The Grande Gêne street was a place where nobles mainly gathered, filled with high-end shops and major trading company buildings. Ashika visited several trading company buildings on Grande Gêne street and came back outside.
It wasn’t an outing with any particular purpose. She just wanted to refresh herself because she felt stifled.
Even though the sun had set, the midday heat lingered in the streets. Moreover, there were many people on the street today, so Jeanne took the lead to clear the way.
“Ah!”
“Oh my, I’m sorry, miss.”
As a large man brushed past, Ashika’s hairnet caught on his shoulder ornament and tore.
“What are you doing? You should be more careful in such a crowded place.”
“Jeanne.”
Ashika stopped Jeanne who was becoming stern. It happened because the street was congested.
“Oh dear, what a shame. Your hair ornament is damaged. Perhaps I could compensate you…”
“No, it’s fine.”
Using compensation as an excuse, the man moved closer. Jeanne immediately stepped forward to block him.
“The lady says it’s fine. You seem busy, so you should hurry on your way.”
At Jeanne’s polite but firm refusal, the man left reluctantly.
Ashika felt the tattered hair ornament with her hand and then removed it completely. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders.
“My lady.”
Despite Jeanne’s surprised look, Ashika didn’t mind. She gathered up her flowing hair and took out a handkerchief from her pocket, folding it and tying it around her hair. Seeing how skillfully she arranged her hair with just a handkerchief, Jeanne’s expression became peculiar.
“Where did you learn to tie your hair like that?”
“Hmm?”
It was a method typically used by poor commoner girls who couldn’t afford proper accessories. Ashika froze for a moment. Her momentary panic soon passed, and she composed herself before answering.
“I observed the maids doing it. It looked easy.”
‘You wouldn’t have had any reason to pay attention to such things.’
Though Jeanne found it strange, she didn’t question further. Meanwhile, Ashika, who had answered so naturally, felt odd and tried to recall her memories.
‘I’ve never seen it before.’
A small habit she had somehow remembered unconsciously. Recently, there had been many such changes in her.
‘I’ve changed.’
She clearly felt it now. Something in her was changing because of the memories she had thought were merely nightmares or hallucinations. And those changes were still ongoing.
When Ashika’s face grew serious, Jeanne interpreted it differently.
“It seems we picked a bad day to go out.”
“Indeed, there are unusually many people today.”
“I heard there’s a summer flower festival at the Rodian Garden starting today. That must be why.”
“Rodian? You mean the park with the botanical garden?”
“Yes. It has lots of plants and many secluded spots, so it’s popular with couples on dates. Haven’t you been there?”
“Have you been there, Jeanne?”
“Yes, of course.”
As one of the famous spots for couples, Rodian Garden was a place most people visited at least once or twice before marriage.
“Shall we stop by for a bit?”
“To see the flowers?”
The garden at the Duke’s mansion was also beautiful, if not as large as the public garden. The gardener Buzri took such great care that flowers bloomed throughout the garden with each season.
“It will be different from the Duke’s garden.”
Noticing Ashika’s doubt, Jeanne added softly.
Come to think of it, there had been a subtle fragrance of flowers in the air. The source of the fragrance must be Rodian Garden. Since she had come out to refresh herself, she thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea.
“Please lead the way.”
“Shall I call for a carriage?”
“No. I prefer to walk.”
Perhaps it was due to the shock of not being able to walk properly in her nightmares, but Ashika tried as much as possible to move on her own and do things herself. It was one of the changes she hadn’t been conscious of.
“They only allow entry to those who are properly dressed, so shabby vagrants can’t enter. It’s mainly frequented by nobles and the wealthy, so the security is excellent.”
As Jeanne said, attendants at the entrance to Rodian Garden checked visitors’ attire and identity. Despite the growing darkness, there were still many people trying to enter. Beyond the high iron fence, closely placed street lamps brightly illuminated the path.
When the attendant confirmed Ashika’s identity, his eyes widened, causing Jeanne to frown. The attendant quickly closed his mouth at Jeanne’s silent gesture to keep quiet and her fierce demeanor.
Starting from a golden circular flower symbolizing the sun at the center, flowerbeds spread outward like a fan over a wide area. Several buildings near the northern fence were botanical gardens.
“The botanical gardens close at night, so unfortunately we won’t be able to see them today.”
“Why do they close the botanical gardens? What’s in there?”
“There are many imported cacti. Since the interior is dark, there’s a risk of injury, so they close early.”
“Cacti?”
Ashika’s brow furrowed slightly. She seemed to have difficulty understanding why cacti required special management.
“When the rugged cacti bloom, they’re incredibly splendid. More colorful and charming than any precious flower. When the cacti bloom, people queue for hours to enter the botanical garden.”
“Hmm.”
Having never seen it, she couldn’t imagine it.
Jeanne smiled slightly and continued her explanation.
“The path spirals, so if we follow the flowerbeds, we’ll end up on the outer edge of the garden. Past the garden trees that encircle the outermost area like a boundary, there are benches and pergolas scattered about. The trees are dense, creating deep shade and many secluded spaces.”
“Why do you know so much about it?”
“It’s a public park. Everyone comes here.”
Especially couples. Looking at Ashika who had come accompanied by a guard knight, Jeanne’s eyes grew even more sympathetic than before.
“Well, I can tell it’s big. But…”
“Lady Igraine.”
Ashika’s response was cut off by a voice that suddenly interjected.
For a moment, she thought she had misheard. Seeing Ashika freeze in surprise, the person called her name once more.
“Lady Igraine, we meet again here.”
A rich, deep voice that was particularly pleasing to the ear. Only then did Ashika realize this wasn’t a dream but reality, and she turned around.
“Rush…, Duke Talion?”
There stood the man who had not left her thoughts for the entire week.
He wore neither vest nor coat. His unadorned shirt and trousers suggested someone who had rushed out in the middle of work in his office. Despite the evening coolness, Drushia wiped the sweat from his face and loosened his collar.
Ashika was too surprised to continue speaking.
‘Is it coincidence? Or…’
It was her first outing in a week. She had wondered if he might remember their encounter at the poorhouse last time. No, it was more of a hope. The hope that Drushia might follow her.
‘Yes, he was always persistent.’
She felt relieved that he hadn’t given up on her despite her harsh rejection. Despite knowing it was wrong, she felt a shallow selfishness, wanting to be drawn in while pretending reluctance.
Seeing her eyes, dark as night, grow round and wide, the corner of Drushia’s mouth curved up slightly.
“A date at the flower festival with a guard knight. I’m not sure whether to call it austere or romantic.”
“Better than someone who came to see flowers alone, wouldn’t you say?”
Drushia’s tone was no different than usual. Responding to his habitually sarcastic attitude, Ashika didn’t back down.
“Jeanne, didn’t you say one needs to be properly dressed to be allowed in here?”
“Yes, that’s certainly true, but…”
Jeanne answered with a sour face. Doesn’t status precede dress code?
“Dress code? Who cares about that for entering a park?”
Drushia chided her as if it were nonsense. He was a Talion, one of the four ducal families of the Empire. Who would dare stand in his way?
‘Status is such a bully.’
Jeanne clicked her tongue imperceptibly.
“What brings you here alone without any company, Duke?”
“Before that.”
Brushing aside Ashika’s question, Drushia looked at Jeanne.
“I have something to discuss with Lady Igraine. I’d appreciate it if the guard knight would step aside for a moment.”
Jeanne’s expression hardened. Though she didn’t dare intervene, she showed her displeasure openly, hoping as usual that her mistress would rebuke the rude counterpart.
However, the instruction that flowed from Ashika’s lips was the opposite of what she expected.
“Jeanne, wait for me at the entrance.”
“My lady, that’s out of the question!”
A startled voice burst out. She hadn’t expected Ashika would actually send her away. To such a Jeanne, Drushia casually said:
“I’ll take responsibility for escorting her back. Surely you don’t distrust me?”
“Well, that’s…”
Distrust was putting it mildly. She was about to say it was absolutely not allowed. But Jeanne couldn’t voice her thoughts.
“It’s fine, Jeanne.”
Despite her calm voice, Ashika’s face was slightly flushed.
‘What’s going on?’
The subtle atmosphere that could only be sensed by feeling and the tense air between the two. It had always been there, but today the direction was different.
‘Could it be?’
“Jeanne.”
Ashika urged Jeanne to answer. To hide her confusion, Jeanne quickly lowered her gaze.
“I’ll wait here.”
Knowing she could no longer interfere, Jeanne stepped back.
Drushia took the lead and looked back at Ashika, silently urging her to follow.
Ashika moved, maintaining her distance from him. The gap of about five steps was a bit too far to be considered walking together.
‘To think I’d see Talion and Igraine walking side by side.’
Jeanne watched the retreating figures of the two with a somewhat bewildered expression.
