DYBAR - Chapter 43 < Vikander And No Longer Expectations >

DYBAR - Chapter 43 < Vikander And No Longer Expectations >

Do Your Best And Regret It

"Are you not hungry? I'm so hungry."

When Edwin said he was hungry in the carriage leaving for Grand Duke Vikander,  I naturally thought of bread as a meal menu. A sandwich with lots of ham and cheese would be nice. It reminded me of the sandwich that Chef Martha used to make at the Grand Duke's residence. 

But soon I gave up my thoughts and smiled. I knew better than anyone else that if I was going to eat in a rocking carriage, I would be most comfortable with bread spread with jam. This is because of the experience I gained each time I traveled to various regions according to the Princess's orders. 

So I was unfamiliar with this situation. This is a situation where a carriage is standing on a quiet road in a wide plain, and the drivers are sitting here and there, taking out sandwiches from pretty baskets.

"Olivia. Which would be better?"

Edwin looked at the four sandwiches and said as if he had encountered the most difficult problem in the world.

"Ham with melted cheese is good, chicken steak with arugula and green olives is good, and tomatoes and pickled veal are also good. Ah, I like salmon, but I'm not really craving it today."

Edwin looked at me as if wondering what to do. Sunlight filtered through the thick leaves and sparkled on Edwin's face. The wind blew his hair, the faint smell of grass passing by, and even his hesitant posture on the seat. 

All of this felt too vivid to me. I asked Edwin, swallowing my unfamiliar feeling.

"Is it okay to go like this?"

"What?"

"You're busy. It takes three days to reach Vikander territory, so this is a must."

I paused for a moment and looked around. The sky was as blue as if it had been painted with paint, the green plain was so vast that it made my eyes tingle, and even the cheerful laughter of the knights sitting at appropriate intervals.

"It's just like a picnic."

"Princess. You probably didn't mistake it for a picnic, right? When I go to work, I have to finish it quickly and come back. Why do I hear people say it was a slow cruise?"

Suddenly, I remembered the first time I went to a foreign country at the Princess's command. The Princess scolded me for getting off the carriage to eat a sandwich that Sally had brought me on my way. My heart became anxious without my knowing. 

This is no picnic. We must quickly get to the destination, Vikander Territory.

"It's not like a picnic, it's a picnic."

At that moment, I looked at Edwin. Edwin, who clearly corrected my words, looked at me astutely. My small hand, which had been wiggling ceaselessly, buried in the hem of my dress, stopped moving. 

However, after confirming that the white backs of my hands were clean without any traces of fingernails, Edwin gently opened his handsome eyes.

"What is there to be busy about? Whether it takes three days or a few days, the destination is the same."

Edwin's languid voice instantly shattered the words of the Princess deep within me. There is nothing to be busy about. Because the destination is the same anyway. 

These short words hit me like a big wave. I blinked my eyes slowly. My restless heart beat faster in a different way. A picnic. 

As I spoke, a variety of emotions passed over my face. The face that was free of joy, excitement, and slight worry was extremely lovely. Unlike my face, which had returned to a calm tone as if nothing had happened, the tips of my ears turned red little by little. 

Edwin said jokingly after seeing that.

"Martha told me to eat the sandwich as quickly as possible. Do you know that they are only looking at Olivia right now?"

The feeling of floating went away a little and I realized the reality. As Edwin said, all the drivers holding sandwiches were looking at me. 

Surprised, I grabbed a random sandwich from Edwin's hand.

"Edwin, why didn't you eat?"

"How can I eat first when Olivia makes such a funny face? Eat slowly."

Edwin took off the wrapper of my sandwich while mischievously telling me to eat it slowly. The fragrant smell of melted cheese filled my nose. I instantly gained an appetite. 

I took a tentative bite of my sandwich. I seemed familiar. Even though I knew well that the sandwich with lots of ham and cheese was delicious.

"It's good."

I muttered without realizing it. Although it was probably the same as the sandwich eaten at the Grand Duke's residence, it was really delicious.

"I'm glad it tastes good, Olivia. The sandwiches you eat on a picnic are special, right?"

"Yes. It's different. Really."

"Shall we do it one more time? Picnic?"

Edwin, who tactfully encouraged me, looked at my reaction. He expected me to answer right away, but I twitched my lips and answered a beat late. 

"... Can it happen twice?"

Edwin burst into laughter at the serious voice. My face heated up at the cheerful burst of laughter.

***

"But why a picnic? If you go a little further, there is a village. Don't you feel more comfortable in a proper restaurant?"

When all the sandwiches were about to run out, one of the trainees spoke out as if he was curious. Instead of answering,  Howard glanced in the direction where his master was. 

The sight of His Highness the Grand Duke and the Young Lady sitting on a wide light beige seat under a lush tree was as beautiful as a famous painting. 

There Brandon's voice was over the sight of His Highness naturally placing juice and fruit in front of the Young Lady.

"Please drive the carriage as slowly as possible on the way. As you know, you are the type of person who tolerates things very well, so I don't think she will tell you even if she is not feeling well."

"Anything else to watch out for?"

"It's good to get a lot of sunlight. Because she is a very static person, he rarely gets sunlight. What's the point of prescribing this?"

I also remembered the Grand Duke, who had been listening intently, with a beautiful smile on his red lips.

"Thank god. I have already prepared that."

Howard, who had known Edwin's plan since he told Martha to pack hundreds of sandwiches, shook his head and said,

"... What. Because it's a nice day."

The apprentice knight still had a look on his face that did not understand the meaning.

But she soon smiled brightly, as if good things were good things. 

***

Sunlight poured through the lush greenery. The dark green leaves sparkled silver when exposed to sunlight. It was very interesting to see the thin branches swaying every time the wind blew. 

My hair blew in the gentle wind. The back of my neck tingled, but I didn't bother to straighten my hair. I liked everything. The voices of knights were heard from afar, the sight of grass rising again after lying down in the wind, and the dazzling sunlight penetrating through it all. 

"Isn't it cold? Even in late spring, it's windy." 

And Edwin handed me a blanket. I raised the corners of my mouth as I met his smiling red eyes. This moment is like a painting. I can afford this. 

I thought it was just time for me to say it.

"I have a favor to ask, Edwin."

Edwin widened his eyes as if he were amused. I exhaled lightly and continued my sentence.

"If I go to Vikander Territory, would you wait so I can check whether the people there welcome me or not?"

"Everyone at Vikander is ready to help you with all our heart."

It was a few days ago, before leaving the Grand Duke's residence. Sobel's answer to my question was wise. But I smiled softly and spoke again.

"I was asking about loyalty. Not a sincere helper."

Sobel, who always answered calmly yet slyly, found it difficult to open his mouth. As I looked at it, I thought it was natural. 

The first thing I felt when I came to the Grand Duke's residence was that everyone here felt hostility towards the Emperor and the imperial family. When he spoke to me, he used as neutral language as possible, but implicitly he spoke negatively about the Emperor. Because even Edwin was like that. 

It was the first time I saw a nobleman who did not address the Emperor as 'Your Majesty. Every time that happened, I didn't show it and instead recalled the information I had about the Archduchy Vikander. 

The story that spread throughout the Empire is, 'There was a quarrel between the Emperor and the previous Grand Duke, but the former Grand Duke lost, and after the previous Grand Duke, who had gone to war as compensation, died. Edwin, the current Grand Duke, roamed the battlefield like the Emperor's limbs and found power.' 

It was up to that point. In that respect, I could understand the hostility the Grand Duke's family showed toward the Emperor. So I had no choice but to think more. I am ready to look at everyone in Vikander Territory. But they are. 

And looking at Sobel, who couldn't keep his mouth off her, I found the answer. So I really wanted to tell Edwin even more. 

Please watch over me...

"If I go to Vikander Territory, would you wait so I can check whether the people there welcome me or not?"

Even after speaking, I looked at Edwin's expression. I felt strangely prejudiced toward people for no reason. It was a moment when I was worried.

"Okay."

Edwin nodded calmly as if it was no big deal. He hadn't even thought of this. I was rather taken aback by the sight of Edwin agreeing with my words so easily. 

At that sight, Edwin's eyes narrowed and a mischievous look appeared.

"Why. Isn't this what you were hoping for?"

"No, that's not it. I didn't know you would agree so easily."

"Because I listen to Olivia well. And Olivia already got Winster on Olivia's side even though I didn't do anything."

"Yes?"

I tilted my head. Winster is a person who is always smiling. I didn't understand what that meant.

"Even though Winster smiles a lot, he understands people better than you think. The fact that someone who discriminates against people like that stands on Olivia's side is a sign of Olivia's power. The power to open people's hearts."

I lowered my head at the calm voice. My feet touched each other helplessly under my dress. My fingers kept intertwined. This feeling of tickling from the bottom of my stomach is awkward like I can't get used to it, but I also like it.

"I'm sure you'll do well in the Vikander Territory. What are you worried about? It's me who should worry about myself and what if you don't play."

Edwin's stern eyes are filled with trust in me. I unconsciously curled the corners of my mouth and smiled. The feeling of him touching my heart was so sweet. 

In the meantime, his expectations for Olivia grew by an inch.

***

"This is ridiculous! The Lady he chose is Princess Madeleine!"

In the living room of Prince Vikander's residence, Bethany's eyes grew cold at the sound of the table being hit harshly. Noticing her eyes, the red-haired knight flinched his brown eyes and immediately reflected on his attitude.

"Sorry. Bethany, that doesn't mean it isn't true."

"How could he be with such a Princess from the imperial faction! She even said she was the Prince's fiancée!"

"What is that? Lady, His Highneww has completed his oath. Why are you so upset? They even say your eyes are green."

Bethany narrowed her wrinkled eyes as if it was no big deal. As expected, the red-haired knight, Dean Szelin, flinched at the mention of 'green eyes'. Dean spoke more exaggeratedly as if he was trying to hide his appearance.

".... Still! She's a Princess from the Madeleine family! I thought you had some kind of plan. I also don't like spreading rumors. His Highness has the perfect Young Lady, ah."

Dean, who was so angry, suddenly covered his eyes. His brow furrowed as if his left eye was in pain. At that sight, Bethany abandoned her cool demeanor and clicked her tongue.

"That's why I told you to take the lens out. Even if you say that there is no need for lenses in Vikander Territory. I'd rather cast a spell on you."

"Thank you, but this is convenient. And I'm sorry, but can I go back to that room?"

Bethany nodded at Dean's words. When Dean bowed his head and left the living room, Bethany clicked her tongue.

"The kid is good."

Bethany looked at Dean as if she were looking at a wary little puppy, then looked back. Bethany's eyes moistened as she looked at his drapery-draped portrait.

In front of the bathroom. Dean placed his hands on the sink, took a deep breath, and looked at the mirror.

"You're back."

Deans bitter voice echoed through the bathroom. Dean looked at the mirror with a somewhat hurt face. The lenses made his eyes look brown, and underneath them, light green pupils were visible.

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