JustPeachyNovels

*** *** *** *** ***

Today was the day we were supposed to go to the boutique to get Raynous fitted for his clothes. I was ready to go and waiting for Raynous.

May, who had been dying of curiosity over the past few days, cautiously asked me a question.

“What does he do?”

“Hmm? Who?”

“That man.”

Ah. She meant Raynous.

I hadn’t told May anything about Raynous yet.

In front of the noble ladies, I had maintained the image of ‘pure and delicate Siella Labyrinth,’ so I mentioned the temple brother, but there was no need to do that with May.

Since I figured this was a good opportunity to tell her, I gestured for her to come closer and whispered in her ear.

“He’s the one I’m having an affair with.”

“What?”

“Well, he cheats too, so why shouldn’t I?”

“My Lady.”

May placed her hands on her hips and frowned.

May was a maid, but she was like a sister to Siella. May’s mother had been Siella’s nanny, so they had grown up nursing together.

So, even though her actions were not those a maid should take with her mistress, I wasn’t upset at all.

I looked at May leisurely, expecting her to start nagging me.

She might say something like, cheating is wrong, or you shouldn’t do that—

“I wholeheartedly support you cheating.”

That wasn’t it. May even clapped her hands solemnly.

“But if you’re going to cheat, I think it should be with someone really amazing.”

“Someone amazing?”

“Yes. For example…”

May, narrowing her eyebrows as she thought, started listing on her fingers.

“Someone handsome, powerful, and rich.”

“People like that don’t exist.”

“No, they do. For instance, His Highness the Crown Prince!”

May insisted that although she had never seen the Crown Prince in person, he must be handsome.

I agreed.

“It would be great if he had all three, but at least he should have two of them. Like being as handsome as the Crown Prince, as powerful as the Crown Prince, or richer than the Crown Prince.”

“Why compare him to the Crown Prince?”

“Because His Majesty the Emperor is married.”

That’s true.

“In that sense, that man is disqualified. He’s handsome but seems to lack money and power. I have a keen eye for people, you know. I can tell at a glance.”

No, he doesn’t lack those things. Does she not know how expensive a Rose of Lilstein is?

…Oh.

“May, hold on.”

“Anyway, I’m against it. In fact, no man in the world satisfies me. At least the Crown Prince should be a match for you!”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“Right? So, I think you shouldn’t be with that man.”

“That’s not so helpful.”

May flinched. She realized that I wasn’t the one who had answered.

Oh, why now?

Ignoring my flushed face, I lowered my gaze.

*** *** *** *** ***

“Please forgive the rudeness.”

We were on our way downtown in the carriage.

I bowed my head deeply to Raynous, who was sitting across from me.

Judging royalty… I wouldn’t have a word to say even if we were dragged to prison immediately.

“Not at all.”

Thankfully, Raynous smiled beautifully, as if it was no big deal.

“Your maid has a good eye for people.”

“What?”

“As your maid said, no one in this empire meets all those conditions except for me.”

“…”

“Do you think so too?”

“…”

I blinked, unable to tell if he was joking or serious.

Judging by the atmosphere, it didn’t seem like he intended to drag May and me to prison for contempt of the royal family.

When I didn’t answer immediately, still trying to grasp the situation, Raynous, looking sullen, asked again.

“Do you not think so?”

“Oh, no!”

I’m not sure what’s what, but no one dislikes compliments. Clearing my throat, I began to praise him sincerely.

“You are the most handsome person I’ve ever seen. Anyone would say the same. You are the most handsome in the empire, no, in the world.”

Raynous’s face turned red.

He avoided my gaze, clearly pleased with the compliment, so I decided to continue flattering him a bit more.

“When I look at you, Your Highness, it’s almost blinding. I might even get an eye disease soon. If you hear rumors that I have an eye disease—”

“Stop.”

He cut me off, covering his flushed face with his hand. His neck was bright red, indicating he was quite embarrassed.

I clamped my mouth shut like a clam. After waiting a while, Raynous, his face finally returned to its normal color, nonchalantly changed the subject.

“Have you thought about what kind of clothes to pick for me?”

“Honestly, no. I woke up late.”

“Take your time choosing. I’ve cleared my schedule for today. You’re not busy, are you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

I had postponed all my work to Rader for this date.

Although Rader had whined about me trying to kill him, it didn’t matter. This date was the most important thing to me.

I began to belatedly wonder what kind of design would suit Raynous.

Hmm. This would look good, and that would look good too. Then, a sudden question came to mind.

“By the way, what should I call you?”

I had never called Raynous by name outside before.

Since I kept our meetings short to fuel the imagination of the noble ladies, there had been no need to call him anything.

But today we were going to the boutique, so it seemed prudent to decide in advance in case anything came up.

‘I can’t just call him Your Highness openly.’

For convenience, Raynous would usually introduce himself to others as a ‘royal knight.’ Even the clothes he wore today were the casual wear commonly worn by the royal knights.

Covering his mouth for a moment in thought, Raynous soon replied casually.

“Ray.”

“Isn’t that too short?”

“Then what should you call me?”

That’s true.

But Ray seemed too much like a pet name.

If I started calling him that, I might delude myself into thinking we were in a genuine relationship. I had to keep my wits to avoid crossing the line.

While I was mulling over these thoughts, the carriage arrived at the boutique. I accepted Raynous’s escort and got off the carriage.

As we entered, the boutique’s owner, Madame, and the staff greeted us immediately.

“Welcome…. Ah.”

They flinched upon seeing Raynous and I. Why?

Hiding my curiosity, I spoke nonchalantly.

“We’d like to see men’s clothing.”

“Yes, right away.”

The staff quickly gathered to confirm Raynous’s measurements. They must be getting clothes that would suit him.

Guided by Madame, Raynous and I headed to the waiting room. As we walked down the long corridor, I glanced casually into a waiting room with the door wide open.

“You…”

The person inside frowned upon seeing me.

Oh, what? Reflexively, I also furrowed my brows.

It was Duval, with his blue hair and aqua eyes. He looked reasonably handsome.

It seemed he wasn’t alone but had come with someone. Seeing the curtained fitting room and the dresses displayed in front of it, I instinctively knew it was Tirielle.

As Duval, leisurely reading a pamphlet, quickly got up and approached.

Ah, what a pity. I had deliberately been avoiding him to provoke him a bit.

Duval, now in front of me, asked fiercely.

“Is the rumor true?”

“What rumor?”

“This man.”

Duval’s gaze fell on Raynous. Raynous frowned as he looked at Duval.

“Is he really your lover?”

“Oh.”

He asks the strangest questions.

I laughed out loud at the absurd question. What should I say to make a good impression?

Suddenly, a good idea came to mind. I winked at Raynous, then affectionately linked arms and snuggled close, putting on a cutesy, nasal voice.

“Yes.”

Raynous stiffened at my playful display.

Why? Was my affection that unappealing?

Meanwhile, Duval looked as if he’d been struck on the head with a hammer.

Then, glancing at the fitting room, he lowered his voice and snarled.

“You’re seeing another man after dumping me?”

“You wanted to break off the engagement.”

“That wasn’t serious… Hah, so you wanted to get my attention this badly?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Hah, cut it out. There’s a limit to what I can tolerate.”

“Tolerate what?”

“Did you think I’d cave in if you brought a guy like this?”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

Still clinging to Raynous, I squinted my eyes. Frustrated, Duval groaned.

Grinding his teeth as if exasperated, he whispered in a barely audible tone, making sure Tirielle in the fitting room wouldn’t hear.

“Fine… You must have wanted to hear this. No matter who I meet, the one I love the most is you. Are you happy now?” What? Excuse me?

Episode 8 – Episode 10