Hannah was very excited.
"Since you have silver hair, both light and dark tones suit you well, Lady Presepe!"
“Well, so?”
"Yes! It feels much more rewarding because every outfit you bring suits you so well... Ah. But this coat is too thin, so it won't work. Even though it is spring, it gets cold at night."
Anyway, listening to what Fenrir and Hannah were saying, it seemed like they were going out.
But this suddenly?
She didn't know where she was going, nor what the purpose was. It would be a lie to say she wasn't anxious, but still, right now, there was no other way.
"I think this outfit would be good!"
What Hannah dressed her in was a black coat. It was fluffy, so it did look quite warm.
But should I really just accept something like this? It looks quite expensive at a glance...
However, thinking it might be a bit impolite to show such feelings, Presepe decided to keep her mouth shut.
"The color is dark, so it probably won't stand out much. What do you think?"
"Yeah. I like it all. Anyway, Hannah really has a keen eye. I don't really know how to dress up like this."
Hannah smiled brightly at Presepe's words.
"I'm so glad you said that. Actually, I was really worried! I was afraid I wouldn't be of any help to you, Lady Presepe."
"Oh come on, what are you talking about? Thanks to Hannah, I'm not bored at all, and I'm adjusting well. I'm really glad Hannah is here."
She meant it. Fenrir was looking out for her in many ways, but she was more comfortable with Hannah, and she was the one she spent more time with.
"..."
Hannah blushed with delight, then smiled and said
"Thank you. But I'll keep it a secret from Lord Fenrir!"
“Huh? Why?”
"I thought Lord Fenrir might be a little disappointed if he found out."
...That person?
I don't think so at all.
It was just as she was having such thoughts to herself.
"What do you mean I'm upset about?"
As Presepe turned her head, she saw Fenrir leaning against the doorway.
"Hey, that's..."
Leaving the flustered Hannah alone, Fenrir strode forward. Then, looking at Presepe, he asked.
"Did you do something that would upset me, Lady Presepe?"
The question came first, but there was no specific answer to offer. Blunting out what he had just heard felt like something only a madman would do.
However, nothing came to mind to make up a flimsy excuse.
"Uh... I didn't do anything like that. Um..."
Flustered, Presepe looked urgently at Hannah.
Help me out. Anything. You must be closer to that person than I am.
"She said she is really glad you are here, Lord Fenrir!"
But Hannah betrayed Presepe quite brazenly.
"She said thanks to you; she isn't bored and is adapting well!"
No... How could you say it like that...
Of course, it wasn't entirely wrong, but still...
"..."
Fenrir didn't answer. He just stared at Presepe for a moment, then snickered to himself.
"Shall we go?"
Yeah, it’s better to change the subject quickly. Presepe nodded quickly and walked away with Fenrir.
Hannah, left alone, smiled brightly as she watched their retreating figures, but there was no way for Presepe to know.
***
After leaving the mansion, Presepe encountered an unexpected predicament.
"Are you... riding a horse? Grand Duke Fenrir."
She thought they would use a carriage like last time, but it seemed that wasn't the case.
Presepe looked at the horse in front of her with a troubled expression.
It seemed that a person who had achieved great merit in war and even earned recognition rode a special horse. The tethered horse was enormous, so much so that even when it was standing still, its intimidating presence was clearly palpable.
"It is ferocious, but even if you bring any horse from Ateloia, none of them will be faster than this one."
It seemed fast.
"Riding a carriage isn't bad, but driving a horse would be more convenient in many ways."
"Um, I'm sorry, but I don't know how to ride a horse."
Even if he brought the gentlest horse in the world instead of that one, it would still be a problem. After all, she didn't even know how to pick one in the first place.
However, Fenrir laughed to himself, looked at Presepe, and parted his lips.
"Even if you know the method, you won't be riding alone."
"Yes?"
"Excuse me for a moment."
No sooner had she nodded with a puzzled look than Fenrir's large hand grabbed Presepe's waist.
As if she wasn't heavy, Fenrir lifted Presepe onto the horse without exerting any real strength. Then, he very quickly mounted Presepe right behind him.
"Then you won't have to worry."
Presepe paused slightly at the low voice coming from behind her.
"I will drive as slowly as possible, so please feel free to tell me if you are cold or scared."
"... Yes."
As soon as the answer was given, Fenrir gripped the reins tightly.
Soon, the horse began to gallop down the wide road.
Since she had always used carriages in the previous episodes, this was her first time riding a horse. So, she was a little scared, and the wind hitting her face felt biting cold, but...
It didn't last that long.
The warmth felt over her back was comforting, and the sound of breath quietly exhaled, tickling her ears, was hot.
To be precise, it was closer to the fact that she didn't feel the cold or fear because all her nerves were concentrated on her back.
***
It felt like they had been riding for a full 30 minutes.
At first, she couldn't even get a sense of where they were going, but soon familiar scenery came into view.
She mean. A few days ago.
The day we left the Imperial Palace. The places they had toured by carriage.
The capital's market.
But something was a little off. Even though it was clearly late, the market was incredibly crowded. It looked much more crowded than last time.
Is something going on here?
"I will let you off."
In the meantime, Fenrir jumped off the horse very lightly and reached out his hand toward Presepe. Then, just as he had put her on, he effortlessly lowered her to the ground.
"Grand Duke Fenrir, isn't this the market?"
"You're right."
"I'm not sure what the market has to do with the wish I have to grant, but..."
"There is a very close connection."
Fenrir chuckled and answered.
"Do you remember what I told you last time? That the festival would be held in a few days."
"Since it is not hosted by the Imperial Palace, it is not that grand, but it is still a festival, so it is very boisterous. They say it is a major business season, especially for the merchants in the market district."
Ah, come to think of it, she thinks she might remember. It was before she left the Imperial Palace. It was the day he had come to ask about the murder of Prince Attar.
"The weather has warmed up, and the flowers are in full bloom, so we are holding this festival using that as an excuse."
"Now that the cold has subsided and spring is approaching, the flowers will soon be in full bloom. That is a very fitting excuse to call it a festival. And you will be able to see plenty of the flowers that you like, Lady Presepe."
"And Lady Presepe, you can now come to places like this as well."
"But I can't go to a place like that. Because I always have to stay here."
"Didn't you say that earlier as well? That you were curious about the outside world. So, could there be a better opportunity than today?"
"..."
"This is my wish. To enjoy this festival with you, Lady Presepe."
Presepe wore a slightly surprised expression.
She hadn't expected him to remember everything said back then.
Of course, she probably couldn't have granted anything grand, but she also didn't expect him to make a wish like this.
In the end, Fenrir's actions were all consideration for her, and they were based on kindness.
It was so unexpected and surprising that Presepe just fiddled with her hands aimlessly.
"Thank you... Grand Duke Fenrir."
"For what?"
"Just... everything. And, um, please tell me about the wish you promised to grant later as something else. It feels like I'm the only one benefiting from this wish."
"No, not at all."
Fenrir chuckled as he replied.
"You may not know it, Lafy Presepe, but this has been my very long-held wish."
It was exactly as he said.
Since that distant past that felt unimaginably far away, Fenrir had hoped to meet Presepe here like this.
After all, the place where they first met was also right here at this festival.
Even though Presepe might not remember, he did, so that was enough.
"A wish...?"
Fenrir let out a short laugh and slowly looked around. The area was already packed with people. If it's like this right at the entrance of the market, it must be even worse inside.
"Hand..."
Fenrir reached out his hand to Presepe and said.
“Shall we hold hands?”
"..."
"I am afraid of losing Lady Presepe."
Presepe silently gazed for a moment at the large hand subtly extended to her, then very carefully grasped it.
Fenrir stared down intently at Presepe's small, white hands, then dug between Presepe's fingers with his thick, long fingers.
And only then did he smile with satisfaction.
"I guess I won't miss anything now."
“Ah. Yes...”
“Then let’s go.”
With those words, Fenrir began to walk slowly, very slowly, with Presepe.
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