“I wish I had a photo or something.”

I wish I could see this side of Luden’s face in the future too.

“Why are you looking at me so closely?”

“Because Luden is different from usual.”

Luden’s expression hardened. Then he soon closed his eyes and opened them again. He was looking at me with inorganic eyes like before. Enough to make me think the emotions I saw moments ago were an illusion.

“That’s a shame.”

“Why?”

“When emotion fills Luden’s face, it’s extremely pretty. The atmosphere softens too.”

“I dislike that sort of thing.”

Luden spoke curtly.

“There’s no need to let emotions spill out.”

He said that and extended his hand to me.

Luden leaves for knight training in the fall. Then we’ll be separated.

Hmm, thinking about that time, it wouldn’t be good to get too close.

“Anyway, let’s go out quickly.”

I smiled brightly at the awkward atmosphere and linked arms with him.

“Luden really dislikes showing emotions. But show them to your wife sometimes.”

Then I pressed my finger firmly near his heart.

“Otherwise, this place will break.”

“Annelia…”

“If you only hold back, the human body breaks down eventually.”

I’ve experienced it.

“Did something like that happen?”

Luden asked.

“Yes, many times.”

I smiled bitterly.

“Showing emotions isn’t losing. It’s not being weak either.”

I spoke softly, thinking of myself back then.

“It’s natural and normal. Being too emotional is a problem, but suppressing emotions too much like Luden is also a problem.”

As I spoke gently, I thought “oops.” At this rate, I’ll end up saying everything.

“That was a long digression. Let’s go eat for now!”

I put the list in my bag.

The restaurant wasn’t very far away.

* * *

‘Why can’t I stop thinking about her?’

Sorean was in a daze. Then his friend Anok quickly tapped his shoulder with his hand.

“What are you thinking about so hard?”

“That lady won’t leave my mind.”

Then Anok recalled what Sorean had said recently.

“You mean Lady Rosaline?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s getting married soon though.”

Anok pointed out reality to Sorean. Sorean let out a sigh.

“Even if she gets married, it’s not like she can’t become a lover.”

“That’s true, but.”

“The problem is she had absolutely no interest in me.”

Sorean recalled Annelia, who had refused with a smile. He’d had a slight ulterior motive and suggested having a meal as thanks, but she refused.

Everyone who sees him once wants to dine with him. He was that confident in his appearance.

But Annelia’s eyes were cold. She seemed to have no intention of approaching him.

Yet why does he keep thinking about her?

Her blonde hair and gentle smile came to mind. She was truly beautiful. Her eyes were like the finest jewels too.

When he recently heard rumors that Annelia received an apology from Duke Hanel’s son, he wanted to meet her once. So when they met by chance through a carriage accident, he thought it was fate.

She probably doesn’t think that way though.

“She was more beautiful than the rumors.”

At Sorean’s words, Anok shook his body.

“Will you have a chance to meet her again?”

“Probably not.”

“Let’s just eat some salad and go.”

Anok opened the restaurant door and entered. There were many customers inside.

They took their seats and were about to eat. But Anok raised his head and looked to the side. He spoke to Sorean, who was in a daze.

“Is Lady Rosaline more beautiful than that lady?”

Then Sorean turned his head.

“Good heavens!”

He quickly stood up from his seat and approached where the beautiful woman was. An extremely handsome man was sitting across from her. Of course, Sorean didn’t see the man.

“Hello.”

He spoke to her. Then she turned her head.

Just as he remembered, she was still beautiful. Sorean clutched his pounding heart.

“Count Root.”

Annelia remembered him.

“Yes.”

“Did you come here to eat?”

“I came with a friend.”

At his words, Annelia smiled.

“I came to eat with my fiancé.”

Saying that, Annelia introduced Luden. Luden bowed his head to him.

“I see. I’m Sorean Root.”

At his introduction, Luden said.

“I’m Luden Charlot.”

“So you’re Marquis Charlot.”

After finishing introductions, Annelia soon turned her head.

* * *

I was surprised to meet Sorean. I hadn’t expected to run into him here again. But after greeting him, there was nothing more to say.

He returned to his seat and his friend seemed to be saying something.

“How did you come to know him?”

Luden asked.

“He’s the one who caused the carriage accident.”

“Ah…”

I shrugged my shoulders once and ate my salad again.

“I didn’t expect to meet him here again.”

I drank my beverage without saying anything particular. Then Luden spoke quietly.

“I understand Count Root’s territory is quite valuable.”

“Really?”

“There’s a diamond mine in the territory.”

“That’s impressive.”

“The quality of diamonds from there is good, so we were working on securing mining rights.”

Hearing his words, I pondered for a moment.

“He said he’d buy me dinner as thanks.”

“He said that?”

“Yes, I refused because it was uncomfortable, but I think it would work if I went with Luden.”

“That would be good then.”

“Let’s meet for business purposes.”

I was pleased with my own decision. Thinking it would help Luden made me feel even better.

* * *

Luden took Annelia to the park. It reflected Annelia’s preference for walks after meals. He also often walked after eating, so walking with Annelia wasn’t bad.

Walking down the path, Luden carefully observed her.

Summer was approaching. Soon he would have an engagement ceremony with Annelia. Right after the engagement ceremony would be the wedding. And then he would leave for knight training.

How would Annelia behave after that?

When he heard Sorean had proposed a dinner appointment to Annelia, displeasure bloomed in his chest.

That man seemed to have feelings for Annelia.

According to the contract, after he finished knight training and came out, Annelia could take a lover. Would she take that man as her lover then?

“Annelia.”

“Yes.”

She turned her head. Her curly blonde hair reaching down to her waist came into view. Her light green eyes sparkled there.

I’m intoxicated by those eyes.

“Do you like Sorean?”

At his words, Annelia looked flustered.

“Like him?”

“Just wondering if you like that type.”

The excuse was poor. To say such things to probe her feelings. He clicked his tongue.

Fortunately, Annelia shook her head.

“Not really.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m not particularly interested in appearances. Luden is so handsome that other men look like squid.”

Squid? At the unexpected comparison, he tilted his head.

“What do you mean?”

“Just that they look ordinary.”

Annelia said that and shook her head.

“Don’t worry. As specified in the contract, I won’t take a lover until Luden finishes knight training.”

Annelia simply thought he was saying this because of the contract.

Actually, that’s not it. He was scared and afraid she would show interest in another man.

Annelia wouldn’t know this feeling. Could he tell her?

“I’ll conduct myself properly before Luden has to intervene.”

Annelia spoke calmly, telling him not to worry, and smiled brightly.

Then Luden’s heart ached.

He had tested Annelia. Because of that, Annelia was treating him even more thoroughly as just a contract partner.

…He wished she wouldn’t do that.

That thought suddenly occurred to him.

* * *

If I took a lover, Luden would handle it himself. But I don’t want that.

“I’ll behave so Luden doesn’t have to worry about me.”

I looked at him and said.

Yes yes, I should do at least this much. Even though Luden will go to the female lead in the future, he’s still a man who takes care of me. I’ve grown quite fond of him. For now, I’m his fiancée and we’ve made a contract as a safety measure.

But Luden asked in an expressionless voice. When he hides his emotions, he erases expressions from his face. In other words, his head was working in complicated ways right now.

Why?

“In that regard, I trust Annelia completely.”

He nodded.

“You can just treat me comfortably.”

Ah, what am I even saying?

“I’m already treating you comfortably though?”

Then he looked flustered.

“Because you said you’d make sure I don’t have to worry.”

“That’s so I don’t get caught with flaws. Separate from that, I’m treating Luden comfortably.”

I raised my hand and held his. His hand filled with warmth was very warm.

“Like holding hands comfortably like this.”

When I smiled, his expressionless face gradually relaxed.

Hm? He was smiling. Innocently at that.

Warmth settled in his red eyes. It was a smile sweeter than ice cream.

“…Yes.”

Oh, he can make that expression too.

When a smile graced his face, his face seemed to shine more. He looked at me with burning eyes.

“Isn’t it too defenseless to hold hands?”

He said that and looked at our hands. Then he lifted that hand and kissed it.

Why, why is he doing this?

While I was flustered, he raised the corners of his mouth seductively.

“Are you seducing me?”

He asked softly.

“N-no.”

I tried to pull my hand away in embarrassment. But he didn’t let go.

“You started it first.”

Saying that, he kissed my fingers. Then he kissed the back of my hand while looking at me and pulled me into his embrace.

Trapped in his arms, I opened my eyes wide.

His embrace is so warm… No, that’s not it! Why is he doing this to me?

When I tried to push away, he pressed down.

“Where are you trying to go?”

“No, this kind of thing… should be done after mental preparation.”

“If I give you that time, you might run away.”

He was very anxious.

“Annelia.”

I raised my head to look at him. Then he raised his hand and held my chin.

“We haven’t even kissed yet, have we?”

At his words, my face heated up.

Stars were pouring down in the night sky. His gaze slowly approaching was so hot I felt I’d burn. I immediately knew it was a look of wanting me.

Why is he looking at me like this? You’re destined to kiss another woman!

Ah, of course he did have a married life with Annelia. But he’s a man who’ll go to another woman later.

While I was confused inside, he raised the hand holding my chin.

“Annelia.”

He spoke in a sweet voice.

Ugh, I can’t avoid this. This is cheating!

Contrary to my inner screaming, I was closing my eyes. Then his lips touched lightly.

What touched my lips was extremely hot.

I opened my eyes. The light kiss was like a feather. But the lingering feeling was far too long.

The part that touched his lips was hot, so I unconsciously bit my lip.

“Luden.”

“When we have the engagement ceremony, I’ll embrace you.”

His eyes were still looking at me greedily.

“So don’t run away.”

I want to run away. I don’t want to give my body and heart completely to a man who will love another woman.

But telling him I know the future wouldn’t be right.

“Luden, I…!”

“Next time, I’ll really kiss you.”

He kissed me lightly again. My body was soaked in the sweet sensation.

Drawn by his eyes, I nodded unknowingly, seemingly entranced.