Chapter 52 …
Meeting people and having to perform with Teodor had naturally become a bit of a burden.
[Go, Dorothy!]
Perhaps she sensed my tension.
Agasa’s encouraging voice made me smile.
[Thank you, Agasa.]
[I’m sorry I can’t be there with you. But Teodor seems to have become much more gentle, right? It’ll be fine!]
[Yes!]
I stood in front of the mirror one last time, checked my appearance, and picked up my bag and parasol.
“I’m heading out.”
I turned to the priest outside as I spoke.
‘So Teodor actually came to pick me up willingly.’
Thinking back to how enjoyable our last conversation had been, it seemed natural, yet Teodor’s changed attitude still felt unfamiliar.
“Shall we go?”
“Ah, yes… Saint…”
The moment I stepped through the door, the priest looked at me with a dazed expression.
Why is he like that? Maybe I overdid it.
I tilted my head and called the priest once more.
“Priest?”
“Oh… my apologies, Saint. You look truly beautiful today.”
Even without the Blessing of Beauty… I did look nice, but not to the point of eliciting such awe. Probably just a polite compliment for a saint.
“Thank you.”
I thought little of it and continued walking.
After the priest left, having delivered the message, I headed with Becky toward the back gate where Teodor was waiting.
And there, a dazzling carriage stood.
But even more surprising was…
‘He really went all out…’
Teodor stood there in a perfectly tailored green suit. Standing in the bright sunlight, he looked almost divine.
‘I probably don’t even stand out in comparison.’
If I had the Blessing of Beauty, maybe I could compete… but today was about showing our relationship, so it didn’t matter if he drew more attention.
“Your Majesty.”
“You’ve—”
Teodor turned his head at my greeting. For a moment, his eyes widened in surprise.
He quickly looked away.
“…You’ve arrived, Saint.”
“Um… Is this too much today as well? You must be surprised. Somehow it just turned out like this.”
Even to me, it looked nice, but to someone like Teodor, who had no interest in women, it probably seemed over the top, so I found myself offering excuses.
He, too, wore an outfit far more extravagant than usual, but I alone was apologizing. It was a bit funny.
Still, did he really have to avert his eyes like that?
“My, my. You’re beautiful, Saint. Perfect!”
In that moment, Becky, unaware of etiquette, gave a double thumbs-up.
“That’s right, Saint! You’re truly beautiful.”
Isaac, Teodor’s chief aide, suddenly appeared from somewhere and also gave a thumbs-up. I felt a little embarrassed by the praise from the two of them.
“Haha, thank you, Becky.”
“Have a good trip, Saint!”
Becky smiled cheerfully and waved.
Teodor only gave a strange expression and a small nod.
“Wait.”
As I climbed into the carriage, I turned to Teodor’s call. He looked at me and extended his hand.
“…Getting into the carriage isn’t difficult, is it?”
“Ah.”
Indeed, today’s outfit was quite flowing. I smiled and placed my hand on his.
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.”
His hands were still firm and rough. But…
‘They feel strangely soft. Did he put on some cream?’
Teodor said nothing.
Why does he look so peculiar? Is it really that much? Should I have removed the hat? Lost in thought, both of us got into the carriage.
It was said to take about forty minutes by carriage to Webbing Lake. Located in the southeast of the capital, the lake was large and scenic, a popular spot for outings.
“Thank you for coming with me.”
“…It’s fine.”
“I’m a bit nervous since this is meant for socializing, but I’m also excited because it’s my first boat ride. What’s it like for the nobles?”
“Boring, mostly. You board the boat, a small band plays, and people exchange trivial updates over fruit wine and food.”
Sounds… fun?
“That does sound fun!”
I was about to see exactly the kind of scene I’d only seen in movies.
This was a true romantic-novel-worthy moment. My heart swelled at the thought of doing something I had never experienced.
“You seem excited.”
“Yes. Many will probably be tired, but trying something new is fun. I was a commoner, after all.”
Teodor looked at me silently again, then quietly nodded and gazed out the window. He seemed to avert his eyes once more.
He’s acting strangely today… I thought we’d grown closer, but now he keeps avoiding my gaze.
‘Was I imagining it?’
I watched the enigmatic man before me, then turned to look out the carriage window.
For the long ride, our companionship remained quiet.
The road grew rough, and soon…
“We’ve arrived.”
Outside the window, Webbing Lake came into view.
“Wow…!”
It was breathtaking. The lake’s surface sparkled as if it couldn’t be any bluer or clearer.
The lush trees surrounding the lake amplified its magical beauty.
Before anyone could open the door for me, I got up to open it myself, eager to get a closer look.
“Wait, Saint.”
Teodor gently held my hand, stopping me. I was startled.
He was looking at me. After all the times he avoided my gaze…
The lake… felt less mesmerizing than his eyes.
Blue. Deep. Beautiful. That’s the thought I had looking into them.
“Saint?”
Teodor called my dazed self.
“…Ah, yes! Yes.”
“You seem unusually eager today. What is our purpose again?”
“Purpose…?”
“Yes. Think carefully.”
He spoke with an uncharacteristically gentle tone and waited patiently.
‘Why… is he like this?’
Has the acting started already?
I felt my hand heat up where it touched his and quietly looked at him.
“Saint?”
“Yes!”
‘Why do I keep spacing out?’
It’s all because Teodor is acting uncharacteristically kind. That face with kindness is unfair. Better to have him be cold and sharp.
I shook my head to regain composure.
“…Are you feeling unwell?”
His strangely cold voice snapped me back to attention. Good. This calm, detached side of him is better.
“Today’s purpose.”
“Yes. Why I am accompanying you.”
“To… please the envoy. Not as lovers, but to appear as such, right?”
He seemed satisfied with my answer and immediately removed his hand, leaning back. With the warmth gone, my wrist felt cool. Teodor really had a high body temperature.
“Exactly. That’s the purpose. But wouldn’t it be a problem if you got down first? Today, I’m your escort.”
“Ah, sorry. I’m just too excited.”
Teodor chuckled at my response.
“You apologize far too often.”
“Yes, yes. I apologize because I make too many mistakes.”
I answered with a slightly defiant tone, feeling scolded.
“Not really.”
He looked at me impassively.
‘Today he’s really strange. This person.’
He’s not scolding me? Teodor?
While I tried to settle this lingering question, he spoke again.
“Then I shall get down first.”
Right. I need to focus on what’s important now.
Teodor, ever the proper emperor, waited for Isaac to open the carriage door.
When the door opened, he descended with a hand extended toward me, the epitome of chivalry and elegance.
“Thank you.”
I grasped Teodor’s rough yet strangely soft hand and stepped out.
“Saint!”
As expected, the moment we walked together toward the group, cheerful voices greeted us.
“Oh! You brought someone—Your Majesty?!”
“Ha, huff!”
“The Emperor?!”
No one had been informed that the Emperor would come. The envoy had requested his appearance to make a strong impression.
I smiled awkwardly.
“Sorry for coming together suddenly… I mentioned the boat outing, and Your Majesty said he wanted to join.”
I lied smoothly without hesitation and glanced at Teodor.
His expression seemed to crease briefly, but he quickly returned a statesman’s smile and calm voice.
“Delighted. Many familiar faces after a long time.”
“Oh, how…! I apologize. The preparations are modest.”
The nobles’ casual social boat outing had instantly turned into a royal affair.
It was natural for everyone’s expressions to turn pale.
“Don’t be too uncomfortable. I am not a strict man.”
Teodor and I approached. The picnic blanket laid on the ground was brightly colored.
“Oh, it’s so lovely.”
The setup was perfect, from pastries to fruit wine.
It looked like a scene from a masterpiece painting.
“Your Majesty, may I… have you sit here?”
Amid everyone’s flustered state, Teodor casually plopped down on the blanket.
“It’s fine, truly. I do not come to disturb your time. I merely—”
Teodor’s gaze turned toward me.
It was time to say ‘Dorothy!’ Real battle! Go!
But he hesitated for a moment.
“Your Majesty! Saint!”
In the meantime, Alex, the third son of Count Gordon who hosted today’s gathering, approached Teodor and greeted him.
“Your attendance at my hosted boat outing is an honor to our family!”
Alex, a handsome young man, bowed politely to Teodor. He carried an air of dignity.
I watched the scene with satisfaction.
And Teodor…
“…The host is Alex Gordon, huh.”
He muttered in a low voice, seemingly a bit uncomfortable.
