“Welcome, Terio. It’s been a long time, I’m glad to see you!”
Melissy smiled brightly as she welcomed Terio Alte. The dark blue satin dress, covering both her neck and wrists, was quite calm compared to what she usually wore.
Although it was a style of clothing Terio liked, he thought in passing,
‘It doesn’t suit her as well as it does Goyo.’
Terio Alte smiled with a calm face. However, his somewhat stiff expression did not look pleased.
“Yes, it’s been a while, Melissy.”
“I heard you’ve been busy lately, but you came! Oh, did you come today because of Goyo again?”
“No. I don’t care about the fool who got married less than a month after deciding to be unhappy.”
Despite the fact that his face showed he cared a lot. Melissy wanted to refute, but she didn’t open her mouth. Terio Alte didn’t like his words being contradicted.
“Anyway, I came today because I have something to say.”
“Yes, Terio. What is it?”
“I want to postpone our engagement a bit. My mind is a bit complicated, and my training feels like it’s going well these days.”
“Oh…”
Melissy’s face darkened. She nodded with a forced smile.
“That’s… okay. It’s not urgent.”
“Yes, Melissy. I’m sorry, but I’m busy, so I’ll be going now.”
“Mother said she’d be down soon. Can’t you at least see her before you go?”
“Lady Kazel? Sorry, I won’t wait to see her. It’s a bit burdensome.”
“I’m going, then,” Terio kissed Melissy on the cheek. Smiling shyly, Melissy brought her face close to his cheek in response.
However, as soon as her shy smile was out of Terio’s sight, it twisted immediately.
‘Trash that wouldn’t even be looked at if he weren’t an Alte.’
As Melissy grimaced and put her lips on Terio’s cheek, the door to the reception room quietly opened.
Melissy, who was about to enter the reception room, met her mother’s eyes. Her eyes widened with surprise.
Melissy pulled her face away from Terio’s cheek and desperately put on a calm face.
Fortunately, it seemed Terio hadn’t noticed his lover’s strangeness. As he was about to turn around, Lady Kazel greeted him.
“It’s been a while, Lord Alte. It’s the first time since you returned from the Avalanche.”
“Ah, Lady Kazel. It’s been a while.”
Terio gave a short bow. And immediately,
“Sorry to meet and run, but I’m busy today as well.”
“You have to go. It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you, then I’ll be going. I hope you stay well until we meet again.”
“You too.”
Nodding to Melissy, Terio grabbed the doorknob.
Lady Kazel, who had been watching him until his unhesitant steps disappeared, soon turned her head.
With a gentle smile, she stroked Melissy’s cheek.
“Melissy, I think we need to talk. Will you come to my room?”
“Yes, Mother.”
‘I guess I can’t wear any skin-revealing clothes tomorrow either.’
Thinking to herself bitterly, Melissy followed her mother out of the reception room.
* * *
In the morning, Goyo woke up, washed her face, and left her bedroom.
It was only the second day since she had arrived at the Marquis’ estate, so she wasn’t quite used to it yet. However, with the maids’ attentive help, Goyo thought she would be able to adapt quickly.
As Goyo stepped out of her bedroom, a familiar figure approached her with a smile.
“Miss, did you enjoy your trip?”
“It wasn’t bad, Annie. Have you been well?”
“Of course. I was a little nervous about the new training, but they were kind, so it went smoothly.”
“Anyway, I didn’t expect you to come, but thank you.”
“I’m happy to be here since you recommended it, Miss.”
“Really? Does the Marquis’ household pay well?”
“Yes, double… no, actually.”
I came because I missed you, Miss. Seeing Annie smile calmly, Goyo also smiled a little.
It seemed that anyone who came to the Bethelgius mansion couldn’t help but be influenced by its owner.
“Miss, the master asked if you’d like to have breakfast in the garden.”
“In the garden? But for a meal there…”
“He suggested a light breakfast like sandwiches if you’re okay with it. If you prefer, we can also move the dining table there. With teleportation magic.”
Goyo recalled what happened during the early morning. Although it had become faint now, the nightmare was vividly clear when she woke up.
Her words in the dream, expressing a desire to try liking roses in reaction to Terio Alte.
Suggesting breakfast in the rose garden out of the blue must have been because of that.
Although it felt a bit burdensome, she appreciated the consideration. Hesitant about whether she could eat with such a strong scent, Goyo soon nodded.
Anyway, she barely ate anything for breakfast, so if the scent bothered her, she just wouldn’t eat.
Goyo didn’t want to spoil Annecy’s thoughtfulness.
* * *
Bracing herself for the intense scent, Goyo entered the garden and paused, tilting her head.
“You’re here, Goyo.”
“I don’t smell anything.”
“I cast a scent-neutralizing spell to spare you the trouble.”
“Is that even possible?”
“If you’re asking me, it’s quicker to ask about what’s impossible.”
“It seems being humble is impossible for you.”
“Your analytical skills are sharp.”
In the garden, a small table and a canopy, which hadn’t been there yesterday, were set up.
Though not large, it was sufficient for two people to sit and have a light meal.
As she sat in the chair Annecy pulled out for her, Goyo took the sandwich he handed her.
‘…Is this really a sandwich?’
She took it without much thought, but upon receiving it, its appearance seemed strange. No matter how she looked at it, it seemed more like a piece of art than food. How could a sandwich be made so elaborately?
“This sandwich looks strange.”
“Madam, it’s not strange, it’s beautiful.”
“Did you make it yourself?”
“Yes, I tried to make it as ornate as possible.”
What do you think? Annecy, sitting with his legs elegantly crossed, sipped his coffee.
However, to Goyo, the urbane gentleman somehow looked like a puppy waiting for praise.
I guess we’ve gotten too close too quickly, Goyo thought, quickly dispelling the impolite thought as she spoke.
“Your skills are… impressive. But does a sandwich really need to be this fancy?”
“Didn’t you say yesterday that you wanted to try liking something elaborate? So I’m making an effort.”
“Oh, an effort.”
Goyo racked her brain to come up with a more refined compliment, but in the end, she had to admit that she lacked literary eloquence.
“Anyway, thank you. Um, the effort… it’s pretty.”
“Thank you.”
Goyo took a bite of the sandwich, feeling a strange sense of guilt just by eating it. Her eyes widened. It tasted much better than she expected.
Given that Annecy made it, she thought it would be flashy but somewhat amateurish. Surprisingly, it wasn’t much different from something made by a chef.
Maybe it was because it was just a sandwich and there wasn’t much room for variation.
“It’s… delicious.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Annecy, you’re good at cooking too.”
“Thank you. All I did was take what Tuberang made and cut it nicely.”
No wonder it wasn’t different. Goyo said with a cold expression.
“You’re good at deceiving too.”
“I’m a capable person.”
Eating the sandwich, which had quickly lost its appeal, Goyo looked at the roses. Her impression from yesterday hadn’t changed much.
Even to an untrained eye, they were artistic and beautiful, but that was a formal appreciation, and they still felt overwhelming.
Even though she had mentioned it in her sleep, would she ever get used to roses?
Maybe she could get used to one or two, but would she ever truly like such a large rose garden?
“You said you did that with magic?”
“Yes, so it didn’t take that long.”
“How long did it take?”
“About… 37 days of work, I think.”
It was hard for Goyo, who had no knowledge of landscaping, to guess whether that was long or short.
Annecy, who had put down what he was eating on a plate, tapped the center of the table. When Goyo’s gaze turned to him, Annecy met her eyes and smiled.
“Have you thought about learning?”
“Learning? Magic, you mean?”
Hadn’t it been only a day since he mentioned it? Though his smile was relaxed, his words were as urgent as a horse whipped into a gallop.
Annecy slid the plate aside and rested his chin on the table.
“A day is 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, and 86,400 seconds.”
“It’s also 1/30th of a month, 1/365th of a year, and 1/36,500th of a century.”
“You’re good at calculations.”
“I’m cultured.”
If she couldn’t manage that much calculation, Goyo would still be struggling to finish her homeschooling.
Magic… She had been too physically and mentally exhausted to think about Annecy’s proposal. Only a day had passed since then.
But, uncommonly for Goyo, she wasn’t entirely uninterested in magic.
She didn’t know where learning magic would lead when her death was already predetermined, but it was Annecy Bethelgius who set that date.
If he was willing to teach her as a small amusement, Goyo wanted to learn.
Wouldn’t it be alright to pursue at least one thing she wanted to do before she died? Such a small desire seemed reasonable.
In a small voice, Goyo asked,
“Can I do it too?”
“Of course.”
The immediate assurance came before her question mark had even fallen.
“It might sound frustrating, but I’m not confident. I’ve never had any outstanding talent.”
“Isn’t it fine to be ordinary? If you find it too difficult after trying, you can try something else.”
“Something else…?”
“For instance, swordsmanship, archery. If not those, then painting or horseback riding. There are many things to learn in the world. It might cost money, but fortunately, I have plenty of that.”
Goyo had tried painting as part of her education, but she had never considered any of the other areas. She had never even desired them, but she felt a small spark of interest.
Noticing this, Annecy gently encouraged her.
“If you’re interested, give it a try. If it doesn’t suit you, we can talk about it then.”
“…Alright.”
Goyo Bethelgius nodded slowly. As if waiting for this, Annecy straightened up from his reclined position.
“Shall we try it now, then?”
“Wait a moment…! Now?”
“Do you have any other plans?”
Not really… Since entering the mansion, it had been Annecy who set her schedule, so he knew better than anyone that she had no plans.
Goyo sighed softly at his fox-like smile. It was a sigh of resignation.
“What should I do?”
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