DHDF 45

chapter 45

“The Grand Duchess asked if you would like to dine out. Should I tell her you don’t want to go?”

“Then of course we should go. No, we must go.”

Half asleep, the words slipped out without thinking.

As soon as I got out of bed, I quickly washed up and changed into fresh clothes for going out.

In the past, I never understood the painstakingly detailed way clothes were categorized for different occasions, even having to change multiple times.

Even now, it’s a bit inconvenient, but I’ve gotten used to it.

“There’s a place I always visit when I come to the Imperial City. I wanted to show it to my beloved youngest and also to Verjene.”

We climbed into the carriage side by side and headed to Lady Karlin’s favorite restaurant. Somehow, it felt just like a harmonious family outing.

The restaurant was smaller than the one the Grand Duke and I had visited in Valosi.

‘But it feels like they’ve been more selective in how they serve.’

They only take one table per day, they said. Reservations must be tough, and it must be expensive.

The manager greeted Lady Karlin warmly and led us directly to our table.

“Ah, Verjene. Is there anything you cannot eat?”

“No, nothing in particular.”

I nodded, and the manager gave a polite smile and stepped back.

It seemed the menu had already been set. I’d never been to a place run like this before, so I was intrigued.

“Now that we’re here, is there anywhere you want to visit?”

Since I didn’t really know what was in the Imperial City, I felt a little lost, but Lady Karlin kindly offered a few options.

Daleve Botanical Garden, Hesher Department Store, Adra Park, Pernulbin Theater…

She mentioned that the botanical garden and theater were run by her.

“Since Verjene is studying magic so diligently, visiting the academy would be good too. Many apprentices hoping to enter the Magic Tower come by.”

However, Lady Karlin said she couldn’t accompany us.

Instead, she offered to assign someone to guide us.

While learning about the cultural experiences available in the Imperial City, the food arrived.

“Enjoy your meal.”

We savored all the courses, and for dessert came ice cream sprinkled with heaps of nuts.

I devoured it in an instant.

I remembered Aete’s teaching not to rush in front of food.

But ice cream is particularly hard to eat slowly.

“Let’s leave as soon as the sun rises tomorrow. Where do you want to go first, Verjene?”

As we left the restaurant, Lady Karlin received a message from her secretary and stepped away.

It was just Ritema and me in the carriage.

On the way back to the mansion, we eagerly planned our itinerary.

What to do first, then next…

It was getting late. I returned to my room, took a bath, changed into indoor clothes, and lay down on the bed, but my mind was still alert.

‘I did sleep too long during the day.’

For a moment, Ritema flashed through my mind, but I shook my head.

I couldn’t trouble anyone just because I couldn’t sleep. I opened a book, but the words didn’t register at all.

‘I was supposed to get up early… this is a problem.’

Even forcing myself to sleep only made me more sensitive. Tossing and turning, the gemstone necklace on me became bothersome too.

And then I realized.

‘Laot must be awake at this hour.’

The thought was brief.

It wasn’t exactly meant for this, but…

I held the gemstone as Laot had instructed and shook it twice.

But, as I had feared, no communication was established.

“…Laot?”

Since he personally appeared, a strong wind blew, rattling the window and shifting the furniture slightly.

“What the—?”

“…Was this a summoning spell instead of a communication spell?”

Laot stared at me awkwardly for a moment, then sighed and ruffled his hair in frustration.

“What is your problem, really?”

[…What is your problem, really?]

The gemstone hummed and glowed, transmitting Laot’s voice.

So I hadn’t been imagining things.

“You came because you thought I was in some kind of trouble?”

“You were supposed to use it in emergencies.”

Well, that was true. I had used it excessively.

I could tell from his aura that Laot was more irritated than usual—no need to ask, it was obvious.

I hesitated briefly, then got out of bed and moved closer to him.

“May I hug you as an apology?”

“What?”

“Hugs are said to help calm anger.”

I didn’t actually know if that worked, but it did calm me down.

Laot gave a wry laugh but then nodded subtly.

‘If nothing else, I can handle hugs.’

Thanks to how often I’d hugged Ritema, I was confident. I leaned in lightly and wrapped my arms around Laot’s upper body.

“I’m sorry, Laot. I couldn’t sleep and thought of you, so I wanted to talk.”

“…You thought of me?”

See? His irritation immediately softened.

“Yes. I was too reckless. It won’t happen again.”

“Alright. I’ll just… cast a new spell so you can differentiate better.”

The moment proved that hugs were indeed perfect for calming emotions.

I added a new entry to the <Laot User Guide>:

If he seems upset, give him a firm hug.

“But if I couldn’t sleep, I could have been practicing magic instead.”

“I need rest days too.”

Laot didn’t argue and seemed to go along with my wishes.

I went down to the kitchen and grabbed a snack. Naturally, no grapes were available, unfortunately.

“…So tomorrow, I’ll go sightseeing with Ritema.”

Laot turned out to be a better conversational partner than expected. Even though he didn’t respond verbally and just listened.

“Since we’re here, why don’t you join us, Laot?”

“No. I’m not interested.”

Laot flatly refused.

“It would surely be fun?”

“You two go.”

“Alright, if you say so.”

There was no point in forcing someone who clearly didn’t want to go.

He wasn’t going to come along no matter how much I asked.

“I’ll tell you how it went when we return.”

“Do as you like.”

I expected him to brush me off, but Laot seemed genuinely willing to let it happen.

“Thanks for making time despite the sudden request. I’m getting sleepy too.”

At some point, my eyelids had grown heavy. I had worried I wouldn’t see the sunrise, so this was a relief.

“I let you do it because it’s me. Got it?”

“Of course. I know that.”

As Laot said before leaving, he cast a new spell.

Shaking twice signals an emergency, but if you pause and shake once more, it’s just communication.

After brushing my teeth, I climbed back into bed.

When I opened my eyes again, Ritema was already lying next to me, fully prepared.

“Good morning, sleepyhead. What time is it?”

“What time is it?”

“Almost noon. The sun has already risen.”

I sighed and rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.

“Sorry. I went to bed late yesterday. I’ll get ready quickly.”

As I went into the bathroom, I could hear Rosalyn scolding Ritema.

Apparently, it’s impolite to enter a lady’s room in the morning.

“Isn’t it hot?”

I quickly put on a simple dress and gloves, and Ritema came close.

“Gloves?”

“Yes, gloves. They say it’s now considered an outdated custom.”

“But Ritema, you don’t wear gloves even in formal attire.”

Rosalyn, watching quietly, added a comment.

“Yes, that’s true. That’s right.”

I fidgeted with the gloves and finally asked,

“So, is it weird?”

Of course, it was hot.

On particularly sunny days, they made my hands sweat uncomfortably.

But gloves weren’t optional. Even if Ritema approved, I couldn’t go barehanded.

“No. I just said it in case you were unsure. Aete is strict, so I thought he might have imposed clothing rules on you.”

I snorted.

Aete really did have that image for the youngest sibling. I deserved it.

“Fortunately, that’s not the case.”

“Then it’s fine.”

I pulled the gemstone necklace outside my clothing.

When I tried to brush my hair, Ritema said she wanted to do it, so I handed her the brush.

I watched Ritema carefully adjust my hair in the mirror until our eyes met.

“To be honest, I like it when Verjene is fully dressed up.”

“Really?”

Her eyes softened.

“It feels like a wall I just want to break through.”

Quite a peculiar reason.