FMTA 17

Chapter 17

[To Killian, who I hope is feeling happy under today’s bright and clear weather.

Hello, Killian. I actually tried to wait until your reply arrived, but… it is not as easy as it sounds. On a beautiful day like today, not being able to speak to you feels very sad.

I still remember what you wrote in your last letter. You said that your days are filled with work, and that you are tired from one busy day after another. You said that it is your duty as a duke, but I know that those responsibilities must feel heavy.

I do not have much to do here at the lord’s castle, but when I watch Father working, I sometimes imagine what you must look like while doing your duties.

It is embarrassing, but even though we have never met in person, I often picture you just as you described yourself in your letters. I wonder… have you ever imagined me too?

You must be very busy, which is why you cannot reply to my letters often, right? I understand completely. Of course, you do not need to feel pressured to write back.

Ah! I have written too much at the beginning, haven’t I? The reason I sent this letter is not anything important. I only hoped that after receiving my letter, you might step outside for some fresh air, even just once. I hoped you would look at the window at least once, and maybe open it to feel the cool breeze. Working hard is good, but I hope you do not bury yourself in work too much, so I dared to be a little nosy.

I was not too bold, was I? I thought very seriously about whether I should send this or not. Anyway, I will stop here so I do not disturb you with a letter that is too long.

Killian, I hope you stay strong today as well. I sincerely pray that your day will be filled with luck and happiness.

Then, under the cool breeze and the warm sunlight, I will always be thinking of you.

— From Yuse.]

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

Beila suddenly spoke to Yuse, who was sitting quietly by the open window and staring outside.

“Hm?”

Yuse came back to her senses.

Perhaps she had been sitting there for quite a long time without realizing it.

She stretched her stiff neck and shook her head.

“Was I sitting for a long time? My body feels sore.”

“A little. You looked like you were thinking very deeply about something.”

When Beila asked again, Yuse smiled with slightly red cheeks.

“It was not that deep. I just suddenly remembered a letter I once sent to Killian on a bright and beautiful day like this.”

“Ah?”

“Why are you making that face, Beila?”

At Yuse’s words, Beila narrowed her eyes slightly.

“It is enough that I have to watch your love story in front of me. I am sure you wrote it very sincerely.”

“You do not even know what I wrote.”

At Yuse’s teasing question, Beila smiled and replied,

“Perhaps you wrote something like, ‘Since the weather is nice, please look outside at least once after reading this letter.’”

Yuse opened her mouth wide in surprise.

“H-How did you know?”

“Have you forgotten how many years I have been watching you?”

Beila smiled even more brightly and gently brushed Yuse’s messy hair.

“By the way, did you not say you were going to read a book today?”

Beila reminded her of what she had said that morning.

“Ah…!”

Only then did Yuse remember why she had woken up in such a good mood that morning, even while half asleep.

The weather had been especially bright today.

The warm sunlight had opened her eyes naturally, and the gentle rays had wrapped around her like a blanket, making her feel refreshed.

It felt just like the days when she had been waiting in the duchy for Killian’s reply.

On that particularly beautiful day, when she could not bear the waiting any longer and wrote him another letter, just like the one she had remembered.

So as soon as she woke up, she had grabbed Beila and said,

“Beila, I think I should read a book today!”

“Today?”

Beila had asked in surprise.

“Yes. It feels like that kind of day.”

And that had only been this morning.

After remembering, Yuse nodded and lightly adjusted her dress.

“That’s right! Let’s go!”

Yuse held out her hand to Beila, and as always, Beila took it.

Their destination was not the garden.

They headed to the library.

“So this is the library?”

It was Yuse’s first time entering the estate’s library since coming here.

During lessons, books had always been brought to her, so she had never needed to come herself.

The library had a classic and elegant atmosphere.

Wooden bookshelves stood in long rows, and the books were neatly arranged.

“What kind of book would you like to read, my lady?”

Beila asked, watching Yuse, who looked excited to see another part of the estate she had only known through letters.

“I wonder? What should I read?”

Yuse paused and slowly looked around the library.

“Wow!”

“Ahh!”

Suddenly, someone jumped out from behind a bookshelf.

Startled, Yuse screamed, and Beila quickly ran over.

“My lady!”

Beila’s hand was already on the handle of her sword.

“Wait!”

A familiar voice shouted quickly.

“It’s me! It’s me!”

It was Floheta.

“Why are you here, Lord Floheta?”

Beila blinked and pulled Yuse behind her.

“I know! I was surprised too!”

Yuse nodded and looked at Floheta suspiciously.

“I was just as surprised,” he said, shaking his head with wide eyes.

“Flo, what are you doing here?”

Yuse asked after calming down a little.

“Me?”

Floheta paused, then smiled.

“This is my habitat. For someone who loves books like me, this place is heaven.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Yuse remember that every time she had seen him in the garden, he had always been holding a book.

Even in her old memories, he had never been without one.

“Do you remember now?”

“I do.”

Their eyes met briefly.

For a moment, it felt like they had returned to the past.

“Anyway, you said you came to find a book?”

“Yes. Will you recommend one?”

“Of course.”

Yuse, now completely relaxed, stepped forward.

“Fine. And Beila, please calm down that look. It was my fault.”

Floheta nodded and sent an apologetic look toward Beila, who was still staring sharply at him.

“I am sorry. I acted without thinking because I was startled.”

Only then did Beila relax her expression.

“Well then, shall we choose a book?”

Floheta closed the book he had been reading and led Yuse to a corner.

“I think these books are the ones you would enjoy the most.”

“Here?”

Although the library looked like it would only hold serious books, the shelf Floheta showed her was filled with romance novels.

“Did Killian collect all of these?”

It seemed very different from Killian’s calm personality, so Yuse could not help asking.

“I do not know. I was surprised when I found them too. Even when I asked, he gave me no answer.”

“Oh!”

Something caught Yuse’s attention.

“The Rose-Colored Lakeside.”

It was the very book Yuse had once recommended to Killian.

When she pulled it out, a piece of paper was tucked inside.