MTDL 16

Chapter 16

“Madam!”

That clear voice calling out to her…

No way.

“You came out earlier than I expected.”

Standing in front of the count’s estate gate was the brilliantly smiling handsome young man, Britton Aslet.

He had actually sent word earlier today that he wanted to meet her, but she had declined, saying she already had plans.

That was why this sudden encounter caught her completely off guard.

“Today, I really wanted to…”

Britton’s gentle voice, capable of clouding her thoughts, drifted toward her.

“…see you.”

With no way to run anymore, I began walking through the sunset-lit streets beside Britton.

Britton Aslet.

Uncle Zimmer’s… no, Parmes’s son.

My fiancé, whom I still hadn’t gotten used to.

“How are things with the marquisate?”

“They’re going well. Adam has been working tirelessly. We’ve verified and restored the bank accounts and revenue structure, and we’re planning to start a new business as well. We’re also waiting for a messenger bird from the Grand Duchy of Myla. Adam is worried it might have been lost in the snowstorm.”

The Grand Duchy of Myla ruled the Duchy of Myla in the northern part of the Empire.

Though officially part of the Empire, it functioned almost like an autonomous territory.

Snow fell there all year round, and an enormous defensive wall surrounded the land.

“The Grand Duke of Myla is said to be a strict man, but I’m sure you’ll do well, Madam.”

Britton smiled encouragingly.

“I’ve heard he likes people with unwavering conviction. Someone like you, who once stole Madam Allens away from Lady Machert.”

I nearly choked at his words.

He heard about what happened at Lady Machert’s birthday party?

“Oh, come on! ‘Stole her away’ is such an exaggeration. It just… happened somehow.”

Embarrassed for no reason, I answered calmly, but I couldn’t read the meaning behind Britton’s cheerful smile.

It was true that Britton showed me kindness.

But because I didn’t know why he treated me so well, it only made him seem more suspicious.

Maybe this isn’t even the soft, innocent goodwill I think it is.

“By the way… isn’t Lady Machert close to Your Highness?”

“Ah… we are acquainted.”

Britton paused for a moment.

Lady Machert might have had a terrible personality, but she was beautiful, and more importantly, her background was impeccable.

I heard the House of Machert owns two gemstone mines.

“But it’s completely different from how I treat you.”

Britton added with a bright smile.

“So you don’t need to worry, Madam, since you prefer a gentle, sunshine-like hus…band.”

I looked at him in confusion.

What’s different?

And what exactly am I not supposed to worry about?

Sunshine…? That’s just my favorite type of male lead in romance fantasy novels.

As question marks filled my mind, Britton suddenly stopped walking.

“Madam…”

I stopped and turned toward him.

The blue eyes of the young man, illuminated by the setting sun behind him, shimmered quietly.

It looked as though he desperately wanted to tell me something.

But after a moment, he seemed to abandon the thought. He glanced down once before looking back at me.

“If it wouldn’t be too presumptuous… may I formally ask you out on our first date?”

“…Pardon?”

“That was actually why I came to see you today.”

Perhaps because of the sunset, Britton’s cheeks seemed faintly flushed.

Then he spoke.

“Tomorrow evening, there will be fireworks to commemorate the first anniversary of the Emperor’s ascension.”

So that’s why he insisted on seeing me today.

“…”

“…If you’re willing, I’d like to spend that time with you.”

But the moment he mentioned the town square, I immediately remembered the day I had spent with Mas.

We had wandered all over the city together, enjoying ourselves just like we had back in Galnem Village.

The Glass Flower Festival tomorrow…

I’d heard city festivals were dazzling and exciting.

I really wanted to go.

But…

“I’m sorry… but there’s a friend I want to watch the fireworks with.”

I knew rejecting the Crown Prince’s invitation like this wasn’t exactly proper etiquette.

As I clenched my fists, Britton’s blue eyes seemed to waver.

“It isn’t because I dislike Your Highness… I made a promise to that friend a long time ago. Though… I don’t even know if he’ll remember it.”

My reflection was visible in Britton’s blue eyes.

Silence lingered between us before the young man finally spoke.

“I’m curious… and a little jealous.”

His voice was quiet, almost self-mocking.

“I wonder who it is… the person with whom you wish to spend such precious time.”

His tone sounded sorrowful, conflicted…

Yet there was also a faint smile mixed into it, making it strangely heartbreaking.

Looking apologetic, I said,

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. But if it’s another day…”

As the sun sank lower, our shadows stretched even farther.

I smiled softly at Britton.

“I think spending a day together sometime would be nice.”

I still don’t really understand him, but… Britton doesn’t seem like a bad person.

It didn’t seem right to reject him outright.

Still, I thought there was a good chance he would refuse.

After all, telling someone I’d rather spend that day with someone else and suggesting another date could easily wound his pride.

“Very well, Madam.”

But Britton answered with a faint smile.

“I don’t mind being your second choice.”

* * *

After finishing Madam Allens’ tutoring session and seeing her off, I gave her some Herrestia medicinal pills.

She jumped with joy.

It was made from the same herbs I’d often ground up for her back in Galnem whenever she complained about shoulder and back pain.

Since I hadn’t gathered the herbs myself and had instead sent Adam to buy them from the market, I couldn’t guarantee how effective they would be.

Still, taking them was surely better than not.

“She says I have the talent to become the flower of high society… but I really don’t want to spend all day walking around like a crane performing a dance.”

Despite saying that, I actually seemed to have quite a knack for what Madam Allens taught me.

My steps were still short because of my child’s body, but I followed so well that she said we’d skip ahead much faster next time.

“Phew…”

Becoming the flower of high society.

Rebuilding the marquisate.

Starting new businesses.

And being Britton’s fiancée.

Am I really doing all right?

If my influence as Myla’s successor continued to grow…

Would I be able to protect everyone from the coming famine?

Would I be able to protect myself?

Lost in thought, I suddenly heard a soft tap, tap on the window.

Then the window slid open.

Seeing my unexpected visitor, I waved enthusiastically.

“Mas!”

Jumping off the bed, I hurried over to him.

A black robe.

A white mask.

My precious friend.

Behind the mask, Mas stared quietly at me with his dark eyes.

“…”

Looking at him, I remembered my conversation with Crown Prince Britton.

And why I had refused his invitation to the fireworks.

“Mas, Mr. Armers said they have fireworks in the city. You don’t even know how beautiful fireworks are, do you?”

One day, while we sat side by side watching fireflies, I had told Mas about fireworks.

“Actually, before I was born as Arinel, I lived somewhere else. Where I came from, there were fireworks every time there was a festival. When they bloomed across the sky in all kinds of colors… they always made my heart race. What’s with that look? You think I’m lying? I’ve really seen them!”

Mas had stood up as though he wasn’t interested at all.

From behind him, I had called out,

“When we finally go to the city someday… let’s watch them together.”

“So… tomorrow evening.”

At that moment, Mas’s eyes seemed to tremble violently.

“If you’re free… do you want to go watch the fireworks with me?”

“…”

The moment he arrived, I had immediately invited him somewhere.

Instead of giving his usual nod or shake of the head, Mas simply stood there as though his feet had been nailed to the floor.

About a minute passed.

Then he slowly walked toward me.

Stopping so close that I could feel his breath…

“…?”

He lowered his head…

…and gently rested his forehead against my shoulder.

The weight of the young man’s head suggested he had been carrying some sort of burden.

That means yes… right?

But what was that look in his eyes just now?

It almost seemed…

…like relief.

I gently patted Mas’s shoulder.

“Come pick me up. I’ll be waiting.”

* * *

Back in his luxurious room, Britton removed his mask and stared at his reflection in the mirror.

The corners of his handsome face curled into a faint smile.

His blue eyes, however, shone with an icy chill.

“If you’re free… do you want to go watch the fireworks with me?”

Arinel’s shy voice still lingered in his mind.

To be honest…

When Arinel said there was someone else she wanted to watch the fireworks with, he had barely restrained himself from frowning.

Arinel was the type who made friends easily.

She could have met someone new while he wasn’t around.

Thank goodness, Arinel.

Looking at the neatly arranged jar of candy, relief filled Britton’s smile.

The candies, with their sweet colors and fragrance, reminded him so much of Arinel.

I’m glad I won’t have to destroy the person who’s your number one.

Outside the window, an eagle beat its wings and soared into the sky.

Moments later, the distant screams of mountain birds echoed through the air.

A chilling killing intent flickered in his eyes.

It was a look remarkably similar to that of his father, Parmes Aslet.

And the reason he had hidden his true nature while approaching her as the gentle Crown Prince Britton…

“My ideal type? Obviously the best romance fantasy male lead is a gentle, sunshine-like man. Someone who’s always warm to the heroine, always reaches out to her kindly, stays modest, and keeps every other woman at arm’s length…”

I’ll become the only man you’ll ever want.

Slowly, his hair began turning silver.

His eyes, once black, had already become a brilliant shade of blue.