The art gallery date scheduled for the next day concluded with a better atmosphere than expected.
Isaac had prepared comments for each artwork and even practiced certain actions. While the detailed, scenario-specific approach was impressive, the fact that Clarice managed to memorize and execute everything in just one day was equally remarkable.
"It wasn't too difficult since I memorized things based on each artwork. It's not like anything was completely out of place, and since I matched my comments to the characteristics of each piece, they acted as hints. With hints, it's not hard at all. I'm amazing, after all!"
Clarice shrugged her shoulders as she spoke, looking quite pleased with herself.
Though treating the whole date like some kind of test felt a bit strange…
'Well, it's necessary anyway.'
Isaac decided to let it slide for now. At the moment, winning over Prince Raphael was more important than worrying about Clarice's mindset.
"So, what should we practice today?"
Clarice crossed her arms and twisted her waist slightly, striking various poses.
Though she was originally practicing flirting and acting cute, lately, it felt like she was just having fun with it.
"Tomorrow is the hunting event, isn't it?"
The next day's schedule included horseback riding and hunting.
Typically, hunting involved heading into forests or fields and shooting wild animals with bows like real hunters.
However, royal hunting events were quite different.
A large group of guards would accompany them, and animals were intentionally released into the hunting grounds so they could be safely hunted.
A hobby that required not just a lot of money but also a great deal of time—an extremely luxurious pastime.
"That's right. Is there anything I should do for the hunting event?"
"For hunting, they'll have everything prepared on their side. All you need to do is cheer and clap."
It was essentially an outdoor performance. The other side would go to great lengths to make Prince Raphael look good, just as they had done.
So, all they needed to do was respond accordingly and applaud.
One side wanted to be praised, and the other side was happy to give praise. A mutually beneficial arrangement.
"That's really all there is to it?"
"Yes, although this is one of the events they've put the most effort into this week—"
On the other hand, all they had to do was sit back, clap, and enjoy the show.
Still, Clarice seemed a little unsatisfied and added a hesitant comment.
"Well… shouldn't I still practice something? You never know what unexpected situations might come up."
"I trust that Your Highness will handle any unexpected events well. You've done great so far, so even if something sudden happens, I'm sure you'll manage."
"..."
It was nice to be trusted, but why did it feel oddly disappointing?
"You should rest today. You've been practicing late into the night every day."
"Then are you going to rest too, Isaac? Actually, I wanted to ask you someth—"
"Issaaac!"
Without hesitation, the double-braided girl barged into the princess's room.
With a bright smile, Sharen ran over and grabbed Isaac's hand.
"Let's go! They're baking fresh bread for us at this hour, so if we go now, we can eat it warm!"
"It's already time for that?"
"Yep! It's already time! Let's go!"
Once again, the two were heading to the bakery.
Del had been given a day to think things over, and since they had promised to come back today, they needed to stop by.
On top of that, Sharen had even secured a promise that Del would bake fresh bread just for her.
"Then, Your Highness, please take a good rest today. I'll be back after visiting Del with Sharen."
"…You should rest too, Isaac. I'm not the only one who worked hard—you did too."
Practicing for the date every night wasn't something she had done alone.
The nightly date practices weren't just her burden. Isaac must be tired too, and she worried he was pushing himself too hard.
"This much is nothing."
Not only had he gained a healthy body when he regressed, but back in his Silent Sword days, staying up all night writing was a regular occurrence.
As Isaac left, Clarice stared blankly at the door he had just walked out of.
"Hmph!"
Then she flopped onto the bed, pouting.
***
"Wow."
Sharen let out a delighted sound as she bit into the warm, freshly baked bread.
Lately, I had been noticing something—ever since she left Helmut, her emotions had become much more expressive.
Maybe the way she ran around so freely now was because she never had the chance to do so in her childhood.
'Well, she's still a child even now.'
Del smiled softly as she watched Sharen enjoy the bread she had just baked. Seeing someone eat so happily must have made her feel proud.
As Sharen happily chewed, Del shifted her gaze toward Isaac. The moment she did, her expression turned complicated. Seeing that, Isaac felt a slight pang of guilt, but he still couldn't back down.
"Have you given it a lot of thought?"
"Yes… a great deal."
The traces of tears at the corners of her eyes made it clear just how much she had cried through the night.
"Baron, could I have a moment of your time?"
At Del's request, as she untied her apron, Isaac gave a small nod.
Leaving Sharen inside the shop, the two stepped outside.
It was around 3 PM, and the streets were bright with sunlight, bustling with lively people.
"You said that… you've been through something similar, right?"
"I wouldn't say it was exactly the same, but… it was close."
"Did you struggle with this kind of decision too?"
"If I said I didn't, I'd be lying."
"...."
"I was judged and criticized from all sides. People said I was just trying to charm a noblewoman to secure an easy life."
"I heard those things too."
Del nodded.
With shared experiences between them, their conversation flowed surprisingly smoothly.
"Shall I guess what you fear the most?"
"Huh?"
"You're afraid that Prince Raphael will doubt you. That's what scares you the most, isn't it?"
"…!"
Del's eyes widened.
Then, after a long moment, she slowly nodded.
"Yes. I keep worrying… what if Prince Raphael misunderstands me?"
"I felt the same way. I was always afraid that Lia would misunderstand me. Because I didn't marry her for Helmut—I married her for her."
The lilacs blooming In the garden had been his way of expressing that feeling.
As the conversation drifted toward that time in his life, Del covered her lips with a smile.
"You're more romantic than you look, aren't you?"
"Well, back then, I suppose I was."
A brief silence fell between them.
The streets remained lively, the sounds of children playing filling the air.
Yet, as Del walked through the vibrant scene, she carried a color of gray.
Being loved by someone of the highest nobility meant she also had to bear burdens she had never needed to before.
"To be honest… when he asked me to run away with him, I was scared."
"...."
"Leaving behind my parents, the bakery, my childhood memories… He wanted me to abandon everything all at once."
Now, she understood why Prince Raphael had been caught so quickly.
His partner in escape had not been prepared at all.
"Since that moment, I've been feeling confused. What if… what if I don't love him as much as he loves me?"
"…That's not your fault."
Why?
Why does she remind me of you?
"Leaving behind the home you've known your whole life."
There was a time when he had dreamed of it too.
"Abandoning the family you grew up with."
He had once wished for Liana to take his hand and say those words.
"Letting go of the memories you've built."
To leave, to start anew.
"That's not something anyone can do easily."
Even as he spoke, his words contradicted his heart.
He had always known it would never be easy for Liana, and yet, he had wished for it anyway.
At his words, Del placed her hands over her chest, as if trying to soothe an old wound.
Like a fresh layer of skin forming over a scar.
"Thank you."
Tears welled up as she whispered her gratitude.
The two came to a halt.
Their emotions were different, but at that moment, both stood within the same quiet realization.
"Actually."
Del forced a smile and opened her mouth again.
"I'm thinking of telling Prince Raphael that being a concubine is fine with me."
"..."
"If even that's too difficult, then… just being his lover is fine. Someone he can use and discard whenever he wants."
At those words—
Isaac let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.
How—
"How are you so much like me?"
"Huh?"
"I once said the same thing to Lia."
"R-Really?"
They say people tend to think alike.
Isaac, too, had once said something similar to Liana.
— You don't have to marry me.
[...]
Back then, Liana had simply stared at Isaac, surprised by his sudden suggestion.
— Just staying as my lover would be fine. I don't even have to come live in the Helmut estate.
— I could just keep working as a ferryman and wait for the days you choose to visit me… that wouldn't be so bad.
[And then.]
After a brief moment of thought, Liana had calmly asked,
[What if I stop coming?]
— Then I'd find an excuse.
[...]
— Today, she must be busy with family affairs.
— Tomorrow, there must be a banquet in Helmut.
— Maybe her husband has kept her by his side. It's a cold day, so perhaps she caught a cold. Maybe she's too tired from training with the sword.
— Today… the sky is unusually overcast.
[...]
— I'd keep making up my own reasons.
— And I'd wait.
— Always.
"Th—!"
Del's voice snapped Isaac out of his reminiscence.
"What… what did she say? That person, Lia…"
Perhaps because he felt his own emotions reflected in her, Isaac smiled playfully as he watched Del eagerly waiting for his answer.
"Go and ask him yourself. Hear what the prince has to say, then come back and share it with me."
"You're being mean."
"It's just my experience. You should hear your own answer, Miss Del."
As he responded, Isaac suddenly felt a gaze on him. Slowly, he turned his head to the side.
And to his surprise—
Raphael and Clarice were standing there, facing each other, both looking startled.
"…Were they spying on us?"
It seemed that while tailing someone, they had inadvertently run into each other.
***
"I'd wait. Always."
Near the riverbank.
On the bridge above.
At the words that she could marry another man instead of him, Liana remained silent for a long time.
'If only the current of the river I sail were as calm as this one.'
Then again, if that were the case, a bridge would have been built there too.
As his thoughts wandered to such trivial matters—
"I hate it."
Her voice was firm, carrying a restrained emotion, as if she was struggling to suppress something rising within her.
"I absolutely hate it."
Her hand, which had been resting atop his, suddenly interlocked their fingers together.
Isaac didn't resist, though he could feel the strength in her grip.
"But Lia, I—"
Squeeze!
"Ah!?"
Liana tightened her grip, causing Isaac to let out a short yelp.
"..."
She said nothing.
Her face remained expressionless, just as usual—but somehow, she looked both flustered and slightly offended.
"…Are you sulking?"
He asked cautiously.
Without answering, Liana simply looked straight ahead and started walking forward.
Yet, despite that, she made no move to let go of his hand.
'I'm happy.'
So happy, in fact, that he had to struggle to keep from grinning.
It was a secret only he knew.
(Illustration)