Chapter 98: Similar Experiences

The ‘art gallery date’ concluded with a better atmosphere than they had expected.

They had prepared comments for each artwork during their practice, and even acted out a few possible scenes.

While their meticulously planned approach was impressive in its own right, Clarisse’s own ability to memorize and execute everything within 24 hours was even more impressive.

“Since I memorized all the artwork, it wasn’t too difficult. Talking about each of the pieces gives me hints, and with hints, executing everything isn’t hard at all! I’m just that good, after all!”

Clarisse shrugged her shoulders, looking quite proud even as she said this.

It was a bit odd that she viewed a day’s date like some kind of test, but…

This is necessary.

Isaac decided to let it slide for now. At the moment, seducing Prince Raphael took priority over her feelings.

“So, what shall we practice today?”

Clarisse crossed her arms and twisted her waist slightly.

She had been practicing various poses and cute gestures, but recently it felt like she was just enjoying it herself.

“Tomorrow’s schedule is hunting, no?”

Their itinerary for tomorrow included horseback riding and hunting.

When it came to hunting, one would usually imagine it as going into forests or fields to hunt for animals with bows, just like real hunters, but…

Royalties’ hunts were a little different.

They’d bring along numerous guards and safely catch some intentionally released wild animals.

It was an extravagant hobby that cost not only money but also a lot of time.

“Yes! Is there anything special I need to do for hunting?”

“Well, they’d usually prepare everything on their side, so you just need to respond appropriately and give an applause or two.”

Royalties’ hunting could be seen as a kind of outdoor performance. Their side would employ various tactics to make Prince Raphael look good, so…

All they needed to do was to respond accordingly and applaud him.

They were looking for this side’s applause, and this side wanted to applaud them. In this regard, their interests aligned.

“Is that really all I need to do?”

“Yes. It’s probably one of the events they’ve put the most effort into this week.”

In truth, they really could just sit back while applauding their side occasionally.

But Clarisse, seeming somewhat disappointed, added a trailing comment.

“B-But, shouldn’t we practice something? We don’t know what kind of unexpected events might arise.”

“I believe that you can handle any variables that come up well, Princess. You’ve done well so far, so I’m sure that you’ll do well next time too, even if something unexpected happens.”

“…”

It was nice that he trusted her so much, but for some reason…

Clarisse seemed strangely disappointed.

“Take a rest today. Haven’t you been practicing late into the night every day until now?”

“Are you gonna rest too, then? Alright, so, I wanted to ask—”

“Isaaaaac!”

At that moment, a certain pigtailed girl burst into the princess’ room without a care in the world.

It was Sharen, with a bright smile on her face, she rushed in and grabbed Isaac’s hand.

“Let’s go! They said they’re gonna bake some bread for us today! So if we go now, we can eat them while they’re still warm!”

“That’s a thing?”

“Yes, it’s a thing! Hurry up!”

The two who had planned to go to the bakery again today.

They figured that by now, Del had enough time to think things over. Also they promised her to come by today, so they had to abide by that.

Not only that, Sharen even had secured a promise that they‘d bake fresh bread just for her.

“Well then, Princess, have a nice rest today. I’m gonna go with Sharen and meet up with Del.”

“…You should rest too. You’ve also been working hard all day and night, no?”

Indeed, it wasn’t just her who had been practicing dates every night. It was only natural that she was worried about him pushing himself too hard, but…

“This much is no problem.”

Not only had he gained a healthy body thanks to his regression, but during his days as the Ink Sword, staying up all night writing was a common occurrence.

So, Clarisse could only watch him blankly as he left through the door, and…

“Hmph!”

Flopped onto the bed, grumbling.

“Woah~”

Sharen exclaimed as she bit into the warm bread.

Isaac had noticed her becoming much more emotionally expressive ever since she left Helmont.

It made him wonder if she was unable to act so free-spirited back in Helmont when she was younger.

Well, she’s still young now too.

He let out a gentle smile as he watched her eating the freshly baked bread Del had given her.

Meanwhile, Del seemed pleased to see someone enjoying her bread so much.

Then, she shifted her gaze from Sharen—who was munching on the bread—to Isaac.

Seeing her expression immediately turned complicated when she did, Isaac felt a little guilty, but he couldn’t just back down here.

“Have you thought about it?”

“Yes… A lot…”

From the tear stains around her eyes, he could tell how much she had cried ever since their last meeting.

“Um, Sir Baron. Could you spare some time for me?”

Del asked as she untied her apron, and Isaac nodded slightly.

The two of them then went outside, leaving Sharen alone in the shop.

It was still 3 pm, so it was still bright out, and the streets were lively with people.

“You told me that…you had a similar experience, right?”

“I can’t say it’s exactly the same, but you could say that it’s similar.”

“Did you…also have the same worries as me…?”

“It’d be a lie if I say I didn’t…”

“…”

“Everyone’s antagonizing me. I often heard people say that I only seduced a noble lady for her money.”

“I heard that often too…”

Del nodded.

Maybe because they had something in common, the conversation flowed surprisingly smoothly.

“Why don’t I guess what worries you the most?”

“Sorry?”

“If Princess Raphael starts to doubt you. Am I right?”

“…!”

Del’s eyes widened.

Then she slowly nodded

“…You’re right.”

“I was the same as you. ‘What if Ria starts to misunderstand me?’ That was always my concern. Because the reason I married her was for her, not for Helmont—her family.”

The single lilac that bloomed in the flower bed was a means for him to convey those feelings.

As their conversation topic shifted to his past, Del covered her bright smile with her hand.

“I see, you’re more romantic than you look, Sir Baron.”

“Well, I was.”

Then, silence enveloped them.

Replacing their voices was the sound of children playing ball nearby.

In contrast to the vibrant and shining street, Del, who was walking on it, carried a gray hue.

Because she received the love of the most noble person, inversely, she had to bear worries she never needed before.

“Actually, when he came to ask me to run away together this time, I was a little scared…”

“…”

“My parents, the bakery, my hometown, filled with childhood memories… He suddenly asked me to abandon everything…”

That was when Isaac finally understood why the prince had been caught so quickly. His partner wasn’t prepared to run away at all.

“Honestly, I’ve been confused since then. It made me think that maybe, I don’t love the prince as much as he loves me…”

“…That’s not your fault.”

Why…?

Just why…?

This reminds me of her…?

“Abandoning the hometown you’ve lived in all your life…”

He had once dreamed of it too.

“Abandoning the family you’ve lived with…”

That one day.

Rianna would grab his hand and take him with her.

“Abandoning all your memories…”

To abandon everything and leave.

“Is not an easy thing.”

But, contrary to his heart, his mouth was saying all the correct things.

Despite his wish, he knew that it wasn’t such an easy thing for Rianna to do all that.

Hearing Isaac’s words, Del placed both her hands on her chest, as if she was placing a new flesh over a wounded area.

“Thank you.”

She expressed her gratitude with tears in her eyes.

The two stopped walking for a moment.

Though the emotions contained in their silence were different for each of them, they were both in a moment of realization.

“Actually…”

Del forced a smile and spoke again.

“I’m thinking of telling Prince Raphael that I’d be fine even as a concubine.”

“…”

“If that’s difficult too, then… Just being his lover is fine. I’m fine being someone he can use and dispose of at any time.”

Hearing her words…

Isaac shook his head with a bitter laugh.

Just how…?

“How can you be exactly the same as me?”

“Sorry?”

“I once said the same thing to Ria.”

“R-Really?”

As the saying went, ‘People think alike’…

Isaac too, had once spoken to Rianna in such a way.

-You don’t need to marry me.

[…]

At that time, Rianna just stared blankly at him.

-You can just keep me as a lover. I don’t need to enter the Helmont Mansion with you.

-I’m fine with being a ferryman, waiting for the days you come to visit. That wouldn’t be a bad life to live.

[What if…]

After pondering for a moment, Rianna calmly asked.

[…I just stop coming?]

-I’ll make up reasons for it.

[…]

-Today, you’re probably busy with family matters.

-The next day, you’re busy with a banquet at Helmont.

-Your husband held you up, you caught a cold because it’s chilly, you were tired from training…

-The weather’s too gloomy for a visit.

[…]

-I’ll make up my own reasons like that.

-And I’ll wait.

-No matter how long it takes.

“Um…”

Del woke Isaac from his brief reminiscence.

“What was her answer…?”

Perhaps because she could relate with him, Del seemed eager to hear the continuation of his story. At this, Isaac smiled playfully at her.

“You should try and ask him that, then share his answer with me.”

“Sir Baron, you’re so mean…”:

“Well, at the end of the day, that was my personal experience. You need to find your own, Miss Del.”

As he answered that…

He felt a gaze on him, so he slowly turned his head to the side.

At the end of his gaze…

There were Raphael and Clarisse, both facing each other with a surprised expression.

“…Are they tailing us?”

Apparently, they had been following him separately and stumbled upon each other by chance.

“And I’ll wait. No matter how long it takes.”

Near the riverside.

On the bridge.

After hearing him telling her that she could just take another man as her husband, Rianna went silent for a long time.

Having this kind of current in my usual river would be nice for business.

Then again, if the river has this kind of current, they’d just build a bridge instead.

Just as such trivial thoughts passed through his mind…

“No.”

Her firm voice came out of her mouth. It sounded as if she was trying really hard to suppress her surging emotions.

“That won’t ever happen.”

Her hand, which had been placed on top of his, interlocked its fingers with his.

Since he couldn’t fight her back, he had no choice but to go along with it obediently. He couldn’t help but notice that her grip on his hands was quite strong.

“But Ria, I—“

Squeeze!

“Ow!?”

She applied more pressure to their interlocked hands.

And thanks to that, a short cry burst out.

“…”

Rianna didn’t say anything.

Her expression was blank, as always, but he noticed a strange mix of embarrassment and slight annoyance on it.

“…Are you upset?”

When he cautiously asked that…

Rianna started walking forward, refusing to look at him and instead stared straight ahead.

Yet her hand gripped his even tighter, as if refusing to let go.

Somehow… This makes me happy…

Indeed, he was so happy that he could barely contain the smile spreading across his face.

And this was his secret. A secret that he had never revealed to others.

Rianna