'I'm what Odelia will see at the bazaar.'
'Yes?! I, Your Highness...?!'
'Actually, I decided that on my own.'
Oh my, His Highness the Crown Prince is volunteering to sell items at Lady Odelia's bazaar.
'Anyway, someone will buy me, and I'm going to like dating someone.'
'...'
'I don't care about the winning bid, I just thought it would be nice if you bought it for me.'
'...So, you're saying I'm just an agent, and Your Highness buy yourself?'
'That's right.'
Why do you go to such lengths... Judith was about to say that, but shut up. It was because Calix was smiling so affectionately.
If you don't know, you can't know.
...Who is that affectionate smile really directed at?
'...Why on earth would you do something like that?'
'I hate seeing someone I care about die.:
'...'
'But I don't want to date other girls again.'
'...Then, what about Odelia?'
'...'
Although the Crown Prince did not give much of an answer, Judith could not help but understand the meaning of his silence.
The parties involved are not aware of this. It's something that can only be seen through the eyes of a third party.
10 years of experience writing romance novels.
Ever since she learned to read, she always found herself in the role of Cupid in the romance novels she read, whether they were maids or tutors. So, she was planning to do the same this time.
But who would have thought that would hurt another man? Judith, sorry to have hurt such a funny young master, but it was an inevitable choice for Judith, who loved both the story of the Golden Lion and Odelia.
Judith, who was absorbed in the scene, held the back of Cedric's hand with a serious expression and patted it.
"It's going to be hard, but don't give up too easily, Lord Cedric."
Cedric's eyes twinkled with emotion, and before he knew it, the corners of his mouth began to frown.
"It was a set-up! What the heck."
"Eek," Judith said, pretending not to hear, then quickly opened the fan again.
By the way, she wonders what kind of date the two of them are on right now. She feels sorry for Lord Cedric, who is acting all sullen right in front of her, but Judith's interest is in that direction.
***
The villa's lake was wide and deep. Beyond its edge, framed by weeping willows and aquatic plants, a splendid garden was visible. The sun-drenched surface rippled gently, a tranquility so serene that even the birdsong hesitated.
In the middle of a huge garden, a small boat was gliding along on an open pond.
The boat was narrow and cozy, barely enough for two people to sit face to face. The wooden boat glowed warmly in the sunlight, and the shadows of the two people sitting on it spread across the ripples.
Calix gently rolled up his sleeves and rowed leisurely. Each stroke of his oars sent a gentle ripple through the water, and the boat quietly sailed toward the center of the lake.
Odelia sat across from him and opened her mouth cautiously.
"I... I'll do the rowing."
Calix smiled faintly and looked at her.
"What kind of man asks a woman to row a boat while on a date?"
There was a hint of affection in his light and playful tone.
"It's okay to rely on someone sometimes."
Above the lake, where sunlight shimmered, Calix's voice lingered with unusual clarity. Odelia gazed at the calm waters and answered softly.
"I already rely on you enough, Your Highness. I am always grateful."
Calix let out a small chuckle.
"That's why I told you not to do that."
Odelia blinked for a moment and looked at him.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"You can be a little more shameless, Odelia."
The words he spoke calmly, without stopping his rowing hands, left a quiet ripple somewhere in Odelia's heart.
The fact that he was treating her with such a heart only made her hesitate even more.
She thought it was okay to be shameless, but that was the furthest thing from her. She always thought it was natural to be grateful, respectful, and polite, while carefully maintaining a proper distance.
"If you keep saying that, you'll only make my habits worse."
"Why?"
"...Be shameless. If you tell me I can rely on you, I'll feel like I can be a whiner. If you keep doing that, it'll become increasingly difficult for me to make my own choices or take responsibility for them."
"That's what I want."
"Yes?"
"That's what I want."
Is pampering what His Highness wants? Odelia pondered it for a while with a rather serious expression.
"Oh, if it's because of the contract, then you don't have to worry.
"What?"
"I will never refuse Your Highness's orders. I was just worried that I would become too dependent on a man. I expressed my thoughts by finding fault with the man Your Highness told me to marry."
"Stop"
One of Calix's lips twisted ever so slightly.
"You keep saying the same thing."
"Yes?"
"I'll say it again, we're dating right now. Why don't we bring up other topics besides Odelia's contract, the sham marriage, and other topics that can easily be discussed at your mansion?"
Every time Odelia repeatedly uttered words like "contract" or "Your Highness," Calix's judgment shifted. He forced himself to maintain a calm expression.
"..."
Calix lowered his gaze for a moment, then put strength back into his oar-making hands. He was slightly annoyed with himself.
Looking back, it was quite childish. There was no need to bring it up like that.
But whenever Odelia drew a line or seemed to view him only as a "commander," a deep-seated impatience rose from within. It was a very honest feeling, one that even the Crown Prince, accustomed to hiding his emotions, could not help but feel.
It was he who had decided to hide it. But when he sat before her, other words kept threatening to spill out. He felt he shouldn't reveal his feelings, yet at the same time, a strange anxiety shook him, as if he would miss something if he kept it hidden.
"Sorry."
Calix sighed softly at Odelia's apology.
"That's not it..."
Odelia was faster than he could get the words out.
"Then let's start over again."
"...What are you talking about..."
In Calix's eyes, which were looking at her with a puzzled expression, Odelia's face, which was subtly reminiscent of hers, was reflected.
"Let's start dating again from the beginning."
Calix looked at her for a moment as she spoke with a serious expression, then burst into a small laugh.
There was no hint of irritation or sarcasm in his laughter. Rather, the corners of his mouth slowly lifted, a pleasant smile appearing on his face.
Calix didn't look at Odelia's antics strangely, nor did he draw a line. Instead, he began to naturally accept them.
He paused for a moment and nodded slightly, as if he were a couple just starting a date.
"Lady Odelia. Is this your hobby?"
"My hobby is pulling weeds in my front yard."
"Don't make me do that."
"It secretly trains my lower body."
"Do you like to exercise?"
"It's not a hobby, but I still like being active."
As the playful conversation flowed smoothly, the tense atmosphere from earlier gradually eased.
"You like being active, so it must be boring to just sit back and watch someone row like this."
Odelia smiled faintly, without realizing it. Like someone who had traveled through a time when she couldn't even tell what was boring or what was comfortable, Odelia's gaze trembled slightly.
"No, it's not... Rather, it's too calm..."
It was so calm it was almost unsettling. Before she could finish speaking, the small boat had already crossed the lake and gently landed on the shore.
Calix got out of his seat and slowly turned around. He gently pushed himself out of the boat, bending his knees slightly and extending his hand.
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