Chapter 24
Yours and Mine, A Certain Precious Day IV (1)
No matter how much Kaid loved to eat sweets, it would be hard for him to eat all five cakes by himself . It was also difficult to leave the cakes for later since it might be poisoned . So, the cakes were given to me . But I felt a little guilty while eating the cake even though four other people had permitted me to eat it . This was because the cakes were supposed to be a present for Kaid . The cakes were sweet, and the flavors burst in my mouth as I took a bite .
For a while, only the clicking sound of tableware was heard in the room .
I’ve noticed this recently, neither of us was great at starting conversations . I’ve already known that my social skills were not my strong suit, but it turned out that it was the same for Kaid . This would’ve been different if there was a topic for us to talk about, or if someone else was in the room . But since we were the only two people in the empty room, it was dead silent beside the occasional clinking of the tableware as we ate .
“Um, my lady?”
“What’s the matter?”
“What about the dress?”
I looked up when he suddenly broke the silence . His tone was humble, and he had a troubled expression on his face . He looked like he was surprised at himself for starting the conversation .
“Are you referring to the dress that I will be wearing to the royal capital?”
“Yes . ”
I was pretty confident about what he was referring to, but I asked him directly to confirm that I was correct .
As for the dress that I will be wearing to the royal capital, they had already taken my measurements and showed me a few popular styles . However, because I’m not well versed in the current fashion trends, I left the final touches to Caron and the dressmaker .
I had no choice but to have an expensive dress made by the dressmaker .
Anyway, I would become a laughingstock if I wore a dress according to my taste . After all, I am the fiancée of the feudal lord . The feudal lord and his fiancée will be the representatives of Laius . If we did not have the appropriate attire and manners, other nobles will gossip and look down on us . And if one of the noble ladies from Laius wore a dress that was more expensive than mine, then I would be insulted and deemed unsuitable to be the feudal lord’s fiancée .
I liked to dress modestly, especially when I visited the orphanage . But if I dressed like usual, then I would not be approved by other nobles .
These were one of the few absurd rules that we had to follow . But, after some time, we had come to an unspoken agreement that there was no reason to break these rules and disturb the peace .
Wearing a beautifully tailored dress will establish my status and make me look like a figure of power in Laius . I must wear it while exuding an aura of confidence . But looking at the way I am right now… Will I be able to properly do my part?
“I don’t think that my body shape will change drastically by the time I head to the royal capital, but because I haven’t stopped growing yet, I asked them to be flexible with the measurement . ”
“Is that so?”
“Yep . ”
When our conversation ended, the room became dead silent again .
Starting a new topic of conversation was not my specialty, and there were a few topics that I dreaded talking about since it was associated with a few of my more unpleasant memories . I couldn’t find a topic to follow-up on right now because my mind was drawing a blank .
I wondered if it was possible for us to both choose a topic that we both agreed on to talk about . Nonetheless, men and women usually enjoyed talking about different topics . Even so, it seemed like Kai had memorized some of the more popular topics to talk about among women . This can be seen when he started talking about the dress that I was going to wear to the royal capital . Topics such as what dresses were fashionable, and the latest jewelry had been hammered into my mind . With that said, I preferred shying away from topics about my past because I feel uncomfortable whenever my past was brought up in a conversation .
When silence fell upon the room again, I was troubled by what I should do . I was flustered and my mind was in a mess as I scrambled around looking for a topic to talk about .
I was already satisfied that Kaid was alive and well, and here with me . But I didn’t want to verbally express it . Perhaps, it wasn’t smart to force a topic; it might make the atmosphere even more awkward . I was happy just being able to look at Kaid even if we’re not talking with one another . I felt like I was on cloud nine just by looking at him .
Yours and Mine, A Certain Precious Day IV (2)
While I was worrying about those things, I had already taken another bite of cake when I noticed Kaid happened to be looking down with one hand covering his face . I was startled seeing his head lowered and his chest tightened after eating something . My body froze as my mind raced for a possible explanation, could it be poison?
“Ka, Kaid?”
“…Please forgive me, My Lady”
Although I was confused as to what he was apologizing for, a sense of relief quickly flooded into my body . Thankfully, he had not been poisoned . After he raised his face, I was once again flustered, hurriedly, I drank my tea to calm down .
“Carolina told me that I shouldn’t only talk about work…But, that…I’m a boring man who doesn’t have any hobbies after I finish talking about Crochia I run out of topics to discuss . I wonder, what are some good things to talk about…Maybe, it’s just because I am…not good at speaking . ”
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Unbeknownst to myself, I had been holding my breath the entire time . But it can’t be helped, my endurance finally broke . I know it’s bad manners, but I ended up lying down on the sofa . Even after hearing Kaid’s voice flusteredly calling to me, I couldn’t raise my head .
To think, someone like him, a feudal lord capable of rebuilding a massive ruined territory in only 15 years, making that kind of face for a topic like this . He had acted as if the world was ending when fretting about the same problem felt by a young girl like myself . Eventually, I could no longer hold it in,
“Fu, fufufu…! Kaid, you… What kind of face is that?”
“…you’re laughing too much, my Lady . ”
“Fufu… I’m sorry . It’s because you worried the same thing as me, not because I’m laughing at you . Either way, I’m sorry . ”
Hearing this, Kaid who suddenly choked, took a deep breath . He raised his face and wrinkled his eyebrows at me . Hey! There’s no need to threaten me, someone who has always and was already anxious about irritating him . There was no reason why he would make such a face unless he was in a bad mood . But his face could be compared to a sulking little kid . Although it had nothing to do with it, his gaze reminded me of the children in the orphanage . It made the lovely feeling I had in my chest grow a little stronger .
“I am also not good at talking, which was why I can’t reply to you very well . But, since both of us are not good at speaking, let’s study and work on it? Kaid, for me, I’m happy to be with only you forever . Although I really like talking with you, even the silent moments when I get to stay in the same place as you, already make me very happy . ”
I like the serious side of you . I like you the most when you try desperately to face me sincerely . I like all of you .
“It’s fine if we can’t get better at it, it’s already good enough that I have you here with me . Even though the serious you is great, the you who fall asleep, trips, spills ink, and has bread crumbles on your cheeks, is very cute . I don’t want to be formal when talking to you, it’s fun either way . So, this time let’s laugh at this conversation, even if it is awkward . That way, no matter the topic, we’ll be able to talk with each other . ”
The time we spend together is not much . We aren’t able to have many moments with each other discussing the same topics . Compared to the majority of lovers, we must be such an awkward couple . However, we don’t doubt each other’s feelings . Although that stage has passed, and we have begun finding comfort just in having the presence of the partner, I’m still unconfident to live my own life . But, if the day came where I could laugh at this type of crudeness, it would be proof of happiness . If in the future, I experienced that kind of day and would still be able to laugh, would I be able to call it a happy time spent together?
Being able to talk freely about the future, with the person I love, no matter the circumstances, would make me happy . Thinking of this, I ended up loosening my lips and grinning . After seeing my smile, Kaid took a deep breath,
“…My lady is more adorable”
“Eh!?”
Flustered, I couldn’t help but try to hide my blush .
“Thi- this morning, you saw that I spilled ink on my cheek!?”
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This morning, my hand had slipped when I was writing, causing the tip of the pen to turn towards me, spilling ink on my face . Because I wiped it quickly, it immediately came off without the use of hot water . That’s why this incident became a secret between me, Samoa, and Jasmine, who were there .
“Ah… No, That’s not what I mean, it’s not because I saw you…”
“You really didn’t see it?”
Yours and Mine, A Certain Precious Day IV (3)
“Yes . Umm . . Have you finished writing the letters for the reply?”
“Yes, I finished them this morning but I haven’t sealed it yet . I think that it’s better to do it after you look over it . I know that you’re busy, but I’m wondering if you could do that . ”
Although I have not yet greeted the King, nor has he officially approved of our engagement, the lord of the country’s largest territory Laius is getting married . Naturally, there would be many eyes turned towards the woman who will become his partner . There are some people who are genuinely curious, but they composed a small minority .
From now on, I will be in the role of determining the utility value and position for a lot of people .
The letters are a part of that, most of them being invitations for tea or evening parties . At first glance, it can be easily deciphered which among the letters are straightforward and honest, and which of them have other implications . Although, obviously I can’t afford to insult the senders and disgrace the name of Laius .
But these days , all of the following letters employ traditional grammar which is no longer used anymore except among nobles . It’s one of the complicated things brought on with being a noble . Thankfully, with the knowledge from my previous life, I am somehow able to read and understand them .
In those days of my past life, I was very happy . Even now, I am thankful for the education I received as the daughter of nobles . The knowledge they were able to hammer inside me are the weapons and shields needed to protect oneself, to protect the name, and to protect the position . And most importantly, to protect the honor and reputation of the people around me .
When I have a person who is precious to me, I now have the skills to protect the both of us from disgrace . From now on, I will use everything I have to prove to those across the country that Klaid, the feudal lord of Laius, made the right decision .
I received this shield from my parents, and this spear from my grandparents . Wielding this shield and spear, I can and will protect Laius, using the very weapons of the people who led its destruction . This gratitude towards my family is my unspoken truth .
“But, It’s letters between women . Moreover, it feels like I’m intruding on My lady’s letters… May I do it although it’s impolite?”
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“Yes, because I don’t feel at ease if it’s only me . Please look at them together for me, I will be glad if you do”
It’s not only because of the lady of the house . When there’s no appearance of women around the Laius’ feudal lord, of course a woman’s world would become estranged to him . Although he wasn’t completely isolated by Laius’ noblewomen, if there is no lady of the house, the occurrence of an imbalance and disconnect with nobles and the public is unsurprising .
The question of value and quality always comes out even among the nobles, but the most criticised position in the public is the feudal lord and the woman who he associated with .
Who is our enemy? Who is our ally? From now on, we have to make such judgements . Within the territory there is certainty, but beyond the territory it is unclear . Actually, attending a tea party and other gatherings is a good way to establish a relationship with others . It is something I really should do, but I can’t afford such time, especially since the call from the royal capital was earlier than I expected .
“… . I ended up talking about work… . . ”
“It’s fine, since we’re talking about daily conversation now”
It seemed like he was depressed again, his body becoming dispirited . Even though I should feel worried because the person I like has become disheartened on his birthday, I can’t help but feel Kaid looks even more adorable and irresistible .
After a little thought, I started to think of getting up . Then, before Kaid had recovered, I sat next to him with an innocent face . He raised his head in surprise, “
“My Lady?”
I really can’t help it, and my heart skipped a beat after I saw his face . I started to become weak .
“Kaid, if you keep doing cute things, I won’t be able to help it but want to hold you, please somehow restrained yourself”
“… . but I, will be 30 years old next year”
“I’m sure, you will be cute even when become a grandfather”
“… … … My lady is more cute”
Whenever I tease Kaid, I feel such simple happiness . I hid my blushing cheek with the back of my hand, while Kaid faced the ground with his hands covering his face . Our shy states being witnessed by the head chef’s untouched cake .