Chapter 37
. The Knight Stays by the Princess’s Side (3)
“Is it really okay to just accept something like this?”
“Well, I’m sure they wouldn’t have given it to you if it wasn’t worth it for them, too.”
Ilias answered flatly without even glancing at Fernsiana. She still didn’t find it convincing and only shrugged her shoulders once before looking down at her dress.
It was a teal-green dress, voluminous with its generous use of fabric. Along the rounded neckline ran delicate embroidery of tree vines in silver thread. It didn’t look like something cheap at all, yet the boutique owner had handed it to her as a “gift,” thanking her for purchasing a gown.
“But if it’s supposed to be a freebie, they usually give you a ribbon or something, not a whole dress….”
“If you show up at the party in that dress, they’ll make back the price of a hundred of those. More importantly, dressed like that, you won’t need to worry about those damn wanted posters. So let’s get some food and head in.”
Fernsiana was fussing with the hem of her dress when Ilias, startled by her antics, swatted her hand away. She pouted.
“If you do that at the party, you’re going to be in real trouble.”
“I won’t.”
“Actually, come to think of it, I’d better at least teach you some basic manners for the party, so you don’t stand out too much.”
“You picked that red gown for me, and now you’re saying not to stand out?”
“That’s just because it suits you.”
Ilias replied without even twitching an eyebrow, as if it were no issue at all. Since the person who needed her didn’t seem to care, it felt a little strange for her, just a hired hand, to keep arguing. So Fernsiana only fiddled awkwardly with the black wig she wasn’t used to, then tried to justify herself and change the subject.
“You can count on me for manners.”
“Oh?”
“I studied hard.”
As she said that, Fernsiana suddenly glanced down at her hands.
Her mother and Serelim had taught her many things: simple self-defense, cooking, how to handle tools, knowledge of the world, and even all sorts of etiquette.
While she was with them, none of those lessons had ever been of any use. She had often complained about learning things she didn’t see the point of, but Serelim would always gently comfort her while teaching.
Not once, while she was with them, had any of those things been useful…
“Feilun?”
“Ah, so what’s for dinner? Is our employer paying for us tonight?”
Fernsiana winked playfully at him. Ilias stared down at her for a moment, then turned his head away abruptly and started walking ahead.
“Well, no helping it! Come on.”
“We’re eating something delicious, right?”
“Don’t be too shocked at how good it is.”
Ilias stole a glance at the laughing girl. Fernsiana’s tone and behavior weren’t all that different from usual, but with her long hair down and the hem of her dress fluttering as she walked lightly, she seemed to carry none of her usual thin veil of guardedness.
“Hm? Ilias?”
“…I’m hungry. Let’s go.”
“You’re the one walking so slowly, though.”
She shrugged indignantly. Ilias didn’t reply and instead briskly redirected his steps toward the restaurant.
“So, do you wear dresses like that often?”
They had ordered their food and were waiting when Ilias spoke up.
The two had come to a small restaurant. The waiter immediately recognized Ilias and led them to a table by the window. Small tealight candles gave the place a warm atmosphere. Fernsiana stared at him wide-eyed.
“Wait a second….”
“Yeah?”
“Are you stupid?”
She asked so seriously that Ilias was left speechless. Fernsiana furrowed her brows and said again:
“I mean, logically speaking, I’m in disguise as a man, which makes this a cross-dressing situation. But that’s only because I’m actually a girl, you see? So… dresses? Normal for me.”
She pointed back and forth between the salt and pepper shakers as if kindly explaining to a child, half sympathetic, half worried. It was a total “you’re an idiot” tone. Ilias hid his slightly flushed face with a cough.
“That’s not what I meant. I meant that the dress… it’s not exactly made to be comfortable. Less restrictive than a ballgown, sure, but still. Yet you seem used to it.”
“It’s not terribly uncomfortable. But Ilias, you seem to know an awful lot about what’s comfortable or not. Have you tried one on yourself?”
“…You’re having a blast, aren’t you?”
Just as Fernsiana burst into laughter, the waiter arrived with their dishes. He was a boy about Fernsiana’s age.
As he set down the plates, he cast Ilias a mischievous grin, the kind that teased: Did you bring a girlfriend? He offered only the necessary explanation of the dishes—his way of being kind.
“Someone you know?”
“Ah, just a kid from around here… brat’s got no manners, giving me looks like that.”
Ilias grumbled as he tore apart the bread. Despite his words, he clearly seemed to know the boy well.
“Pampered him too much when he was younger.”
“So, like a brother?”
“…Not exactly… I wasn’t that nice to him.”
“Really?”
Fernsiana mimicked him, reaching for the bread as well. Fresh from the oven, it was still steaming hot. Tilting her head, she spread on some butter and honey with a small knife.
The waiter boy bustled about between tables, his energetic stride leaving an impression. When his eyes met Fernsiana’s, he grinned sheepishly.
“So you’re brothers because he was nice to you…”
“Hm?”
Ilias, who had just finished his piece of bread, looked at her. Fernsiana shook her head as if it was nothing and then broached what she had been holding back.
“Ah, Ilias. This is kind of… late to bring up after getting a dress fitted and everything, but… I don’t really want to reveal my real identity at that party. There’ll be nobles there, right?”
She couldn’t exactly say that she didn’t want to show up looking like the imperial prince Terensiana, with a suspiciously similar name and face. In fact, the wanted poster incident had turned out to be convenient. Hinting that she wanted to keep her head down after that, she saw Ilias nod in understanding.
“I already had a fake identity prepared. The details are sorted out. After dinner, I’ll give you the written notes—you just need to memorize them. The party will probably be a small one. Just don’t eat what others hand you, and only drink from the glass I give you.”
“Like someone’s going to poison me?”
Just then, the waiter boy came back with their dishes.
There was a pasta where the heat of the noodles melted cheese and cream, sun-dried tomatoes and white cheese marinated in seasoned oil, and fried shellfish tossed with a spicy sauce—filling the table. Finally, the boy uncorked a bottle of wine and poured two glasses.
“We didn’t order wine.”
“Our proprietor insisted on sending it over.”
Ilias sighed heavily, rubbing his brow.
“That man…”
The waiter boy only winked mischievously and left after finishing the plating.
“You knew the owner, then?”
Fernsiana asked, twirling some pasta with her fork. Ilias spun his glass in his hand before nodding.
“Yeah. We got close before he opened the place.”
“You’ve got so many friends, Ilias. Do you know every shop owner in Fomilas?”
“Only now do you realize how broad my connections are? And hey, don’t think I didn’t notice you trying to sneak a drink.”
“They poured us both a glass! Obviously it’s for me too. And for your information, I’m sixteen! I can handle a glass of wine!”
Before Ilias could take her glass away, Fernsiana snatched it protectively. He eyed her for a moment before shaking his head in resignation. She sipped, wearing a satisfied grin.
“Taste good?”
“Ah, it’s been so long since I had wine. This is delicious….”
“‘So long’? Just how young were you when you first started drinking?”
“Uh.”
It hadn’t actually been that long ago. Fernsiana quickly masked her awkwardness by rolling her eyes and making a big fuss over how tasty the pasta was instead. Ilias rested his chin on his hand with a sigh.
“You’re not planning to drink everything handed to you at the party too, are you?”
“Of course not! I’ll be working there, not partying~!”
Sure, sure. I believe you, Miss Feilun. Ilias humored her with a small laugh. Fernsiana shot him a mock glare before sipping more wine, her smile softening as the warmth spread.
