"Lady Odelia, what did you just say?"
It doesn't taste good, the tea. It's too bitter."
"...No, cognac? Are you drinking it?"
"Isn't it cost-effective? When you drink it, your body will get hot, so in the bitter cold, you'll make up for it by earning cognac and drinking it while you sleep. Some of my colleagues even froze to death. Oh, hohoho."
Odelia tried to cover her mouth by pretending to be a lady in her own way, but since she didn't have a fan, she lifted the teacup holder and covered the front of her mouth. Moreover, as she had done with her comrades, she raised her elbow and struck the Marquis's side.
The Marquis's face turned blue from the shock, and he touched his side and said.
"...You have a great sense of humor."
The Marquis carefully stole the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. Odelia watched and let out a small sigh inwardly.
'Ha, it's a good thing.'
Odelia picked up the teacup again, but this time she put it down quietly without putting it to her mouth. It was because blood and laughter flowed from the corners of her mouth without her realizing it. If you drink tea now, you may be labeled as the woman who spewed tea after Eclair.
The suppressed laughter soon spread to the point of shaking her shoulders, and in the end, Odelia burst out laughing.
"Me too, cognac. Ha, haha... Hahahaha!"
"La, Lady?"
The Marquis looked at Odelia, who burst into laughter suddenly, and slowly took on a wary look. The suspicion that 'this woman is crazy' was a look that crept by.
***
After the time of not knowing whether it was a date or torture, Odelia got into the carriage and returned to the mansion. She was asleep the whole time, she was completely exhausted, and only opened her eyes when the carriage stopped.
She walked in with her shoulders limp from exhaustion, and as soon as she crossed the threshold, her eyes widened on the spot.
There was a figure standing by the window where the sunlight was shining for a long time.
It was Calix.
The unexpected appearance instantly relieved Odelia's fatigue. Her face quickly came to life.
In the landscape of sunset light flowing down the window, Calix was leaning against the window with a light hand in his pocket, and the garden as a background. Like a person who has been there for a long time.
It was a heavy and quiet presence.
"Did you have a good date, Odelia?"
He slowly turned his head. Odelia's heart shook with an inexplicable trembling at the sight of their eyes facing each other. She could feel her cheeks burning for no reason.
As she tried to avoid his gaze in embarrassment. Calix spoke again.
"It must have been funny, but your face is red."
At that, Odelia quickly shook her head. She replied in a slightly blunt tone.
"...Because of the sunset."
Calix tilted his head slightly and strode up to her. Oh, was it too rude? Odelia stiffened her body a little.
Calix, who stopped in front of Odelia, bent slightly and looked into her face. It was an unexpected distance. Odelia instantly tensed up and stiffened.
"Why, why..."
Calix looked into Odelia's face for a long time, then said in a playful voice.
"That's right. I guess it's because of the sunset."
The corners of his mouth rose as he laughed.
In his slightly curved eyes, like a crescent moon, Odelia found herself. Her lips parted slightly, as if possessed by something, and her eyes were trembling with a loss of focus.
She felt like she was going to be caught doing this, so she hurriedly turned her head and stepped back.
"I heard that you are busy... Are you done with your schedule?"
"I'm curious. Did you go well on the first date or not?"
"I messed it up."
"Why? Did you spit out the eclair this time, too?"
At that playful question, Odelia lowered the corners of her mouth slightly.
"That's not right... He's a man who talks too much, so I'm sucked up."
"Yes. Still, I thought you liked talkative men because you were always friendly with Cedric."
Calix laughed briefly. At that smile, Odelia also seemed to raise the corners of her mouth a little... She blinked in embarrassment at the unexpected words.
"Yes? Cedric is with me because he's a friend. The Marquis talked so much that my ears bled."
"I'm glad you did."
"Yes...?"
"I'm glad you did. I don't like that kind of man."
Then he turned his head as if nothing had happened.
"It looks like you didn't eat dinner, so let's eat together."
Odelia stared blankly at Calix, and before she knew it, she was nodding. If you talk a lot, you're wary of moving words here and there, right? Yes, that's it...
The steaming food was neatly placed on the table. The silverware and neat plates seemed to tell you about a formal evening, but the room was quiet. Both the Grand Duchess and Cedric have returned. The dining table was strangely quiet.
Odelia was hungry. Very terrible.
She just wants to hold it with her hand and tear it off. If she had been alone, she would probably have cut the meat into large and thick pieces, put them in her mouth, and chewed and swallowed the juices.
But she can't do that right now. She just cut the thick meat on the plate into very small pieces and put it nobly in her mouth.
But she couldn't do that here and now. She could only cut the thick meat on the plate into tiny pieces and elegantly put them in her mouth.
"Did you come here after dinner?"
Calix's low-pitched voice crossed the quiet dining table.
"No, that's not the case."
"Then why are you so upset? Are you not feeling well?"
The question was simple, but there was worry in it.
Odelia put down her fork and thought to herself. Eating as if you were possessed in front of Your Highness is also a matter of face. However, she couldn't say it out loud.
Calix glanced at her plate and tilted his head slightly.
"That's strange. When I saw you before, you ate very well. You even eat the meat with the bone."
Odelia shrank and looked up.
"Well, that's what it's like on the battlefield...!"
"Besides, it's your favorite menu."
Resentment and embarrassment came up at the same time, and she was about to protest, but she lowered her eyes and looked at the table, then suddenly raised her head.
"....But how did you know my favorite food?"
Calix remained silent, keeping his eyes on the table, then looked at Odelia, raising the corners of his mouth slightly.
"You can't eat meat at all."
It was a familiar tone. It's soft as if it's teasing, and it seems like he knows everything. Odelia felt her face burn and looked down at the plate for no reason. A piece of meat was still sitting alone.
Odelia, who had been fiddling with her fingers with a fork for no reason, pricked her lips several times. The signs of hesitation were even on her fingertips.
Calix, who had been watching silently, slowly folded the napkin as if finishing his meal. Then he said softly.
"After dinner, let's walk together."
"Yes, that's fine."
It was an answer that popped up right away without realizing it. Short and clear affirmations. She thought she was asking too much, so she added belatedly, "If Your Highness could afford it."
Calix just let out a faint smile.
***
The two of them walked slowly along the small path in front of the mansion. Under the soft light. Odelia's shadow stretched for a long time. Calix quietly walked beside her.
People gathered in groups all over the street, and she could see them peeking at Calix. Odelia hesitated at the gaze, then opened her mouth cautiously
"Your Highness, maybe... I'm worried that there will be a scandal. Wouldn't it be better to just go back?"
Calix gave her a look and asked mischievously.
"When have you been so swayed by people's eyes, Odelia?"
"No, maybe people will recognize Your Highness..."
Odelia didn't like Calix's name, and actions were posted on cheap things like newsletters. She feels like she's being treated like a consumable item.
Her name and her actions were consumed like a sloppy thing, and she didn't feel bad even if it came up and down on people's mouths. However, it wasn't very pleasant to think that Calix's name would be listed, and that it would be consumed along with her name, which is always the center of controversy.
Seeing Odelia lost in thought, Calix stopped.
"I don't care, but what about you?"
Comments
Post a Comment