Chapter 13

"Lucia, do you need anything for the wedding preparations?"

"What do you mean, for example?"

"Since you've been so helpful during this vacation, I want to give you a gift as a thank you. I think it should be easy to get ahold of some popular light purple fabric, but..."

"Light purple doesn't really suit me, does it?"

"Yeah, it's a tricky color, and you deserve something more beautiful. So... are you going to wear the dress you already have?"

"I don't want to waste money on a new one."

"Right. So, the blue dress you wore last year?"

"...Yes."

The blue dress is the most beautiful dress I own. It was made from my mother's old dress.

That's why, even though it's from last year, I love it and plan to wear it for many years to come.

I shouldn't feel embarrassed at all.

...But the people from the Ophels family and Irena might exaggerate and say I don't have the means to buy a new dress.

But Fil didn't seem to care about that.

"That dress suited you well, so that's good. So... can I send a few people here?"

"Huh?"

I tilted my head, not understanding where this was going.

Fil's expression turned slightly more serious.

"To be honest, this is a matter that requires me to cut my vacation short. It might take a while to resolve, so it's uncertain whether I can return before the wedding. I might not be able to do anything directly, so I'll send a maid to help with your preparations and a few people to manage the fields in your place."

"That's not necessary..."

"It is. To keep the Ophels family quiet, you need to avoid field work for a while. Do you understand?"

"That's... true."

Maybe it is.

I had become so accustomed to my current life that I had forgotten.

Rough hands from field work are a target for ridicule in noble society. So, I need to avoid water work as well.

Excessive sunburn is also a no-go. As for muscles... I'll have to hope they overlook that. Fortunately, the blue dress has a wide neckline but covers the shoulders and arms.

"Your beautiful black hair should also be perfectly styled. I'll ask my sister-in-law or my sister to arrange for an experienced maid who can style it to match the dress without being too ostentatious. ...Understand? This is a fight instigated by the Ophels family. You need to respond as a perfect noble. This is the battle you have to fight."

Battle.

It sounds good.

The blood of the barbarian Laguren, who wears the skin of a noble, stirs.

"I like the everyday Lucia, but the nobles have their own sense of beauty. Since you're going to confront them as a noble, you need to be perfect."

"...Right. This is a battle."

I nodded vigorously.

I might have been a bit swayed by Fil, but this is definitely a noble's battle.

To protect the Laguren viscount family.

And... I don't really like being insulted all the time.

"Good girl. I'm looking forward to the day. ...But, I wish I could return here before then."

Fil patted my head and sighed, as if suddenly remembering reality. His sharp demeanor quickly returned to the laid-back Fil I knew.

It was so funny that I patted his back.

"Come on, you're leaving, right? I'll see you off!"

As I headed for the front door, Fil suddenly grabbed my arm.

"What's wrong?"

"...Lucia, do you want to come to the capital with me? If you're there, I can endure the crap from my colleagues and my brother's complaints."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I thought you wanted to be a part of this place, but you know what? With you, anywhere can be the same as here. Lucia, I'm actually quite well-off. If you want, I can provide the most luxurious treatment..."

"Hey, Fil! What are you doing, taking so long!"

With a shout, my hand was released. Albes was gripping Fil's wrist tightly.

"Albes. If you were listening, this will be quick. This isn't a bad deal, right?"

"Too bad! You're going to mess up my sister's life!"

"Haha. That's harsh. You really think so?"

"Of course! What do you think of your own birth!"

"It's just a bit special. My brother, sister-in-law, and sister are all normal people. The nephews and nieces are apes, though."

"That's not the issue! Stop talking. If you don't, I'll... kill you."

"...That's harsh. At least let me dream a little."

Perhaps due to the serious intent in Albes' words, Fil sighed and raised his hands slightly.

...I don't understand anymore.

Was Fil's proposal just a bad joke?

I can't deal with this.

I decided to leave, leaving the two of them still talking.

At the front door, Fil's horse was waiting.

"Your master is quite a complicated person, isn't he?"

As I stroked the horse's neck and spoke to it, the horse seemed to agree, looking at me intently.