Is It Easier If You Give Up?(8)

At the accessory store, Ariel immediately called a clerk, as if to prove that she really did have something she wanted to buy.

“Oh? My Lady? Is there perhaps a problem with our products…”

“Huh? Ah, no, there’s just something I couldn’t buy yesterday.”

“I-I see! What item is it? Just tell us, and we’ll find it right away.”

Ariel whispered softly to the clerk, whose face had visibly brightened. She spoke so quietly that even Reinhardt couldn’t hear.

“I understand. I’ll bring it right away.”

“Yes, please do.”

Fortunately, it seems the item she was looking for is in the store. Ariel sat down in the waiting area with Reinhardt, looking relieved.

“What item were you looking for?”

“I-It will be out soon, please wait.”

Her avoidance of eye contact was somewhat suspicious, but since Ariel was unlikely to do anything harmful to him, he decided to wait quietly.

“Sorry for the wait.”

The item the clerk brought out after a short while was none other than a pendant. It looked similar to the one Ariel was wearing, but unlike hers, it somehow gave off a slightly rugged impression.

“What’s this?”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

While Reinhardt was expressing his confusion, Ariel suddenly stood up, took out the necklace she was wearing, and pointed it towards the pendant.

Flash!

Immediately after, a small light appeared and flowed into the pendant. Once the light disappeared, Ariel examined the pendant once, then nodded with a satisfied expression, as if she had achieved her goal.

“Lord Reinhardt.”

“Hmm?”

“If it’s not too presumptuous, may I offer you a token of gratitude for yesterday?”

A token of gratitude? What could this mean? He thought they came here because Ariel wanted to buy accessories for herself. Could it be that she came to buy something for him as a thank you for yesterday?

“I asked the clerk, and they said it’s very similar to the one you bought me. The difference is that it’s better for protecting the owner’s safety… So, I, although it’s not much, I also added some magical power…”

She suddenly started rambling, but the point was that it was a token of gratitude for yesterday. He never expected to receive something like this. Reinhardt pondered for a moment. If it were up to him, he’d want to refuse, saying he couldn’t accept such a thing from his fiancée, but refusing here would greatly damage Ariel’s honor.

No matter how unpretentious Ariel’s attitude might be in such matters, it’s unacceptable for Reinhardt.

Moreover, to add a personal reason… he felt a strange sensation at the idea of her giving him a gift.

‘Why am I feeling this way?’

Due to his position, Reinhardt often received things from many people. From those close to him, he occasionally received something from the Emperor, Empress, or his younger sister Claudia, and there were cases where unknown individuals would pass on various things during official events like birthdays or festivals.

Naturally, he had received gifts from Ariel a few times before. But those were all before Ariel lost her memories, and they were invariably full of useless items bought to curry his favor.

But this pendant somehow felt different. Even though it was given by the same person, albeit one who had lost her memories, why did it feel this way?

Because it was called a token of gratitude for yesterday? That’s part of it. But more than that, for some reason, it felt like he could accept almost anything if it was given by the current Ariel. Why?

‘I don’t understand.’

Reinhardt stared down at the pendant held out to him. As he remained silent for a while, Ariel’s expression gradually began to change.

‘I made a mistake.’

He had been lost in thought while receiving a gift. Staying like this any longer would be quite rude.

“I’m sorry for being silent. I’ll accept it gratefully.”

“Y-Yes? Yes. I’m glad you’re accepting it.”

Contrary to expectations, when Reinhardt readily accepted it, Ariel seemed more flustered. Now why is she acting like this?

Reinhardt was starting to find Ariel’s peculiar dull reactions amusing.

“Why are you acting like that?”

“Ah, it’s nothing!”

To say it’s nothing while wearing such a serious expression as if something is really strange. Who in the world would fall for such a lie? But Reinhardt decided not to press the matter. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t curious, but even if he asked outright here, she probably wouldn’t answer.

After finishing the purchase and leaving the department store, the sun was already starting to set. It would be fine to return now, but since they were already out, it might be good to have dinner before going back.

So when he suggested to Ariel that they have dinner before returning, she accepted surprisingly readily.

“Yes, that sounds good.”

What could she be thinking this time to accept so easily? But since it was rare to see Ariel agreeing so readily, Reinhardt decided to go along with it quietly.

Needless to say, today’s destination was a different restaurant from yesterday. It wasn’t that there was anything wrong with that place, but going to the same restaurant two days in a row wasn’t a very good idea.

The place they came to this time was somewhat expensive, but it had a comfortable feeling without being too formal. As expected, Ariel seemed to like this kind of place more, her eyes sparkling brightly.

“I’ll pay for dinner today.”

“No, I should…”

“Didn’t you spend a lot at the department store just now?”

“This much is nothing to me.”

Although she said it was nothing, Ariel’s eyes were trembling slightly without her realizing it. Even though she had saved up a lot of money and could certainly afford this expenditure, it was the first time in her life she had spent so much money, so her economic sense was currently screaming in agony.

Of course, Reinhardt didn’t fail to notice this. Was she trying to show off her wastefulness like this? People have things that suit them and things that don’t.

In Reinhardt’s view, what Ariel was trying to do now didn’t suit her at all.

Reinhardt, having finished ordering to the waiter who came at a good time, took out something, saying this was perfect timing.

“What’s this?”

“These are the engagement rings I mentioned yesterday.”

A pair of rings placed on the table. Ariel looked at them with an indecipherable expression, as if all the emotions in the world were mixed into it. What should that expression be called? It’s hard to pin down exactly, but if forced to choose one, it could be described as a bewildered face.

“T-This is…”

“Give me your hand. I’ll put it on you myself.”

“Y-You don’t need to go that far…”

“This isn’t just an ordinary ring, it’s an engagement ring.”

Is that so? Ariel hesitated for a moment. For rings related to marriage, like engagement or wedding rings, it certainly looks better if the other person puts it on.

Moreover, Ariel and Reinhardt aren’t ordinary commoners, but a duke’s daughter and the crown prince. They’re in a position where they need to pay attention to every detail of such etiquette.

‘This feels awkward!’

For Ariel, who still had the consciousness of a man, experiencing this unprecedented situation of having a ring put on by a man made it impossible to maintain a proper state of mind. But it’s not like she could scream and refuse here, right?

If she did that, it would be considered as breaking off the engagement, and she would be ruined right there. That would lead straight to destruction.

‘I haven’t even awakened Mari yet!’

Complete awakening isn’t necessary. Mari’s complete awakening happens only after Ariel is driven out anyway. But at least she needs to confirm the signs of awakening. Only then can she freely talk about breaking off the engagement and become free.

But that’s all about the future. At this point, it’s completely out of the question. This was an unavoidable part even when looking at the original timeline.

‘I must endure. I must endure…’

It’s not particularly disgusting or anything, but it makes her feel strange in many ways. Ariel silently held out her hand, and Reinhardt, seeing her slightly trembling hand, slowly began to put the ring on her finger.

“Please do mine too.”

“T-Then, if you’ll excuse me…”

Carefully putting the ring on the same position as where Reinhardt had put hers, that is, on the left ring finger, Ariel looked drained as if she had done something tremendous.

In some sense, she might have actually done something tremendous. Reinhardt thought as he looked at the ring Ariel had put on him.

‘It seems she doesn’t know the meaning of the ring finger, though.’

Reinhardt briefly considered whether to tell her about the meaning of the finger on which she had put the ring, but ultimately decided not to. Somehow, it seemed like it would be more fun to let her know later.