This year’s social season was over; she thought it wouldn’t be a big deal because her master was so calm.
“I, I didn’t hear Lady is going to see… your fiancé…”
“?”
Cecil gave a bewildered look.
Fanora was originally a quiet master, but she didn’t say a word, especially about her fiancé. In fact, Cecil had been worried that she wasn’t on good terms with her fiancé.
Lady is still beaten up by madam and young master here, but if her engagement turns out to be wrong too… What on earth did her master do wrong for the world to be so harsh to her?
Cecil hurriedly started looking for something when Fanora asked her if she was okay.
“Cecil?”
As she saw that action, she wondered what Ceil was trying to do. Cecil took out an item that had been carefully placed in the drawer under the dressing table.
“Hair ornament?”
It was a gift from a noble to Fanora, who had emerged as a rising star in society.
“Cecil, there’s no important party today, so you don’t have to dress me up like this.”
Cecil approached with the hair ornament she had taken out. It was a small tiara made of crystal, and it would be the accessory to put around her hair that was tied up like today. Fanora’s head became gorgeous in no time, as if a cluster of stars had landed on it.
“It’s supposed to be put on the clothes with this, but I forgot.”
Still, it’s a world where people live, so it was okay for her to pay this much attention.
Cecil actually heard the news from the madam on payday last time. When Fanora got married, madam offered to promote her into a senior maid in the mansion. That meant that if Fanora got married, she wouldn’t follow her. If it was the case with other young ladies, they would at least leave with one maid whom they are close to…
Lady is her step-daughter, but why does madam hate her daughter so much?
Cecil was always rational, but she couldn’t do it this time. She felt sorry for Fanora, who would be away alone from her family. She couldn’t help but feel compassion for her master, and wanted her to be a little happy.
“Go ahead, Lady.” Cecil went on to calmly see her master off.
Fanora glanced at her and walked out of her room with awkward steps. Grabbing the hem of her skirt, she went down the stairs of the mansion, and without a fail she saw a mirror hanging in the hallway. Her figure, which seemed to pass by, was getting closer and closer to her 21-year-old self.
“What would be better if you dress me up?”
She let out a self-help sight and headed to the front door. As she arrived hurriedly, she could see a man there.
“Fanora, how did you get out so quickly? The servant has just entered.”
Aloken looked surprised when he met her earlier than he thought. But that expression didn’t last long either.
“Did you wait for me because you were looking forward to it?”
Soon after, he smiled playfully like a boy. Fanora had been in this situation not only once or twice, so she greeted him without showing much response.
“Greetings. Did you finish talking about my dowry last time?”
“You brought a business-like topic as soon as you arrived?”
“I was worried that the Count’s spending wouldn’t be to your liking.”
However, when Count Celsius was mentioned during the conversation, Aloken made a subtle face. It was a puzzled expression.
“Come to think of it, I heard the Count treats you coldly…?”
“What about that?”
“No. Nothing. The negotiations went well.”
What about the Count?
Aloken stopped talking, and Fanora had doubts for a moment. Soon, she turned over the subject and quietly climbed into the carriage. Fanora had cut her attention from her father, as he had been neglecting her in this mansion.
“Aloken.”
Thud. It wasn’t until after Aloken went in and the carriage door closed with a heavy sound. The conversation that followed was led by Fanora.
“So, what are you going to do today… after spending your precious wish?”
“I don’t know. I have never gone out with my lover before.”
“We’re not lovers, so feel free to tell me.”
Upon hearing her last sentence, Aloken raised one eyebrow. “First, let’s fill our hunger at the restaurant.”
“Yes.”
“After that, let’s walk down Leblanc Street, which is said to have a nice view.”
“…”
“Then sit with me at the coffee house I reserved around the afternoon.”
However… The wishes that came out of his mouth were too ordinary.
I can’t believe he wished for something like this.
For a man without blood and tears named Aloken Jalier, it wouldn’t be strange if he asked for your liver when someone said they would grant him a wish. However, all he wanted was a peaceful daily life that any lover would do.
“But the schedule has just changed.”
Of course, he should be like this!
“I was originally planning to kill time at Leblanc until the reservation time, but seeing you today…”
But what is this again? Aloken suddenly expressed his displeasure with Fanora’s appearance.
“That ornament.”
“This one?”
“Who gave it to you?”
Aloken’s voice became unusually cold at the moment. When Fanora heard that, she really thought she had done something wrong. However, if she thought about it, it was only a minor problem.
“If you bought that jewelry yourself, the name of the store would have been circulated around society. So what kind of guy—”
“T-this was given to me by a lady from the baron family. It’s a bribe to become closer..”
What’s the big deal about hair ornaments?
Aloken looked at the hair ornament on Fanora’s braided hair, and said, “The item I ordered from the jeweler will be completed soon, so use it next time.”
“…Jeweler? Did you put order?”
“Do you have a bad memory? I had said that during the jousting tournament.”
Fanora didn’t know why he kept nitpicking the hair ornament she was wearing today. Doesn’t it suit me?
But his nitpicking was only temporary. Aloken soon opened his mouth. “I’m not very happy that you use a gift from a noble other than me, but it definitely suits you well.”
“…”
“You’re beautiful today.”
He looked straight into her eyes, without shaking. As she looked at him who spat out compliments, Fanora instantly stiffened.
“…”
Hearing this compliment, her expression was rather crumpled. Who was the first person in the world to give her a compliment? I felt uncomfortable hearing that sound.
Naverius. It was Naverius. A man that wouldn’t make her satisfied even if she tore him to death lingered in her head for a moment. It felt as if the man in front of her and her past fiancé was complimenting the same way.
I can’t believe it.
At first, Naverius whispered love as if he would give everything. But what about the end? It was a tragedy that happened at the summer ball.
I can’t go over it.
She ended up falling apart because of the only person who called her beautiful.
Fanora had never experienced a proper love before. So she wasn’t used to all of this and felt rejected. This guy must have something to ask of me after all.
Fanora raised her eyebrows again at his sweet words. When Aloken noticed that she wasn’t pleased, he murmured softly.
“If you don’t like compliments so much, should I just curse…”
“…”
That couldn’t be the right answer.
* * *
After that, their date went flatly. Eating while looking at the sun at the restaurant with a good view. After that, they wore robes and walk side-by side along street lined with stalls. Feeling full to some extent, they went into the reserved coffee house and ordered chocolate.
“…”
However, the problem was that Aloken rented the entire two stores that they stopped by during the date. They were the restaurant and the coffee house. They’re stores that only deal with nobles, so it must be very expensive.
Fanora suddenly found herself alone with her fiancé on the top floor of the empty store. She looked at Aloken sitting across from her and said, “Do you really have to show off your wealth like this?”
When she asked with a fed-up look on her face, Aloken pushed the question. “Then, what kind of charm should I push for you to fall with me?”
“Yes?”
“Even if I’m being kind, even if I shoved my face, you don’t show any signs of liking, so I don’t know your preference. That’s why I spend the money that usually works well for others.”
He protested, asking what was wrong with this method and that he was doing his best. He even added a few words as if he had thought a lot in the meantime.
“To be honest, at first I thought I could seduce you just by looking at you. A lot of women praised me and followed me, so I thought I was good-looking.”
“…”
“But, judging from your reaction, it seems I wasn’t like that either?”
Fanora was briefly taken aback when he spoke in a curt tone. It was because the story he brought out was so different from reality.
“I never said you were ugly…”
Who in this kingdom would dare to call him ugly? This man could make a living with just his face. That’s why it was even more uncomfortable for Fanora. Standing beside someone so handsome and good at everything, she would look like a frog.
“Ho.”
However, Aloken changed his appearance when he heard Fanora’s remarks. “Do you think I’m handsome?”
“Yes, yes.”
When he asked her a question, she answered reluctantly. As soon as Aloken heard this answer, he drew his chair and sat close to her right. As if he was trying to show his face up close.
“I was worried if my fiancée had a peculiar taste, but I’m relieved to hear that you have a good sense of beauty.”
Even if you search all over the continent, there would be only a few shameless people like him.
Fanora decided to nip the bud, fearing that her fiancé would dream in vain.
“But just because you’re handsome doesn’t mean you have a chance.”
“After you look at me, you won’t be satisfied with other people.”
When Aloken showed no sign of giving up on her, she fiddled with the glass in her hand for a while before parting away her lips.
“It’s different from the first contract. You told me not to bother you by falling in love.”
“Did I?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Now you’re even trying to win my favor.”
She gotta come out strong from here. Otherwise, Aloken would repeat the same thing today. Walk in the street together, buy things that she saw at the street vendor, sweep her hair, and treat her warmly.
Fanora had achieved a dream she wanted to fulfill with Naverius today. That’s why she got scared. She felt like she would be really shaken if this dream-like event repeated itself.
“Aloken.”
But what kind of human she was?
Fanora recalled something for a moment, and immediately said with a quiet face. “Would you like to marry a murderer?”
This was an ambiguous sentence.
“In the past, I was speechless because I was surprised, but… now I have a clue.”
“…”
“Think by yourself. Is it really right to take revenge by taking someone else’s life?”
While this refer to the death of Rose Jalier, who was presumed to have been killed by Aloken, on the other hand, it was referring to Fanora herself. In other words, she was asking Aloken the other way around, asking him if he wanted to marry a murderer like her.
“…”
Aloken was silent for a moment as Fanora spoke. She calmed down her emotions that had been building up until now, and gazed intently at the teacup with a calm face, as if revealing her true nature.
“Surely.”
Fortunately, it did not take long for this silence to break. Soon Aloken, who had finished thinking, opened his mouth.
“If someone killed someone for revenge, nine out of ten they would be blamed for whatever reason. There’s nothing more valuable than life.”
There were only two people on this terrace. Nevertheless, Aloken began to speak in a muffled voice. Pushed his face, which Fanora rated as perfect.
“But Fanora, think about it. Who is to blame for making the situation become like this?”
This year’s social season was over; she thought it wouldn’t be a big deal because her master was so calm.
“I, I didn’t hear Lady is going to see… your fiancé…”
“?”
Cecil gave a bewildered look.
Fanora was originally a quiet master, but she didn’t say a word, especially about her fiancé. In fact, Cecil had been worried that she wasn’t on good terms with her fiancé.
Lady is still beaten up by madam and young master here, but if her engagement turns out to be wrong too… What on earth did her master do wrong for the world to be so harsh to her?
Cecil hurriedly started looking for something when Fanora asked her if she was okay.
“Cecil?”
As she saw that action, she wondered what Ceil was trying to do. Cecil took out an item that had been carefully placed in the drawer under the dressing table.
“Hair ornament?”
It was a gift from a noble to Fanora, who had emerged as a rising star in society.
“Cecil, there’s no important party today, so you don’t have to dress me up like this.”
Cecil approached with the hair ornament she had taken out. It was a small tiara made of crystal, and it would be the accessory to put around her hair that was tied up like today. Fanora’s head became gorgeous in no time, as if a cluster of stars had landed on it.
“It’s supposed to be put on the clothes with this, but I forgot.”
Still, it’s a world where people live, so it was okay for her to pay this much attention.
Cecil actually heard the news from the madam on payday last time. When Fanora got married, madam offered to promote her into a senior maid in the mansion. That meant that if Fanora got married, she wouldn’t follow her. If it was the case with other young ladies, they would at least leave with one maid whom they are close to…
Lady is her step-daughter, but why does madam hate her daughter so much?
Cecil was always rational, but she couldn’t do it this time. She felt sorry for Fanora, who would be away alone from her family. She couldn’t help but feel compassion for her master, and wanted her to be a little happy.
“Go ahead, Lady.” Cecil went on to calmly see her master off.
Fanora glanced at her and walked out of her room with awkward steps. Grabbing the hem of her skirt, she went down the stairs of the mansion, and without a fail she saw a mirror hanging in the hallway. Her figure, which seemed to pass by, was getting closer and closer to her 21-year-old self.
“What would be better if you dress me up?”
She let out a self-help sight and headed to the front door. As she arrived hurriedly, she could see a man there.
“Fanora, how did you get out so quickly? The servant has just entered.”
Aloken looked surprised when he met her earlier than he thought. But that expression didn’t last long either.
“Did you wait for me because you were looking forward to it?”
Soon after, he smiled playfully like a boy. Fanora had been in this situation not only once or twice, so she greeted him without showing much response.
“Greetings. Did you finish talking about my dowry last time?”
“You brought a business-like topic as soon as you arrived?”
“I was worried that the Count’s spending wouldn’t be to your liking.”
However, when Count Celsius was mentioned during the conversation, Aloken made a subtle face. It was a puzzled expression.
“Come to think of it, I heard the Count treats you coldly…?”
“What about that?”
“No. Nothing. The negotiations went well.”
What about the Count?
Aloken stopped talking, and Fanora had doubts for a moment. Soon, she turned over the subject and quietly climbed into the carriage. Fanora had cut her attention from her father, as he had been neglecting her in this mansion.
“Aloken.”
Thud. It wasn’t until after Aloken went in and the carriage door closed with a heavy sound. The conversation that followed was led by Fanora.
“So, what are you going to do today… after spending your precious wish?”
“I don’t know. I have never gone out with my lover before.”
“We’re not lovers, so feel free to tell me.”
Upon hearing her last sentence, Aloken raised one eyebrow. “First, let’s fill our hunger at the restaurant.”
“Yes.”
“After that, let’s walk down Leblanc Street, which is said to have a nice view.”
“…”
“Then sit with me at the coffee house I reserved around the afternoon.”
However… The wishes that came out of his mouth were too ordinary.
I can’t believe he wished for something like this.
For a man without blood and tears named Aloken Jalier, it wouldn’t be strange if he asked for your liver when someone said they would grant him a wish. However, all he wanted was a peaceful daily life that any lover would do.
“But the schedule has just changed.”
Of course, he should be like this!
“I was originally planning to kill time at Leblanc until the reservation time, but seeing you today…”
But what is this again? Aloken suddenly expressed his displeasure with Fanora’s appearance.
“That ornament.”
“This one?”
“Who gave it to you?”
Aloken’s voice became unusually cold at the moment. When Fanora heard that, she really thought she had done something wrong. However, if she thought about it, it was only a minor problem.
“If you bought that jewelry yourself, the name of the store would have been circulated around society. So what kind of guy—”
“T-this was given to me by a lady from the baron family. It’s a bribe to become closer..”
What’s the big deal about hair ornaments?
Aloken looked at the hair ornament on Fanora’s braided hair, and said, “The item I ordered from the jeweler will be completed soon, so use it next time.”
“…Jeweler? Did you put order?”
“Do you have a bad memory? I had said that during the jousting tournament.”
Fanora didn’t know why he kept nitpicking the hair ornament she was wearing today. Doesn’t it suit me?
But his nitpicking was only temporary. Aloken soon opened his mouth. “I’m not very happy that you use a gift from a noble other than me, but it definitely suits you well.”
“…”
“You’re beautiful today.”
He looked straight into her eyes, without shaking. As she looked at him who spat out compliments, Fanora instantly stiffened.
“…”
Hearing this compliment, her expression was rather crumpled. Who was the first person in the world to give her a compliment? I felt uncomfortable hearing that sound.
Naverius. It was Naverius. A man that wouldn’t make her satisfied even if she tore him to death lingered in her head for a moment. It felt as if the man in front of her and her past fiancé was complimenting the same way.
I can’t believe it.
At first, Naverius whispered love as if he would give everything. But what about the end? It was a tragedy that happened at the summer ball.
I can’t go over it.
She ended up falling apart because of the only person who called her beautiful.
Fanora had never experienced a proper love before. So she wasn’t used to all of this and felt rejected. This guy must have something to ask of me after all.
Fanora raised her eyebrows again at his sweet words. When Aloken noticed that she wasn’t pleased, he murmured softly.
“If you don’t like compliments so much, should I just curse…”
“…”
That couldn’t be the right answer.
* * *
After that, their date went flatly. Eating while looking at the sun at the restaurant with a good view. After that, they wore robes and walk side-by side along street lined with stalls. Feeling full to some extent, they went into the reserved coffee house and ordered chocolate.
“…”
However, the problem was that Aloken rented the entire two stores that they stopped by during the date. They were the restaurant and the coffee house. They’re stores that only deal with nobles, so it must be very expensive.
Fanora suddenly found herself alone with her fiancé on the top floor of the empty store. She looked at Aloken sitting across from her and said, “Do you really have to show off your wealth like this?”
When she asked with a fed-up look on her face, Aloken pushed the question. “Then, what kind of charm should I push for you to fall with me?”
“Yes?”
“Even if I’m being kind, even if I shoved my face, you don’t show any signs of liking, so I don’t know your preference. That’s why I spend the money that usually works well for others.”
He protested, asking what was wrong with this method and that he was doing his best. He even added a few words as if he had thought a lot in the meantime.
“To be honest, at first I thought I could seduce you just by looking at you. A lot of women praised me and followed me, so I thought I was good-looking.”
“…”
“But, judging from your reaction, it seems I wasn’t like that either?”
Fanora was briefly taken aback when he spoke in a curt tone. It was because the story he brought out was so different from reality.
“I never said you were ugly…”
Who in this kingdom would dare to call him ugly? This man could make a living with just his face. That’s why it was even more uncomfortable for Fanora. Standing beside someone so handsome and good at everything, she would look like a frog.
“Ho.”
However, Aloken changed his appearance when he heard Fanora’s remarks. “Do you think I’m handsome?”
“Yes, yes.”
When he asked her a question, she answered reluctantly. As soon as Aloken heard this answer, he drew his chair and sat close to her right. As if he was trying to show his face up close.
“I was worried if my fiancée had a peculiar taste, but I’m relieved to hear that you have a good sense of beauty.”
Even if you search all over the continent, there would be only a few shameless people like him.
Fanora decided to nip the bud, fearing that her fiancé would dream in vain.
“But just because you’re handsome doesn’t mean you have a chance.”
“After you look at me, you won’t be satisfied with other people.”
When Aloken showed no sign of giving up on her, she fiddled with the glass in her hand for a while before parting away her lips.
“It’s different from the first contract. You told me not to bother you by falling in love.”
“Did I?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Now you’re even trying to win my favor.”
She gotta come out strong from here. Otherwise, Aloken would repeat the same thing today. Walk in the street together, buy things that she saw at the street vendor, sweep her hair, and treat her warmly.
Fanora had achieved a dream she wanted to fulfill with Naverius today. That’s why she got scared. She felt like she would be really shaken if this dream-like event repeated itself.
“Aloken.”
But what kind of human she was?
Fanora recalled something for a moment, and immediately said with a quiet face. “Would you like to marry a murderer?”
This was an ambiguous sentence.
“In the past, I was speechless because I was surprised, but… now I have a clue.”
“…”
“Think by yourself. Is it really right to take revenge by taking someone else’s life?”
While this refer to the death of Rose Jalier, who was presumed to have been killed by Aloken, on the other hand, it was referring to Fanora herself. In other words, she was asking Aloken the other way around, asking him if he wanted to marry a murderer like her.
“…”
Aloken was silent for a moment as Fanora spoke. She calmed down her emotions that had been building up until now, and gazed intently at the teacup with a calm face, as if revealing her true nature.
“Surely.”
Fortunately, it did not take long for this silence to break. Soon Aloken, who had finished thinking, opened his mouth.
“If someone killed someone for revenge, nine out of ten they would be blamed for whatever reason. There’s nothing more valuable than life.”
There were only two people on this terrace. Nevertheless, Aloken began to speak in a muffled voice. Pushed his face, which Fanora rated as perfect.
“But Fanora, think about it. Who is to blame for making the situation become like this?”
