After the engagement ceremony with Fazel ended, his skills became widely known. Everyone began viewing Fazel in a new light. Moreover, since he was my fiancé, we received invitations from quite wealthy people in the territory.

It was a night when the sweltering summer had reached its peak.

Under the moonlight, Fazel and I danced. The person who sent us the invitation this time was Uncle Cheron Asnel, a collateral member of the Asnel bloodline with considerable influence. He was my fifth cousin. Uncle Cheron approached Fazel and me with a smile.

“Thank you for accepting the invitation. I heard you and Fazel are so busy that you rarely accept invitations, so I was worried, but I’m glad you came.”

“Is that so?”

I asked, feigning ignorance.

“Of course. Half the people here attended just to see you two.”

Uncle Cheron whispered quietly.

Once rumors spread that Fazel had earned recognition from my godfathers, many people tried to befriend him. Young men from lower noble families were especially noticeable.

“I see. That’s why so many young lords kept talking to me.”

Fazel mingled with them appropriately. He showed them a fake smile while engaging in meaningless conversations.

“There were even young ladies asking Fazel to dance.”

“Despite him having a fiancée.”

“Did you not like that, Fazel?”

“No.”

Fazel nodded firmly.

“You two really look good together.”

Uncle Cheron seemed pleased with Fazel’s answer and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Please take good care of Louelle.”

“Of course.”

Fazel spoke matter-of-factly and danced with me to the next song.

When the banquet ended, Fazel and I returned by carriage. Fazel looked tired and unbuttoned one button of his shirt.

“I’ve gotten used to attending noble banquets now that I’ve been to so many.”

I nodded at Fazel’s words.

“The balls held in the territory are about this level. The capital will be different, though.”

The scale of parties held in the capital was truly exceptional. Louelle recalled the parties from her memories and explained to Fazel.

“First of all, the number of attendees is so large.”

“I imagine so.”

Fazel nodded in understanding.

“By the way, I told you it was okay to decline today’s banquet.”

“We have to follow what’s specified in the contract.”

Fazel shook his head.

“Once you make one exception, it becomes easy not to follow it afterward.”

Fazel’s words made sense.

But today, he must have been tired from studying for half the day and sword training for the other half.

“Do you think only I’m tired? Lady Asnel also did many things today.”

“I didn’t do as much sword training as you.”

“You spent that time organizing documents.”

I was at a loss for words at Fazel’s comment.

That’s right. While Fazel was doing sword training, I was working on territorial affairs.

“We were both busy.”

I said to him with a smile. Then Fazel seemed pleased with those words and added to them.

“It’s good that we’re both busy people.”

Since Fazel does so much work, he said he prefers busy people over idle ones. I guess this is what he meant.

Fazel and I spent our days fulfilling the terms of the contract like this.

I was extremely happy to be with Fazel, using the contract terms as an excuse.

The day after returning from the banquet, I stared blankly at the sky from the window.

I recalled dancing with Fazel last night.

The weather was hot, but my face grew even hotter.

“Are you hot, Miss?”

When I fanned myself to cool down, Marlene, who was beside me, asked.

“The weather is hot.”

I couldn’t say I was even hotter because my heart had been pounding from how handsome Fazel looked yesterday. This time, Marlene seemed oblivious to my feelings and agreed, lowering the temperature on the temperature regulator. Cold air then blew from the round body of the temperature regulator.

“Phew, I feel alive now.”

If there was something called air conditioning where I was before possessing this world, here they had temperature regulators. But their performance was about the level of a fan.

“It’s terribly hot.”

I nodded in agreement with Marlene’s echoing words.

“It’s hard when it’s hot while studying.”

Learning difficult things made my head heat up even more. Fazel also struggled because he was sensitive to heat.

Even though we changed to the latest temperature regulator, it’s still unbearable.

“I imagine so, Miss.”

Marlene agreed with me.

“Yes, the content is difficult. Even with temperature control, it’s extremely hot.”

I made a sullen expression as I recalled our lessons. Then Marlene smiled brightly and said,

“What can we do? This is one of the hottest regions in the empire.”

Resignation lingered on her face. I knew it too, though.

I moved the bookshelf to a place where light didn’t enter, casting a shadow over the table. I finished organizing documents with a lamp that didn’t generate heat turned on.

Leaning my back against the chair, I murmured the words that rose in my heart.

“I want to go have fun.”

Marlene’s eyes sparkled.

“How about taking a vacation?”

I tilted my head at her words.

“A vacation? It was canceled because of Father’s schedule.”

Why would I need to take a vacation alone?

When I have so much to do.

But after hearing what Marlene said next, my thinking changed.

“With Lord Fazel.”

Ah, together with Fazel.

“……”

Marlene, who had been watching me, quickly brought a mirror.

“Your face is flushed, Miss.”

I didn’t imagine anything! I felt somewhat wronged.

“I don’t know.”

I tried hard to hide my emotions. But Marlene had already noticed everything. I also looked in the mirror and knew what I looked like.

“If Lord Fazel agrees, go together. That’s how you’ll grow closer. You can go to a valley and play together.”

My ears perked up at Marlene’s words.

“Valley water is cold.”

Plus, it’s good for playing.

If Fazel were to fall in the water…

I imagined it slightly.

Sometimes when Fazel gets hot during sword training, he pours water over his upper body.

Between the dripping water droplets, his clinging shirt and Fazel’s solid muscles were truly a work of art.

And when he eats snacks, he eats so heartily.

My gaze just naturally went there.

“You might be able to go on a date.”

At Marlene’s words, I said indifferently,

“We do it often.”

“How is that a date? You just gather together to study and exercise! The balls also seem like you’re just going. It’s not really dating.”

“It’s a date in its own way!”

“Dates should be fun.”

I was momentarily speechless at Marlene’s words.

Playing with Fazel? Hmm, come to think of it, even when we went on dates, most of our conversations were related to studying. I pressed my cheeks firmly. I should cool my face with the cold tea Marlene gave me.

“Anyway, ask the Count.”

She seemed to notice my heart had been completely swayed.

When should I tell him I want to go on vacation with Fazel? I worried about it but couldn’t say anything until dinner with Father. As I cut my steak and glanced at Father, he smiled brightly and asked me,

“What do you want to say?”

I’d been caught.

Thinking I’d looked too obviously, I felt a bit regretful and spoke honestly to Father.

“I want to go on vacation with Fazel.”

Father tilted his head.

“With Fazel?”

“I’ll go play in the water at a nearby valley and come back.”

There was a valley and villa near the territory. I went there with Father every year, but this time he couldn’t go because he had to visit the capital. That’s why I wanted to go with Fazel—would he allow it?

But Father gave permission surprisingly easily.

“Go ahead.”

“Is it really okay?”

“Of course. However, you must go with Melka. You’re still young and need a guardian.”

It would be nice if things were always handled this way.

I nodded with a bright smile.

“Of course we should. I understand. I haven’t asked Fazel yet, so if he agrees, I’ll take Melka.”

“Right. Fazel’s opinion is important too.”

Father nodded and agreed with my words.

Since Fazel’s emotional wounds were especially deep, I had to make sure to ask his opinion when proceeding with matters.

“It would be nice if you could come with us too, Father.”

Actually, going with Father would be more comfortable than with Melka. Even though Melka is the chamberlain, I’m not as close to him as I am to Father.

“I don’t know why they’re calling me to the capital right now of all times. They even asked me to bring fruit.”

Father said this while maintaining his smile. He seemed to think it would be profitable, having heard that the capital was in an uproar over the fruit he brought last time.

The godfathers had simply shared the fruit they brought with other nobles, but apparently people were begging the godfathers to let them buy it.

“I’m sure they’re calling you for something good.”

“Since I’m going anyway, I should secure exclusive rights to the sweet fruit too.”

The sweet fruit was a fruit Father created by researching the family’s secret methods. Monopolizing it would allow only our family to produce this fruit for the next 100 years.

“Great!”

I was extremely pleased.

Even when I became the next lord, I would be able to monopolize sweet fruit products.

“Do well with your work.”

“Louelle, have a good time too.”

“Yes!”

Even though Fazel hadn’t agreed yet, I spoke to Father feeling like he already had.

“You need to clear your head too.”

Father knew I’d been wracking my brain studying recently.

Complaining to Father about how hard studying was seemed to have helped.

Now all the preparations were complete.

I just had to persuade Fazel well.

‘I hope tomorrow comes quickly.’

With a pounding heart, I finished dinner and went to bed.

In my dreams, I dreamed of traveling with Fazel.