~Chapter 80~
“Today was fun, Fabian.”
When I finished meeting Fabian and left the bar, the outside had already grown dark.
“Meeting outside feels really new. It might be fun to meet like this sometimes.”
Under the lanterns that had just begun to light up the streets, I turned to look at Fabian.
Since our trip, I had only met him at the mansion.
Meeting him like this felt definitely different.
Fabian, who seemed about to teleport, paused with his cloak in hand and looked at me.
“…You don’t need me to take you back?”
“Ah.”
I smiled.
“No, it’s alright. I came by carriage, so I’ll just ride it back the same way.”
“…Alright.”
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Fabian.”
Even though he said he couldn’t feel emotions well, he was quietly kind.
Fabian nodded and said:
“Alright. Then, see you next time.”
He flicked his cloak once.
Swoosh—like empty smoke, he vanished.
After he disappeared completely, I stretched my arms and yawned.
“Ahhh. That was fun…”
It was a satisfying meeting.
Fabian was usually quiet, but since I talked a lot, it balanced out.
And actually, Fabian had a funny side. He gave off a feeling that made me want to tease him more.
Drinking whiskey with him was pretty enjoyable too.
“Hm. Should I buy some whiskey for the mansion…?”
As I thought that, I turned to step into the prepared carriage—
“Young Lady.”
“Ah! You scared me!”
Someone appeared suddenly in front of me. I turned my head and saw a familiar young lady.
“Lady Elina?”
I tilted my head.
I had clearly seen Lady Elina leave the bar earlier with the young ladies she came with.
Seeing my confused face, Lady Elina answered:
“I sent my friends ahead earlier and waited here for a while. I had something I wanted to tell you.”
Her cheeks were red, as if she were shy.
Hmm?
She was always a bit shy, but today… something felt strangely different.
“The friend you were with earlier. That was Sir Fabian, wasn’t it?”
“…Ah. Yes. How did you know?”
“There are already many rumors about him in society. They say he’s the incredibly handsome Master of the Magic Tower…!”
“Ahh…”
So that was it. I thought Fabian was only my secret handsome man.
But… why was she asking about him?
A strange uneasiness welled up inside me.
“That’s why… if it’s alright with you…”
Lady Elina’s words rang loudly in my ears.
“Could you introduce me to Sir Fabian?”
“Irene, you’re back?”
When I arrived at the mansion, Mother was waiting for me in her silk pajamas.
Since I drank longer with Fabian than I expected, it was already quite late when I returned.
Seeing her still waiting, I was surprised.
“You were waiting for me? You must be tired, you should have gone to bed.”
“No. I wanted to welcome my daughter, even just once more. More than that…”
Mother tilted her head as she looked at my face.
“I thought you had fun, but you don’t look as happy as I expected. Did something happen?”
“No, nothing. I really did have fun. Maybe I’m just tired.”
I quickly lifted the corners of my lips into a smile.
“Thank you for waiting for me. Please go rest, Mother.”
“…Alright. I love you very much, my daughter.”
“I love you too. Good night.”
At some point, we had gotten used to expressing affection like this.
After saying goodnight, I went upstairs toward my room.
Click.
“Huu…”
The moment I closed the door, a deep sigh escaped my lips.
In my head, the voice that had echoed all the way home kept repeating.
[Actually… I fell for Sir Fabian at first sight. I’ve never felt anything like this before.]
[If it’s alright with you… please introduce me. I’ll wait at my mansion. Contact me.]
Lady Elina was quite a popular young lady in high society.
White skin, long golden hair, a cute face, and a gentle personality.
She had all the qualities that attracted men in society.
Yet despite that, Lady Elina had never dated anyone before.
That meant she was very cautious when it came to love, and…
‘If she asked me to introduce Fabian, it must be sincere.’
I imagined Fabian and Lady Elina standing together.
Fabian, with his purple hair and eyes, quiet and mysterious.
Lady Elina, with her golden hair, pure and cute, lively and bright.
They looked like they would suit each other so well…
“Haa.”
Another sigh came out.
Strange.
…Why don’t I want to introduce them?
“Young Lady, Young Lady?”
“Huh?”
Lost in thought, I suddenly came back to my senses.
Bright sunlight was pouring down on me, and in front of me was the tea table.
Across from me, Sophie was twitching her eyebrows, staring at me.
“Were you listening to me? You haven’t answered since a while ago.”
“Ah, no. I was listening.”
“Really? Then what did I just say?”
“……”
Feeling embarrassed, I just laughed awkwardly.
Sophie tilted her head and set down the knitting she was holding.
“You’ve been acting strange since that day. After you met Sir Fabian in the capital.”
“Ah…”
“Did something happen that day? Did Sir Fabian do something to you?”
“No, no. Nothing like that. It’s just…”
I mumbled.
Even I couldn’t understand it well myself, so I couldn’t explain it to Sophie.
Since that day, Fabian kept appearing in my mind.
For example, during tea time, when I ate sweet desserts, I thought, Fabian would like this.
I started to like the whiskey Fabian drank, and I even began studying whiskey just to talk more with him.
Late at night, before bed, when I looked at the star-filled sky, I thought of Fabian again.
His mysterious purple eyes, like the universe.
The sight of the stars when I was in his arms, teleporting.
The faint scent from his embrace, lonely yet peaceful.
“Oh right, I almost forgot. Today’s letters arrived.”
Sophie, still twitching her eyebrows at me, suddenly handed me the letters.
“There’s one from the Elina family too.”
“What? From the Elina family?”
Startled, I quickly opened the letter.
To Lady Hartmann,
I am waiting for your reply.
What I said that day—I truly meant it. I was worried you might think I only said it because of the wine…
But I really did fall for him at first sight. If it’s not too rude, please, I sincerely ask you to introduce me to him.
—From Elinoer Elina
“Ugh…”
So it has come at last. I had purposely avoided contacting her first.
But seeing timid Lady Elina being this forward… she must have fallen deeply for Fabian.
Well, of course. I was just used to seeing faces like Albert’s, but Fabian was also incredibly handsome…
Still, it was strange. All I had to do was introduce them. That’s all.
So why… why does it feel so hard to do?
“Lady Hartmann.”
“Ahh!”
A voice came from behind, and I screamed in surprise.
When I turned around, Fabian was standing there with his subordinate.
“W-what are you doing here?”
“…Today. It’s inspection day.”
“…Ah.”
Only then did I realize.
Right. It was the day he came regularly to check my mana.
How distracted was I, to forget even that? I felt guilty for no reason.
I sighed and stood up from my seat.
