dear my lady whom I miss,

Long time, no see. I want to get in touch with you more often, but I didn’t have time to write a letter because I kept moving from place to place. As autumn harvesting was not good and it was getting colder, I’ve had some difficulties, but my relief work here has been going on well. Compared with the chaotic situation when I first got here, the situation is totally different now.

When I woke up in the morning, the whole world was shining white because of the snow that fell all night. It suddenly reminded me of you. Snow was your favorite. Something white, warm and sweet like snow. Well, I feel a bit wistful to think about it. If I knew I couldn’t return home for this long, I would have made more white chocolate for you.

Do you remember what happened in the winter when we first met?

You know, we had a snowball fight with Sir Acks? When Sir League was hit by somebody, he joined the fight in a fit of anger, and more guys joined later one by one, and in the end someone hit you, which caused a big trouble.

Do you know you had a bad cold that day?

To be honest, I was afraid to go to the training field. Why? It’s because your father frowned so much that one of us felt he would never survive the tough sparring.

So, let me tell you this, Aristia. If you have to go out, make sure you wrap up warmly. Since neither your father, I, nor the knights of your family are with you, I am worried that you might be injured while training alone too much in the snow-covered field.

Like I said in my last letter, you will surely get the results you want. So I hope you won’t be too hard on yourself and train too hard out of impatience.

Come to think of it, the day I had already promised is approaching. Gee, everyone is watching for it, and I think I have to make a little more effort. Maybe you don’t think that’s going to happen because we are not there with you, right? If you think so, you are mistaken. Wait, my lady. Soon, you will receive a special gift.

What is that gift? Of course, it’s a secret. Well, I think I can give you the heads up there. It’s your favorite. Something white, warm and sweet.

Gee, your father is calling me now. I think it’s time to get out. Then, keep well. Don’t be sick. Got it? Your knight, Allendis.>

I gently touched the light green paper and smiled, covering it.

‘Oh, today is the very day he has promised me. If what he said is true, is something special happening to me today?’

The sunlight shining through the slightly open curtains was dazzling. I drew aside the bed curtain and opened the window.

Chirp, chirp!

I heard birds chirping here and there. My hair was scattered by the refreshing wind blowing through the windows. When I looked down, breathing in fresh air, I saw the garden dyed in light green. It looked like something good would happen to me this morning.

“Good morning to you!”

“Good morning, my lady!”

When I opened the door, I saw the two knights who stayed up all night. They escorted me outside.

I greeted Sir Seymour, who was off in the morning, then went to the training field with Sir June.

“You seem to feel good somehow. Did you have a good dream?”

“No, I didn’t, but I feel like there’s something good happening to me today.”

“Maybe it’s because spring is coming. Anyway, you look good. If my friend had seen you now, he would have liked you very much. ”

“Which friend are you talking about?”

“Do you know this man? He is Adel Su Ryan with the 2nd Knights Division. He misses you a lot.”

“Sir Ryan?”

‘Son of Viscount Ryan? Who is he? What was the crest of his family?’ When I traced my memory, I recalled a face that quickly came to my mind. Is he the same man? One day he was looking at me as if he was watching a puppy.

Yes, he was the young knight who told me bashfully that he would escort me home. I think I saw his family’s crest embroidered on his uniform.

“Are you talking about that young knight with gray hair and dark blue eyes?”

“Yes, you know him. If he knows you remember him, he will like it very much,” Sir June said with a smile. After strolling through the garden, chatting with him, I headed to the training field.

Satisfied with my good condition, I was warming up when I saw the red-haired boy coming in.

“Good morning, Lars!”

“Ugh, you look good today? Did you have any good dreams last night?”

“Well, I do not know.”

“What is it? What kind of dream was it?”