Chapter 32

"Haha, that's too bad. I wish I could have seen the handkerchief you gave to the daughter of Lord Roton."

"You must have at least ten more, right? You carry them around but don't use them..."

"I want to keep them all to myself, but that's only half true. Mimosa, have you heard about the belle of the social scene?"

After dinner, I was spending the little time left with Percival, who would return to the Royal Guard after our ceremony. He hardly has any free time during the day. Despite the various preparations for the ceremony, most of the work is done at home, so the arrangements are being handled by Lord Chalde and my father, with the help of the lady of the house.

We basically have no specific requests for the ceremony, so we agreed not to interfere.

Percival, as the future lord, is still learning his duties as a baron and needs further training in the Royal Guard.

He will become busier in the future. After we get married, he will likely inherit the title within a year. However, Lord Chalde's position as the head of the Royal Guard will remain unchanged, so our living environment won't change much.

"Yes, well... I'm not really familiar with social gatherings, so it didn't really resonate with me."

"What kind of story was it? I often hear about the belle of the social scene, but I don't really understand it well myself."

"Well... Lady Alex Cheryl has published many books, and even the queen is a fan... There are also people who are well-versed in fashion and have excellent conversation skills, those who are often invited to the palace for their prowess in poetry, music, and dance, and those who are skilled in embroidery and lace-making... Women who have some special talent and earn the respect of other women are called the belle of the social scene."

"So, you're saying Mimosa isn't the belle of the social scene?"

"No, I'm still far from it... I often struggle with conversation. I think they were just complimenting my embroidery."

There's still something elusive about the distance between Percival and me. If I get too close, I freeze up, but at the same time, I want to be near him.

I used to be a shy and reclusive person, but the fact that he finds me cute is gradually changing that. Recently, I've become a bit more comfortable, so I decided to lean my head on his shoulder and look up at him.

"But... in the world of women, I can't rely on Percival to protect me. I don't want to be a woman who brings you shame. If I can fight, it will be with my embroidery. That's my weapon, I think."

"Mimosa... you're so wonderful, yet you're still insecure."

"Since I decided to marry Percival, I thought social gatherings were an obligation. But now, if I can be supported by them... I want to become a fine lady like the lady of the house."

"Then, I'll hone my sword skills for the sake of the bud that might become the belle of the social scene. Thinking about how we support each other while being on different battlefields... yeah, I think I understand a bit of what my father said to me before."

"Huh? What did he say?"

When I asked, looking puzzled, Percival stared at the wall with a distant look, deep in thought, and only murmured, "This is no time to let my guard down."

I wondered what he was so cautious about, but I was a little satisfied with myself for trying to be a good wife to him.