By Zephyria 
Had Rubel ever been this nervous in front of anyone other than me? Even though my parents weren’t exactly known for their fiery tempers. Puzzled, I nudged Rubel’s arm, and the boy promptly placed a hand over his chest, bowing deeply.
“I apologize for not greeting you sooner. May the gentle breath of the First Goddess be with Count and Countess Ernhardt.”
“Ah, yes… Nice to meet you, Your Highness…”
Even to my eyes, barely halfway accustomed to the etiquette befitting my rank, his display seemed excessive. Come to think of it, Father had mentioned meeting this child separately before. Was he like this then too?
Father awkwardly acknowledged the greeting and gestured to me, but I simply chuckled.
I hadn’t intended to introduce Ruben to my parents, not wanting to commit to anything just yet, but somehow, fate intervened again.
Not only Rubel, but even my father seemed visibly stiff with tension.
I couldn’t tell if telling my parents beforehand that I was in love with Ruben was a good thing or not. Father’s face, usually so stoic, was paler and colder than usual, but I knew that impassive expression was just a mask for his anxious heart, which only made me laugh.
It was Mother, skilled in social graces, who responded with a more affectionate and appropriate greeting.
“We are grateful for the coincidence brought about by the First Goddess’s kind guidance, Prince Rubel. We hope we haven’t committed any discourtesy?”
“Not at all, Countess Ernhardt.”
A glint sparkled in Mother’s eyes.
I saw Ruben fidgeting, unable to lower the hand on his chest, but I couldn’t just chase my parents away to comfort my precious boy. It was awkward, but also amusing. I didn’t bother suppressing the chuckles that escaped through my teeth and opened my mouth.
“I knew you were coming to the New Year Festival, but I didn’t expect to meet you like this.”
“We didn’t either, Mika. This is the Crystal Palace garden, isn’t it? Goodness… Even hosting Your Highness here.”
“Indeed.”
Feigning ignorance, I earned a narrowed-eyed, sidelong glance from Mother, who then covered her mouth with her fan, stifling a laugh.
Rubel seemed to regain his composure, or so it seemed. No, he was pressing both hands tightly behind his back, which was absurd. He wasn’t a knight in training, so there was no need to stand so rigidly, but I pretended not to notice, knowing he’d be embarrassed if I pointed it out.
“I hope I haven’t interrupted your stroll.”
“How could you? It feels like receiving a surprise gift. How long have you been here?”
“Well… About an hour.”
“Then, you know… Would you care to join us for a while?”
As Mother smiled sweetly and acted affectionately, Father’s pleading gaze landed on my cheek.
I glanced at Rubel. The boy still looked nervous, but he nodded, making sure I could see it clearly. At the same time, Father looked utterly despondent.
His timid nature never seemed to improve, no matter how many years passed. It was ridiculous how afraid he was of dealing with this young child.
Even if Father objected, what could he do? Knowing that whatever Mother wanted would be done, I answered without hesitation.
“Yes, I will.”
“Then… I’ll arrange a place for us in the Spring Shade Garden. If you come in about ten minutes, it will be ready.”
“Oh, there’s really no need to go to such lengths…”
“It would be my pleasure and honor. Then, I’ll go ahead.”
Rubel bowed politely, took three steps back, bowed again, and hurried off somewhere. I didn’t know where the Spring Shade Garden was, but my parents seemed to, so I let the boy go.
The handsome fellow disappeared into the shimmering Magic Lamps. I was so embarrassed that I covered my face with one hand. Mother came closer, nudged my shoulder, and whispered approvingly.
“…You’ve got him wrapped around your finger tighter than I thought, son.”
“…”
Having nothing to say, I simply smiled.
❖ ❖ ❖
As we strolled with my parents, I learned about the Spring Shade Garden.
Near the Crystal Palace and Opal Palace, where the New Year Festival was held, there were several secluded gardens for resting, but the Spring Shade Garden was primarily used by those with the rank of Duke or higher when receiving distinguished guests.
Indeed, from the entrance, the vibrant flowers, out of season, glowed white even at night, which was quite unusual. A neat table with refreshments and teacups was already set on a slightly elevated platform, surrounded by a large pond.
It was quite a distance from where we had met my parents, so how hard had he run to summon the servants and then dismiss them again so quickly?
Rubel, acting like a servant, pulled out Mother’s chair for her. It was a common courtesy for noble men to show noble women, but it was too much, considering his rank and lineage. At this point, I was convinced that telling my parents beforehand that I was in love with my boy was the right thing to do.
It would have been embarrassing to pretend not to notice when he was making it so obvious.
Thankfully, the Magic Lamps were dimmed to enhance the ambiance of the night. My blushing face wouldn’t be too noticeable. Watching Mother constantly hide her laughter behind her fan, I wanted to disappear somewhere too.
“…Ruben.”
“Yes, Mael.”
I had called him to tell him to stop, but a sweet reply came back. I covered my eyes with one hand and swallowed a groan. Mother, who had successfully suppressed her laughter, started the conversation kindly.
“I heard that Your Highness was close to Mael, but I didn’t realize you were this close. Thank you for treating my son so well.”
“I always receive a lot of help from him. I hope we’ll see each other often in the future, so please treat me comfortably, as if I were your own son.”
“Oh my, would that really be alright?”
“I swear to the First Goddess, it is what I truly desire.”
And, eventually, Mother couldn’t hold back her laughter.
Cheerful laughter bounced over the fan. Peeking through my fingers, I saw Ruben’s face was red. But seeing that his expression was still determined, I couldn’t help but laugh too, my shoulders shaking.
Ah, I finally gave up trying to hold it in and laughed loudly, then raised my hand and filled the four cups with tea.
“Well, yes. If he says so, you can treat him comfortably.”
“Alright, then I’ll think of you as my son’s friend and speak comfortably.”
“Thank you.”
Mother, who had once dominated the social scene, asked this and that without hesitation. The first thing she asked was his birthdate and age, which were already written and published in the Nobility Yearbook.
I had once heard that even though all the nobles of the Sierran Empire knew it, asking again was a courtesy, to hear it from your own mouth and believe it. Ruben recited everything, including that he was born on the last day of October when the first frost fell, and that his birth flower was the Berberis.
He seemed ready to answer almost every question in the world.
Thinking it was best to stop, I covered Ruben’s hand. The boy, who was about to say something more, closed his mouth and lowered his gaze. At least he knew he was doing something embarrassing. I swallowed a hollow laugh and opened my mouth before the boy could say anything more unnecessary.
I had been curious about something as soon as I met my parents. It wasn’t something to talk about on the street, so I had hesitated, but now that we were seated, there was no reason not to ask.
“Well, there was something I wanted to ask you too.”
“Us?”
“Yes. I heard that Wesley Kiadris will be frequenting the Crystal Palace from this year.”
As if her fun had been interrupted, Mother, who had been lightly fanning herself, let out a sigh-like chuckle.
“So that’s why you were here.”
“Yes. What kind of person was he in your eyes?”
Perhaps because Rubel’s behavior was so absurd, the tension that had settled on Father’s face had faded considerably. After a moment of thought, Father handed me a cookie and cautiously opened his mouth.
“…Well, I don’t know him well because I haven’t spoken to him separately…”
I crunched on the cookie in my hand, waiting for his next words.
“He was quite polite, more so than the rumors suggested.”
“Rumors?”
“The saying that Wesley Kiadris is a heartless person has been circulating like a proverb since he first entered society. Until today, some people even believed that he couldn’t speak human language. They said he ignored everyone equally, no matter who spoke to him.”
I had never heard such a story. Puzzled, I turned to Rubel, who immediately explained.
“Wesley Kiadris has a strong sense of entitlement, so he’s famous for not answering anyone in the Opal Palace, Mael. He usually stood next to Richard, the First Prince, and only talked to him.”
“Yes, that’s right. I was nervous because I had heard such stories too. But he greeted me normally first.”
Mother chimed in, agreeing with Rubel.
I remembered Wilton Roberts being wary of him, saying that Ruben was closer to being a hero. To Maelo Sanson, he seemed like just one of his cute disciples, but perhaps he was being treated well because he was a Martial artist of Hwagyeong.
As I pondered for a moment, Father added a word.
“But I also felt a little… eerie.”
“Hmm?”
“Perhaps it’s because everyone knows he’s a Grand Sword Master. He exudes a different kind of pressure than ordinary people, and he didn’t even smile once in front of His Majesty the Emperor. His tone and attitude are polite, but that’s all it is, I felt.”
“But he has all the manners that a Sierran Empire noble should have. That’s just if you were to pick at it.”
Mother, having already noticed that my hand was empty, kindly handed me another cookie. I accepted it without saying anything. After I showed a moment of hesitation without replying, Mother asked cautiously.
“If you need it, shall we meet him separately tomorrow?”
“No, it’s alright.”
I shook my head immediately.
“He seems dangerous, so it’s best not to get close to him.”
“Okay. I’ll trust only my son.”
Mother smiled knowingly, as if she knew I would answer that way. Meeting that smile, I smiled back kindly. In the silence that followed, Rubel opened his mouth with a determined voice.
“I, there’s something I want to tell you both.”