Arthur smiled at Reina, showing off his straight teeth.
“I said if you touch mine one more time, I’ll throw it to you as food for the monster.”
At Arthur's words, Reina crossed her arms and snorted.
“Duke Cervantes, don’t be weird and give me what you stole.”
“Are you planning on using this for Seliya?”
“What does that have to do with the Duke? It’s none of the Duke’s business who I write to or what I write to.”
“...Illeon raised his sister very poorly.”
Arthur took the needle from his hand and immediately stuck it into Reina's neck.
Reina's eyelids slid shut.
***
“Today, I have somewhere to go with you for a while.”
This is what Dietrich said to Seliya after having lunch together.
Seliya nodded her head in understanding.
“I’m going out of the imperial palace. Change into the most comfortable clothes and come out.”
Dietrich did not have any maids at his residence, but he took great care to ensure that Seliya was comfortable.
There were dozens of dresses that filled her closet.
The comfortable dresses that Seliya could change into on her own, without the help of a maid, also appealed to Seliya.
What she liked the most was the white satin dress that Dietrich first gave her.
Seliya changed her clothes into a pure white satin dress and walked out.
Dietrich, who was waiting for Seliya with his body leaning against the wall, was dressed in a black uniform.
The neckline that extended above his collar and the black uniform that fit tightly as if tailored to his solid body suited Dietrich very well.
The wind that came through the open window caressed Dietrich's smooth cheeks.
While admiring Dietrich's face, Seliya belatedly noticed that he was holding a white bonnet in his hand.
Dietrich came close to Seliya and put the white bonnet on her. Dietrich, who had delicately tied the ribbon on the bonnet, extended a hand to Seliya.
“Shall we go?”
Seliya took Dietrich's outstretched hand.
She was curious about the destination, but she knew that wherever Dietrich would protect her, he would protect her and not harm her, so she did not ask about the destination.
As she left the mansion, the crisp summer air enveloped Seliya warmly.
Illeon found out her origins, but she had no worries because Dietrich was by his side.
Seliya held Dietrich's hand as they walked out of a spacious imperial palace.
As they passed through the palace, everyone's eyes fell on Seliya and Dietrich, including the palace maids, knights, and palace ministers, but the two only paid attention to each other, as if they didn't mind other people's gaze.
***
The street was lined with all kinds of shops.
Starting from boutiques, salons, shops selling various desserts, shops handling fresh vegetables and fruits, etc.
Vendors selling freshly caught fish and people trying to bargain to get the price down.
When Seliya and Dietrich entered the noisy street, people's voices stopped, as if a curtain had lifted.
The appearance of Dietrich, wearing a black uniform with his night-black hair straightened up, and Seliya, wearing a white satin dress and a white bonnet, shocked everyone present.
Everything on the street was black and white, but only the two people seemed to have added color.
"And...”
A merchant's exclamation broke the silence.
Dietrich walked side by side, keeping Seliya's hand in his, matching her pace.
People outside the imperial palace and on the streets of the capital were well aware of the rumors about Dietrich.
There were countless women who courted Dietrich, but he never once allowed anyone to be by his side.
He has myelophilia and doesn't like being touched by anyone, but Dietrich was walking towards a woman, even taking her steps, holding her hand.
People were familiar with Dietrich and the woman walking with their hands linked.
There was only one woman in Abelon who was so beautiful that she could suck out a person's soul.
Clear facial features nestled inside a white bonnet.
The dazzling silver hair beneath the bonnet fluttered softly in the light breeze.
“Brillion’s Angel.”
She is a beautiful woman, with wealth to show for it.
As rumored that she was everyone's first love, Seliya was extremely beautiful, but some people did not like her.
Even though the Emperor who coveted Seliya and the Crown Prince were members of the royal family, they all died miserable deaths.
She was like a poisonous flower.
Everyone covets her, but she kills the person who covets her.
“...Witch."
Someone muttered quietly.
Dietrich's gaze fell squarely on the Lady who had uttered those words.
With just a glance, the Lady felt as if a sharp blade was cutting her open.
The noble Lady hurriedly lowered her gaze at the hideous murderous spirit radiating from Dietrich.
The place Dietrich took Seliya to was a small store without a sign located at the end of the street.
An old woman inside the store greeted customers with a happy face.
"Welcome...”
Although the store was small, there were many interesting items inside.
Seliya's eyes scanned the various delicately decorated ceramics, sword belts, and multi-colored necklaces placed on a white rug.
'Is it an antique store?'
While Seliya was looking around the shop, Dietrich spoke to the old woman.
“What I asked for before.”
“Oh, I brought it in, but I had a lot of trouble finding it. The original owner was so reluctant to sell it that the price was a bit...”
Before the old woman could finish speaking, Dietrich handed her a package containing gold coins.
The sound of a heavy gold coin caught the old woman's ear.
"Wait a minute. I’ll bring it to you right away.”
The old woman disappeared through the side door of the store and soon came out holding something covered in a thin cloth in her arms.
When the cloth was removed, a steel cage was revealed.
Inside the cage, a red parrot was viciously biting its own feathers with its beak.
“No matter how much I taught him, he kept repeating that word 'Princess' who never taught him. Was the previous owner the fourth owner?”
At the old woman’s words, Seliya, who was looking around the store, stopped moving.
Seliya looked at the parrot trapped in the cage.
A parrot plucks out his red feathers as if he is stressed.
Ten years ago, on the day the kingdom burned, Seliya sent Popo, who was in a cage, into the sky.
At that time, she just vaguely thought he was dead.
Ten years had passed, but Seliya was able to recognize the parrot in front of her.
The red parrot his father had given her on her birthday had a yellow spot on its chest.
Like the parrot in front of her right now.
“...Popo."
At Seliya's words, the parrot stopped plucking its feathers and quietly looked up at Seliya.
Jet-black pupils observed Seliya closely, and the parrot flapped its wings vigorously and shouted.
“Princess! You’re a princess!”
Seliya hugged the cage containing Popo.
“Princess! Princess!”
“... I miss you."
"I miss you! I miss you!"
The old woman looked surprised when she saw the parrot repeating Seliya's words exactly.
'I heard that no matter how much someone else teaches him, he only says the word 'Princess.'
However, trust is the key to maintaining a store for a long time.
The old woman, who knew well that pretending not to know anything or not to hear anything was helpful in exaggerating the money, took care of leaving the place for the two people.
“If you need to call me, please knock on the door. This old woman is not very well, so I will sleep for a bit.”
Bang.
As the side door closed, Seliya took her eyes off Popo and looked at Dietrich.
“Dietrich, how did you know I had a parrot?”
“...I know everything about you.”
Dietrich added in a friendly voice.
“I am your fiancé.”
Seliya realized that she had never known Dietrich's real name.
Dietrich knew herself well, but not only did she not know that he was truly alone, but she had done nothing for him.
Seliya couldn't help but think it was on her mind.
Her countenance darkened rapidly and Dietrich looked down at her with a worried look on his face.
"Are you okay?"
“That’s not it, I don’t think I’ve done anything for you...”
"No. Just having someone like you by my side is enough.”
"That's enough!"
Popo followed Dietrich's words.
Seliya, she laughed.
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