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nAfter expressing gratitude to him, I walked silently through the quiet garden with him as he followed me quietly. While walking for a long time, I found my anger and complex feelings melting away in the darkness, restoring peace in my mind. When I decided to go back, I heard somebody chatting nearby.

n“Now, you had better go back…”

n“I want to walk a little more. When can I enjoy the pleasure of walking in peace like this again?”

n“But it’s getting late…Whew! Okay, then.”

nThey were Sir Lars and Princess Frincia. His shiny golden hair and red hair caught my eye even in darkness.

n‘Should I recognize them or pretend not to know?”

nAfter thinking for a moment, I decided to watch them quietly. Like me, Carsein didn’t move.

nWhen I saw the two, walking through the garden silently turning back, I stood up.

nAt that moment, there was a rustling sound. When I looked down, startled, there were fallen leaves here and there as it was autumn. Oh my god…

n“Who is it?”

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n“… ”

n“If you don’t come out right away, I will call someone.”

nAt Sir Lars’ sharp warning Carsein came out of the shade with a shrug and said,”Brother, it’s me.”

n“… ‘Sein? What were you doing there? ”

n“Sir Lars, Princess Frincia, hello!”

nWhen Sir Lars asked, I stepped forward with an awkward smile. I felt awkward even though I didn’t do anything wrong. Princess Frincia laughed when she noticed that I was wearing Carsein’s jacket.

n“Sir Carsein, Lady Monique, it seems like you were walking together until now.”

n“Ah yes. We were just about to go back. ”

n“Good for you. We were also on our way back. Let’s go together, Lady Monique. ”

nI nodded because I wanted to do well. The moment I took off the jacket to give it back to Carsein hurriedly, I suddenly had a chill because of the cold night air.

n“What is wrong? it? Okay?”

n“I’m okay. I just feel chilly. Here you are.”

n“Go back quickly. You might catch a cold.”

n“Thanks, Carsein. ”

n“I have to go back on duty. Let me leave first. See you tomorrow, Aristia. ”

nCarsein smiled at me, accepted the jacket, and disappeared into the darkness.

nWhile looking at him gradually disappearing, I approached Sir Lars and Princess Frincia. Looking at the direction he disappeared in a pensive mood, the princess murmured low, “Hmm, that’s why he mentioned a sword when I asked what type of woman he liked.”

n“Pardon?”

n“Oh, nothing. Let’s go back. Come on, Sir Lars. ”

n“Ah, sure.” Sir Lars followed her, replying in a hurry.

nThe princess, who was walking silently by my side, said, “Lady Monique.”

n“Yes?”

n“Why don’t we keep it secret that we ran into each other in the garden today? Will you?”

n“Ah yes, of course.”

nWhen I nodded, she smiled meaningfully. It was a smile that only people who shared something could recognize. With a smile on her face, I walked with her back into the banquet hall where bright lights were coming out.

n“Hello, Lady Monique!”

n“Hello, everybody.”

nOn the third day of the National Founding Day festival, I attended the banquet with the crown prince. As soon as I left the banquet hall after chatting with the participants, some ladies came to me in droves and surrounded me.

nThe people who flocked around me were very diverse, ranging from noble women to young ladies. What they were mainly interested in was the hairpin that I had been wearing for the past several days. As Duchess Lars and Duchess Verita, to whom I gave the hairpins as gifts, also wore the hairpins, the rumor seemed to have spread that the hairpin was a popular accessory among noble women. They kept asking for style tips and where they could buy it. It seemed that the hairpin would be a hot seller among them pretty soon.

n“Oh, you are here, Aristia.”

n“Hello, Carsein.”

n“This is the first time I have seen you in a dress, Sir Monique. Why don’t you sometimes go to work in a dress instead of a uniform? ”

n“I agree, Lady Monique.”

n“I know you said that jokingly, but I feel good. Thank you, Sir Dillon. It’s been a long time, Sir Lian. It looks like three of you are off duty today.”

nThe three men walked in when the women made way for them, bowing their heads.

nThe ladies’ eyes sparkled when these proud knights came in.

n“I understand Sir Dillion and Sir Carsein know each other. How come you know them, Sir Lian? Your affiliations are different, right?”

n“Well, I and Sir Dillon have been friends since childhood. I came to know Sir Carsein through Sir Dillon. ”

n“I see. I hear you also know Sir June. You really know a lot of people!”

n“Thank you for the compliment,” Sir Lian replied in an exhilarated tone.

nWhen the three and others who knew me introduced each other, the young ladies were eager to speak to them and introduce themselves.

nIn particular, they were most interested in Carsein. But Sir Lian from a viscount family and Sir Dillion from a baron family were also very popular among the ladies because they were the successors of their families and knights. Unlike Carsein, who was busy chatting with ladies, the two knights were at a loss what to do, surrounded by them. I was smiling at him because I felt their embarrassing interaction to them was interesting, when another young man elbowed his way through the crowd spirits toward me.

n“It’s been a long time, Aristia.”

n“It’s been a while, Allendis. You seemed to be very busy these days. Are you free today?”

n“I’m on vacation today. As I worked hard, I need to have some rest sometimes.”

nAlendis laughed cheerfully, his emerald eyes looked brighter today. I saw several ladies blushing when he laughed.

n‘I know Carsein is popular among young ladies. It seems like Allendis is also very popular.’

nIt wasn’t surprising. They were both sons of dukes in an empire where there were only three, and they were widely known as geniuses in their own field. Besides, they would likely receive hereditary noble titles instead of their lifetime only titles.

n“Oh, Allendis, welcome!”

n“Long time, no see, Carsein. Are you off today?”

n“Yes, I am.”

nI watched the two exchanging greetings and looking at each other with a smile. They didn’t usually smile at each other. One was wearing white and the other, black uniform. One had fresh light hair, while the other had red hair. Allendis looked like a handsome prince, while Carsein had a cold look. I thought they were very different, but their contrast was more striking today.

n‘Is that the reason why they don’t like each other?’

nAllendis, who found me lost in thought, said with a smile,”Oh, Carsein, I’m afraid I’ve left the lady here alone while I talked with you for a long time? Sorry, Aristia. I think I’ve made a gaffe.”

n“No, Allendis. I am fine.”

n“No, I’ve sinned by leaving a lady alone. What do you think? Would you like to dance with me?”

nSuddenly, I broke into a smile. ‘Hey, Allendis, you are so smart! If you ask me like that, how can I refuse?’

n“It is my honour.”

nI gently put my hand on the back of his hand. Then, the ladies around me made way for us, sighing with envy.

nI waited for the song that was playing to finish and went up to the dance floor.

nWhen I looked around unconsciously before the band played a new song, I saw Carsein buried in the young ladies and other nobles chatting in small groups of two and three. I also saw the crown prince sitting side by side with three princesses.

n“Today you really look gorgeous, Tia.”

n“Thanks, Allen.”

nWhen he whispered to me, I took my eyes from the crowd and looked at Allen.

n‘Um?’

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nI felt the crown prince was looking toward us, so I turned my eyes toward him, but he was chatting with the princesses.

n‘Did you see it wrong?’

nTilting my head a bit, I turned to Allendis again. Then, I smiled brightly at his warm, emerald eyes.

n“It looks like this is the first time I have danced with you on a formal occasion.”

n“Yeah, you’re right.”

n“How have you been, my lady? I couldn’t see you because I was busy preparing for the festival.”

n“Well, so so. I just get by.”

nAs the band was playing the song at a slow tempo, I danced with him, chatting with him comfortably. When I let go of his hand and turned three times to the right and went back, Allendis pulled me with a soft smile and said, “Tia.”

n“Huh?”

n“Would you like to go to the village with me once after the festival is over?”

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