“Louelle has great skills too. To bring someone like that.”

At Royten’s words, Fazel smiled. He recalled the clever move she’d used to persuade his mother.

Louelle had the ability to skillfully dig into people’s hearts and move them. Whether she intended it or not, the result was always her victory.

“But isn’t Sister Louelle really pretty?”

Royten asked.

Fazel nodded and thought of her appearance. When she let down her flowing blonde hair and smiled often, a bright light shone from her face. So sometimes he found himself staring blankly.

“Louelle also has an aura that comes from her personality, so she’s truly amazing.”

Her words always contained kindness. He seemed already addicted to her showing him such affectionate sides.

“You’ve really fallen for her.”

“Hm?”

At Royten’s words, Fazel questioned back.

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t know?”

Royten smiled mischievously.

“You don’t know what expression you make when talking about Sister Louelle?”

Fazel was flustered.

“You smile very gently.”

Hearing his words, Fazel’s expression hardened.

“Usually you’re like this.”

Then everyone laughed. They laughed thinking Fazel had only now become aware of his feelings.

‘Do I feel that way about Louelle?’

He asked for a mirror, flustered. Then he looked at his own face while thinking of Louelle.

A smile instantly appeared.

“!”

That smile was an expression Fazel had never imagined before.

* * *

Rucelina and the other young ladies asked many questions about Fazel. I excitedly bragged about him.

Handsome face, and he listens well too!

Everyone cheered me on.

“Make sure to have a son.”

At Rucelina’s words, I thought I’d misheard and looked at her again.

“Why so surprised? We’ll soon be adults, and you’re engaged so you’ll marry quickly, right? Then in a few years a child will be born.”

Though there were still five years until adulthood. Come to think of it, that’s right.

Fazel’s birthday was coming soon too, so in five years he’d be an adult.

“I’m curious what kind of child will be born. It’ll be an incredible handsome boy!”

Rucelina was delighted imagining that time. I also blushed imagining our son. I bowed my head deeply and covered my face with my hands.

“What are you imagining?”

“I’m not imagining anything.”

“You imagined something strange, didn’t you?”

“No.”

Though it was true. To be honest, it was troublesome that he’d been taking off his shirt lately. Because sometimes during sparring, my gaze went to his broad chest instead of the sword.

I’m a woman too. When seeing the well-developed muscles of the man I love, my heart fluttering was unavoidable.

“Should we go out?”

At Rucelina’s words, everyone nodded.

“There’s a ball in town. It’s fun to go watch.”

Since everyone brought knights, they could move safely. I also wanted to see the town, so I stood up.

Going outside, the men were already out talking. Everyone was patting Fazel’s head. Fazel grumbled with a flushed face.

I’m envious, I want to pat Fazel’s head too.

“Do well.”

“Yeah, I’ll cheer for you.”

“You’re his fiancée.”

Do well at what? When I approached, the men stepped back from Fazel’s side like they’d made a promise.

“What’s going on?”

Fazel turned his head sharply. Then he spoke with his face slightly flushed.

“Nothing.”

It seemed like something, but Fazel seemed unwilling to talk about it. I wanted to know, but I should hold back.

“Okay.”

When I let it go, Fazel exhaled and stared at me. His gaze was wavering greatly.

“Of all things, smiling like that.”

Muttering to himself, he quickly approached my side and held my hand.

Why suddenly hold hands? Fazel usually didn’t hold hands first?

When I was flustered, he spoke like a whisper.

“We should look affectionate.”

“Ah, right.”

We’d agreed to do that. I wished he would hold my hand naturally from his heart, not from the contract.

I felt disappointed, but quickly hid such feelings. Let’s not want too much from our relationship.

The possibility of him becoming my man had grown compared to before, so I could approach little by little. When that happened, we would become a relationship where we truly loved each other.

Believing that, I got in the carriage to go to the town.

People had gathered in the square. Since a ball was held today, everyone had dressed up with all their might. A fairly large-scale band was preparing to play music, and merchants were coming out here and there selling goods.

Commoners and nobles danced without distinction. I spoke to Fazel in a highly excited mood.

“Fazel has to dance with me first.”

“Of course.”

Fazel said that and looked at me with serious eyes. His eyes were deep and dark. Like a pouch containing something, it looked that way, so I was flustered.

The music played and Fazel led me, lost in thought, and danced. I also came to my senses and danced holding his hand while looking at his face.

He sighed and looked at me, shaking his head.

Just what had happened for Fazel to be like this? At my gaze, Fazel shrugged like it was nothing.

“It’s nothing.”

The music flowed gently. Fazel and I danced while slowly spinning around the square.

Warmth was contained in Fazel’s hand. At the body temperature slightly higher than before, I asked him in a worried voice.

“Are you sick somewhere?”

“It’s not that.”

“Really?”

“Just, my body is hot.”

He said that and smiled softly. Though he smiled well at me now, this smile was somehow different.

The gaze looking at me was somehow sweet, making me tense without realizing it. Then I soon let out a small laugh.

There’s no way Fazel would suddenly like me. I shook my head in denial.

At that time, I didn’t notice at all that Fazel’s ears looking at me were burning.

The dance ended and we returned home. And when we returned home, I heard unexpected words from Father.

“Fazel to winter camp?”

“Trean said to ask if he could send him.”

At Father’s words, I thought carefully.

Winter camp. It was knight training that students with excellent swordsmanship participated in. 

The Imperial Knight Order hosted it, and if you were recognized for your skills there, you could become part of the Imperial Knight Order.

It’s an incredibly good opportunity for Fazel.

And the person in charge of that camp is Godfather Garen. I raised the corners of my mouth.

“That’s good. It’s a chance to properly show Fazel’s skills. But we should hear Fazel’s opinion.”

“He’ll probably want to go.”

I think so too, but.

“Fazel’s birthday is coming soon, so he can go after the birthday party ends.”

Father also nodded in agreement.

“What will you do about Fazel’s birthday party?”

“I’m thinking of talking to Fazel and having it at the castle.”

“Of course. We should take care of it.”

Father said that like it was natural.

Returning to my room, I buried my face in the fluffy bed. His sweet expression suddenly came to mind. Because of the expression he showed me today, I’d been thinking of Fazel all day.

“Why are you suddenly smiling like that?”

It’s suddenly confusing. And my heart pounds.

I sighed and lay on the bed. When I was with Fazel, my heart ran wild. I closed my eyes listening to the sound of my heart that wouldn’t calm down.

But even closing my eyes, his face I’d seen during the day didn’t disappear.

* * *

The next day came. Fazel, who came to drink tea, heard my words and asked again.

“Winter camp?”

“Yeah, how about going there?”

At my story, Fazel was a bit flustered.

“Can I go?”

“Master Trean brought it up first.”

“Ah, well that.”

“Did he tell you too?”

“He did talk about winter camp in detail.”

Master Trean had already been laying groundwork to make Fazel want to go to winter camp. Fazel asked me with sparkling eyes.

“Can I really go?”

“Starting next year, Mage Loctaron will come to the territory and you’ll learn magic in earnest. Then you can’t go next year. So you should go this year.”

At my firm words, Fazel also agreed.

“But you know.”

Fazel swallowed his words for a moment. What is he trying to say? I tried to guess his thoughts while examining Fazel’s expression. I was also worried about what words would come from his mouth making a serious expression.

Could there be something difficult because of past events? Is he afraid Nertian might come to winter camp?

“Will you be okay without me?”

The words he brought up were unexpected. I didn’t understand the meaning of what he said and tilted my head.

“What?”

“I mean, is it okay if I can’t play the fiancé role for a while?”

At his words, I finally understood.

“Of course. We can’t miss this opportunity. But you have to write letters diligently when you go!”

This was absolutely non-negotiable.

“It’s an opportunity for you to be recognized, so of course I should send you.”

“You always seem to talk for my sake.”

Well, because you’re the man I fell for!

I smiled brightly.

“We’re friends.”

“Do you do this for other friends too?”

He suddenly came at me. Since I hadn’t expected such a question, I was flustered and shook my head too honestly.

“There’s no way. Fazel is special.”

I realized I’d shown my heart too honestly and quickly tried to recover.

“Though it’s a contract, you’re also my fiancé.”

Fazel still hadn’t accepted me. Since I’d decided to go slowly, I deliberately hid my heart. If he knew I truly had feelings, he might feel burdened and try to break the contract.

I needed time to approach him more. Fazel gave my hand a glance then silently held it.

“Thanks.”

After saying that, he smiled broadly.

“For saying I’m special. To me, you’re also special.”

Wh-what? It’s like a confession!

My face heated up. My cheeks burned and I couldn’t raise my head. I bowed my head and quickly changed the subject.

“Fazel, do you want to have your birthday party at the castle?”

“Let’s do that.”

Fazel obediently nodded at my words. I could feel relieved that the topic changed.

I can’t let him discover my feelings like this! I should confess when he’s ready to accept me.

After confessing, I’ll set the wedding date right away. I’ll keep my ambitions hidden from Fazel until then.

* * *

Fazel returned home. At home were Suran and Trean, who somehow stamped his attendance every day.

They seemed to have been drinking tea, as teacups were placed on the sofa.

“Fazel, you’re here?”

Suran stood up to greet Fazel. Trean also stood and approached Fazel, examining his face.

“Seems like something happened?”

Trean rubbed Fazel’s cheek with his hand.

“Your cheek is hot.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Really? You’re not sick.”

“Of course not.”

Fazel said that like telling him not to worry and looked at Trean and asked.

“I hope I’m not last place at winter camp.”

“Of course not. The Commander-in-Chief also asked me to definitely send you. I was just talking with Suran about winter camp.”

I thought they’d be having sweet talk alone. Fazel smiled slightly knowing the story Suran and Trean had was different from his expectations.

“Hang in there, Master.”

Trean’s face heated up, understanding Fazel’s hidden meaning.

“Fazel!”

“Trean, what’s wrong? What does Fazel mean by saying that?”

Suran asked Trean in a worried voice. Trean looked at Suran and shook his head.

“No, there’s something like that.”

Trean sighed.

Fazel came outside briefly to talk with Trean about winter camp. A cool wind was blowing.

“The sky is clear.”

“Autumn doesn’t have much left.”

“Your birthday is coming soon.”

After saying that, Trean put his arm around Fazel’s shoulders.

“You’ve grown a lot. Soon you’ll surpass this master.”

“I hope so.”

“In a few years I’ll have saved some money. Then I’ll propose to Suran.”

Everyone knew that Trean was desperately working at the castle saving money. Only Suran didn’t know why Trean worked so hard.

She just thought Trean worked hard to save money.

“Then will I have a father at that time?”

“Of course. A Count father with a Count son?”

At Trean’s words, Fazel chuckled. The sky submerged in darkness was very beautiful.

And time passed and Fazel’s birthday approached.