WCMP 22

As expected, what came out of the head maid’s mouth was exactly what I had anticipated. Of course it was.

Because of that, I had no choice but to add a long-winded explanation to firmly drive the point home.

I was the one who had asked the Grand Duke’s side to prepare everything, including personnel. If Father reacted like this, it would look as though he were trampling on my dignity and disregarding the Grand Duke—so I requested that everything be withdrawn.

Judging by how quiet things had been since then, it seemed the Duke had somehow come to accept it.

Thank goodness. If the head maid had returned once more unsuccessful, I would have had to go down and meet the Duke in person.

With that, the matter was settled, and after enjoying peaceful hours once again, the day came to an end.

And then—the long-awaited day.

My body was tired, but it was a day for my eyes to feast.

After washing up, I put on trousers.

Ever since possessing this body, I had only worn skirts, so going out in pants felt strangely refreshing.

It wasn’t that I had any complaints about skirts or anything.

The indoor dresses I wore were expensive, so they were extremely comfortable.

And thankfully, there was no culture here that required women to wear corsets at all times, so even in a dress I could enjoy delicious, satisfying meals without restriction.

Expensive clothes, expensive food—capitalism is the best.

Once I was fully dressed, I checked to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything when Eva approached and informed me that Arvan had arrived.

At her words, I hurried across the hall, knocked on Amon’s door, and entered.

Perhaps startled by the door swinging open the moment he answered from inside, Amon flinched slightly. After taking in my outfit, he said,

“You’re leaving.”

For some reason, it sounded oddly wistful, so I deliberately brightened my tone.

“Yeah. Like I said, I’ll only be gone a few days and I’ll be right back… Take good care of the house for me.”

“Please don’t worry and have a safe trip.”

“Even if you miss your big sister, just endure it a little, okay? I’ll definitely bring you a gift when I come back. Got it?”

Though I spoke in an obviously playful voice, Amon nodded seriously.

“Yes. Even if I miss you, I’ll endure it and do well.”

He was so solemn that I honestly felt both touched and amused.

But his expression was so serious that it didn’t feel right to laugh, so I had to forcibly suppress the corners of my mouth that kept twitching upward.

I cleared my throat unnecessarily and said my farewell.

“…Ahem. Right. Then I’ll be off!”

“I’ll see you out.”

“No! It’s okay, just stay.”

I spoke brightly and ruffled his small head.

Then I turned around and practically jogged away.

Leaving that little child behind alone tugged at my heart, but it wasn’t something I could cancel now.

To avoid thinking about Amon, I consciously tried to focus only on cheerful thoughts.

Since I’m wearing pants for once, should I try running?

The servants would carry the luggage, so I only needed to bring myself—how light!

I bounded down the stairs two or three steps at a time.

Before I possessed this body, I used to move around like this often because I was impatient. But here, with eyes watching and skirts fluttering around my legs, it hadn’t been possible. The pent-up frustration felt completely released.

It felt amazing to run again after so long.

Come to think of it, Rieli didn’t seem like she exercised much either, but her basic stamina and muscle mass seemed better than my previous self’s.

Or was this average, and I just had abysmal stamina back in Korea?

After running down, I reached the first floor in no time. Spotting the head maid waiting by the entrance, I called out,

“Head maid, Father didn’t come out?”

No matter how much friction there had been between us, he wasn’t the type to not show his face on the day I left with the Grand Duke. Yet there wasn’t even a glimpse of him.

“His Grace received an urgent telegram from the Imperial Palace and left early.”

“Ah, I see…”

That was a convincing reason. As I nodded, I remembered something I had forgotten.

“Oh, right. Before I return, please install a footstep on the carriage. It’s so high, and there’s nothing to step on when climbing up—it’s quite inconvenient.”

If even I, an adult woman, found it difficult to climb up alone, then for young Amon it would be even worse.

Even though it had only been a one-day outing, needing help every time I got on or off felt… awkward.

It was like boarding a bus without stairs and having to grab someone’s hand to climb in every time.

Since I wasn’t used to relying on others’ help, it felt truly bothersome.

At my order, the head maid hesitated slightly before speaking.

“But, Miss… these days it’s not common to attach footsteps to carriages.”

“…So?”

Just because others didn’t do it didn’t mean I couldn’t.

Especially when it wasn’t anything grand—just a simple step.

“It was once fashionable, but now… If you find it uncomfortable, perhaps you could prepare a portable step to use until your debutante, and then consider installing one afterward?”

“That’s troublesome every time. It’s fine, just attach it. Trends always come back around anyway. Who’s going to pay that much attention to my carriage?”

I answered lightly, then remembered this wasn’t the time to be dragging things out. I needed to hurry.

“Anyway, please have it done before I return.”

“…Understood, Miss.”

With that, I strode toward where the carriage was waiting.

Wearing pants really did make a difference—I could take larger strides and walk confidently without fabric tangling around my legs.

As I thrilled over such a trivial delight, the carriage that was presumably Arvan’s came into view.

It wasn’t the ornate, sophisticated carriage I had seen before.

This one was luxurious but simple in design.

And in front of it stood a man like a painting.

There were knights and several others waiting behind him, but once again, his beauty completely devoured my field of vision. I wondered how many times I would need to see him before becoming used to it.

Unlike before, he was dressed head to toe in all black—nothing particularly special about the outfit itself.

But the one wearing it was Arvan Carnelwell.

The well-fitted cut revealed the solid lines of his body, making one instinctively nod in approval.

Whoever chose that outfit did an excellent job.

Cheering internally, I maintained a composed exterior and lifted my lips gently.

“Good morning, Your Grace.”

“Have you been well, Lady.”

“Yes, quite well. Though… did I keep you waiting?”

Did I really make a man this handsome wait out here?

“I’ve just arrived. Lady… you’re wearing riding attire.”

Arvan looked at my outfit with an expression difficult to describe.

Perhaps it was unexpected. I had put considerable thought into choosing it.

Or did the noble ladies here wear dresses even when going into the mountains?

Anxiety crept up on me, but I was already wearing it—what could I do?

I nodded confidently.

If you act shameless enough, even something strange can seem plausible.

“Since we’re not simply going for leisure, I thought a dress would be inconvenient.”

He nodded slightly in response, then looked at the luggage being loaded.

“Is that all your belongings?”

“Yes, I only packed what I need.”

“Well done. Then shall we depart immediately?”

When I gave a light affirmation, he extended his hand. I placed mine over it.

As I rested my hand atop his, he looked down at me and said,

“Please step up.”

“Ah.”

He had extended it so I could climb into the carriage.

He had simply thrust out his hand so suddenly that I, without thinking…

Embarrassed at myself, my face flushed.

To escape the situation quickly, I tightened my grip on his hand and supported myself as I climbed into the carriage.

We had held hands before when parting, but this was the first time I had properly grasped it with strength.

His hand is really firm and warm.

It looked large enough to completely envelop mine if he closed his fingers. Just like his height, his hands were big too.

As I stared absentmindedly at the hand that had touched his, Arvan climbed in behind me.

After closing the door, he spoke in a low but swift voice.

“Lady, we must depart at once, so I will be brief. I have mentioned the Holy Sword to no one. The journey is long; we can speak in detail later.”

“Since we’re going together anyway, can’t we just talk while we travel?”

“I will be riding a horse.”

“What? Why?”

“I cannot share a carriage with you for such a long journey.”

What kind of logic was that? It was just a carriage—what was the problem?

“What’s wrong with that? No one’s even watching. Let’s just ride together.”

“I appreciate the offer, but it is unnecessary. Then.”

Before I could stop him, he opened the door and stepped out.

It really would’ve been fine… we could’ve ridden together.

Clicking my tongue in disappointment, I noticed the carriage door hadn’t been closed. Curious, I looked outside.

There stood Arvan, unmoving like a gatekeeper in front of the door.

He had said we were departing immediately, yet he simply stood there with the carriage door open.

“Your Grace, what is it?”

Arvan swept a chilling gaze over the maids waiting behind and spoke in a low voice.

“Which personal maid will be accompanying the Lady? To make one’s master wait like this.”

His low voice and expressionless face combined into something both intimidating and devastatingly handsome. He was frightening, yet my eyes were drawn to him.

At this rate, I might be seriously hopeless.

Was I always this weak to handsome faces?

Or perhaps Arvan’s face simply matched my exact taste.