Chapter 12
Have You Found a Partner?
“Ah. Of course, if you’re already promised to attend with your fiancée, then you can refuse. I won’t mind.”
Tessia added lightly, as if to say he shouldn’t feel pressured.
That very fiancée had just asked him to be her partner. It seemed Luwenhart’s request to avoid any mention of the engagement had worked well. Tessia still appeared to know nothing about their betrothal.
Before she found out, he would make her fall hopelessly for his charm and eventually choose him as her betrothed herself. No matter how many candidates there were, Luwenhart was certain he stood head and shoulders above them all. Step by step, he was already moving forward. The day his scheme succeeded was not far off. Luwenhart smiled faintly.
“I would like to go with you, Princess.”
“Mm? I don’t mind, but… are you sure? What about your fiancée?”
“Princess Tessia, do you dislike the idea of going with me?”
Instead of answering directly, Luwenhart redirected with another question. Tessia didn’t know it, but she herself was his fiancée-to-be. Besides, Luwenhart wasn’t the type to lie about something that would come to light later anyway. He would simply leave things unsaid or twist them. Fortunately, Tessia usually followed his lead when he shifted the subject. As expected, her eyes widened in surprise as she hurriedly denied it.
“Of course not, Heart! Why would I dislike you? I’d be glad to go with you.”
A subtle smile curved Luwenhart’s lips. Indeed, nothing advanced a relationship between man and woman better than spending a night together. Even if he had no memory of that night, as long as Tessia was satisfied and pleased, that was what mattered. He seized the chance and asked:
“Then, will you attend the banquet with me? To be honest, I don’t think my fiancée is ready yet.”
That wasn’t a lie. Tessia knew nothing about their engagement and was in no way prepared. Luwenhart put on a pained, forlorn expression, as if Tessia’s refusal would leave him lonely and abandoned at the banquet. He was determined not to give her room to refuse.
“All right. Let’s go together.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
“Think nothing of it. You’re my person, after all!”
Tessia laughed heartily and clapped him on the back.
Several days had passed since Tessia agreed to be Luwenhart’s partner for the banquet. Upon hearing the news, the Emperor grew so excited he took the lead in preparing the event—though that was normally the Empress’s role. He kept saying, “As expected of the most promising candidate!”
For Tessia, however, banquets brought no fond memories. Every time the Emperor held one, he sent her all sorts of dresses, shoes, and gifts. She had no use for dresses—she always wore her uniform at official functions. At the last banquet, for example:
‘Isn’t our Tessia getting lovelier by the day? Ha ha! What do you think? Do you agree?’
‘Yes! Indeed! Her Highness is beautiful yesterday, today, and tomorrow!’
‘Right? I heard you’re good with poetry. How about composing a dedicatory poem for our adorable Tessia?’
‘What?’
‘What’s wrong? Ah, worried she’s too perfect to put into words? Don’t worry about that!’
It wasn’t tyranny so much as absurdity. The poor soul cornered by Emperor Helios had to write two odes praising the Princess before he was let go. And Tessia had to sit there, crimson-faced, while listening. Remembering it still made her body tremble with humiliation. The only consolation was that banquets always served her favorite meat dishes in abundance.
“Forgive me, Princess.”
A staff member from the Magic Academy returned after a short absence. Tessia straightened at once, pulled from her thoughts. The staff member smiled awkwardly.
“Prince Tiranaban has requested leave to go out. He said he had some business to attend to.”
Tessia slumped her shoulders in disappointment. She had just rushed over to show him the fine-bred horses that had arrived at the Knights’ Order today. Since it wasn’t a workday at the Order, she assumed he’d be at the Academy.
“When did he leave? He’s not in his lab either?”
“No. He stopped by his laboratory briefly this morning. The assistant saw him leave around one o’clock with Marcia.”
“Marcia?”
“There’s a foreign exchange student from Tiranaban, Marcia Mackenzie. She came with the Queen’s sponsorship—a rather talented young woman.”
Tessia’s eyes widened. Luwenhart had a friend? Recently he had grown close with the knights, but at first he’d been shy and distant. That was why Tessia paid extra attention to him.
‘An exchange student from Tiranaban…’
Perhaps they bonded easily because they were from the same homeland. After all, the Estonian Magic Academy was the empire’s top educational institution, drawing many students from abroad. Surely there would be more compatriots around. The more friends Luwenhart had, the better. And if he built ties here in the empire, even better! Cheering for his budding friendship, Tessia spoke with hearty approval.
“No helping it then. When Heart comes back, tell him to come early tomorrow when he reports to the Order.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Tell him to come straight to my room. Make sure you say I have something to show him.”
“I’ll deliver your message exactly, Princess.”
It could wait until tomorrow. It wasn’t urgent anyway. Leaving her instructions, Tessia rose to head back to the Knights’ Order. That was when—
“My, you’ve grown so tall and striking since I last saw you. Even more handsome.”
“Ha ha. You flatter me. I’m just glad to see my master still looking so well.”
“I’m only tinkering with trivial things these days. More importantly, I hear you’ve found the answer to that unsolved problem at last. Duke Umberto must be very proud.”
“It was nothing, Master. All thanks to your teaching.”
Tessia’s ears perked up. That voice—
“Didi!”
“…Tessia?”
“Princess Tessia?”
Tessia ran gleefully toward Redford and Dean Jerod. She leapt at Redford, who caught her in alarm. Dangling from his tall frame like a baby koala, Tessia laughed with delight.
“Careful, Tessia! You’ll get hurt!”
“Ha ha ha! When did you come back, Didi? You said you’d stay in Croa until autumn!”
“Sorry. I found a reason to return sooner.”
“And you didn’t come report to me right away? What are you doing here?”
Hanging on him no longer, Tessia hopped down and tousled Redford’s hair with a mischievous grin.
“I’m so glad you’re back, Didi!”
Tessia’s dearest childhood friend, Redford Umberto, had returned.
Meanwhile, Luwenhart was at the empire’s most renowned tailor.
This is where it truly begins, Luwenhart.
He adjusted his clothes in the mirror. He was having his outfit for the banquet tailored. He had come alone today to settle his own attire first and then purchase a dress for Tessia. Naturally, Tessia would have countless gowns to choose from, but this was their very first social appearance together as partners. He wasn’t one to dwell on small gestures, but since he didn’t yet know Tessia’s taste in romance, he intended to try everything possible.
“You look splendid, Your Highness! This suit might as well have been made just for you!”
“Indeed! People say clothes make the man, but with you it seems the man makes the clothes!”
The boutique’s madam and Marcia, who had accompanied him, exclaimed in delight. Truthfully, Luwenhart hadn’t planned to bring her. Though they were compatriots, they only happened to share a lab. But Marcia had insisted on tagging along when she heard he was going to fit his formalwear.
“After this banquet, you’ll surely be crowned the capital’s most eligible bachelor!”
“Oh my, he already reigns supreme at the Estonian Academy.”
“My goodness. I knew the moment you walked in, Prince, that you were destined to make our clothes shine.”
Naturally. Luwenhart only smiled, offering no reply. Back in Tiranaban, he had never relinquished his place as the most sought-after man. Blessed by the gods with looks, ability, and social charm, he was untouchable.
He had chosen a dark navy suit. With a white shirt and blue bow tie, he looked more lively, and his delicate features seemed to glow, sure to draw all eyes. For cufflinks, he chose deep green—to match Tessia’s beautiful emerald eyes.
According to the Emperor,
‘Anyone who met Tessia’s eyes was bewitched, unable to look away. Many boys her age used to fear meeting her gaze! Even now, it’s the same!’
Whether or not that was true in their childhood, Luwenhart could bet his left hand that these days, people avoided her gaze out of fear. Still, that didn’t mean her eyes weren’t beautiful. The moment he thought of emeralds, he thought of Tessia. And green paired with navy was a combination as elegant as it was harmonious.
After checking himself once more in the mirror, Luwenhart addressed the madam.
“I’ll take this one. Please pack everything I’ve tried on… and I’d like to look at a dress to match.”
“Oh my! You’re buying a dress for your partner?”
Sometimes gentlemen prepared such surprises for their ladies. Most boutiques kept records of noblewomen’s measurements just for such occasions. This madam was no exception.
“Have you already found a partner, Luwenhart?”
Marcia, who had been admiring him all along, suddenly spoke in surprise. Luwenhart looked at her quietly. Sparkling eyes, flushed cheeks, lips trembling with unspoken words, and fingers nervously twisting her auburn hair—her feelings were easy to read.
Marcia harbored a crush on him. And so, he knew what she was about to say.
“If you haven’t chosen yet, then… why don’t you go with me, Luwenhart?”
