Chapter 25

Joshua led me into the parlor, brought a chair in front of the fireplace, and had me sit down.

The capital is much colder than Carving.

The sound of the wood crackling.

While I listened to the sound echoing in the quiet night, Joshua gave quick instructions to the butler and sat down next to me.

With a slightly tipsy head, I just stared blankly and noticed the silence.

When I looked up, our eyes met. He smiled gently.

He is so handsome.

But my preference is for someone a bit older. What a pity.

In ten years, I want to be embraced by him.

Ah.

I must be quite drunk.

"Thank you for today, Arietty. I received high praise from the king and queen. It's more than I deserve as a young man. It's all thanks to you."

"It's only because of your encouragement, my lord. I just taught them new music. The results came from your training and everyone's response. Even today."

I chuckled a bit and looked at Joshua, who was looking at me with a soft gaze.

He exudes so much charm.

Are you okay, Joshua? You're a bit tipsy too, aren't you?

"I hardly moved, didn't I?"

Yes, I just stood there.

The marching training was left entirely to the army's commanders.

I just gave simple instructions on movement and taught the instruments.

Recently, I only go in to teach once a week.

Still, they've reached this level thanks to the commanders' passion and Joshua's motivation.

Of course, the knights of the domain don't neglect their sword and combat training. Joshua also has them do marching, civil engineering, and weapon training.

"But it's only because you were there. The knights were able to do so well because you took overall command. Honestly, it was the best performance so far. I'm proud of you."

"Please tell the knights that. You're always so strict with them."

Joshua smiled wryly.

Men are bad at giving compliments, aren't they? Everyone worked hard.

"After the miko's tour ends."

"Come on. By then, everyone will have forgotten. Tell them tomorrow."

"Alright. Tomorrow."

"It's a promise, Joshua. You can't forget because you're drunk."

Oops. I called him by his name.

I must be tipsy, so I feel at ease.

I need to be careful.

Hurry up and bring the coffee, please.

"I promise, Arietty." Joshua smiled, looking incredibly happy.

The coffee was brought in. It smells so good.

Yay! It comes with Cliff's chocolate! As expected of a noble family!

"Arietty, do you have any plans for tomorrow?"

"I'll go see the knights in the morning. After that, I'll take them to the city for some shopping."

"What about the evening? Actually, I've been invited to a few evening gatherings. They want to hear about today's performance. I'd like you to come with me."

Come with me too?

"I have an appointment with the high priest in the evening."

"How about the next evening?"

"Yes, I'm free. But, is it alright for me to come?"

"It has to be you. You composed the march, didn't you? Tonight, the high priest and the miko were present as a tribute to the temple, but the border lords want to know the training methods. They've asked me to bring the commanders."

Tonight, the high priest probably made sure not to have me and the miko sit together. I often exchange letters with the high priest, and we discussed the marching performance.

He rarely gives such wholehearted praise.

The queen, a former knight, is also recommending it, so the border lords with private armies are eager to hear about it.

Honestly, I don't want to go. Because.

"You don't really want to go?"

"I'm sorry. I've never formally attended a capital evening gathering."

"Really!"

Joshua looked genuinely surprised.

It's true.

As a touring singer, I've attended many times.

But never as an invited guest.

You see, I'm just a nominal noble lady.

"You're used to evening gatherings?"

"I do get invited as a singer. During tours. But I never stay until the end."

I decided to leave early once I realized I was never chosen as a dance partner.

During tours, I have a lot to do.

It felt more meaningful to help with instrument maintenance or assist the priests in blessing the people rather than being a wallflower. At least, that's how I felt back then.

Now, thinking about it, if I had tried a bit harder back then, I might have found a husband by now.

"Then, what about dancing? Don't singers learn to dance?"

"I've never danced at an evening gathering. I'm embarrassed to admit it. I'll practice tomorrow."

"No, you don't have to go that far. You can decline the dance."

"But."

If I'm going as Joshua's partner, I should at least dance with him.

"It's fine. Everyone wants to hear your story. Since I'm escorting you, I'll decline the dance for you."

"But then you won't be able to dance."

"I don't need to dance. This isn't that kind of social event."

But won't that cause unnecessary anger from others... I stared at Joshua.

"Is it not okay, Arietty?"

So unfair. Handsome, so unfair.

If you ask me like that, it's hard to refuse!

I hate my weak self!