The whereabouts of the heart (12)
I looked up at Ian and asked.
"Are you okay, are you okay?"
"What do you mean?"
You're mad at me, but can you come to see the festival with me?
The words that were on the tip of my tongue disappeared into thin air. Duke Eldern patted Ian on the shoulder.
"Yes, it's been a while since we had a village festival, so it would be a shame to just let it pass. You guide Millenia well."
"Yes, father. Then, I will excuse myself first."
Ian heads to the backyard of the castle. It looks like he's going to order the cleanup of the monsters and loot.
'Aren't you tired...'
It would be nice to take a break, but work starts again as soon as he gets back.
It was amazing to think that among all those stinking people, he was the only one who smelled like soap.
I wonder if he slept well. I'm worried.
Then Kalit took my hand.
"I will escort you to the bedroom."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
As Kalit and I took the lead, Nadia followed quietly, keeping a suitable distance.
Kalit, who had been lost in thought the whole time, asked again in front of the bedroom.
"You really don't want to come to the festival with me?"
"As I said, the main character of this battle should be remembered solely as Lord Kalit. It would be right for you to attend alone."
"..."
"You don't have to feel sorry for me. I'm going to go and see it with the little Duke anyway. To be honest, it's much more comfortable and better than going there in a grand way and spreading rumors."
"I don't like that."
"Yes?"
"I don't like having someone else next to you."
"Are he the little Duke?"
Kalit smiled softly, but there was no trace of laughter in his eyes.
"You still don't know. I don't like him because he's a little Duke."
What the heck? What happened between you two in Orquidwood?
"I understand what you mean. This time. I will yield."
Surely Ian and Kalit's relationship won't go wrong?
In my previous life, Eldern did not withdraw his support for Kalit even when Oslo was almost certain to be Crown Prince.
When I think about the relationship I know about them, it's not something that will fall apart easily.
"You have a tendency to try to solve everything yourself. Don't do that. When you have problems that can't be solved, leave them to someone else."
Yeah, didn't Rahon say that? Don't try to solve it on your own.
"Kalit, do not neglect your relationship with Eldern. I tell you this with all my heart."
"The Duke and I have been entangled for a long time. You have nothing to worry about. So..."
Kalit pushed my hair behind my ear. A friendly smile spread across his once-indifferent face.
"Don't get too close to the little Duke. I might do something if I get jealous."
Kalit kissed the back of my hand and turned around.
I watched him disappear down the hallway in silence.
***
The next morning.
The weather was clear and sunny, with not a single cloud in the sky and not too strong winds. It was the perfect weather for enjoying the festival.
Kalit left right after breakfast to attend the village festival, while Rahon said he was too lazy and would stay at the castle.
Ian and I headed to the square around noon.
It was quiet inside the carriage.
I don't think I used to feel awkward being alone with Ian, but I don't know why I'm so conscious of it today.
I held and let go of my hand several times, and I was the only one who showed my discomfort.
Unlike me, Ian seemed comfortable.
If I recall the conversation we had the day before he left for Orquidwood, it couldn't be true...
"Please."
"..."
"Don't do this."
Was he just pretending to be calm on the outside? I couldn't sense any emotion from the side of his face facing the window.
I didn't know how to resolve my relationship with Ian. I just felt lost, not even knowing why he had changed.
In the end, we didn't even get to talk, and the carriage slowly drove on. It was a quiet alley a block away from the plaza where the festival was taking place.
As the carriage stopped, Ian spoke for the first time.
"If you want to hide your identity, it would be better to get off here and walk to the square."
"When can I get off?"
"For a moment."
Ian carefully turned my shoulder and examined my appearance.
He put the hood that was slightly behind my head on properly and tied the ribbon tightly. Then he pulled his hood down low and grabbed my hand.
When I look at it like this, it seems like it's the same as before. I really can't figure out what he's thinking.
Ian sighed lightly and got out of the carriage. He looked around.
"Nadia and Vivian still seem to be there."
Nadia and Vivian were supposed to follow in another carriage, but there was still no word.
I gently pulled his hand.
"I'll go first. If we walk slowly, we'll meet."
"If it's difficult, you should tell me."
"I will do that."
I held Ian's hand and walked towards the central square.
It really does seem like a festival.
The street leading to the square was packed with people.
The streets were lined with stalls, and merchants enticed passersby with their colorful speeches.
In another alley, music was blaring. Applause erupted as if a performance had just ended.
What caught my eye was a snack. It looked unfamiliar, but the smell was provocative. My mouth started watering.
"It smells delicious."
"It's a food made by frying wheat dough and hardening it with sugar... Have you never tried it?"
"I've never walked among so many people before. This is my first time at a festival."
"...Would you like to try it?"
"Can I eat this?"
When I asked with wide eyes, the corners of Ian's mouth slightly rose.
"Everyone is eating."
Come to think of it, everyone was walking while eating something.
Eating street food is like entering a new world.
At that moment, a group of men passed by, chattering noisily.
Ian quickly wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me towards him.
I flinched in surprise, and Ian stopped. Soon, the arm that had been perfectly protecting my shoulder slowly fell away.
I quickly grabbed that hand.
"Please buy it."
"...Please wait."
Ian bought a snack and handed it to me.
There were bite-sized, round donuts on skewers, with shiny exteriors.
I took a bite of the one stuck on the very top and the sugar covering the surface broke apart with a crunchy sound, releasing a sweet aroma.
"Yumm..."
"Is it that delicious?"
I couldn't open my mouth so I just nodded.
I quickly finished one skewer. It was delicious, but the aftermath was a bit uncomfortable. My lips were all sticky because of the sugar water.
I was licking my lips repeatedly when I felt someone's gaze. Ian was staring at me intently.
Just as I was about to turn my head away in embarrassment, he took out a handkerchief and wiped my lips.
"I can do It."
"It would be nice to have someone who serves Young Lady."
"What does that mean?"
He stroked my hood, which was slightly flowing down.
"Since Young Lady takes care of most things on your own, wouldn't it be more comfortable for your subordinates?"
"Is Nadia comfortable? I never thought about that. I just tried to learn how to solve things on my own."
"I don't know."
"What?"
"Why should you learn to do things on your own when you can command dozens or hundreds of people If you want?"
It was a habit from my past life. If I wanted to live in a villa, I had to take care of small things by myself.
There were more than a few inconveniences, but I endured them for the sake of Oslo.
Even though I was secretly ignored by the maids and heard them gossiping about me, I never felt like leaving the villa.
When I think back on that time, I wonder how I held out.
At the same time, I realize once again how insignificant the feeling called love is.
The only feelings I have left for the person I would not mind giving my life for are hatred and murderous intent.
"Well, Is It because of my father's influence?"
"His Grace... was he strict with Young Lady as well?"
Ian's long, slit eyes widened as if he had never thought of it. I let out a small laugh.
"When I first became a guardian, I just hid in my bedroom. I was so scared that I couldn't go out. Do you know what my father did at that time?"
"..."
"He dragged me in and left me in the middle of a maze garden. He ordered me to get out of there on my own, and then he just stormed off."
Ian opened his mouth slightly as if he had heard something unexpected.
"At that time, I really resented my father. How could I get out of the maze when I didn't know where I was or where the front was?"
"..."
"I was shivering in the middle of the garden, unable to walk a single step, when suddenly I heard footsteps behind me. Someone was running after me because they were worried about me."
"Ah..."
Ian sighed softly and raised the corners of his lips.
"I felt courageous because I knew I wasn't alone. I was finally able to escape the maze garden by relying on the sound of those footsteps."
"It must have been Chevio."
"No, it was my father."
".."
Is this what it means to feel warm just thinking about it? I continued with a smile.
"Isn't our father lovely?"
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