Chapter 61
What Have I Done!
Lois had been talking too freely and accidentally said something he shouldn’t have. He quickly shut his mouth and glanced nervously at Cailian.
“I just heard from that maid named Mari,” he began cautiously. “About the real purpose of this engagement… She said Lady Ximena told only the two of you.”
“M-Mari did?”
“Yes. And she added a rather sharp warning not to hurt her lady.”
“I—I see. But I swear, Marquis, I haven’t told anyone else about it!”
“…I believe you.”
Cailian fell silent, a faint shadow crossing his face.
“Please don’t mind what Mari said too much,” Lois added quickly. “She’s very devoted to the lady—probably more than any of the other maids. That’s all.”
“…I see.”
After studying Cailian’s thoughtful expression for a moment, Lois asked hesitantly,
“Um, Marquis… why don’t you just take our lady for real this time?”
“…What?”
“Our lady—she’s changed completely. She’s not that spoiled, mean witch everyone used to talk about. To be honest, before I became her knight, I believed those rumors too. But after serving her up close, I realized she’s actually a really good person.”
“Heh, is that so?”
“O-of course, I know your tastes are… rather unique, but—”
“…My tastes?”
Cailian’s lips twitched slightly at the mention of “taste,” recalling Ximena’s face.
“O-our lady’s not like an ordinary woman, you see. She’s loyal, righteous, skilled in combat—she’s as good as any man!”
Trying to appeal to Cailian, who was known to like men, Lois began praising Ximena’s masculine traits in a way that sounded half like a compliment and half like an insult.
“She’s clumsy, hot-tempered, easily excited, and honestly, a bit violent. There’s not a feminine bone in her body.”
“Hmph, yes. I can agree with the violent part,” Cailian said, nodding solemnly with unexpected enthusiasm.
“And this might just be my imagination,” Lois continued, “but I really think our lady still… likes you a lot, Marquis.”
“Ximena… likes me? Why do you think that?”
Lois replied firmly to the man’s incredulous look.
“Well, otherwise, why would she go to the trouble of disguising herself—uh, that is… ah, never mind!”
Lois thumped his chest in frustration.
“I can’t tell you all the details, but I’m sure the lady still hasn’t gotten over you—”
“Sir Lois!”
A sharp but familiar voice cut him off.
“Ah—M-Mari!”
“The Duke is looking for you,” Mari said with a pleasant smile, though her eyes shot daggers warning him to keep his mouth shut.
“Ah, r-right! W-wonder what he wants… Then, Marquis, if you’ll excuse me!”
“Yes, of course.”
Mari bowed politely to Cailian before following Lois back inside.
Left alone in the garden, Cailian gazed up for a long while at the curtained window of Ximena’s room.
“Ugh… mmm?”
“Milady, you’re awake?”
As Ximena rubbed her eyes sleepily, Mari, who had been by the window, pulled open the curtains and threw open the window.
A burst of crisp autumn sunlight and fresh morning air swept eagerly into the room.
“Uuugh… Mari… yawn.”
“Here, have some water.”
Having gone to bed without washing off her makeup—or washing at all—Ximena’s hair was a mess and her eyes were smudged dark. As soon as she stretched, Mari brought a cup of water to her lips.
“Heh… thanks. But when did I even come here to sleep last night?”
“You don’t remember?”
“No… I think I was in the study…”
“You must have fallen asleep there drunk. The Marquis carried you here and laid you on the bed.”
“Pfft! C-Cailian?!”
Ximena spat out her water in shock.
“Don’t worry, milady. I made sure to glare at him so hard that he left immediately. He didn’t try anything improper.”
“O-oh, really? Thank goodness.”
(Phew… I was more worried that I did something embarrassing while drunk, not him.)
Completely misunderstanding her maid’s concern, Ximena quietly sighed in relief.
“Go ahead and wash up, milady. You missed breakfast. I’ll bring it up here once you’re done.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll just wash and go downstairs.”
“Then I’ll leave your clothes here.”
“Thanks.”
Ximena stood and inhaled the crisp morning air by the window.
“Ahhh….”
“Um, milady?”
“Hm?”
Mari, who Ximena thought had already left, lingered by the door with a hesitant look.
“Is there… something I should know?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“About you and the Marquis.”
Ximena blinked rapidly, trying to process the question, then gave an awkward laugh.
“Oh, that… no, no. Well, I did see him a few more times while you and Sir Lois were in Anatole, but purely because of the contract! It just looks like we’re close because Cailian’s good at acting.”
“…Really?”
“Yes! The whole deal was to look like a loving couple. Cailian’s acting is so convincing, even I was surprised.”
“Ah, I see. Hehe. I thought you were keeping something from me and felt a little left out.”
Feeling a pang of guilt, Ximena hurried over and took Mari’s hands.
“I’m sorry, Mari. I should’ve explained sooner. Honestly, I wasn’t planning to go as far as an engagement—it all happened so fast.”
“It’s all right, milady. I understand now. I just don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all.”
“Mari…”
Overwhelmed with gratitude and affection, Ximena hugged her maid tightly.
“Thank you… really, thank you.”
“Oh, come on, milady.”
“Just help me keep up the act until the monster-slaying tournament ends. After that, everything will go back to normal. Then you, Lois, and I can go somewhere warm on vacation.”
“Yes, I’d love that.”
Mari hugged her back, patting her gently.
“Then I’ll go prepare breakfast. Please wash up.”
“Okay.”
Watching her leave, Ximena smiled softly.
(If I hadn’t met people this kind in this strange place… I don’t know how I would’ve endured it.)
“Ximena, my dear! A future bride shouldn’t sleep in so late!”
“Good morning, Father.”
The Duke greeted her cheerfully as he returned from his morning walk with Cailian.
“Hoho, did you sleep well?”
“Yes… and you, Cail?”
Cailian, still in his light walking shirt, smiled gently at her.
(Ugh, even in the morning he’s unfairly handsome. And look at me—my face is all puffy!)
Thinking that, Ximena covered her cheeks with both hands. The Duke misread her embarrassment and quickly stepped aside.
“Haha, Ximena, the morning air is delightful. Why don’t you and the Marquis take a stroll together? I have to prepare for the tournament’s sponsorship event tomorrow.”
“…Yes, Father.”
As the Duke bustled away, Cailian extended his hand.
“Shall we walk?”
“…Sure.”
Even as she agreed, Ximena kept both hands on her cheeks and shuffled forward awkwardly.
“Ximena. Hand.”
“Ah, yes, sir!”
She reflexively turned and placed her hand in his.
“Why are you hiding your face? Are you hurt?” he asked with concern.
“No… just a little puffy from drinking last night.”
She mumbled, still covering one cheek, lips puffed out like a blowfish.
“Pfft! It’s fine. It’s cute.”
“Don’t stare. It’s embarrassing…”
“Heh.”
Cailian chuckled and led her toward the garden.
“You didn’t seem embarrassed at all when you were drunk yesterday.”
“W-what? Did I do something embarrassing?”
“Well… depends on what you’d call embarrassing.”
(Oh no. I did something. I definitely did something awful! What was it?!)
“Wh-what did I do?” she stammered.
Cailian glanced at her sideways, feigning seriousness.
“Well… when I carried you while you were asleep, you suddenly grabbed my neck and—”
“W-wait! Stop! Don’t say it!”
He raised an eyebrow.
Ximena froze, took a deep breath, then bowed her head in horror.
“I’m so sorry. I violated the contract. Please—step on my foot. Hard.”
She even lifted her skirt slightly and offered her foot.
“Hm… I don’t think something that serious can be forgiven so easily.”
He covered his smirk with a hand, pretending to frown.
“S-so it was that bad?! Oh no… don’t tell me I—did something terrible to your face?”
Wide-eyed, she asked in a trembling voice.
He nodded gravely.
“H-ha… I see… so I did it again…”
Ximena laughed hollowly, as if her soul were leaving her body.
“Do you… often act like that when you drink?” he asked with mock solemnity.
“N-not often… just occasionally… I’m sorry…”
“That’s troubling. Better only drink when I’m around then—just in case you try that with other men.”
“No, I’ll quit drinking altogether! I deserve punishment for such indecent behavior!”
“Then perhaps, as punishment, I should repeat that indecent act you did to me?”
“Of course. I’ll accept it. Go ahead!”
She lifted her chin bravely, puffing her cheeks again and squeezing her eyes shut.
She looked exactly like a pouting little blowfish.
“Pfft—Hahaha! Ximena, what are you doing?”
“W-waiting! For the punishment! Hff—!”
Cailian burst out laughing.
