Thanks to Darielle’s reminder, Saena finally emerged from her self-deprecation. She could then begin the task of checking the remaining letters and writing replies.

Shortly after, Saena handed several envelopes to Darielle after finishing her correspondence. Instead of heading straight out with them, Darielle asked Saena,

“Madam, won’t you go out in the evening?”

“Hmm?”

Evening? Go where?

“The night market is the best part of a festival!”

Darielle expressed her opinion to Saena, who was preparing to relax after changing out of her outdoor clothes.

“Earlier you just went around once for official duties, so of course it wasn’t fun, but how about going out separately?”

“Hmm?”

“Our territory’s Spring Festival is quite fun and fulfilling.”

She had unconsciously been focusing on this festival as ‘an occasion to introduce the Duke’s wife,’ so she hadn’t even thought about it as a place where she could go and enjoy herself.

“What’s fun about it?”

“There are many interesting snacks– Ah, but you probably wouldn’t eat those, Madam.”

I’m not that picky about food, though?

Back in Delvon, she and Yuri would secretly go out to the festivals and try all sorts of foods behind their father’s back.

“Traveling theater troupes come, and there are many fun betting competitions too.”

Hmm? It seems similar to festivals in other places?

“And there’s one event that you absolutely must not miss!”

An event that must not be missed…

Since it’s a Spring Festival, there are usually many flower-related events, could it be something like that here?

“Um… Darielle?”

But apparently not. As if mocking Saena’s overly ordinary expectation, Darielle covered her mouth with her hand and smiled quite mischievously.

“Heh. It’s not today, but on the last day there’s a competition to choose Cream-Tamer territory’s finest man.”

Just as the Debov family’s central territory was named ‘Delvon,’ Kramer’s central territory was named ‘Cream-Tamer.’

“…Finest man? What are the criteria?”

“Well, it’s largely based on entertainment value.”

Darielle added with another giggle.

“They need to be good-looking and have a good body. Since they do things like log carrying and moving oak barrels with their shirts off, it’s quite a spectacle.”

“……”

“Even if they move all the oak barrels, they can’t win if they have weak muscles or aren’t handsome. That’s what makes a ‘fine man.'”

She even whispered the last part near Saena’s ear as if sharing a special secret.

“Madam. I sincerely recommend it.”

Darielle’s expression was truly serious.

Somehow that level of seriousness seemed so mismatched with the situation that Saena couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Why, don’t you like that sort of thing?”

How could there be a question of whether she liked or disliked it? She had never even thought about having preferences in that area(?).

“Well, since the master himself is already so excellent… I suppose it would be pointless to look.”

“……”

Why did Constantine suddenly come up…

‘Though his muscles are indeed excellent…’

More than excellent…

The image naturally came to mind.

The clearly visible contours through his robe. Those forms that would visibly twitch with just a slight flex…

“……”

Feeling her cheeks heating up somehow, Saena squeezed her eyes shut. Then she opened them wide again to shake off the afterimage.

‘I won’t be able to touch them anyway…!’

It only hurts her mentally more.

“Good suggestion. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Yes. Though you might not be very impressed since you have excellent muscles nearby, I still recommend going to look, if only to get some fresh air.”

“……”

With a somewhat dreamy expression, Darielle nodded while holding the letter envelopes to her chest.

“Then I’ll go send these letters.”

“Mm, okay.”

It seemed she would definitely need to give Darielle a day off the day after tomorrow.

Since she enjoys it so much, to make sure she can enjoy the fun festival…

* * *

While the festival continued bustling outside for a week, inside Castle Cream remained quiet.

Saena went about her daily tasks as if she’s unrelated to the festival. She reviewed approval documents under the Duchess’s purview and focused on translations.

In the evenings, she would go to the Duke’s room to observe and copy his back.

It was quite a fulfilling schedule.

Except for her mind being constantly invaded by flesh-colored thoughts.

‘…Haah.’

The aftermath of the nightly back observation sessions(?) was not insignificant.

‘Why am I like this? Could this be… what people call s*xual frustration?’

Saena hadn’t even known she had such desires, but now she was even wondering if they were ‘frustrated’…

Thwack!

With a clearly ‘frustrated’ attitude, Saena threw down the quill pen she was holding.

‘Fresh air. I need fresh air.’

Feeling her chest tighten with stifling emotions, she stood up abruptly.

What would be good? A walk? Horseback riding? Going out?

Then she suddenly remembered.

‘The night market is the best part of a festival!’

That it was still festival season outside.

‘Today is for going out.’

Saena immediately called a maid to send word to Rupert. Shortly after, Saena left Castle Cream dressed as plainly as possible.

“Sir. Wearing your sword so openly makes you look too much like a guard knight.”

If they went around like that, the territory’s residents might all recognize her identity.

“I’m a swordsman, how else am I supposed to carry my sword?”

“Can’t you go without it just for today?”

“How is a swordsman supposed to fight without a sword?”

“It’s mostly just territory residents at the festival…”

“Still not possible. This is my job, and I cannot gamble with Lady Saena’s safety.”

True, it was her mistake to ask a swordsman to go without his sword. It was based on the assumption that nothing would happen, after all.

Hadn’t she decided not to act like before regarding matters of her safety? Saena accepted this.

“Alright. But instead of walking beside me, follow at a distance.”

“Eh, Miss…!”

“I’ll take another maid with me.”

As she was about to re-enter the castle while considering which maid would be suitable, she happened to meet Darielle. She appeared to be coming out with two maids.

“Madam! Are you going out dressed so simply?”

“Hm? No, I’m going to take a maid with me.”

“Are you perhaps going to see the festival?”

“Huh? Yes.”

“I thought you weren’t going! Then let’s go together!”

Was today perhaps the day Darielle had insisted she must go see?

Well, this worked out well anyway.

“You can’t go out like this without attendants!”

I was just about to call for some…

“And isn’t it more fun to watch with others than alone?”

“I suppose so?”

“You don’t mind going with me, do you?”

“No. I’d like that.”

Darielle smiled brightly.

“You’ve worn your hood well.”

Darielle adjusted the shape of Saena’s hooded cloak neatly while adding,

“There will surely be residents who recognized the Madam’s face during the daytime procession. Plus, your hair and eye color are quite rare in this region.”

Even in the Imperial Capital, completely black hair wasn’t very common. Though rarity alone wasn’t enough to be considered beautiful.

“Alright. Let’s go then.”

Saena headed toward the outer castle with Rupert following behind and Darielle beside her.

They slowly made their way into the streets. As they entered the lively area where lanterns hung everywhere illuminating all directions even after sunset, Saena’s mood seemed to gradually lift.

“What’s that?”

As they were walking, she noticed people crowding in a long line at one side. It appeared to be a street stall.

“Ah, that’s a snack the residents love. Would you like to try one?”

Saena nodded readily.

A maid waited briefly and bought a packet containing some skewers. Darielle received it and handed one to Saena while taking one herself. The remaining ones went to the maids.

“Wow, this is delicious.”

It was made from thinly sliced famine crops grown in the territory, grilled and skewered with some unknown sauce, and it was better than expected.

“Yes. It’s filling and tastes good, right? Though the flavor is a bit strong, it’s something you can only eat at times like this.”

Darielle quickly finished one skewer while giggling.

“Madam, let’s go over there now!”

“Hm?”

As soon as they finished the skewers, Darielle led Saena in a particular direction.

“Woooow!”

“Tommy is so handsome!”

Cheers could be heard from the direction they were heading. It seemed some big event was being held.

“Ah, it must have already started!”

Getting closer, they could see that the spectators in this area had a higher proportion of women compared to other places.

“Ah! Madam! Quickly, come this way.”

Though Darielle whispered the word ‘Madam’ quietly, the urgency in her voice to come quickly revealed that this must be the event she had wanted to see before.

Judging by her overall tone and excessively sparkling eyes, she seemed to be harboring enormous expectations. And looking at the front where this competition or contest was being held, the reason became clear.

“Now then, who will be Cream-Tamer Town’s finest man! Our next championship candidate is the second son of the mill! The dependable Hans! Look at those thick forearms!”

At the announcer’s introduction, a man stepped forward and flexed his biceps and abs to show clear definition while grinning.

“Kyaah! Hans!”

Cheers erupted from all around.

All the men on stage were shirtless.

‘Ah… so this is what it was.’

Though she wasn’t entirely sure, it seemed only men with good muscles(?) were participating.

Unlike knights, since they were commoners, they seemed to have more practical muscles developed from daily life, but it clearly demonstrated that the overall nutrition of the territory’s residents wasn’t bad. There were quite a few well-built men.