Early winter was the time when farms finished and organized this year’s harvest. Father and I also had to check how much fruit and wheat we’d cultivated on the farmland.

After braiding my blonde hair, twisting it up, and securing it with pins, I quickly looked at the documents and started organizing them while holding my head. Father was accustomed to this work, so he leisurely drank tea while organizing.

“This year’s harvest is decent too.”

I checked the documents while comparing them to last year’s data. Then Father looked at the documents and smiled slightly.

“The fruit quantity will barely meet what’s contracted.”

“Ah, well that.”

We’d newly developed and released fruit with high sugar content this time, and it was already popular in the capital. The Empress had also contracted a very large quantity. 

She said she’d put it out at palace parties or eat it herself, and that she’d fill the fruit warehouse. On top of that, my godfathers also joined in and ordered tremendously. Even though the price wasn’t cheap.

Well, those people don’t need to worry about money. With wealth passed down through generations and what they’ve built themselves, money would never be a problem preventing them from obtaining something.

Next week, I’d need to check if the contracted fruits were packaged well. Every single day was truly busy.

But still, there was something I couldn’t neglect. Looking at the clock, I jumped up.

“I’ll go to class and come back.”

Father looked at the clock and smiled broadly.

“You’re leaving your father behind and going alone?”

“Father, really!”

“I’m joking. You helped so the work decreased a lot. Thank you so much.”

“Not at all. You granted my request, so I should at least do this much work.”

Though I would have helped even if you hadn’t. I pushed away from the chair and headed to the study room. In the study room, Fazel had arrived first and was reading a book.

“Fazel, it hasn’t been that long.”

Since we studied together yesterday too. Yet lately, every time I saw him, I felt a different sensation. Was it because of his changed atmosphere compared to before?

Fazel lifted his head slightly and spoke like he was dumbfounded.

“We see each other often. We’ll always see each other like this while studying.”

He said that and seemed to be pondering something. I sat in the seat next to him and casually asked.

“So you don’t like it?”

Fazel’s hand movements stopped.

“No. It’s not that.”

“Then you like it?”

When I asked curiously, Fazel turned his gaze to me. Then he let out a deep sigh and opened the book I’d taken out.

“Don’t ask questions like that and just look at the book. Today’s material is difficult.”

The content we were learning lately was mostly advanced material. Since the basic content had ended and we mainly solved application or advanced problems, Fazel and I held our heads while discussing what we didn’t know and studied together.

At Fazel’s words, I set aside my curiosity and quickly looked at the book. Since I had no intention of making him uncomfortable, I tried to end the teasing here.

When I sat down and looked at the book, Fazel exhaled again. He seemed to have something complicated on his mind, but I was concentrating on the book and couldn’t ask.

* * *

Fazel arrived home carrying heavy books. Suran, who’d ridden in the carriage with him, examined her son’s complexion then stroked his head and asked.

“Is something wrong? Is the content difficult?”

At Suran’s words, Fazel shook his head.

“The difficult parts I’m solving together with Louelle. It’s not that kind of difficulty.”

“Then?”

“I’m just frustrated.”

Knowing her son had difficulty speaking his inner thoughts, Suran silently nodded. When her son was troubled, she had to wait until his worries ended and he was ready to confide in someone.

Fazel found Suran’s attitude comfortable. He bowed his head then went up to his room on the upper floor.

Going up to his room, he climbed to the attic located higher than his own room. In the attic were the sword and armor given by the Asnel Count family.

Phew.

“The armor is gradually not fitting.”

If he told Louelle, she’d replace it. He thought he should mention tomorrow that he needed new armor, and thought of Louelle.

Today she’d twisted up her blonde hair elegantly. His eyes were drawn to her beauty like they were bewitched. There were also times he deliberately answered bluntly and avoided answering because he wanted to hide his inner feelings.

‘Then you like it?’

Except for weekends, he was stuck together with her every day. Studying, learning swordsmanship, and sometimes asking her how to manage territory. 

After coming of age, he’d have to manage territory as a Count. The things Louelle said in passing were very necessary for him.

Previously, he’d liked being with Louelle because it helped him. But now it was a bit different.

Phew.

Another sigh came out. The moment itself of being with Louelle was good. After becoming aware of his feelings at the autumn party, a sweet energy gradually rose from within his heart.

After being abused at the Duke’s house, he’d thought he’d absolutely never develop feelings of liking someone. To think he’d come to like Louelle like this.

But Louelle would regard him as a friend. And he was merely a Count, which didn’t suit Louelle.

“I need to build my strength.”

He wanted to build strength for his mother. He wanted to succeed and serve his struggling mother well. He could endure anything to protect what was precious.

But now that target had increased by one. Louelle was so precious.

“You don’t have to choose me. It’s okay to look at another man. But I hope I can someday be helpful to you.”

He whispered like making a vow. Even if he wasn’t chosen by Louelle, he could live on memories. But when Louelle needed help, if he couldn’t do anything for her, he felt he’d reproach himself then.

So that wouldn’t happen. Fazel opened his book.

He planned to lay the foundation to build strength by maximizing what was given to him now.

* * *

I was enjoying tea time with Fazel. Today was a day without lessons. Though it was something Fazel started to appear close with me, this time had become very precious to me.

Though Fazel didn’t know. Still, if before it felt like he did it out of obligation, now it was different.

Should I say it felt like coming to talk with a friend?

“The armor got too small?”

“I grew taller.”

“Armor should fit the body perfectly. Hmm, let’s get new ones made.”

“I feel bad for getting them made so often.”

“Not at all!”

I quickly shook my head.

“We made a contract.”

Though apart from that, I wanted to do it for Fazel. If I gave too much, he’d feel burdened. Knowing his personality to some extent, I gave an appropriate reason.

Fazel also didn’t refuse what was necessary. He nodded and asked me something he was curious about.

“You said to have my birthday party at the castle.”

“Yeah, right.”

“My godfathers aren’t coming, are they?”

He seemed a bit worried that a situation like the last engagement ceremony might occur.

“No. The birthday party will be moderate.”

At the word “moderate,” Fazel’s eyes narrowed.

“We’re engaged. It’s not proper etiquette to hold your fiancé’s party simply.”

I couldn’t compromise on this. When I spoke firmly to Fazel, he pondered for a moment with his chin in his palm, then asked something curious.

“How grand are you planning to make it?”

“First, I’ll invite surrounding nobles and bring influential people from among the territory residents. We’ll spend time greeting them together. I’m planning to do this much.”

“Isn’t that more splendid than your birthday party?”

“It’ll be as splendid as my birthday party.”

After making the birthday party splendid, I had to make them recognize whose man Fazel was. Fazel’s appearance was gradually blooming, and as his abilities became known to those around him, many people admired him.

Don’t underestimate my information network. I planned to make the party extensively grand so young ladies could absolutely never covet Fazel.

“We’re contract engaged. What are you going to do about the aftermath later?”

Fazel asked worriedly.

“My future self will handle it.”

You think I’ll break off the engagement? 

But I didn’t say this to Fazel.

* * *

Fazel stood up and looked in the mirror. Going to the castle to attend his own birthday party seemed natural now.

‘I spend more time at the castle.’

Since Louelle said she’d prepare clothes at the castle too, he closed the wardrobe door wearing casual clothes. He put on the coat Master Trean bought him recently and went downstairs.

Downstairs were his mother and Trean.

“Master?”

“I came to pick you up myself.”

Trean looked at Fazel wearing the coat he’d bought and smiled broadly.

“It suits you well. As expected, with good looks, clothes look magnificent.”

“Thank you for the birthday present.”

“Next year I’ll get you something even better.”

Trean winked and turned his head to Suran.

“Suran, you’re really beautiful today too.”

“Thanks. But Trean, is it really okay? Giving presents like this to me and Fazel. The clothes seemed expensive too.”

“On a day like today, you should wear things like this. And what does it matter? I’m buying because I want to. And I’ve almost resolved my debts, so it’s fine.”

Trean spoke confidently like telling her not to worry. Fazel approached his mother and smiled slightly watching Trean talking about this and that.

Master truly cherished his mother. He hoped his mother, who’d given up on marriage, would meet a good person and live happily.

It was also Aunt’s wish.

Aunt, who ultimately passed away from illness, but lived a bit longer than others with that illness thanks to his mother’s sacrifice. When his mother went out to work and it was just the two of them, Aunt often said she hoped his mother would be happy.

‘I hope Aunt is watching from heaven and smiling.’

Fazel shook his head watching Suran, who still didn’t notice Trean’s openly expressed interest at all.

There are things people can only know when said directly in words. He thought Trean’s feelings were like that too.

* * *

I counted down the days waiting for Fazel to come to the castle. Master Trean said he’d go pick him up himself this morning, but it was taking longer than expected.

“Why isn’t he coming?”

When I looked at the clock and muttered, Marlene smiled and sat me down.

“There’s still time, my lady.”

“But I wish he’d come quickly.”

“Because you want to dress up together with Lord Fazel?”

I silently drank tea. Since that was the correct answer, Marlene laughed out loud again. Her laughter echoed through the room.

“Lord Fazel! You know his gaze when looking at you has changed lately, right?”

“I know.”

I calmed my fluttering heart thinking of that gaze. Should I say I was looking forward to what eyes he’d look at me with today?

After some time passed, a knock sounded. I turned my chair. The door opened and Fazel, Suran, and Master Trean entered.

“Fazel, get dressed up well.”

Suran took the coat Fazel removed. Master Trean also patted Fazel’s shoulder.

“Hang in there.”

Anyone watching would think we’re making him do something difficult.

“It’s dressing up, so it’s not difficult.”

I spoke to Trean like I was wronged. Then Trean shrugged.

“Before going to the ballroom, changing clothes was the hardest for me. You don’t know how much there is to take care of.”

Then he tried to sympathize. Noticing that, I quickly approached him.

“Fazel, get used to it.”

“Phew, okay.”

Fazel knew too. That truly becoming a noble meant having to do things like this as well.

This time I was too busy to go to the shop with Fazel. So I showed him clothing designs, and I bought one from what Fazel chose.

It was a suit made of silver fabric over a white shirt. It seemed like it would suit Fazel’s silver hair very well. Befitting birthday clothes, silver embroidery was placed on it that sparkled when it caught the light.

Fazel changed clothes in the dressing room and came out. I was very satisfied looking at him.

“It suits you well.”

“I know that too.”

Fazel also seemed to like the clothes, looking in the mirror then turning his gaze toward me.

“What do you like best about Louelle? I wore several outfits.”

At his question, I spoke like it was obvious.

“The new clothes are the best.”