~Chapter 69~
Today, my condition was simply the best.
From the moment I opened my eyes, I felt great, and even the tulips in the vase by my bed seemed to bloom more brightly than usual.
Even when I tripped on my way to work, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Because—
“I made up with Richard!”
I had apologized honestly for keeping my distance and misunderstanding him. Richard had accepted it quietly. Thanks to that, we could laugh and talk together again like before.
As for my relationship with Richard… well.
It wasn’t completely clear yet, but admitting my feelings made me feel much lighter.
I still had lingering emotions, but I decided I could slowly let them go.
Maybe because things worked out, I felt like I could sort out my heart more easily too.
While I was organizing the coffee beans on the table, Karen glanced at me knowingly.
“Did something good happen?”
Unable to hold back my smile, I shrugged.
“Yes, I made up with a friend yesterday. There had been a misunderstanding, but we cleared it up.”
“That’s good news! So that’s why you’ve been humming all morning?”
Karen grinned while tidying the glass jars beside the grinder.
I kept humming while pouring the beans into a container when—
Ping—
That familiar system alert rang in my ears.
System
Love Arrow Hit!
–♥->
Bastian Biender’s love has come true.
“What? No way. Seriously?”
I was so surprised I forgot Karen was even there and muttered out loud.
Bastian’s romance news had reached me before the world knew.
So while I was struggling with Richard, he had straightforwardly gone ahead.
It startled me, but since he’d found love, it was a good thing. Next time I saw him, I should probably give him a small gift to celebrate.
Still… would I get experience points even if I hadn’t helped? Normally, creating a couple raised my bonus stats, but I wondered if it counted even without my involvement.
I quickly opened my status window to check.
System
Hidden Achievement Reward Ability:
I Can See Your Affection!
Bonus Option –
Viewable Information Level: 3
Maximum level of viewable information has been reached.
o(≧∀≦)o
“I love you, System. I love you, Romance-Love Company.”
At last, the viewable info had reached the highest level. My affection for the company grew even more.
Apparently, even if I hadn’t done much, my contribution was enough to succeed in the quest.
With one good thing happening after another, I felt like I could float away.
“Every day should be like today.”
At that moment, the shop doorbell rang.
“Sorry, we’re not open yet—oh?”
When I looked up, I froze.
Standing there was Wudian, whom I had parted with just yesterday evening.
With an awkward smile, he greeted me.
“Hello, Amelie. Can we talk for a moment?”
I hesitated briefly, then nodded.
“Karen, could you water the plants outside for me?”
“Of course!”
As soon as I finished speaking, Karen picked up the watering can and quickly stepped outside.
The door closed, leaving just the two of us. The quiet room felt even heavier.
Wudian spoke first.
“I don’t know what happened with His Highness yesterday… but did you resolve it?”
“Yes. We talked it through and made up. And… sorry for leaving like that yesterday.”
“It’s fine. That can happen.”
Though he said it was fine, his expression betrayed him. His eyes were tense, and his lips pressed tightly together.
After a pause, he asked carefully:
“…What do you think about our engagement?”
I thought for a moment, then decided to be honest. A vague answer would only confuse things.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in engagement. It’s not about you—I just don’t want an engagement right now.”
“Then… you really have nothing going on with His Highness?”
That question made me falter.
He was asking if Richard and I had feelings for each other. And since I hadn’t sorted out my heart yet, I couldn’t truthfully say “nothing.”
But telling Wudian that wasn’t right either.
“…We’re just close friends.”
“I see.”
Wudian gave a faint smile and nodded. There was some regret in his eyes, but he clearly held back his emotions for my sake.
“Would you like some coffee before you go? There’s still time before customers arrive.”
“No, I have work today.”
With that, he excused himself and left.
I had worried about things with Wudian, but since he came to me first and cleared things up, I felt relieved.
‘I’m really glad Wudian is a good person.’
If he weren’t, it would have been so much harder.
Later, I visited the Imperial Knights’ training grounds for the first time in a while.
As always, I brought macarons and coffee I had prepared myself, along with servants to help carry everything. After the supplies were set down, I found a shaded spot.
“They’re all working so hard.”
Among the many knights, my eyes went straight to Richard. His sparring partner was my favorite, Lyssa.
The two of them clashed swords nonstop, yet their movements stayed sharp and light.
Maybe it was the effect of our reconciliation, but seeing them together only made me feel warm and happy now—no more jealousy.
As I enjoyed the sight, Richard and Lyssa finished sparring and came over to me.
“Amelie! Did you come to see me? Wow, and you even brought all these snacks again?”
“You arrived earlier than you said you would.”
They greeted me differently, and I prepared to hand them coffee.
“Of course I wouldn’t come empty-handed. I put in a little more effort today.”
“The treats are great, but just seeing you makes me so happy! Oh… I can’t hug you now though…”
Lyssa reached out on instinct but quickly withdrew, embarrassed by her sweat. I gave her an iced coffee and patted her shoulder.
Then Richard, after downing two iced americanos in a row, suddenly asked:
“So, what about Wudian Montreux?”
I blinked.
“What?”
“He proposed to you, didn’t he? How did that go?”
“I turned him down. Clearly.”
Richard narrowed his eyes and looked me over.
“And he just backed down that easily?”
“Yes. He said he understood. He’s a good person.”
“Wait, so that guy has liked you for at least ten years? That’s insane.”
Lyssa chimed in while munching on a macaron.
Exactly what I’d been thinking.
I still couldn’t believe Wudian had liked me since we last met when I was thirteen.
“Right? It’s strange. How could someone keep liking me all that time?”
“That’s what makes him weird. You can’t even tell what he’s really thinking.”
Richard cut in firmly, looking displeased.
Even Lyssa had once said the same thing—that Wudian’s true feelings were hard to read.
“Really? He didn’t seem like a bad person to me.”
Despite my words, Richard and Lyssa both remained wary of him.
But I doubted I’d see Wudian again anyway.
Since I’d turned down his proposal, it would be uncomfortable for him to face me. Naturally, that meant we’d have no more reason to meet.
In my mind, my connection with Wudian ended here.
