Chapter 22. May I Go?

He would rather be grateful if she thought of him that way.

Then it would be a little easier. He could offer her magic stones on the condition that she wouldn’t leave.

He could even threaten her with magic stones and keep her locked up in the tower whenever she wanted to leave.

It didn’t matter if she missed her hometown or if there was someone she was dying to see.

In fact, Theo found it more unbelievable that Yuelina was by his side unconditionally, when no one else wanted to be near him.

“So, may I go?”

While Theo was caught up in worry and inexplicable anxiety, Yuelina asked him.

He had been listening to Yuelina’s soft voice like background music.

Where does she want to go?

Theo stared at her with a blank expression.

“I need materials to dry the tea. Can I go?”

Theo’s eyes widened.

Was all that chirping like a chick while showing this tiny leaf really about leaving for her hometown?

His heart, which had sunk earlier, now plummeted to the floor, unable to rise.

“Do you want to go?”

“Yes. Shall we go together?”

“Alright. Let’s go together.”

Theo nodded.

She’s not saying she’ll go alone, but asking to go together.

So shouldn’t he go with her?

He had heard that the Empire was pioneering new continents, starting with Luhae Island.

The principality would be first.

The principality would buy up all the land Yuelina wanted to go to, starting with Luhae Island.

He should designate the Phaenyx territory of the principality as Luhae Island.

“Yes. I want to look around too. Raye says the snacks sold outside are really delicious.”

Theo, who had been planning to start a war with the Empire and turn the principality into an empire, paused.

“…The place you want to go together, is it perhaps the market?”

“Yes. The market street in the square.”

Ah.

Theo looked around.

If Raye and Ulysse were here, they might never call him lord again.

* * *

Yuelina checked her dress once more. It was a purple dress that came down to her ankles for ease of movement.

Made of velvet with a warm lining, it seemed like it would withstand the cold of the principality.

“It will be crowded, so you need to be careful.”

Raye firmly instructed while tying Yuelina’s dress strings.

Today was the day when the marketplace opened in the square.

Before the full onset of winter, harvested crops and imported goods were laid out on the streets and sold at lower prices than usual.

There were many snacks on the streets, as well as minstrels singing and painters drawing pictures.

It was almost like a festival, always bustling with people at this time.

In just a little more time, winter would be in full swing.

They couldn’t keep all the streets warm with magic stones. This would be the last outdoor market.

“Okay. I’ll be careful.”

Yuelina could have gone to the market with Raye, but she wanted to ask Theo first.

After arriving at the dock, Yuelina had lived only inside the Black Mansion for two months.

The same was true for Theo.

While she had to adjust to this vast estate, that wasn’t the case for Theo.

Yuelina thought it was because Theo was the master of the principality.

As the master of this large principality, how much work must he have to deal with?

So she suggested they go out for some fresh air together.

Theo nodded with a dazed expression, saying okay.

She initially thought he might refuse, saying he was too busy… Fortunately, he didn’t.

No matter how much of an master of the principality he was, no matter how responsible a person he was, he needed time to rest.

Moreover, according to Raye, there seemed to be a lot to see in the market. And of course, people too.

Yuelina quietly looked at her hand.

If it’s crowded, bustling, and chaotic…

Maybe today she could try holding Theo’s hand.

It would be really fun to walk around the market street holding hands affectionately.

If it’s still crowded even while holding hands, maybe she could link arms with him?

Yuelina’s face flushed hot.

“Wear this too. The wind is quite cold today.”

Raye put earmuffs on Yuelina.

The pink knitted earmuffs had long strings with white lace that could be tied firmly under the chin.

“Shall we go then?”

Yuelina followed Raye down to the bottom of the tower.

In front of the tower was the navy blue carriage they had ridden on the first day. Ulysse was standing in front of it.

“Your Highness the Grand Duchess. Please get in first. His Highness the Grand Duke will be here soon, he has some matters to attend to.”

“Ah, yes.”

Ulysse opened the carriage door and escorted Yuelina.

Soon after, the sound of Theo’s footsteps, thump, thump, could be heard approaching.

“Your Highness. You need to come quickly.”

“I got it.”

“Really quickly, for sure. If you’re too late, I’ll intervene.”

“I said I got it, didn’t I?”

Yuelina worried as she heard the conversation between Ulysse and Theo outside.

He really was very busy after all.

To the point where even a short trip to the market was difficult.

Yuelina slumped her shoulders, looking completely deflated.

To think that as the Grand Duchess, she was interfering with the Grand Duke’s work.

“I’m sorry. I’m late……”

Theo opened the door abruptly and paused.

Oh my.

The crow-tit had become a cute rabbit today.

Where did she get such earmuffs? Raye or Ulysse had probably made them for Yuelina.

Because only Yuelina could suit such earmuffs.

Theo got into the carriage with a dazed expression.

“You’re very busy, aren’t you?”

“Well.”

In fact, Theo wasn’t busy at all.

He dealt with the principality’s affairs by convening the council once a week.

Moreover, the principality was independent enough not to need much help from the Empire.

They only maintained a relationship with the Empire as a subordinate country connected by blood ties.

But since Yuelina seemed to be in awe of his work processing ability, he decided to go along with being busy.

Theo sat opposite Yuelina and quietly looked at her.

The crow-tit rabbit in a cute velvet dress blinked her eyes like a squirrel.

Even though it was warm inside the carriage, she was still wearing the earmuffs, so they didn’t seem to be uncomfortable.

“What did you say you needed?”

“Oh, a small mesh net and a basket would do. Of course, we have these things in the mansion too… But I thought it would be nice to buy ones to use only for drying tea.”

Theo nodded.

He couldn’t understand why this woman was so timid and hesitant over something as small as a mesh net and a basket.

Even if she had said she wanted to replace all the furniture in the mansion today, Theo would have agreed.

Soon, the carriage began to move out of the Black Mansion.

The Phaenyx territory was the highest area in the north.

Once you passed through the gates guarding the Phaenyx territory, there was a steep hill road.

Beyond that road was the path leading to the village where the people of the principality lived and to the territories of the nobles.

The carriage quickly passed through the gates.

As the flat road ended and the carriage met the steep hill road, it continued to rattle.

Yuelina found it difficult to maintain her balance. Because it was a downhill road, her body kept leaning towards Theo.

Even though she was trying hard to keep her feet firmly planted, it wasn’t enough.

“Ah,”

Just then, a large stone caught the carriage wheel, and with a thud– sound, the speed slowed down.

Yuelina lost her balance and fell forward.

Theo stretched out his long arms and wrapped them around Yuelina’s shoulders and waist simultaneously.

“Are you alright?”

The carriage started moving again. Yuelina was settled on Theo’s thigh.

She fluttered her eyelashes as she looked at her hand resting on Theo’s firm chest.

Their faces were very close.

If Theo moved even a little, it seemed like his nose tip would touch Yuelina’s.

Yuelina slowly raised her gaze that she had lowered. Theo’s blue eyes were looking at her.

She intended to hold Theo’s hand today.

But now her hand was resting on Theo’s chest. His chest was as hard as a rock.

Yuelina unconsciously moved her other hand that had been holding his shoulder.

Theo couldn’t breathe.

Yuelina’s dainty hand slowly moved down and grasped Theo’s forearm.

His entire body tensed up.

Above all, Yuelina was sitting on his thigh.

Even though she was wearing thick clothes, his sensitive senses kept trying to feel through Yuelina’s dress.

Theo stared at Yuelina sitting quietly on his knee.

With one hand on his chest and the other kneading his forearm, Yuelina didn’t seem to have any intention of getting up.

And she wasn’t saying anything.

She just looked at him quietly with soft eyes.

Is this a signal that it’s okay to kiss?

Theo placed his large hand on Yuelina’s back.