Chapter 131

A few months ago, after Esadien had returned to the Imperial Palace from Terju Island and completed his treatment, the first thing he did was ask Minuelle out on a date.

“Huh? A date?” Minuelle reacted as if she was surprised.

‘Don’t we meet for tea and talk already? What’s that if not a date?’

Her eyes seemed to ask, but Esadien didn’t back down and spoke again.

“Yes. I’d like to go on a date.”

“Oh…” Minuelle’s eyes darted around. It was rare for Esadien to take the initiative to ask for something.

‘What’s gotten into him?’

But it was a good sign. Perhaps being apart had changed his mind.

Minuelle smiled brightly and nodded. “Sounds good! How about we go to the opera? A new show came out while you were away.”

“The opera is fine, but…” Esadien cleared his throat and continued, his ears a little red. “There’s a lake perfect for boating just two or three hours away. Shall we go in disguise?”

‘Huh?’

Minuelle felt a strange sense of deja vu.

‘Where did I hear that before?’

Her eyes, which had been thoughtfully tilted, suddenly sparkled.

“Hmm. Let’s think about that again when your health is stable.”

“…That’s so mean. You know I’m all better now.”

‘As I thought.’

Minuelle’s smile turned mischievous. Esadien’s words were similar to what she had said when she first asked him out.

‘Back then… Esadien told me to pick a date.’

But it would be no fun just to follow the same script. Smiling, she ran a finger along Esadien’s arm. His arm stiffened, making his clothes taut.

‘Unbelievable…’

The sight of his solid arm was always so satisfying. Overwhelmed, Minuelle skipped the middle part and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Then it’s decided! Let’s go tomorrow!”

“No.”

Esadien, however, had a different plan. His firm refusal slightly flustered Minuelle.

“Oh, is that too soon?”

“No. It’s too late.”

“…Huh?”

“Let’s go now.”

“What?!”

Esadien lightly lifted the surprised Minuelle into his arms and strode forward. A carriage was already waiting outside, and inside, light cloaks and snacks were prepared. The servants saw them off with fond smiles.

Minuelle, who had been abducted (?), mumbled, “Esadien, you had a plan all along, didn’t you?”

She knew he was good at planning, but she hadn’t expected such a surprise.

“I’m all better now, and I wanted to go out with you.”

“Oh, really? It sounds like you had a lot you wanted to do with me.”

“…Didn’t you?”

“I don’t know. I just wanted to see you quickly.”

When she said this coyly, Esadien was about to apologize out of habit. But Minuelle quickly put a finger on his lips to stop him.

“And I want to see you every day.”

And she had been doing just that. Lately, Minuelle had been a little, no, a lot, busy.

Several organizations had participated in creating the medicine for Esadien. This meant someone was needed to mediate their interests and handle the commercialization process.

That person was Minuelle.

As the prized daughter of the Grand Duchess, a person trusted by the Emperor, and an apprentice to the Archmage, Minuelle was the most qualified person for the job.

She had even announced her intention to donate her share, knowing that people would find it difficult to oppose the words of someone who wasn’t acting for personal gain.

Her work didn’t stop there. For a year, Minuelle had been directly managing her own lands under the Grand Duchess’s orders. She was also still receiving regular lessons from Brassidas. And despite all this, she met with Esadien every day.

“…I’m sorry.”

Esadien finally apologized. He was the one who knew Minuelle’s schedule best. He wanted to help her, but as a fiancé, not a spouse, he couldn’t act on her behalf. Unlike before, there was no excuse for him to stay at the Grand Duchess’s mansion, so the only thing he could do was act as her secretary when she went out. And he had only been able to do that since his treatment ended.

“You don’t have to be sorry,” Minuelle said, stroking Esadien’s hair with a look of pity. He kept saying he was sorry for not being helpful, but she knew he didn’t realize how amazing he was.

‘He chased me all the way to the desert because he couldn’t let me go alone, even when he hadn’t fully recovered from his injury, and he held me…’

‘…even though he could have been killed by it.’

‘Ah.’

Thinking about that time made her emotions well up. Instead of biting her lip, Minuelle bit her finger and looked out the window. The feeling of that moment was still vivid. It was like feeling raindrops in the middle of a hot desert, as if the hope of survival had finally arrived.

How many people could act that way out of love? How many would walk away wishing for your happiness, instead of demanding that you take responsibility for the way they were hurt because of you?

“Minuelle?” Esadien’s voice, unable to read her thoughts, was filled with worry.

‘I checked her schedule.’

The closest day off in Minuelle’s tight schedule was today. Had something come up that needed to be handled?

“Is there something you need to take care of? If so, we can postpone our outing.”

“Huh? Oh, no. It’s not that. I’m so happy about the date! I didn’t even know I wanted to go!”

Esadien’s expression became a little confused at her strange choice of words.

“You didn’t know you wanted to go?”

“Oh, you know, it’s like you read my hidden desire? It’s just that there’s been so much going on that I completely forgot!”

Only then did a smile return to his handsome face.

“I’m relieved you wanted this too.”

Minuelle’s focus seemed to blur for a moment before returning. Esadien’s beauty was the kind you could never get used to. Just when she thought she had adapted, she would be captivated by him at moments like this.

“Wow… You’re so handsome. What if someone falls for you and follows you?” Minuelle touched Esadien’s face, as if to confirm that this beauty was real. His smooth cheek had no marks. She, too, was now using her bare hand without a glove.

Esadien chuckled and kissed her palm. “Is that a problem? I’m your man.”

“….!”

‘Oh, my god.’

Minuelle barely suppressed a scream. She was used to praising Esadien’s beauty, but what he just did was… truly bad for her heart!

Was that why? From that moment on, her heart began to beat more wildly than ever.

‘I hope he can’t hear it.’

The sound of her heartbeat was so loud it was worrying. It continued to pound as they arrived at Caduren, boarded a boat amidst a shower of petals, and strolled through the square without any incidents this time. It was as if it was their first date. She was worried that he might hear her heartbeat, but at the same time, she was happy. Something had changed since they were there last.

‘I love you.’

And that was the certainty that they loved each other.

But the moment she saw the mansion that appeared before them, Minuelle’s flushed face fell.

“Esadien, this is…”

She knew they were retracing the steps of their first date, but she hadn’t expected to come to Princess Maya’s mansion, where he had spent his childhood. It was a place with no good memories. Hadn’t they struggled when they were there last, falling into Austin’s trap?

“Let’s go inside.”

Despite Minuelle’s worried expression, Esadien gently led her. When he opened the door, Minuelle couldn’t help but let out a small gasp.

“Wow…”

Unlike last time, when the furniture was covered in sheets and the air was filled with dust, the mansion was now perfectly maintained. The lavish decorations, like a small palace attached to the Imperial Palace, showed just how much the Emperor adored his sister.

‘Hmm?’

Something was odd; there wasn’t a single servant in sight. It seemed they had withdrawn after preparing everything so the two of them could be alone.

“This way.”

And following Esadien’s lead, they went upstairs, where a tea table was set up in a spot with a great view of the city. On the table, which was the perfect size for two, a tower of perfectly cut mango slices was skillfully stacked.

“Ahahaha!”

At the sight of it, Minuelle burst into laughter. It reminded her of the untouched macaron tower.

“Hahaha! What is this?”

“I wanted to make up for my past mistake.”

His voice was bashful, but his hand was gentle as he wiped the tears from her eyes.

Esadien’s hand slowly moved down to hold Minuelle’s. He slowly knelt on one knee and said, “And I wanted to formally propose.”

“Huh? A proposal?” Minuelle’s, who was a little dense about these things, eyes went wide. They had already talked about marriage several times, so she had just assumed that was their proposal.

“You already gave me a ring…”

Her words trailed off as she felt the smooth metal on her ring finger. On her delicate finger, a large, brilliant yellow diamond, as yellow as the mangoes, sparkled.

“Please think of this as the real one, Minuelle.”

“…I’ll treasure both of them.”

Esadien smiled. But his face still held some tension, making Minuelle find him both adorable and a little puzzled.