[CHAPTER 96]
11. Girl, Have Ambition
The duel with the Devlin young lady ended in my victory.
Although she fled without a single word of apology, I was satisfied that the marriage talks with the Devlin young lord had been canceled.
Afterward, Sir Schmidt apologized, saying he had been forced to relinquish his knightly position under Aizen’s pressure, and Count Granger raged over the canceled engagement until he learned of my relationship with Aizen and fell silent.
It was obvious he had decided there was more to squeeze out of Aizen than from the Devlin young lord.
Hmph, not a chance.
Did he really think I would let that happen?
Still, there was one more good thing about making my relationship with Aizen official.
Namely, namely!
“Miss Jenna Granger,
As the heat of summer gradually subsides, I hope you have been keeping well.
I have recently obtained some fine tea from abroad and would love to share it with you.
I sincerely hope to see you in person.
Sincerely, Maya Perkins.”
I had been invited to a tea party attended by Miss Owen!
At last, having established a point of contact with her, I excitedly reported the news to the Princess.
“That’s good news.
The real hardship begins now, but you’ve done well getting this far.”
The Princess encouraged me with a bright smile.
I could clearly feel that her attitude toward me had softened compared to before.
She then shared information about Miss Owen with me.
“Naomi Owen is quite ambitious.
She’s competing with her elder brother, Nicholas Owen, over the marquis title.
These days, I hear the siblings are locked in a silent battle over land in District 12 of 8th Street.”
“I see.”
“And surprisingly, she’s a regular customer of the goods your trading company sells.”
“Gasp, really?”
Miss Owen was a VIP of the Jenna Trading Company?!
“Yes.
She’s one of the top customers who buys the most from your company in Triumpar, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes, thank you.”
I bowed my head, engraving the Princess’s words into my memory.
“By the way, I heard you’ve started seeing Duke Calard.”
“His Grace bravely confessed his feelings to me.”
When I laughed shyly, the Princess chuckled as well.
“Your expressions really are transparent.
Are you that happy?”
“Yes.
I could die tomorrow with no regrets.”
“Is that so?
That’s fortunate.
I heard Lionel plans to send an assassin after you soon.”
I froze at the chilling reply to what I thought was a joke.
The Princess met my gaze and smiled mischievously.
“Just joking.”
“……”
“Your reaction is cute.”
She laughed softly and gestured that I could leave.
After quickly saying goodbye, I stepped out of the hideout and found someone waiting below.
Silver hair gently fluttered in the breeze.
Just from the tall silhouette, I knew exactly who it was, so I raised my hand high and called out.
“Your Grace!”
“You’re here.”
He turned to look at me, impeccably dressed.
We had promised to go on our first commemorative date after my meeting with the Princess.
With my heart pounding, I ran toward Aizen, but he frowned and warned me not to run.
Despite that, I misstepped and stumbled as I ran.
In the blink of an eye, he rushed to my side and caught me.
“Ah!”
“I told you not to run.
What would you do if you fell?”
“Ah.
My heels are a bit higher than usual, that’s all.
I’m fine.”
“Are your shoes uncomfortable?
Then let’s go to the count’s residence and change them, or buy a new pair.”
What was he saying all of a sudden?
I grabbed his arm, which looked ready to drag me home immediately, and shook my head.
“I wore them to look good for you, Your Grace.”
“……For me?”
“Yes.
How do they look?”
I held out the cream-colored shoes I had bought while shopping with Ariana Granger the other day.
Decorated with fresh flowers, they matched perfectly with my light green chiffon dress that resembled young leaves.
“They’re pretty.”
“Right?”
“But I like you best when you’re comfortable.
You look beautiful to me even without wearing such uncomfortable shoes.”
He knelt on one knee and checked the back of my ankle.
My skin was slightly rubbed from the new shoes.
Thankfully, there was no wound yet, but it looked like it would bleed if I kept wearing them.
“Why!”
“Because he’s an unrelated man.”
That was true, but still!
If I missed scenes like that, it might make the next part hard to understand!
But while I bickered and tried to push Aizen’s hand away, the scene ended.
Tsk.
Seeing me pout, Aizen narrowed his eyes and leaned closer, loosening his cravat slightly as he whispered.
“Are youle you that disappointed?
Should I take mine off for you instead?”
“Whoa, yes…
That is, I probably shouldn’t say that, right?”
When I rolled my eyes around, he snorted with laughter, poked my cheek, and leaned back.
“From now on, let’s watch with a pure heart.”
However, Aizen’s wish could not be fulfilled.
It wasn’t because of my resolve, but because the play became more intense, with wild physical contact everywhere.
Surely that’s not why couples rank this play as their top choice…?
While watching the male and female leads’ fierce kissing scene, I glanced sideways at Aizen.
Our eyes met, and we both flinched in surprise.
“Ahem!”
“Khm!”
We both turned our heads away and let out awkward coughs.
Everything felt strangely self-conscious, even swallowing required caution.
In that awkward atmosphere, the play came to an end, and we timidly left the theater together.
“Miss Granger, um, there’s a park over that way.
Would you like to take a walk?”
“I’d like that.”
Aizen spoke first and made the suggestion.
When I gently took his hand in response, he stiffened for a moment, then tightly clasped my hand and headed toward the park.
With summer nearing its end, the weather was wonderful.
Still, holding hands made us sweat, so partway through we switched sides and held hands with the opposite ones.
As I watched his long legs slow to match my stride, I looked up at him.
“I have something I’m curious about.”
“What is it?”
“What do you like about me, Your Grace?”
It was something I had wondered ever since learning his feelings.
Which part of me had he fallen for, and since when, to the point of making a public confession?
Aizen gently guided me into the shade and answered calmly.
“I like that your eyes are round.”
My eyes are pretty round, so they are nice.
“Gasp, then what if my eyes turn triangular or square?”
Would his feelings cool off?!
A low, warm voice filled with laughter drifted down with the breeze rustling the leaves above us.
“Then I’ll come to like triangular eyes or square eyes.”
