‘As expected…’
It was such a cold and sharp response, it felt almost awkward.
While I knew that Ian hadn’t yet realized his feelings for Diana during this period, even taking that into account, his attitude seemed a bit too much.
‘Diana basically ran away because of you, you idiot!’
Suppressing the urge to smack him upside the head, I asked,
“If you weren’t that close, then what kind of relationship did you have?”
Ian hesitated for a moment before responding after a brief pause.
“…We were childhood friends.”
“Don’t you want to see her again, then?”
Even though I knew they shouldn’t meet, the fact that he had no intention of seeing her at all seemed harsh.
No matter what, they spent years together—how could he not miss her?
However, Ian only narrowed his eyes as he looked at me.
“I told you, we weren’t that close.”
“But you said you were childhood friends…”
Don’t you have any emotions? I groaned internally and pursed my lips.
Ian, who had been staring at me, tilted his head.
“Is this bothering you?”
“Huh? What is?”
“You’ve been deep in thought as if something’s been on your mind for a while.”
I opened my mouth to respond but hesitated for a moment before replying, “…I was just asking.”
“I’ve told you before—you’re not very good at lying.”
Seriously?
I looked at Ian, baffled by his blunt statement.
He, on the other hand, watched me intently, as if pondering something, before speaking in a low voice.
“I have no personal feelings for Diana Lawrence. We’re just childhood friends.”
His words made me freeze. After a few seconds, I hesitated before asking in a halting voice,
“How… how did you know I was talking about Lady Lawrence?”
“As I’ve said before, I’m not an idiot.”
His response was almost offended by the obviousness of the answer.
“Ah…”
Now that I thought about it, it was common knowledge among those who knew that Diana had hovered around Ian before fleeing to the academy after hearing about his marriage.
‘I completely forgot about that.’
While it was true that I was concerned about Ian and Diana’s relationship, it wasn’t for the reasons he might think. I spoke a beat slower than usual.
“That’s not what I meant. I only asked because you two were so close. I thought maybe you’d want to take this opportunity to meet her.”
I tried to be as honest as possible, but judging from Ian’s piercing gaze, it seemed my words had no effect.
‘I’m serious, you blockhead.’
Though even if he wanted to meet her, I would stop him for now.
Ian remained silent for a while, and since I didn’t have any new topics to bring up, the conversation once again drifted into silence.
The sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled the void between us.
Ian finally spoke after several seconds—maybe even minutes had passed.
“If you’re worried, there’s no need.”
“I’m not worried, it’s just…”
I stopped myself from finishing the sentence. After all, there was no way I could reveal what I was really thinking to him now.
‘It’s because you’re still immature, and if you meet Diana, things could spiral out of control. That’s why I’m trying to protect my sweet little Diana.’
I couldn’t exactly say that, could I?
Meanwhile, Ian, who had been staring at me thoughtfully, slowly continued speaking.
“Yes, but I’m telling you not to worry. Diana Lawrence and I were only close as
childhood friends.”
“……”
“And now, the person I’m married to is you.”
He spoke in his usual calm, steady voice, then shifted his gaze back to the ocean. My half-open mouth clamped shut.
‘…Huh?’
His insistence on proving he had no personal feelings for Diana was firm, almost overly so.
At that point, I should have either ground my teeth in frustration at this clueless man, slapped him on the back to knock some sense into him, or resolved to educate him properly.
That would have been the correct response.
‘So why…’
I raised my hand and subtly covered my mouth.
‘Why does it not feel bad…?’
❖ ❖ ❖
Time flew by quickly at the imperial villa. Although I was technically there to accompany and protect the princess, she frequently went off on her own with her knight, leaving me behind.
The Emperor and Empress, true to their word before arriving at the villa, spent the entire week visiting local lords and meeting with the heads of southern merchant guilds, staying busy with diplomatic matters.
As a result, Ian and I ended up exactly as I had predicted on the first day: like spare, idle guests.
For me in particular, aside from the occasional time spent with the princess when she called for me, or the daily dinners with the Emperor and Empress, I had almost nothing to do.
At first, I felt awkward and out of place.
By the second day, I started feeling self-conscious.
By the third day, though, I had fully adjusted to this laid-back pace.
I figured the Emperor had anticipated this, but if not, well, too bad for him.
With nothing else to do, I found myself fully settled into the relaxing rhythm of this picturesque southern resort by the time the day before our departure arrived.
“My lady! Shall we wear this dress today?”
The moment I returned from dinner, Vivi, who had noticeably plumper cheeks from a week of leisure, pulled out a light blue chiffon dress from my suitcase.
It seemed I wasn’t the only one enjoying this excellent vacation. Even the staff from the ducal household had been having a good time, freed from their usual chores like cleaning and laundry. With no pressing schedule, there was no need for them to rush about.
I looked at the dress in Vivi’s hands, tilted my head, and said,
“The dress is pretty, but I’m not planning on going out again tonight, am I? Shouldn’t I just change into my nightgown?”
Vivi’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“My lady! What are you talking about? Of course, you have to go out tonight!”
Why…?
“Goodness, it’s the last day of the trip! You haven’t visited the night market nearby even once, have you?”
“Oh? Ah.”
I suddenly remembered. The Emperor had mentioned on the first day that the nearby night market was full of interesting sights.
‘But I’m full, warm, and honestly not in the mood to go out…’
Sensing my indifference, Vivi exaggerated her tone.
“I heard there’s going to be fireworks tonight! Doesn’t that sound like the perfect way to spend your last evening here?”
“Fireworks…?”
My ears perked up. I wasn’t particularly interested in the night market, but fireworks? That got my attention.
I glanced at the large window that filled one of the walls.
‘I can probably see them from here with the view I have, but…’
Still, fireworks were best enjoyed up close. Vivi didn’t miss the slight shift in my mood and eagerly continued to persuade me.
“The fireworks are famous around here! And it’s not just ordinary ones, they even have heart-shaped bursts!”
Her arms spread wide as she described the scene, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Why are you so invested in getting me to go out?”
“Well… When else would you get the chance to fully enjoy a vacation like this? Back home, you’re always working unless you go out, right?”
Vivi fidgeted, wringing her hands.
“Is that so?”
I felt touched, a bit choked up.
“Since you’re pushing me so hard, I suppose I should go out, then…”
When I mumbled that, Vivi’s face lit up.
“Oh! Should I tell the master too?”
I froze.
“Ian…?”
‘Things are still awkward between us.’
Ever since that night we spent by the ocean, I had found Ian strangely uncomfortable.
I’d been keeping my distance subtly, and now she wanted us to go to the night market together?
Yet Vivi, always sharp except for moments like this, was practically hopping with excitement, oblivious to my hesitation.
“The sun is just starting to set, so if you head out soon, it’ll be perfect timing! I’ll go tell him right away!”
“Wait, no, don’t—”
Thud.
Before I could finish, the door had already closed behind her.
My hand fell limply to my side.
“…Couldn’t you at least hear me out first…?”
♧♧♧
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