~ Chapter : 17 ~
“I hadn’t planned on it, but if Lady Esmeralda is going, then I will go as well.”
Good grief—he really was like a puppy following its owner around. It wasn’t as though I had intended to tell him not to come.
When I said I would attend, Jenna promptly handed me fresh stationery and a pen, showing good sense. After I wrote my reply and handed it back, she bowed deeply and went off to deliver the letter.
Once we were left alone again, I reached out and gently stroked his hair.
“Rosio, there’s something I need to ask of you. You must never act like you know me there! If we happen to meet in the ballroom, don’t ask me for the first dance. If you want to dance with me, do it only after three or four songs have passed. If we meet in the dining hall, sit at least two tables away. And no smiling eyes like you’re about to laugh with me—I forbid that too.”
“I will gladly do as you ask. But in return, when no one is watching, I’m allowed to make up for everything I couldn’t do, right?”
I nodded, and he smiled in clear satisfaction.
I muttered that I had no idea what to buy as a birthday present. Rosio immediately offered to help.
“In that case, Rosio, would you come with me to look for a gift in the Saint County commercial district?”
Compared to the capital, fewer people there would recognize Rosio. At my suggestion, he murmured “A date…” under his breath, sounding delighted.
To get to where the carriage was waiting, we decided to walk.
Rosio and I passed through a garden full of flowers. I noticed he was matching his stride to mine, and it bothered me more than I expected.
“Esmeralda, I want to hold your hand.”
“If we hold hands, I feel like you’ll start wanting something else too.”
The way he accepted that so easily was so cute that I was just about to reach out first—
When we heard footsteps ahead.
It was my mother and father, walking hand in hand. They looked just as surprised when they spotted us.
I was startled and flustered at running into my parents while walking together like this, but Rosio looked perfectly calm.
“Ah—uh… I’d just finished speaking with the Duke and was seeing him off!”
If it’s a secret relationship, then it has to be secret even from family.
Thinking that, I hurriedly pulled away from Rosio.
“Greetings, Duke Agnese.”
“Oh—Duke Agnese! To think we’d meet you here. It’s an honor.”
My parents hastily straightened themselves and extended their hands.
Perhaps because my mother had met Rosio more often at meetings and banquets among territorial lords, she seemed a bit more composed than my father.
And since she already knew Rosio had visited the county for the graduation ball, she didn’t look overly shocked.
“Count Saint. And Count Consort. It’s been some time since we last met, at the imperial banquet.”
“It is an honor that Your Grace would visit our county.”
Rosio took my mother’s hand first and shook it.
“Not at all. I’ve heard many praises of Saint County, but seeing it in person, it’s even more splendid than I expected.”
After shaking my mother’s hand, Rosio shook my father’s as well, adding words that made both of my parents straighten their shoulders with pride.
Rosio explained that he had come to discuss Camilla’s academy admission together with me.
At the mention of her name, my parents dismissed any suspicion about us being together. They nodded lightly and smiled at me with satisfaction.
They must have thought I was practicing noblesse oblige.
“I’m pleased that such a dignified duke has taken an interest in our daughter.”
“I’m the one learning a great deal from Lady Esmeralda.”
“Emel is a good child. Thank you for recognizing that.”
Rosio continued conversing with my mother, smiling warmly.
In truth, aside from the imperial family, no one held a higher title than Rosio. Yet he always treated everyone with respect, regardless of rank.
People revered him and admired his gentle charisma.
Polite, and the perfect top-tier groom in my parents’ eyes…
Watching him behave so courteously—while still preserving my dignity—made me feel oddly pleased.
No, what was I thinking? This was all because of those morning dramas from my previous world.
“I worry that we may be detaining such a busy man. I hope you enjoy a comfortable stay in our county. Next time, please allow us the opportunity to host you for a meal.”
“Thank you, Count Saint. Then I shall look forward to seeing you again soon.”
The atmosphere, which felt almost like a formal family meeting, settled there. My parents waved to me as well.
…Well, I’ll have to tell them someday. Or we might break up before that.
To avoid getting hurt later, I tried to keep my heart light—though I doubted it would work as easily as I hoped.
“Esmeralda. Do you think I left a good impression on Count Saint and the Count Consort?”
“Huh?”
Inside the carriage, Rosio asked me in a serious tone.
“…Aren’t you already acknowledged by all the citizens of the Empire, Rosio?”
Even the imperial princess with a strong claim to succession had shown interest in him.
The Emperor himself considered Rosio as a potential imperial consort. If there were a national vote for the ideal groom, Rosio would undoubtedly take first place.
“More than anyone else, I need the approval of Count Saint and the Count Consort.”
And of course, the person whose approval I want the most is Lady Esmeralda, he added, smiling softly as his eyes curved.
That smile made me miss my chance to argue back. He knew far too well how charming his expressions were—and how to use them.
“D-Didn’t you meet them before already?”
“Yes. But once I realized they were your parents… I felt I needed to be even more careful. I’ll stop here, in case I make you uncomfortable.”
Rosio was the type who managed to say everything he wanted while still sounding considerate.
Before I knew it, we arrived at the Saint County commercial district.
I headed to the jewelry shop where I often bought necklaces.
I didn’t want to declare war on that villainess by giving her a terrible gift on purpose. Since Beatrice already disliked me, the least I could do was give her a present she liked.
“Welcome, Young Lady of House Saint!”
The clerk bowed deeply. Having spent most of his life in the county, he seemed more interested in Rosio’s looks than his identity. Thanks to that, Rosio and I were able to browse the displayed necklaces, bracelets, and earrings comfortably.
Rosio stopped in front of one necklace.
It had three thin chains layered together, each chain adorned with two brilliant blue diamonds.
“You have a fine eye, my lord. These gemstones were imported recently. The certificate is right here.”
Seeing Rosio’s interest, the clerk eagerly explained that it was a fashionable yet distinctive design.
In short, it was the most expensive necklace in the shop.
“Then let’s go with this one.”
Just as I was about to ask the clerk to take it out, satisfied with both the price and the design, Rosio pointed to a different necklace beside it.
“I think this one would suit Lady Beatrice better. She prefers pink or violet gemstones.”
It’d be nice if she liked pink hair too.
The rose-gold chain with a pink sapphire was modest yet an appropriate size. It was a safe choice for a gift meant to show goodwill.
And since it would match Beatrice’s eye color well, it looked like a thoughtfully chosen present.
Then why was he interested in that blue diamond necklace earlier?
Well, in this world, male nobles paid just as much attention to accessories as female nobles. Even my father was more interested in adornment than my mother and owned many flashy pieces.
Rosio, too, wore suitable accessories at formal occasions befitting his status.
If he liked it that much, I could’ve bought it for him.
Thinking that, I chose the most expensive wrapping paper and paid. The clerk skillfully wrapped the gift for Beatrice.
When I thought we were done and was about to leave, Rosio stayed behind for a moment, exchanged a few words with the clerk, and then handed over some bills.
Did he find something he liked? What did he buy?
The question was answered soon enough. Once we were back in the carriage together, Rosio shyly handed me a box containing a necklace.
“I thought it would suit you, Lady Esmeralda… I ended up buying it without thinking.”
“For me?”
“Yes. I had such a wonderful time in the county today that I wanted to offer a small token in return. I thought it would be nice to give you something to remember today by.”
In the stopped carriage, Rosio fastened the blue diamond necklace around my neck. He managed to clasp it in one smooth motion, yet his fingers lingered, gently brushing my hair.
“What do you think? Isn’t it too flashy?”
“No. It suits you even better than I imagined.”
For a moment, I wondered if it was just flattery—but his praise didn’t feel unpleasant.
“Esmeralda. May I do something else?”
“What is it?”
“Something like this…”
He lightly kissed the back of my neck. I laughed, pretending it tickled.
“Rosio, you didn’t buy the necklace for this, did you?”
“Of course not. Please don’t doubt my intentions.”
When Rosio’s face reddened, I felt an urge to tease him.
“Well, if that’s the case, I was planning to give you a necklace too. And two bracelets. And ten rings.”
“You don’t need my permission for that, Lady Esmeralda.”
With a face like that—so pure it practically begged to be devoured—what was I supposed to do? Truly, he was the kind of man I wanted to hide away where no one else could see him.
In the end, I teased him relentlessly all the way until the carriage arrived at the count’s castle. Rosio accepted every bit of it.
The ride from the commercial district to the castle felt far too short.
“Esmeralda. Would it be all right if I sent a messenger bird to the castle every day?”
Just before opening the carriage door, Rosio asked, lightly pulling me into an embrace.
“Of course. By the way, what’s the name of that divine beast with the pretty feathers?”
Since Arle’s name wasn’t widely known—and it was something I only knew as a transmigrator—I asked while feigning ignorance.
“It’s Arle. My mother tamed it. It’ll like you if you call it by name.”
“Arle… that’s a cute name.”
I should remember to prepare some good food for Arle later—something tasty.
“Oh, right. Have you tried the scented oil yet?”
Rosio blinked, clearly expecting an answer.
