CH 85

“Shall we go straight home?”

The coachman peered through the small window and asked Lucia where she wanted to go.

Lucia was about to nod when she suddenly remembered that she had fabric at home to make a handkerchief.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t I run out of blue thread the other day?’

Recalling the other things she needed, Lucia opened her mouth.

“No, before we go home, I’m going to stop at that shop for a while.”

The coachman quickly turned his horse around and headed for their destination. It wasn’t long before they reached a street lined with shops, and Lucia stepped out of the carriage.

“It’ll take me a while to get everything, so meet me here in two hours.”

“Yes, I will, my lady.”

The carriage pulled away and Lucia entered the shop directly in front of her.

“Welcome, lady, is there anything you are looking for?”

“I’m looking for some fabric to make a handkerchief.”

“You mean handkerchiefs, come this way.”

Lucia looked around while following the staff’s guidance. She seemed to have found the right store. Cloths of various materials were placed everywhere.

As she perused them, Lucia stopped in her tracks when she spotted a familiar fabric.

It was a white silk base with partial gold embroidery that changed color depending on the direction you looked at it.

Lucia held it up, mesmerized.

‘…… I used to use it for Herwin.’

She had often used it to make handkerchiefs for Herwin. Herwin was always shining, so she thought this fabric was perfect for him.

“You have good taste, lady. That’s our best-selling item.”

Lucia don’t know if she was putting words in her mouth to make one more sale, but the staff said it with a smile on his face.

It saved Lucia from getting nostalgic.

Lucia shook her head and set the fabric back down.

“You don’t like it?”

“I’d like to see something else.”

“What kind of design do you want? Is this a gift for someone?”

“My fiancé is going hunting soon, and I’m thinking of making a handkerchief for him, can you recommend a fabric for that?”

“That’s a gift for your fiancé, please hold on a moment.”

The employee disappeared into the back of the store, saying she’d bring back just the right fabric. Lucia looked around and fiddled with the fabric.

This was the first time she had ever given a handkerchief to anyone other than Herwin or her family.

For some reason, she felt uncomfortable telling people that Bern was her fiancé as if it were a thorn in her neck.

“Maybe I should get used to it…….”

She was unnecessarily worried that this would be the case after the engagement ceremony.

“You’ve been waiting a long time, these fabrics are specially sourced from our store.”

Soon after, the employee came over and showed her a selection of high-end fabrics. Despite all the explanations, Lucia chose the one that matched Bern’s color scheme.

It was a pale green with a silvery sheen.

“Thank you for coming in!”

Lucia came out listening to the staff’s thanks. Lucia stood for a moment and looked at the object in her hand.

“…I shouldn’t have bought this.”

She’d only thought of buying the cloth for Bern, but before she knew it, she’d also bought the cloth for Herwin’s handkerchief.

“……I can’t even give it to him.”

For a moment, she thought about going back in and asking for a refund, but then Lucia started walking away.

‘I’ll give it to my parents.’

After all, it wasn’t like the cloth was just for Herwin. Lucia thought of her parents and made an excuse.

Since then, Lucia has visited various stores and purchased various items.

It wasn’t until she’d bought all the colorful threads that she sighed.

“This is more than I thought.”

By the end of the day, she had a suitcase full of stuff. Wondering what to do with it, she decided to take a break and sit at a café in the square.

It was a perfect summer day. People were wearing thinner clothes, and children were splashing around in the fountains.

She couldn’t help but smile at how cool it was.

As she ordered her drinks and watched the people in the square, a man appeared from behind Lucia.

He looked around, and when he was sure no one was around, he reached for Lucia’s bag with a cautious touch.

Lucia hummed a tune, unaware that someone was stealing her things.

In that short time, the thief had taken her purse and everything else of value.

Now that he was done, he was about to run away when a thick wall appeared in front of him.

“Ugh!”

A scream came from right behind her, and Lucia turned around in a panic.

A man was being overpowered by someone.

“Stealing in broad daylight, you’ve got a big liver.”

“Pfft, hey, get off me!”

“……Herwin?”

Lucia muttered as she saw a familiar head of black hair. Then Herwin, who was holding the man down, lifted his head.

He looked up at Lucia with a wide smile on his face, unlike his stern tone.

“Hello, Lucia.”

Lucia blushed at the unexpected smile.

But before she could react, Herwin unwrapped a length of ribbon from one of Lucia’s things lying nearby and tied it around the man’s wrists.

“Master Phoenaeus!”

A group of men, presumably knights, came panting up to Herwin from the periphery.

“This is the man who was extorting money. Have him taken to the guards.”

“Yes, sir!”

The knights saluted and dragged away the man Herwin had caught.

Lucia, who was vaguely unaware of the reason, looked at Herwin, who was dusting.

“What the…….”

Herwin stepped in front of the dazed Lucia and placed the man’s stolen goods in her hands.

“Huh? My wallet.”

“What, you didn’t even realize it was being stolen?”

“Did he just steal it?”

“……You really don’t know.”

For a moment, Herwin smiled and unwittingly swept Lucia’s hand.

Lucia hurriedly pulled her hand back, feeling a hard finger up to her wrist.

“Oh, thank you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have realized it was stolen.”

“Are you just going to thank me with words?”

“Huh?”

“I think I need some reward.”

Herwin, who normally would have warned her to be careful, smirked a little. It was as if he was looking at Brian, and Lucia could only stare in bewilderment.

“Is there something you want to get?”

“Well… well.”

Herwin tried to think of something. Lucia slowly lowered her gaze as she watched him think carefully.

Herwin was dressed differently than usual. He usually wore a shirt and lose pants because he liked to be comfortable while wielding his sword, but today he was dressed in full regalia.

It was a hot day, and sweat could be seen trickling down his forehead and neck.

‘He looks a little sexy…….’

As she was thinking along with her stream of consciousness, her eyes locked with Herwin’s. Lucia was so surprised that she squealed.

“Oh, are you wearing armor?!”

“……Yes. I had a little business.”

Herwin replied with a grin. Then, naturally, he took his place opposite Lucia.

“What’s up with the armor?”

“I have a request from the Imperial Court. Monsters have been spotted near the capital recently.”

“Monsters?”

Lucia, who was looking at Herwin, hardened her face, grasping the seriousness.

“Isn’t that serious?”

“It is serious if you ask me, but after investigating, I don’t think we need to worry too much. No habitat has been found, and no civilians have been harmed yet. Still, we’ll have to keep our guard up for now.”

“Are you… are you okay?”

Herwin paused at the sound of Lucia’s worried voice. His heart sank at Lucia’s concern for him.

It was an embarrassing, yet not unpleasant sensation. The corners of Herwin’s mouth formed a soft arc.

“Are you worried about me?”

Smiling softly, eyes full of affection, Herwin was as dangerous as ever. Lucia turned her head and mumbled something.

“Well, of course, I’m worried about you, even if you are a Sword Expert!”

“Really? I’m glad.”

“What else is there to be happy about…….”

Lucia grumbled unnecessarily and gulped down her drink. The cold drink didn’t help her feel any less feverish.

“Anyway, I’ve been wandering around the outskirts of the capital for days because of the monsters. I’m sorry, I wanted to come to see you in person.”

“You’re coming to see me?”

“Yes. I was going to visit you as soon as I felt better, in case you misunderstood me, but something came up and I couldn’t. Did you enjoy the gift I sent you?”

“Uh, uh…….”

She knew that he had sent gifts and various letters to try to change her mind, but it felt a little strange to hear it from the source.

“Mother and Jerome said that you came to our house, is that true?”

Lucia, naturally reminded of her kiss with Herwin, fought down the heat that threatened to rise.

“Eh, that’s right. I heard you were ill, so I went to see you for a while.”

Herwin had been asleep at that time, so he wouldn’t have known he’d kissed her. Lucia kept her composure and appeared unaffected.

In response, Herwin crossed his arms and looked at her meaningfully.

“Really? I didn’t even realize you were there.”

“That’s because I saw you when you were sleeping.”

“……So nothing happened with me then?”

Lucia’s heart sank at the all-knowing tone. She was so nervous her heart threatened to jump out of her mouth.

“What do you mean, did something happen?”

Then she pulled away, looking as unaware as possible. Lucia’s naturally virtuous reaction left Herwin momentarily confused.

“I don’t think I’m dreaming…….”

“Huh?”

Lucia cocked her head at Herwin’s mumbling. Her eyes widened like a predator with its prey right in front of it.

He placed his hand over hers on the table.

Startled, Lucia flinched and tried to pull her hand away, but Herwin wouldn’t let go.

“Heh, Herwin, get your hand off…….”

“Are you sure nothing happened?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, just let go of this…….”

He wanted to take a bite out of those peachy cheeks and bite into them, thirsty as a dream.

“Because I had a dream.”

“A ……dream?”

“Yeah, but no matter how much I think about it, it’s so vivid that I don’t think it was a dream.”

Does he even remember kissing her?

Lucia swallowed hard and opened her mouth to speak.

“What the hell were you dreaming about?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Herwin grinned and squeezed Lucia’s hand, then leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

“Dreaming about kissing you.”

Lucia was so startled that she didn’t have time to react, her heart thumping in her ears.

She looked up at Herwin who is wondering if he was dreaming and smiled meaningfully.

“It’s not a dream.”

If it had been Herwin’s dream, Lucia would have turned red and screamed at the top of her lungs.

But Lucia was frozen, like a child caught in a secret, unable to do anything.

Looking into those red eyes made her feel naked. Lucia jumped to her feet and shook off Herwin’s hand.

“Moo, what are you talking about? There’s no way I’d do something like that with you.”

Unable to make eye contact with Herwin, Lucia hastily gathered her things and tried to leave.

However, there were so many things she had bought that she couldn’t get out of there quickly enough.

As Lucia fumbled around, Herwin came over and finished packing her things.

“Give it to me.”

“No thanks, I’ll take this much. Do you have a carriage?”

Herwin was nonchalant. It made him angry for no reason when she just shook her head as she was and watched him calmly.

“That’s enough! Give me that!”

Lucia reached out and tugged at the object in Herwin’s hand. But instead of being snatched away, the box fell, spilling its contents.

“Oh, no…….”

What was in the box was none other than fabric for handkerchiefs.