episode_0014

Finally, the day to meet you has come.

The faint tiredness I feel due to not being able to sleep from anticipation last night strangely feels good.

I’m looking forward to it.

Because it’s the first time I’m going to see you.

What kind of appearance will you have at the pavilion?

Will you be wearing comfortable clothes?

Or will you be taking a walk in the garden?

Whatever appearance it may be, it will surely be lovely.

I’m excited at the thought of capturing your first appearance.

At times, I felt that the gift I prepared might seem inadequate, but I didn’t pay much attention to it.

Because you would accept whatever I gave you gladly.

And besides, the gift was just an excuse to meet you.

Honestly, I felt a little lacking in courage to say it outright.

I’m still an incomplete man, but I’ll keep trying and striving to become the man who suits you.

So please wait for me just a little longer.

Someday, I will confidently stand before you.

With Melina’s help, I dressed up handsomely and got on the carriage.

The carriage door closed, and soon the scenery outside the window began to change.

One might think I should be holding a bouquet, but I had a small potted plant in my hand.

The dalmaji flowers you liked.

It was a gift for you.

Whenever the carriage swayed, I worried that the stems might break.

The landscape outside the window changed from a grand mountain range to the city center.

In the midst of it, people were carrying on with their lives.

Some were chatting and laughing, while others were performing street acts.

It was a scene that perfectly suited the word “charming.”

Just by watching, a smile formed on my lips for some reason.

Then suddenly, a dark alley appeared in the corner of my sight.

It felt familiar.

It was only natural, as I used to go there so often.

I spent more time there than at the mansion.

“Come to think of it….”

There were several fellows following me.

As is typical in the world of darkness, after I broke down the barrier, they crawled under me on their own.

I wonder if it was okay for them. It was like becoming Confucius’ subordinate.

Considering that, I seemed to have been quite harsh with them….

Anyway, I thought of something to tell them.

“I should tell them to dig a hot spring.”

What would I gain by staying still?

I should make use of this situation.

Thinking so, the carriage slowed down and soon came to a stop in front of a massive building.

It was a place where spatial movement occurred.

Outside the window, guards were conversing with each other.

They were probably trying to confirm our identities.

I couldn’t help but wonder if there were impostors pretending to be nobles, but surprisingly, such people appeared from time to time.

They were individuals who differed from ordinary folks and had a different approach to incidents.

After the issue was presumably resolved, the carriage eventually set off again.

As we entered the building slowly without increasing speed, a large magic circle drawn on the floor came into view.

Around it, about six wizards stood at the center of the magic circle.

I closed my eyes as the magic circle began to glow blue.

They say one experiences dissonance if they keep their eyes open.

Details like that are unknown to inspectors like me, only to great wizards.

When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself in a slightly different space.

It seemed to be inside the building, but the wizards around me had changed.

I had finally arrived at the Iris Duchy.

Surprisingly, it was a first for me in my life.

Clunk-.

The wheels of the carriage started rolling again.

I was captivated by the unfamiliar scenery.

Unlike David Duchy, which was filled with rugged mountains, here, there were no mountains to be seen.

Well, considering the locations of the two duchies, it made sense.

David Duchy lies to the north of the empire, while Iris Duchy is to the south.

The fact that I met you despite being so far away suddenly felt remarkably strange.

The carriage passed through the city and ascended a small hill.

At the end, there was a massive castle.

Passing through the gate guarded by soldiers, we entered the interior of the castle.

A mansion could be seen a little further away.

The mansion was splendid and grand. Every decoration seemed luxurious.

I couldn’t help but admire its appearance.

While marveling at the surroundings, my gaze settled on one spot.

In front of the mansion.

There stood a woman more beautiful than any decoration.

I felt as though I would jump out of the carriage this instant, unable to divert my gaze.

Gradually, you are getting closer.

Your figure becomes clearer.

From your blue eyes to your sharp nose and small, cute lips.

If God had made humans directly, it would have been this perfect.

Maybe I’m just seeing you through the eyes of love, but isn’t it enough for you to be beautiful in my eyes?

You are not just anyone, you are my fiancée.

The carriage gradually slows down and eventually comes to a complete stop.

My eyes were still following you.

The carriage door opens, and the slightly stuffy air rushes in.

Every sensation feels extraordinary.

It might be the moment I meet you.

As I step out of the carriage, I immediately bow my head to Countess Iris.

“David Albert greets Countess Iris.”

“Well, welcome. I hope you’ve had a good time.”

I had promised myself several times not to make the same mistake again.

But today, my mind was distracted by Luna once again, almost causing me to forget.

I guess this is what they mean by being blind in love.

I keep forgetting even the obvious things.

“Lady Rachel, hello as well.”

“Yes, has Albert been well all this time?”

Rachel was smiling, but there was a slightly different underlying emotion.

Displeasure.

For some reason, it felt like there was dissatisfaction, and that bothered me quite a bit.

Luna’s family is like my own, and receiving resentment from family is never pleasant.

Yet, even when I tried to recall if I had made any mistakes, I couldn’t pinpoint anything, so it was frustrating.

“Then, have a good time.”

With those words, Rachel and Countess Iris returned to the mansion, deliberately making room for us, the engaged couple.

So there we stood, facing each other, Luna and I.

Although it was the same space, just looking at her made it feel a little special.

Feeling the awkwardness creeping up, I cautiously spoke.

“Have you been well?”

Nod.

Luna lightly nodded her head, a simple response compared to the many words exchanged in letters.

However, the specialness of facing you directly was incomparable to a mere letter.

“Fortunately. It’s quite warm as you wrote in the letter.”

Because of that, Luna’s clothes were quite thin.

Although it was a dress, it was made of a slightly more airy and soft material.

It was a new sight.

The weather in Duke David’s territory isn’t this hot.

Perhaps because of that, my hands were already starting to sweat.

“The outfit suits you well.”

I felt proud to have captured your first appearance.

Her gesture of bowing her head in thanks felt lovely.

Carefully, I extended what I was holding towards her.

“This is a gift. It’s a moonflower that you mentioned you liked when we saw it in the garden last time. I prepared it for you, but if you don’t like it…”

I trailed off.

There was no need to continue speaking.

She was already unable to take her eyes off the pot I was holding.

Her emotionless gaze sparkled strangely.

“Do you like it…?”

Instead of nodding, Luna slowly reached out and accepted the pot.

Then she turned the pot around, looking at it from different angles.

Perhaps worried the flower might get damaged, her actions were quite cautious.

“Is she amazed?”

It was hard to tell without an expression, but it was certain that she liked the gift.

Smiling with pride, I continued speaking.

“Moonflowers are sturdy, so you don’t have to worry much. They grow well if you place them in a sunny spot and water them whenever the topsoil dries out.”

Nod, nod—.

Luna’s murmuring became a bit faster.

Was this her way of expressing emotions?

This might be a little cute.

“Then, can I leave it as it is and ask for your guidance?”

Hesitation—.

As if realizing something she had forgotten, Luna momentarily stiffened.

You’ve revealed much more than I knew about you.

A fleeting sense of regret washed over me for having missed those things.

Gathering my courage, I continued speaking.

“Shall we go then?”

As if agreeing to guide, she slowly nodded and took a step forward.

I followed behind her.