Chapter 63 – Vacations

Author’s Note: In the timeline, “The Traveling Swordsman”, “Rumors” and “Vacation” occurred on the same day.

“Why would she bother to meet me here?”

Wynn muttered to himself. This was his first vacation since becoming Cornelia’s squire. Today was the day he and Leticia had promised to go shopping for clothes long ago.

“You will find me at the great fountain in the main square of the Imperial City!”“What? Why bother going there?”“You don’t understand, Onii-chan! The atmosphere is the key to this kind of thing!”

Wynn thought that since they would be going to the boys’ dormitory early in the morning anyway, they could meet there as usual, but Leticia insisted on doing it the other way around.

So, after breakfast at the Wandering Bird’s Nest, Wynn went back to his dormitory at the Knights’ School to get some exercise, and then went to stand in front of the great fountain in the square in the center of the Imperial City, the meeting place.

The main square was the busiest place in the capital, as it was the intersection of the Palace, the Knights’ School, the market and the east gate. There were several stores and stalls lined up around the square.

As it was before lunchtime, the square was full of people and surrounded by bustle. In particular, the place where the great fountain was located was the most prominent in the imperial capital and was often used for meetings of couples. There were many men and women around Wynn who also created that atmosphere, and he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

‘What am I doing?’

He was sitting on the edge of the fountain, squatting. Besides, it could be that half an hour had already passed since he started waiting.

“She’s late.”

Around him, he met other people and each one of them was heading to his own destination. Somehow, he could feel the eyes around him. He had the feeling that he was being looked at as if he were some poor guy that the person he was meeting had decided not to go.

Suddenly, the clamor that filled the surrounding area changed. It was as if the buzz that had been unbearable until then had concentrated on one thing only. Wynn looked up, wondering if anything had happened.

Leticia was standing in front of Wynn. The dress she was wearing was a pale blue fabric with pink and white ruffles. Her hair was tied back with a green ribbon.

Even in the midst of the hustle and bustle, Leticia had an overwhelming presence.

“Wow… how beautiful…”“She looks like a princess.”“Which house does she belong to?”

Most of the surrounding looks were focused on Leticia.

“Sorry I’m late, Onii-chan.”“Ne-Never mind.”

Leticia smiled smugly, paying no attention to the surroundings. Wynn couldn’t help but vaguely nod. Looking at it that way, Leticia for some reason showed a gesture of being confused for a moment and held her right hand to her chest.

“Let’s go!”

Leticia took Wynn’s hand and forced him to his feet.

“What, are you kidding me? She’s going out with a guy like that?”“Isn’t it just the forbidden love of a wealthy damsel and a boy who works as a servant?”“Maybe she’s so rich she prefers men from other classes.”

There was a buzz of noise coming from the surroundings. Leticia firmly took Wynn’s hands and pulled him, walking with a chuckle.

‘As expected from Letty. She is used to getting people’s attention.’

Inside, Wynn was impressed, but, on the other hand, it was true that Leticia was also embarrassed for herself.

◇◆◇◆◇

“Clothes! What should I do with the clothes? What kind of clothes would Onii-chan like?”

Since the night before, Leticia had been lost in the choice of clothes to go out with Wynn. She had even returned to the Mavis mansion from her dorm room at the Knights’ School.

As a noblewoman, there were many luxurious dresses adorned with jewels that had been given to her for being the Brave. However, there was no way she could walk the streets in those clothes. And besides, Wynn was a commoner. If Leticia were dressed in such a way, it would make him stand out. The clothes she used to wear were basically functional, prioritizing ease of movement. But this time, Leticia could not afford to wear those kinds of clothes.

‘What kind of clothes would Onii-chan like?’

And actually, there were a variety of clothes scattered around the bed. When she looked at the dresses, they were all light colors. In the end, after hesitating, she chose a light blue dress that gave her a clean and tidy look. This was the observation of the maid who could not bear to see Leticia’s impatience with the approaching meeting. Normally, Leticia did not like to be attended to by maids, but today she had decided that she would help her. She carefully combed her hair and tied it with a ribbon.

“I’m done with my usual hairstyle.”“That way you look good too, Miss.”

Trusting the maid’s words, Leticia rushed to the meeting place. The sun was already high in the sky. The meeting place was in the center of the imperial capital Simurgh, in the square with the great fountain.

She even made an effort to designate a meeting place because she wanted to organize a couple meeting. She wanted to try it out at least once. Since it was the center of the Imperial Capital, it was full of people.

Wynn was there.

It looked like he was sitting on the edge of a large fountain and squatting. She assumed it was not a surprise, after she had made him wait almost an hour from the time she had chosen.

Leticia finally contained the urge to run to him and calmly approached Wynn. She didn’t want him to think it was childish to arrive in such a manner.

She and Wynn always went out together. This was not unusual.

‘So why does my heart beat so hard…?’

The same thing happened the other day when she had given Wynn a gift. Today, she had only chosen to meet him at the fountain in the central square, one of the most popular places for couples to meet. It should be just that, but somehow it was bringing her a very embarrassing yet pleasantly exciting feeling.

Finally, Wynn noticed Leticia as she walked in front of him, suppressing the urge to do anything else. She smiled at him.

“Sorry I’m late, Onii-chan.”“Ne-Never mind.”

As usual, she approached to take Wynn’s hand…

‘Huh? Why…?’

It should be the same as always. She had been doing it since they were kids, reaching out to Wynn. And yet, for some reason, she couldn’t. Instead she put her hand on her chest.

That little feeling of something hard was there.

A small aquamarine children’s ring, pierced by a thin silver chain. Leticia’s most precious and irreplaceable treasure in this world, given to her by Wynn as a child.

It gave Leticia the bravery… and the courage…

She hesitated for a moment. Then she took Wynn’s hand and interlocked their fingers.

“Come on!”

She pulled Wynn’s hand.

‘I’m sure my face has a smile now that is so silly, I don’t want anyone who knows me to see it.’

So…

“Yeah.”

Leticia chewed the food out of her mouth to cover herself in a hurry. Her face was burning, like hot water.

‘Uwa, uwa, uwa… no, no! I’m ashamed to say it! But I’d like to call him by his name…’

Wynn laughed as he looked curiously at Letty, who was screaming in agony in her mind.