~Chapter 6~
I nodded in admiration, and Ruby beamed.
“This is definitely the best. You look so pretty, milady.”
“Thanks, Ruby.”
“Now we just need to pick a hairpin.”
“Again? I think it’s already perfect.”
“Is a hairpin too much? Fine, let’s do a ribbon.”
“No, Ruby…”
“Let’s match the ribbon color to your dress.”
She held up a bunch of purple ribbons to my lavender dress, planning to try them all in my hair.
We’d been dolling me up for an hour—being “possessed” really isn’t easy.
Just as I finally finished my “non-date date” prep, Linus arrived in the bright afternoon sun.
“Sheesh, I hope I’m not too late, Airevet .”
Seeing his radiant smile, even if he’d been three days late, I’d have forgiven him. He really is sweet.
“You’re right on time.”
I greeted him with a smile, and his face lit up even more.
I heard Ruby behind me—and the hidden maids around the mansion—gasp in awe.
They all noticed how sweet he is, right?
Suppressing my grin, I led Linus into the drawing room.
Warm April sunlight painted the room as we sat opposite each other over fragrant tea.
Everything was perfect—except I wasn’t sure how to start.
“I didn’t know you’d been ill,” Linus said.
“Huh?”
“I heard you were bedridden for a long time. I’m worried you overdid it yesterday.”
“I’m fine. Fully recovered.”
I smiled subtly, like someone with a mysterious backstory. It’d be weird to say, “I’m so healthy I could fight monsters now!”
Linus’ eyebrows knit in apology.
“I’m sorry for my assumption. If you’d rather not walk, we can stay here.”
“No, I want to walk.”
I needed quiet time with just Linus to talk about secrets—no eavesdroppers allowed.
I suggested going outside. He thought a moment, then said,
“I’m not familiar with Arendel, so wherever you want to go.”
“I don’t know any places either…”
“How about the Ducal Garden? It’s not far.”
“Perfect. Let’s go.”
I jumped up in excitement, and he offered his big, steady hand.
He clearly didn’t want me stumbling along alone. I didn’t mind—his courtesy made me happy—and I took his hand. Linus beamed at me in response.
Trying to hide my grin, I followed him out.
When I told Ruby I was off to the Pictian Ducal Palace, she widened her eyes.
“Er—You’re going alone, milady?”
“Yeah, I’ll be right back, don’t worry.”
“But without a chaperone—”
“It’s just next door to the Pictian Palace. It’s fine.”
“But milady…”
I waved off Ruby’s protests and stepped into the carriage.
She stood at the gate until we drove off.
Ruby worries so much… I felt bad leaving her with another worry, but I had no choice today.
Leaning out the window, I looked back—and Linus spoke.
“Ruby seemed very worried.”
“She does worry a lot.”
“She genuinely cares for you.”
He was right—Ruby dotes on me. Sometimes I feel guilty, since she stayed by me after I lost consciousness ten years ago. She deserved gratitude, so I resolved to bake her a pumpkin pie when I got back.
Soon after leaving Titanoa Palace, we arrived at Pictian Palace.
Our fathers were close, so the estates were physically near each other.
If Titanoa was like a fairy-tale home, Pictian was a fortress—black stone walls wrapped around it, giving it a formidable look.
Holding Linus’ hand, we stepped out. A butler, looking as if he’d never smiled, bowed stiffly.
“Welcome, Your Grace.”
“Ah—this is Lady Airevet Titanoa. Irbet, this is Butler Colvet.”
“An honor to meet you, Lady Airevet .”
Our butler back home was warm and familiar; this one was so formal I almost felt intimidated. The other staff lined up behind him looked even more solemn—so much that it felt downright uncomfortable.
Catching my discomfort, Linus led me toward the garden.
We strolled through the well-kept grounds until I picked a quiet spot and stopped.
“Linus, could you give us some privacy?”
“There’s no one here but us.”
He smiled reassuringly and led me to a bench.
Sitting side by side, I took a breath and brought up the Gate incident.
“Arendel was in chaos yesterday because of that weird hole. Even the Emperor is worried.”
“Really?” Linus acted surprised.
Dad had been summoned for an emergency summit at the palace about the Gate—luckily, Linus wasn’t called.
He might have still heard things, though. I feigned ignorance and tested him.
“What do you think it was? What have others said?”
“I honestly have no idea. I haven’t been able to ask anyone.”
“You told no one?”
“I did. But maybe I should’ve reported it somewhere?”
I inwardly cheered—Linus hadn’t spilled a word. He looked at me helplessly as I reassured him.
“No need to worry about that.”
Then I got to the heart of it, smiling as innocently as I could.
“Linus, could we keep my visit here a secret?”
“That’s easy enough. But may I ask why?”
“I think my father’d worry a lot if he knew I got pulled into a dark, ominous hole.”
I’d fretted all night, and that was the best excuse I could come up with.
“Of course. We’ll pretend neither of us ever went there.”
“And… um, I—”
“I wasn’t there, Airevet . I saw nothing.”
Linus winked playfully.
Why is even his cute teasing so adorable?
