“Is proposing... difficult?”
“Huh? ...You’re going to propose?”
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“...No.”
When hesitation is added to a negative statement, it usually means a positive one.
He wasn’t really planning to do something, right? After all, we’re already engaged, so there’s no need for a proposal.
Tristan awkwardly wrapped up the uncomfortable situation.
“The point is, I’m supposed to act like a man with no lover, no friends, and no family while I’m there. Got it.”
“Yeah...”
“When will you give me the letter?”
“When do you leave?”
“The day after tomorrow, early in the morning.”
My mouth dropped open. It’s that soon?
“Then, you won’t have time except tomorrow.”
“I don’t mind getting it now. Of course, if you haven’t even written a single letter in the month and a half you’ve had, then I’ll have no choice but to wait.”
My conscience was hit like a punch.
It’s been hectic, but still! I’ve kept him waiting far too long.
When I couldn’t speak, Tristan chuckled.
“Ha, I’m just joking. If you don’t think it’s something that can be written in one day, feel free to send it to Blue Atrium.”
“No, I’ll make sure to send it in person by tomorrow at the latest.”
“...Thank you.”
“Don’t get your hopes up too much! Absolutely not!”
But there was a look on Tristan’s face, almost like a little child excited for a picnic tomorrow, that I couldn’t ignore.
After Tristan left, I sat down at the desk with my head in my hands.
‘What should I write?’
On the day of the hunting competition, I had tried to write some sweet, empty words for Tristan but quickly gave up, deciding I should be more formal to my future husband.
The blueprint I came up with was like this:
‘I’ll talk about the things I like. Ask him what he likes. Even if we don’t love each other, we can at least fill our lives with the things we both enjoy.’
But since that day, many things had happened, and... our relationship had certainly changed.
First of all, Tristan had revealed himself to be a real jerk when it came to relationships.
He would keep someone close until the situation got really tense, then back off, claiming he had no feelings.
Despite that, he had completely stopped pursuing Maria, which made it hard to even curse him properly.
He seemed to only be good for his looks, but it turned out he worked hard at his main duties as well.
And...
‘...He was the one who wanted to know what I like.’
Not just for conversation, but to support me when I felt like I might break.
His voice still echoed in my chest.
‘I didn’t want to be the fool who only offered dessert when my fiancée was stuck in the pit of life.’
You know, Tristan.
I’ll never confess to you...
But somehow, I’ve ended up putting the words you said to me into my mental first aid kit.
I can take them out whenever I need to, remembering that I have someone on my side, and smile.
The pen began to move.
The last letter started with a sentence about how His Highness had seen me shoot an arrow for the first time. But was the first stitch a mistake? The next day, I ended up seeing His Highness draw his sword and bleed after turning his back on everyone...
You are strong.
This isn’t just about physical strength.
Tristan believes that the things he’s worked for and built up will be the strength to protect others.
‘Although I almost became a widow that day!’
Let’s praise his swordsmanship cautiously, though. I might die if I keep going ahead.
The pen smoothly moved, gradually moving towards the letter’s end. It was time to wrap it up.
The last sentence of the previous letter was something like this:
‘I hope to see the scenery of that day (the day we looked at the watery lake) again with you. And I hope we can find another view to admire together.’
But time has passed, and our reality is different.
The memory of looking at that terrible yet beautiful secret garden with His Highness now stands out in my mind.
Now, I will say another hope.
Come back safely.
When you return, I’m sure—
Whatever we go through, we’ll enjoy it together.
I thought up to that sentence and pressed my head to the desk.
Isn’t this too much like a love letter?
‘I’m sticking with the concept of staying faithful to Tristan, so writing this isn’t necessarily wrong!’
After angrily touching my face a few more times, I finally made some corrections and finished it.
When you return, I hope I can be the calm in your everyday life.
Is this too strange? Not too much of a burden, right?
I repeated that question to myself several times as I sealed the letter.
And just before handing it to the maid.
‘Isn’t this a bit lacking?’
An unnecessary desire for a gift popped into my mind.
The first thing that came to mind was a small portrait in a locket, but I had already warned myself not to send something like that, especially on a battlefield. Sending a gift like that would be the same as saying, “I’m actually upset with you.”
‘Actually, I don’t have the time to prepare that.’
What’s something I can quickly prepare that looks nice but isn’t too heavy or burdensome?
Ha-ha, what am I even thinking...
‘No.’
Actually, there is something.
I took out ‘that item’ from my vanity and wrapped it up with the letter before handing it to the maid.
Others might think it’s a strange thing to carry, but I believe Tristan will understand the meaning behind it.
Take care, you fool.
I don’t exactly like you, but I’ll at least worry about you!
I told my parents that I would be joining the family vacation.
Of course, they didn’t object. It’s not strange for a family to travel together.
But Natalie let out a deep sigh.
“Don’t think I’ll let you off easily just because you’re trying to be nice.”
“I won’t. Who’s your little sister?”
“If you can even speak that much.”
My sister, who never denies being the villain, grinned.
“Natalie, Dori! I told the maid to pack up. We leave in three days. The area has beautiful forests and hills; it would be nice to paint there.”
“I prefer the sea.”
“Prince Percival seems to prefer mountains over the sea. You’d better get used to it.”
“I hope he gets used to the sea, the one I love.”
“Natalie...”
Mother sighed. Father pretended he didn’t hear and returned to his room. After a quick shrug, Natalie winked at me and walked off down the hall.
Now, the night before our family vacation should have been full of excitement and peace... but.
I quickly slipped out of the house.
The maids, already used to my outings, would turn off the lights in my room.
My destination was the Sacred Salon.
First, Lady Witch, the gray dog, greeted me, followed by Madam Abigail, wearing a crow mask, who welcomed me warmly.
Today, her voice sounded especially cheerful.
“Hello, Lady. Do you need information today?”
“Yes. I’d like to know the value of some information.”
“What kind of information?”
“...The royal family’s private matters. Specifically, the second prince.”
I respect my sister’s choice. To be honest, I respect her determination to endure the outcome, even though she has so few options in this extreme situation.
But I want to give her some leverage, something she can use if things get tough.
Behind the mask, Madam Abigail made a whistling gesture.
“Private matters, huh. That depends on your purpose.”
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should really say something like this, but then I spoke.
“Something that could possibly annul a marriage. Is that possible?”
“First, I’d have to investigate whether there’s any such weakness... But... honestly, it’s not something that can be bought with money.”
“If money doesn’t work, would you trade it for other information?”
“No. Our clients can’t get more information than what we already have.”
She’s confident.
So the conclusion was clear.
“It’ll be coins, then.”
“Correct! At least three coins should do.”
“Got it. But since the coins are provided by the salon, technically there’s no real money to be made from the information, right?”
“Heh, theoretically, yes. But for the thrill of the bet, everyone who gathers here ends up benefiting the salon!”
“Understood. I’ll do my best to earn them.”
“We’ll be gathering information while waiting for our guests!”
After Madam Abigail left, I sipped my non-alcoholic mojito and observed the surrounding bets.
It was the peaceful period of July, and the capital would start emptying out in August. There didn’t seem to be any major bets; mostly small wagers on drinks.
When I moved the table twice, looking for a bigger bet...
“Excuse me... Ah.”
Something more annoying than the bets immediately caught my attention.
Rick Ray.
He happened to be sitting at the table next to me and looked up at me with the expression of someone who had been struck by lightning while asleep.