"...I get it."
But the answer that came back was unexpectedly simple. Everyone except Endymion was bewildered.
Either way, Endymion, who had been lost in thought for a moment, soon returned to his indifferent expression and told the manager to go.
"Thank you. Have a nice trip."
The manager nodded with a look of relief and disappeared.
'Hmm, that's strange. I thought you wouldn't like it.'
Julia was surprised, recalling Endymion's vehement refusal to share a room with Duke Hyde. Then suddenly.
'For a moment.'
Julia remembered that day, and even the night before the coming-of-age ceremony when they shared a room, there had been some awkward situations. She had been so out of it that she had momentarily forgotten about the problems of sharing a room and a bed!
That tension, that suffocating, trembling discomfort!
Julia, her mouth wide open, hurriedly grabbed a key and headed for the stairs.
"Mion, let's unpack quickly and go to the market. How about having dinner out, Boris?"
"Oh. I'm very welcome!"
Boris, who was excited, ran after her. Julia smiled brightly and quickly climbed the stairs before Endymion could change his mind. Fortunately, Endymion's voice was not heard.
'Phew. I almost couldn't breathe.'
Julia pressed her chest tightly in secret relief.
Originally, she and Endymion were comfortable with each other without saying anything in particular and staying silent. But now, whenever they thought of being alone without saying anything, their mouths would dry up. They were confused about what they should say and do to avoid being awkward.
'That's why I asked Boris to ride in the carriage with me.'
Inside the sealed carriage, Julia realized that she was paying attention to every breath, every look in Endymion's eyes, every movement of his fingers!
'I think it would be better to sleep separately, at least tonight.'
If she kept using the same room right away, her heart might burst from the pressure. Julia thought to herself that it was a good thing and went straight into one of the rooms located in the hallway on the second floor.
At the bottom of the stairs, the blue eyes that had been following Julia's disappearing back narrowed.
'It's different than usual.'
During the few hours he had been on the way to Shavel, Endymion had been paying full attention to Julia as usual. He noticed that Julia's attitude had changed like a ghost.
It seems like her mood changes a lot, and she's a bit sensitive.
"..."
"No, sir. Aren't you coming, Baron?"
Boris disappeared up to the second floor, urging him on. Endymion had no choice but to pick up the remaining key and climb the stairs. The bellboys came running and carried the luggage to the room.
***
"Here, a limited edition crown! Made from precious starflowers! Ladies attending the Duke of Moffat's Festival tomorrow, make sure to get one!"
The market was very crowded.
The Duke of Moffat was the lord of Lumar. Although Lumar was a rural area and had little influence abroad, it was still relatively wealthy. In addition, a ball was scheduled for tomorrow, to which the Duke of Moffat had invited guests from each region to promote friendship.
The annual festival of the people of the manor coincided with this, so the Duke of Moffat gave one side of the castle's extensive gardens to the people of the manor who were allowed to enter, and they were busy creating an unforgettable festival.
"Huh? What is that? Why are you selling animals?"
Boris pointed at the puppy in surprise. The fluffy puppy wagged its tail and then barked excitedly at Boris.
"Ugh."
"That's a pet."
Julia explained, holding back a laugh. Boris was surprised, perhaps because the concept of pets did not exist in the Magic Tower, where all relationships were controlled.
"Wow, that's strange. The only animals in the Magic Tower are research subjects. But they're animals that are raised and loved..."
"Oh, they sell handkerchiefs there, too! Want to go and take a look?"
The market was also Julia's first time, but it wasn't much different from what was written in the book. Perhaps because she was born and raised in humble Ametrine, the friendly atmosphere made it easy for her to adapt.
Julia walked around the market, happily explaining things to Boris, who was even more clueless than her.
"Oh, come in. I see you're going to the Duke of Moffat's tomorrow! Then you'll definitely need this handkerchief."
A woman wearing a white apron greeted Julia and Boris. Boris looked at the handkerchiefs decorated with pretty patterns and ornaments with interest.
"Hmm, why do you need a handkerchief when you're going to the Moffat's? It must be a bit dirty there."
"Huh? Hahaha, this customer really has a knack for comedy. Why, why? It's the dress code, after all!"
Boris scratched his head as the woman laughed, holding her stomach. Julia also pretended to cough, smiled broadly, and looked around at the handkerchiefs.
Ah, I think this would suit Mion.
Julia's gaze stopped on a handkerchief. It was moderately thick yet soft and had a dignified sword-shaped design at the end.
"Oh, are you giving this as a gift to your lover?"
The old woman asked cheerfully. 'Oh, lovers?'
It was a word that made Julia shiver just hearing it. Her husband is fine, but she doesn't know why the word lover makes her shiver so much.
Julia nodded quickly, her face flushed red as if she thought someone might hear.
"You have a keen eye! Miss, this is a handkerchief made of the finest fabric that I got from my relative who is a merchant. The design was drawn by a designer who recently came down from a famous clothing store in the capital. The embroidery thread is also supplied to the royal family!"
Certainly, the dark-colored handkerchief was of very good quality. The design was exotic and elegant, with a different feel from Semele.
Julia finally smiled and pointed to the handkerchief.
"I'll buy this. Please wrap it up for me."
"Oh, yes!"
While the handkerchief was being wrapped, Julia hummed a tune as she chatted with Boris. The handkerchief embroidery also gave her a good idea for a belated coming-of-age gift for Endymion.
'I'll give you the handkerchief first, and as a real gift, I should buy you a good sword.'
Her heart pounded happily as she imagined Endymion's proud appearance holding the sword she had given him.
Julia turned her head with a bright smile. A few minutes ago, she had gone to the next store to look for Endymion, who had earnestly asked Boris to keep an eye on her.
A few steps away, under the tent, a lock of black hair came into view.
'Oh, it's over there...'
But the owner of the tent that seemed to be selling handicrafts was a young woman. She was smiling brightly and handing her something in an envelope.
Julia's mouth was set.
'Why?'
Endymion was smiling. He paid the price and received the item from the woman, and the corners of his eyes and mouth curved softly at the same time.
Hee pounding heart suddenly sank. Her shocked purple eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly.
'You laughed. In front of another woman besides me...'
Endymion had never laughed like that in front of anyone, especially not a woman. Julia was always the only exception..
Julia looked back and forth between the strange woman and Endymion countless times, but he soon turned away.
Julia stood there blankly, not hearing a single word Boris was saying, until her eyes met with Endymion's as he walked over. The blue eyes that had spotted her approached her with a smile still on his face and asked.
"Shall we go?"
"Uh... yeah."
Julia went to dinner, dumbfounded. But as she sat down at the restaurant, only one thought occupied Julia's mind.
'Why on earth are you laughing?!'
***
"The market is really fun! I hope to come back again next time."
"Is that so? Then let's go to Semele on the way back. It'll probably be more fun since the atmosphere will be different from that of Shavel."
Boris was thrilled by Julia's kind suggestion. He was so excited that he bought eight cotton candy bars at the market and ate them.
"Oh, is that okay? The two of you have barely managed to find some time to rest for your coming-of-age ceremony because of the trip to Magic Tower. Will you still have time after returning to the palace...?"
"Of course. There is always time [for friends."
Boris's eyes welled up with tears at the warm words.
"How generous! Your Majesty, when we go to the Magic Tower, I will make sure to speak to the Lord of the Magic Tower. Since this is a proposal from such a warm, merciful.. and elegant person, we must accept it."
Julia opened her eyes wide and smiled shyly at the enthusiastic response.
"Ahaha. I didn't necessarily mean it that way."
"No! You even bought me cotton candy and showed me around Semele Market, so I should return the favor. By the way, where does Semele Market go? Mysterion Street isn't as lively as this place..."
As Boris was chatting with the aforementioned face, Endymion, sitting across from her, swapped the plate in front of Julia with a new one that the waiter had just brought. Julia looked at him, flinching.
"Because it got cold."
"Ah. Thank you."
Endymion pointed to the plate with affectionate eyes, as if telling her to eat dinner first and then talk. Julia nodded and tried to eat whatever she wanted.
"Wait for a second."
Endymion intervened again and turned the plate around. When Julia stopped and looked at him, Endymion spoke softly.
"If you eat spicy food for dinner. you'll have nightmares."
"..."
"Take the mild side."
Julia looked down at her plate, her fork still in hand.
She ordered this dish out of curiosity, as it is a specialty of the Rumar region, made with two sauces, one spicy and one sweet.
But Julia would always have trouble sleeping if she ate spicy food at night. So she ordered both and was planning to have the non-spicy one, but she almost forgot and ended up eating the spicy one.
"Do you really know all the Queen's tastes? How do you remember them all?"
Boris, who had been watching the two of them for several days, asked with curiosity. Endymion lifted the utensils and spoke firmly.
"Let's eat now. You are disturbing my Queen's meal."
"Oh, yes."
Boris picked up his plate with a sour expression, saying. "You only hate me." Julia poked at the dish covered in mild sauce with her fork and glanced at Endymion.
'It's the same as usual.'
There is someone who knows me better than I do and who cares about me in detail.
Endymion was eating his meal properly. His expression was dull, without a trace of the smile he had made at the market earlier, and Julia felt even more depressed.
'Why are you suddenly smiling at a girl you don't know? You usually don't listen when I tell you to control your facial expressions.'
If he had suddenly changed his mind, he should be smiling now. However, Endymion was as expressionless as usual, almost indifferent.
What on earth could be the reason? Julia began to guess the reason while unconsciously chewing her food.
'Do you like that woman?'
The first instinct was to doubt, but Julia quickly denied it.
'No, I guess he did it out of gratitude because she treated him kindly! But Mion isn't that kind of person... Oh, he really liked the thing he bought!'
Yes, that's it! Julia swallowed the food without leaving a trace and asked quickly.
"Hey, Mion. What did you buy when you went there alone earlier?"
"Hmm."
Endymion's moving dishes stopped. Julia's ears perked up as she concentrated on the answer that was to follow.
"It's nothing. I'll tell you later."
"... Huh? Yeah."
Julia answered in a panic, but she grabbed the hem of her skirt under the table.
'Why are you avoiding the answer?'
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