Chapter 2

Mary became busy with the wedding preparations and even her break times were spent on various tasks. Taking advantage of this, I gradually distanced myself from her.

By the time Mary’s wedding approached, I was mostly spending time with other people. Still, I had sent my RSVP and was part of the same faction, so of course, I attended.

Upon arriving at the venue, I made sure to secure a spot near the back wall, trying to avoid catching the bride’s eye. If Mary saw me, she might feel a bit guilty, and I didn’t want to cloud her happiest day. It would be better for both of us if she could focus on her happy memories and forget about me.

Looking ahead, I noticed that Miles, who should have been in the front row, was sitting much further back, among the family seats.

When Mary finally entered, she looked beautiful, and the two main characters seemed very happy, but my heart didn’t stir at all.

During the exchange of vows, I almost remembered the pain of not being chosen and quickly focused on the back of the person in front of me, trying not to think about anything.

After the ceremony, the reception was a buffet. I greeted the couple and their family first, then enjoyed the food and conversation, planning to stay for a while before leaving.

Just as I was about to leave, Mary, who had been making the rounds, spotted me and came over. At first, we exchanged casual conversation, and I let my guard down.

"Harriet... I have something I need to apologize for... I couldn’t bring myself to say it until now, and it might be unfair to use this opportunity... but..."

My mind went blank. I wondered what she was going to say, but another voice interrupted.

"That’s cheating. Stop it."

I was relieved by this voice. Miles continued.

"I don’t know what it’s about, but today is your day. In this situation, Harriet has no choice but to forgive you. It’s better to wait for another opportunity."

Mary, who was scolded, agreed and left with a slightly dejected look. Nicholas, who was standing next to her, also had a dissatisfied expression, which left an impression on me.

"Thank you."

"No, my sister is at fault..."

"No... I’ll be going now..."

I said my goodbyes and finally headed home.

***

Six months later, Nicholas and Miles graduated. After graduation, Nicholas was rumored to be learning estate management at home and was expected to inherit the viscount title. Miles became a knight at the palace and was adopted into the Warrington family, the foster family of the rare holy sword he wielded.

Mary became pregnant shortly after the wedding and took a year off from her third year of school.

I continued a normal student life, but my engagement was never finalized. Recently, it was about half love marriages (though only those without family issues) and half arranged marriages, but I couldn’t bring myself to fall in love. When I asked my parents about potential matches, there were a few, but each had some flaw. My parents advised me to lower my standards, and I focused on studying for a job after graduation, spending the year preparing for a career.

Nobles who didn’t work at home usually worked at the palace. I had a brother with a family, so I planned to participate in a palace tour on a holiday to leave home.

The day before the palace tour, during lunch break, Mary came to my classroom. She called me out to a place where we wouldn’t be seen.

"It’s been a while, Mary. What’s up?"

Mary, with a stiff expression, looked very hesitant but determined.

"I thought I should tell you. I betrayed you. I should have told you first when I started liking Nicholas, but I kept it all to myself and even proposed to him, thinking I could use family reasons... Harriet saw everything, so it was impossible. Even if our relationship ends because of my actions, I regret not at least doing the right thing by you.

I’m not asking for forgiveness. It’s just for my own satisfaction. But I’m really sorry."

"... I’m not ready to accept your apology, and the resentment will probably never go away. But I do feel like one of my concerns has been resolved."

"Thank you...!"

Mary, looking relieved, then her face clouded over. She seemed hesitant, but I asked her what was on her mind since she wanted to leave soon.

"Is there something else?"

"...I wanted to ask if you’ve been in touch with Brother Miles..."

She explained that he refused to meet her in private, only replied to letters with a refusal, and even avoided her in public. Apparently, no one in the family had seen Miles recently.

"Everyone is worried because we haven’t heard from Nicholas or the family... I thought maybe you could see him tomorrow..."

"I haven’t been in touch, and I don’t know if I’ll see him tomorrow. Besides, from what you’ve said, it seems to be his own decision. There’s nothing I can do as an outsider."

"Still...! If you see him, could you at least tell him everyone is worried? Even if it’s just a message."

I agreed to that much and we parted ways.

Ah, her apology to me was just an afterthought to contacting Miles, I realized, feeling disappointed. I was still hoping for something from Mary.

***

The palace tour involved visiting all the areas on the first day, divided into several groups, and more specialized talks on the second day, divided into knight, maid, and civil servant tracks. Since it was a holiday, we were instructed to wear casual, comfortable clothes.

Waiting at the palace meeting point, I saw knights walking and talking towards us.

One of them, a man with short, silver hair tinged with blue, seemed familiar, and I couldn’t believe my eyes, staring with my mouth agape.

It’s probably Miles, but he’s changed so much I’m not sure. His brown hair, which used to reach his chest, was now short, with his sides and back shaved, revealing his well-shaped ears. His forehead, previously hidden by his bangs, was now exposed. His eyes, which I thought were brown or dark, looked turquoise from a distance. Could it really be someone else? But he looks too similar. Confused, I didn’t even realize I was staring rudely.

He seemed a bit nervous and was being teased by his companions. When he noticed my un-ladylike expression, he smiled and chuckled, but I was still frozen, blushing and covering my mouth.

From his reaction, he seemed to recognize me, and his facial features were the same as before. But it was hard to believe how much he had changed.

"Alright, these off-duty knights will be your guides. One will be assigned to two or three of you, so follow their instructions. The training grounds are dangerous, so..."

While I was spacing out, the groups were formed, and people started to leave.

"Sorry, there was a mistake with the numbers. You two will have to go together."

The leader, who had taken his group of three, left, leaving me flustered and Miles looking up at the sky.

"...Pleasure to be with you today."

I couldn’t meet his eyes and replied awkwardly.

"It’s been a while. Please take care of me today, Lord Warrington."

"Let’s not be so formal. I’d prefer it if you called me by my name like before."

"Understood, Miles."

"...Shall we go?"

Miles seemed to have something to say but kept it to himself.

The tour itself was quite ordinary.

We saw a few places where the guides were changed, but we continued without any changes.

I subtly stole glances at Miles while we were moving.

Since I was the only one he was explaining to, and I was too nervous to pay much attention to my surroundings, we seemed to finish first.

"This is the meeting point for the civil servant and maid tracks tomorrow. I’ll guide you to the exit, but if you’re unsure of the way, you can go with the person waiting at the carriage stop."

Realizing the actual meeting point was the carriage stop, I was about to thank him and say goodbye when Miles seemed hesitant.

Stopping at the exit and tilting his head, he finally spoke.

"Hey, ...since I’m off duty and it’s a good time, would you like to have lunch together?

The others are probably eating in the cafeteria during the tour..."

The only difference is that we’re a pair, but that’s not a problem.

"Unless there’s someone who might misunderstand, like a fiancé or lover, Lord Miles..."

"There isn’t. ...What about you, Miss Harriet?"

"There isn’t... but..."

"Then let’s go. The castle cafeteria is fine, but since it’s a holiday, how about going to the town? You can eat tomorrow if you’re participating again."

With my agreement, I contacted my family about the delay and Miles led the way. Looking at his profile, I realized I was feeling a bit elated.

***

The casual café Miles took me to was almost full. We sat down, opened the menu, and I quickly decided what to order. Miles was still deciding, so I pretended to look at the menu while observing him.

For some reason, Miles blushed, asked what I wanted, and called the waiter to order for both of us.

"Is... my appearance... strange...?"

"Eh? No! It suits you very well!"

Miles suddenly asked, and I was confused.

"...I’ve developed a habit of keeping a wide field of vision. ...You were looking at me, weren’t you? Even while we were moving..."

I was embarrassed to be caught.

"Well... you’ve changed a lot..."

"Was the old me better?"

I hurriedly denied, blushing.

"No! ...Ah, the old you was good too, but the new you is much, much... better..."

My face was burning. Where was my ladylike education? I couldn’t look up. The menu was taken away, and I wanted to hide.

"...Thank you. Using the holy sword changed my hair color, and it won’t go back even if I stop using the sword. I don’t have any attachment to my old appearance, but it was a bit lonely that even my family didn’t recognize me."

Those words reminded me of Mary.

"...Preconceptions are strongest among those closest to you. Yesterday, I met Mary, who asked me to tell you that everyone is worried. She said you can’t even meet in public, but... have you been seeing her?"

Miles sighed.

"Yeah. We met and talked, but no one noticed. I’m really sorry about my sister. I’ll let them know I’m fine and that I won’t involve you anymore.

I’ll make it clear that we’re no longer family."

I couldn’t say anything, so I nodded lightly. The food arrived, and we enjoyed a pleasant meal. Even when we talked about the old days, I found myself laughing naturally, surprised that it had become part of my past.

Miles had already paid the bill. The others were being treated by the palace. "Since I insisted on going out, I’ll pay for this," he said, and I gratefully thanked him.

"If you have no plans after this, would you like to take a short detour back? There’s a market that only opens on holidays in this area."

I was already dressed for the tour, so it wasn’t a problem, and I was happy to accept the offer. Was he feeling the same way?

"Then this way. It’s a bit crowded, so excuse me."

He took my hand, and my face heated up, and my body stiffened. Hearing a laugh from the side, I glared, and Miles blushed and looked away.

"Sorry, your reaction was so innocent and cute. Watching you makes me nervous too."

I didn’t expect a follow-up and looked down.

"Well, you must be used to it! You must have teased many people like me."

"Not at all. ...If that’s how you saw me, I’m happy, but unfortunately, this is the first time I’ve done this and walked with a woman in town."

I couldn’t believe it and looked up at Miles, who turned away. I decided to tease him back.

"...Your ears are red."

"...Ah, I shouldn’t have cut my hair so short. I’m regretting it for the first time."

"But it looks very nice?"

Miles, blushing, covered his face with one hand and glared at me, who was grinning.

"Have you been looking at me that much?"

"...Y-Yes. Let’s leave it at that."

I shouldn’t have pushed it. But since he knew I was looking at him, I decided to look as much as I wanted.

The market had a variety of items. Bags, accessories, clothes for commoners, sweets, dishes, flashy wands, umbrellas, stuffed animals... Even if I didn’t buy anything, it was fun to look around, and watching Miles’s face was entertaining. I counted how long I could look before he noticed and blushed, and it was fun to tell him and see him blush.

"Are you interested in the stationery?"

He noticed even though I only looked for a short while.

"Yes, but the quality of the paper isn’t very good... Could I see the highest quality?"

The shopkeeper showed us a few of the best types, but they were still a bit poor.

"It’s barely usable, but I’ll pass. I don’t want to make the recipient uncomfortable."

"...If this stationery were to reach you, it would probably be from the baron’s family."

I nodded. Apparently, this shop only made one set of each design, and they couldn’t make more of the same design. However, I could prepay for my preferred design and have it delivered to my house.

While I was thinking, Miles bought the set I had given up on and handed it to me.

"You can send this stationery to me. There’s a baroness who works as a maid at the palace, and she can handle the mail. I’ll ask her to lend her name. It’s plausible that the sender’s status matches the recipient’s."

"But is that okay...?"

"She often lends her name. As the top mail sorter, she handles many secret communications. There are many pseudonyms, so one of them would be fine. In exchange, you’ll have to explain the situation to her, but is that okay?"

"Yes, that’s fine. Then, can I buy a set for you too?"

Miles tilted his head, and I smiled.

"Letters are meant to be exchanged, so it wouldn’t make sense without your part."

We exchanged gifts and returned to the palace carriage stop.

"Then I’ll send the first letter. I can’t send it until I know the name and address."

"I’ll be waiting. Thank you for today. I had a great time."

"I had a great time too. Next time, let’s count how many times you look at me."

I pretended to be angry to hide my embarrassment and the joy of having another conversation.

"I’ll try to look less than today! ...But you didn’t count today, so there’s no comparison, right?"

"That’s true. I hope you can find a place so enjoyable that you don’t have time to look at my face."

"Oh, Lord Miles’s face is so nice, it’s hard to find something better, isn’t it?"

Miles chuckled and escorted me to the carriage, whispering as he did.

"Actually, I counted up to 15. I’m glad you like my appearance so much, but I’ll work on making you like my personality too."

I got into the carriage and took a while to regain my composure. I think his personality is even more wonderful than his appearance, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.