Ariana has no talent for luxury. Dante was quite dissatisfied with that.
'No. It's not that she can't be luxurious. It's even worse.'
Last time, she said, 'If we sell a lot of tickets, it will help the Duke, who is our biggest sponsor!'
Of course, the Lopez Orchestra has earned a lot of money in the past three years, but the Duke's finances were definitely not so poor that it should have helped.
Did I unknowingly put pressure on Ariana's family?
Dante thought seriously and turned his gaze to the items the merchant had brought.
'Hmm?'
Suddenly, what caught his eye was a small crystal bottle placed between the jewels and the dress. People say that luxury goods are more expensive the smaller they are. Was that a little expensive?
Thinking that, Dante bent down and picked up the crystal bottle.
"What is this?"
"Oh, that."
The merchant, who recognized the item, brightened his eyes and whispered secretly.
"It's a very popular item among noble ladies these days."
"For noble ladies?"
"Yes."
The merchant whispered to Dante, who was trying to brush it off as something that smelled particularly good.
"The scent is very captivating, but it's rumored to be particularly effective in capturing the opposite sex."
"... The opposite sex?"
Dante's hand, which was about to return the crystal bottle, suddenly stopped.
"Yes, yes. Many reviews are saying that this product has improved the marriage between husbands and wives, so it's been secretly popular among noblewomen recently."
His hand holding the perfume bottle twitched.
"Hmm."
Dante cleared his throat and returned the perfume bottle with an indifferent expression.
"I see. Good. I'll pay here."
A moment later, the servant came with a check. Dante wrote a generous amount on it and handed it to the merchant.
"This is a token of my sincerity. I would be happy if you could prepare something better for my wife next time."
"Oh, yes! Your Highness! Just trust me!"
The merchant who checked the check answered enthusiastically, burning with loyalty. After the merchant left, Dante looked at the newly created items. In fact, today was a special day. It was the day he finally returned home after two days of staying up all night, and it was also a small anniversary for Ariana and Dante.
For today, Dante had rented the entire floating garden of a famous restaurant. After eating at a place with a nice view, he planned to watch a play at a small theater on the outskirts of the island that Ariana liked, although it wasn't Dante's taste. It seemed that he wasn't the only one looking forward to tonight.
"Whew."
Dante let out a low laugh. The servants glanced at the owner, who seemed particularly happy, with curious eyes.
***
Ariana looked beyond the opening door with excitement. Soon, the door opened completely, and a dazzlingly handsome man held out his hand against the dim sunset.
"Let's go."
Dante was neither in royal attire nor in his knightly uniform. There were only a few people who could see him like this. And she was definitely one of them.
Ariana suppressed her pounding heart and grabbed Dante's hand. A carriage was waiting in front of the main gate. She was getting on the carriage when Dante helped her up.
"You."
Dante, who was lifting Ariana, hesitated and muttered.
"The scent..."
"Huh?"
Ariana, who had gotten on the carriage first, opened her eyes wide.
"The scent?"
Ariana sniffed the scent of her sleeve and tilted her head.
"I always wear it, don't you like it?"
"... No. No."
Dante slowly shook his head. At first, his voice sounded casual, but Ariana keenly caught the moment when his face hardened.
"The scent, don't you like it?"
In the past, he would say embarrassing things like, "Your skin smells fragrant enough."
Ariana thought, hiding her slightly gloomy feelings.
'I think it's time to change.'
While Ariana thought about the perfumes that were popular these days, the carriage quickly reached its destination. That evening was fantastic. The bright full moon and dozens of candles lit up the hanging garden. Ariana happily enjoyed dinner in this fantastically beautiful sight. After dinner, they watched a play at a small theater located far away. The play, which was aimed at the middle-class commoners rather than the nobles, was busy aiming for primitive laughter rather than sophistication and dignity. Everyone in the audience laughed without paying attention to etiquette, and Ariana also burst into laughter for the first time in a long time outside the house.
"Ah... It was really such a fun time."
After the play, Ariana said, wiping away the tears hanging from the corners of her eyes.
"How was the Duke?"
The play was enjoyable, but apart from that, the theater was not a place that Dante would like, with its narrow seats and the musty smell of the basement. Ariana didn't notice because she was so absent-minded, but then again, it seemed like there wasn't much laughter coming from Dante's side.
"I'm sorry."
"Yes?"
Ariana's eyes widened at the unexpected answer. Dante smiled bitterly.
"I thought I couldn't bring you here often when you were so happy."
"Ah..."
"I haven't been able to make time for you lately. I'm sorry, Ariana."
"Don't say that! It's a busy time for national defense. Of course, I understand."
During this time between spring and summer, the foreigners near the western border would be rampant. Dante, who was busy day and night being summoned to the palace and training the knights, never felt disappointed, but only felt sorry.
Dante looked at Ariana, who shook her head vigorously, without saying a word. Dante, who had been staring blankly, opened his mouth after a moment.
"You. What's your schedule for tomorrow evening?"
"Oh, tomorrow."
'I have an appointment...'
Ariana thought for a moment, then lowered her gaze slightly and answered.
"There's a script reading rehearsal tomorrow evening."
"... I see."
Dante nodded without asking any further questions. That was how the dreamy and enjoyable outing came to an end.
***
The next day, in the dressing room in Paradise.
"Oh my!"
Rosaline, who was tying up her hair in front of the mirror, looked back with surprised eyes.
"Ariana! Today is your day off, right? What brings you here?"
"I have something to practice."
"Huh?"
Rosalind, who had been happily approaching Ariana, flinched and sniffed.
"Wow, what is this? It has such a mysterious scent! Did you spray some new perfume?"
"Oh. I tried it briefly this morning, and it still seems to be there."
"Really? Is it so strong? It must be a perfume with a very strong lingering scent!"
"That's right. I have to be careful when using it."
The members who were coming in with snacks at that time were surprised to see Ariana.
"Oh, Ariana! You came out again today?"
"Good afternoon, Ariana."
Ruben, Orchestra Master Luis, and a few new members including Alex were there too. Ariana smiled and greeted them.
"I guess It's snack time. I'll leave so as not to disturb you."
"Ariana, please eat with me!"
"Yes!"
Ruben and Rosalind said urgingly. Ariana shook her head with a smile.
"I just ate. I have some practice to do. Enjoy your meal."
"It must be uncomfortable for me, who is not even in the same group, to be with you."
It was true that she had some practice to do.
"Too bad... Then I'll see you later, Ariana."
"We'll be eating in the break room, so come by if you're bored!"
"Yes, I understand."
Thinking about today's practice, she felt nervous all over again. Ariana took a deep breath and tried to grab the dressing room doorknob. At that moment, the doorknob turned on its own without her even touching it.
"Ah!"
A large figure appeared beyond the suddenly opened door. Ariana let out an exclamation after confirming his identity.
"Your Highness...?"
Why would this person be here at this hour?
Before she could even form such a question, Ariana held her breath. The aura of Dante, whom she had suddenly encountered, was somehow different from usual. Hair that had not been groomed at all and was disheveled on his forehead. Eyes that were strangely shadowed. Sunken eyes and loose clothes. The man in front of her was definitely the Dante she knew, but even so, there was something different about him.
"Oh. Lady Ariana... Ah."
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