Chapter 90

As I approached with Mariabel, Lord Zain smiled softly.

"I came to pick you two up."

"Hehe, I bet the real reason was that you wanted to see Miss Grace, right? You were working late last night just for this, weren't you, big brother?"

Lord Zain poked Mariabel's cheek, as if to say she was saying too much, and my heart raced.

He must have come to pick me up today because he was concerned about my time with Charlotte. Feeling the depth of Lord Zain's affection, my eyes welled up with warmth.

"Thank you. I'm really, really happy."

The young ladies around us let out excited squeals and blushed.

"So it's true that Duke Winslett dotes on Miss Grace."

"Looking at them together, they really are a perfect match."

I had only recently learned that in this Seawell Kingdom, picking up a woman at a social event is a gesture of deep love for one's wife.

There's even a story about the first king, who was deeply in love and jealous of his queen, going to pick her up himself every time she went out to ensure that it was truly a women-only gathering.

I thought Lord Zain must have come without knowing such stories, and I accepted his escort into the duke's carriage.

Just as I was about to sit next to Mariabel, Lord Zain pulled me close and made me sit next to him.

"Lord Zain, aren't you a bit too close?"

"Do you dislike it?"

"N-no, it's not that, but..."

"If that's not the case, then there's no problem."

Faced with Lord Zain's smile, brighter than the sun, I couldn't say anything. With Mariabel there and people outside the carriage able to see us, I felt incredibly embarrassed and gently pushed Lord Zain's shoulder, which was firmly around my waist.

As a result, I was pulled even closer and decided to stay still.

"–Eh."

Despite the embarrassment, I couldn't help but turn my gaze to the window when I saw Charlotte standing at the gate, looking at us with a cold, expressionless face that sent a chill down my spine.

She looked nothing like the always bright and charming woman I knew, and I couldn't hide my confusion.

"Is something wrong?"

"N-no! Nothing, I was just thinking about how much fun I had today."

I tried to cover it up, but Lord Zain, with his sharp senses, asked, "Really?"

But it was true that I felt glad I had gone to the tea party.

"Yes. I was happy to go with Mariabel, and everyone there said they wanted to be friends with me! I hardly ever get to talk to people my age, so I was really happy, and I just—..."

Once I started talking, I couldn't stop, and I realized how much I had enjoyed it.

Eventually, I noticed I had been talking too much and hurriedly shut my mouth.

"I see. I'm glad."

–Surely my story wasn't interesting or coherent, and it had no real point. Yet, Lord Zain smiled warmly and genuinely, and I felt a little like crying.

"That dress and accessories suit you well."

"Thank you. I really like them and would wear them every day if I could."

I truly love this kind of cute clothing, and I'm happy I can wear it without worrying about others' opinions.

Even with makeup, I no longer force myself to use dark, mature colors to look older.

"You look good in anything, but I prefer this style."

"I won't wear that kind of outfit again, so—"

"I didn't like the revealing ones either."

Lord Zain frowned, and I could tell he really didn't like them.

Indeed, the dresses he gives me are mostly designed to cover the skin. I resolved to be more careful in the future.

"By the way, Miss today was really amazing! When Lady Dana was about to be attacked by a venomous snake, she grabbed it with her bare hands and saved her!"

"Oh..."

Mariabel's eyes sparkled as she told Lord Zain, no doubt thinking it was a good thing.

Still, I couldn't bring myself to look at Lord Zain, who was sitting next to me.

"Sorry, but if I heard correctly, you grabbed a venomous snake with your bare hands?"

"N-no, that—"

"Yes! The key is to grab it quickly and without hesitation!"

"…Really?"

Lord Zain's smile remained, but his eyes were not smiling at all.

He was clearly angry about my dangerous actions.