Chapter~31
I tried to rein in my emotions.
“Um, well, but I don’t think the clothes I’m wearing are really suitable for a date… maybe we could go home for a moment—”
“In that case, we’ll start at the clothing shop. You’re my lover, so I want to choose personally for you.”
I was confused.
Why was he acting so forward?
Was he suspicious of me right now?
Is this his way of testing me?
Just as I was calming myself, this kind of “attack” came—it almost felt like it had been planned.
“Yes.”
“Don’t be so tense. We’ve done this a few times before, haven’t we?”
That was for public appearances or social events!
This is a date!
Isn’t he asking for way too personal things?!
Before I could think too much, I was swept along with him into the carriage.
The carriage, as if prepared in advance, quickly headed to the clothing shop.
“Um… you don’t have to go to so much trouble.”
“Again, I want to get closer to you even in private. Don’t feel burdened.”
“Ah, ahaha…”
Was he lying? Or was he serious?
Even if he was serious, “getting closer in private” probably meant friendship.
No wonder his gaze had been lukewarm for a while—I guess he’d developed a liking for me.
A friend, a friend…
“I told you, everything suits you. Beautiful.”
“Even if that’s just flattery, thank you.”
“I’m being sincere. No matter who appears before me, you will be the most beautiful in my eyes.”
Do people usually say things like that to friends?
No, no matter what, the main purpose of this date was to flaunt affection.
As a fake lover, I needed to act accordingly.
“That’s embarrassing… to say so much.”
“Shall we go pick jewelry to match the outfit? Since I invited you, I’ll pay for everything.”
“Ahaha… then I’d like jewelry similar in design to Young Marquis Pierre’s.”
“Then we’ll mainly look for matching sets for lovers.”
He seemed to treat choosing the dress almost like fitting a wedding gown, carefully picking what would suit me best.
He clapped enthusiastically for whatever I tried on but also considered my tastes.
“You’d want something comfortable, right?”
“Since it’s a date, I want to look as beautiful as possible.”
Even if it’s a bit uncomfortable, you want to be beautiful in front of someone you like.
How many people actually try like that?
I was no different.
It was a little amusing to think that he would see me change in front of him like this.
“Pierre, which one do you think is the prettiest?”
“They all look good on you.”
“…If you had to pick just one?”
“Hmm… green. Of course. It brings out the beauty of your rose-colored hair.”
I had to admit, he was right.
I chose a calm green-toned dress with occasional white lace accents, lavish and voluminous.
The dark black buttons with a hint of violet reminded me of him.
“This one—”
“Let’s buy everything you wore today.”
“Pierre?!”
I called his name in surprise, and he smiled gently.
“Don’t make me a scoundrel who can’t even do this for someone dear to me.”
“…Ugh…”
Still, can I really let him spend like this?
Well, it’s his money anyway… Besides, the dresses from the shop I visited with Mabel last time were already sufficient.
“You might not even be able to wear them all.”
“That doesn’t matter, as long as you’re happy. …Aren’t you happy right now?”
I couldn’t help but react to the way he lowered his eyebrows as if gauging me.
“Yes! Very much!”
Who wouldn’t be pleased knowing someone thinks of them this much?
It was technically fake affection, but since he said he wanted to become friends, I wanted to believe there was some sincerity mixed in.
“Good. If you’re happy, I’m happy too.”
“…Yes!”
I felt my face heat up.
Just this act of roleplay was enough to make me feel joy—it was foolish.
They say love makes people foolish; this was exactly it.
After that, we headed straight to the jewelry shop next door.
“Red or green would suit you. I wanted you to wear my color, but it’s a pity.”
He seemed regretful as he tried various pieces of jewelry on me.
“I’ll be happy with anything Pierre gives me, whatever the color.”
I offered a subtly sincere reply behind my fake words.
He smiled, pleased.
“I think I’d be happy with anything you give me too. What color do you think suits me?”
I looked at his jet-black hair and beautiful violet eyes.
With eyes like amethyst, he usually wore calm, elegant suits.
Red or green probably wouldn’t suit him.
Even his natural brown-toned look wouldn’t.
I regretted it.
Even though I knew I had no right to regret it.
“I think transparent-colored gems would be best.”
Still, I was greedy, so I offered a transparent-colored brooch, capable of accepting all colors.
If he wore it, I hoped my color might subtly reflect around him when I was near.
Of course, the transparent color wouldn’t keep my red hue when I wasn’t there—so I hoped whoever was with him next would forgive this small wish of mine.
…My wish was ambiguous and selfish.
A wish that needed tidying.
“With such a transparent, beautiful color, it’ll suit you too.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The brooches come in a matching pair. Keeping one each will be nice.”
He offered me the other half of the brooch.
Also transparent, but faintly reflected his color.
It was a gem that could briefly stay with you but could not fully carry its hue—like my situation.
“Will you wear it?”
“Gladly.”
We pinned the brooches on each other’s chests.
Seeing them shine, I resolved once more: I needed to sort my feelings.
For him, and for me.
After choosing outfits, we went to an opera performance.
The grand background music and the soprano’s powerful voice filled the hall, but my gaze kept drifting toward the young marquis.
I struggled to focus on the performance, trying not to be caught staring at him.
“Did you enjoy the performance?”
“Yes, it was incredible!”
Whether on Earth or in this world, it was my first time attending an opera.
The magnificent sound in the hall proved why classical music endured for so long.
“Since we must be hungry, let’s have dinner.”
“Shall we? Is there a nearby restaurant—”
“I made a reservation, don’t worry.”
Reservation? Did he prepare this in advance, knowing we’d go on a date?
Now that I think about it, he even produced the opera tickets immediately for entrance.
It all seemed prearranged… what would he have done if I refused?
“It’s spacious, isn’t it?”
“Yes. This entire floor is for one customer. Today, that customer is us.”
The first floor had tables separated individually, but the second floor had one large table.
The scale was enormous.
It looked expensive at a glance.
“Sometimes royalty dine here too. This floor prevents them from being bothered.”
“Ah…”
Pierre was also high-ranking nobility, right?
I guess he reserved this place to avoid disturbances.
“I rented it so we could be alone. The chef who prepared our engagement feast works here too. I thought you’d like it based on the engagement.”
It was polite to say thanks.
But since the purpose of this date was to flaunt our relationship, wouldn’t a more public place have been better?
I quickly concluded: “Maybe she just prefers quiet dining,” or “Even just entering the upper floor together is enough.”
“Is it to your taste?”
“Yes, delicious.”
He seemed to plan each course thoughtfully, as if considering my experience as someone who had transferred into this body.
The fusion of Korean and Western cuisine perfectly suited my palate.
Pierre also seemed reasonably satisfied.
“We could come here on every date.”
“Ahaha…”
I realized I hadn’t really interacted with Pavl recently except through letters.
We were both busy, but maybe by summer there’d be some free time.
I could meet him then. Not now; he’d be working hard.
I’d send a letter later. He said any feedback would make him happy.
“Sonnet?”
“Ah, yes!”
I had drifted off in thought for a moment.
Experiencing something from my homeland after so long made my thoughts wander.
Now, I needed to focus on the date.
“What do you think about us dating regularly?”
I only thought this for a moment before the next words froze my mental circuits.
