Chapter~32
“Regularly? Dating regularly?”
I asked in surprise, and he nodded.
“Yes. I know you’re busy. But I think meeting once every week or two would be good.”
Not good.
The best way to sort out my feelings was to be apart for a while.
“Um… really necessary?”
“It would make sharing information easier, wouldn’t it? It’s also good to show off as a couple, and the longer we spend together, the more comfortable we’ll become with each other.”
Even during this date, he was still so concerned—no wonder. I couldn’t blame myself for focusing only on work.
Right now, more than the young marquis, only Mabel or matters related to my return occupied my mind.
Seeing my reaction, he changed his words.
“…If it really doesn’t work, meeting once a month is fine too. I’ll prioritize your opinion… it’s just a suggestion. So please don’t feel burdened.”
“Meeting too often might be too much. This isn’t even social season… once a month for outings should be enough.”
I tried my best to give a reasonable explanation.
“Meeting once every week or two would interfere too much with Pierre’s work, and I’m busy too. I think just showing off a little to those around us is enough… maybe sending occasional gifts like now would be fine. As long as it doesn’t make others suspicious, that’s enough.”
Even without being together, one could let people around know who liked whom.
Being busy these past few months, occasionally showing longing or sending gifts periodically—as I had done early in the contract with gift-giving and dress shop reservations—was enough.
…Thinking about it, it was really strange.
No, being thorough was good, but… wasn’t this already enough?
Hearing my words, he hesitated a little, then continued.
“You’re right. Showing off to others is enough. So, honestly, this date… I admit, it’s mostly my own desire.”
“My own desire?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I want to get closer to you. Not anyone else, but you, Sonnet.”
Hearing that, my heart wavered.
“Sorry for being forward. If you don’t like it, tell me. But please don’t push me away too harshly.”
The way he subtly watched me like a cautious little dog was kind of… cute.
Even the way he looked away, rambling slightly.
Somewhere in my head, it felt like a little buzzing sound.
“…If it’s too much, I’ll be sad.”
Really cute, like a little puppy—
Slap!
“Sonnet?!”
I slapped my own face to shake myself out of such thoughts.
Are you crazy? Focus!
“It’s fine… it just felt like a mosquito landed for a moment…”
“It’s winter, though?”
There’s a saying: someone can be handsome or pretty, that’s fine.
But once they start looking cute… you’re done for.
I still wanted to have some control. I needed to sort my feelings!
“Um… did you dislike my suggestion? I’m sorry… I guess it was just my greed.”
“No! Absolutely not! I like it!”
Seeing him sulk a little, I couldn’t help but shout that.
If he had been boldly arrogant, maybe I could’ve ignored it, but seeing him sulk like that made me unable to react.
His face brightened instantly at my words.
“So, once a week, then?”
Caught off guard by his hopeful question, I answered vaguely.
“Y-yes… that’s right?”
“Thank you. Hearing you say that makes me really happy.”
I had unintentionally agreed to his proposal.
Seeing him smile so openly made my heart skip a beat.
“Ahaha…”
I could only let out an empty laugh, unable to bring myself to refuse.
…When will I finally sort out my feelings?
Pierre felt his heart pounding.
“Please take care of me.”
“…I will…”
It was mostly because Ben’s tips had worked to some extent.
“First, be gentle! Always put the other person first!”
“I am. I will.”
I’m not someone like a father figure, after all.
Ben added something sheepishly.
“Still, you won’t know this. The ultimate move!”
“The ultimate move?”
“Yes! Show your weak side!”
“My weak side?”
“Show a side where you’re unsure, anxious, and sulky! Look around nervously!”
Pierre frowned.
Who would like someone whining?
“That’s not cool at all.”
“That’s the point! Usually someone strong and perfect is hard to approach. But if that person shows weakness only to me?”
“…I still can’t understand.”
Pierre wanted to show his best self to someone he liked.
“If you can’t understand, just memorize it! Don’t use it too often, only when absolutely necessary.”
“I won’t have many chances to use it.”
But Ben’s confident explanation made him think, maybe it’s worth trying once.
So he tried.
“…If it’s too much, I’ll be sad.”
“No! Absolutely not! I like it!”
And surprisingly, it worked.
Approaching for official reasons alone seemed unapproachable, but mixing in a bit of genuine weakness made her waver.
He decided to use this method actively in expressing his feelings.
“I’ll take you home.”
“No need!”
“I want to, really.”
“Ugh…”
When it comes to love, pride disappears.
Even Pierre de Edenrosa, who lived with pride, was no different.
After the first date, I ended up seeing the young marquis once a week.
Going out under the guise of a date made people gossip that he was doting, or that we were like a newlywed couple.
The more Pierre tried to give me things and stay close, the more rumors spread.
“Is it typical of the Edenrosa family? They’re so passionate!”
“They’re famous for that. I thought this generation might be different, but seeing him… no doubt this generation’s the same!”
“I wonder what romance lies behind it. I should secretly ask Lady Sonnet later!”
There were tales of the Edenrosa family’s love curse, of doting legacies.
I knew the truth: it was all just attempts to appear charming to a friend. But sometimes I got confused.
“It’s not rough, right?”
“Not at all. Your hands show your effort, so I like them.”
Even the calloused hands that weren’t soft over the past year—why press them against my cheek?
“Being alone doesn’t mean you need to do this all the time.”
“Sonnet, I want someone I can do more than this with if we’re alone. Do you… dislike it?”
Sometimes he said things that could be misinterpreted.
Every time, my heart skipped.
Why are you being so playful? Do you act like this with friends? Only with me?
Bam!
I tapped my forehead.
Focus.
“Sonnet?!”
“Just a mosquito again!”
“Winter, though?!”
The pain helped me regain some composure… no, it’s the rose-colored glasses talking.
Maybe the young marquis was playful with friends too. And we were pretending to be fake lovers…
“Anyway, I don’t dislike Pierre.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. We could be good friends.”
“Is that so…?”
Every time hope sprouted in my heart, I suppressed it.
Focus. He and I are just contract partners, friends at best.
But hope kept sprouting, and my gaze wandered to small items around.
[Emotion Analyzer ×3]
Sometimes I thought about using it to check his feelings.
If I asked whether he liked me, whether he loved me, what would he answer?
I stopped imagining eventually.
If it showed his feelings weren’t mutual, just interest or amusement, it would hurt too much.
Knowing his feelings weren’t the same as mine was enough.
“…Focus.”
I reminded myself.
Spring would come soon.
Spring, when everything bursts with life.
No time to dwell on my heart or romantic feelings.
“Time to prepare.”
The season slowly warmed.
And as winter passed and spring approached, commotion stirred in the empire’s social circles.
As the princess had predicted, controversy over the Second Prince’s bloodline began.
