Chapter 89.1

It was the same with Yurina. After all, she wanted to spend another two or three weeks here and return when the season of social events came.

However, Yurina hadn’t made her debut in secular society yet, so a reception at the imperial palace might have passed as an opportunity for her.

Yurina and Marchioness Carthia had planned to return when social gatherings were due and hold a modest feast to introduce Reynard to the crowd.

“I know. It’s sad, but maybe it’s even better? Because my mother originally wanted to have a party to introduce you to the world. Now it will happen right in the palace. There will be the most titled nobles. You’re already a famous person, in the end, your name will sweep through the entire Empire. Doesn’t it make it hard to see your face like this?”

Despite Yurina’s joke, Reynard’s expression remained serious. He looked at Yurina and buried his face into her shoulder.

“I would choose to be here with you a little longer than all this.”

“Is it like that? If others hear it, they will call it insult to the royal family.”

Yurina gently brushed his hair, which seemed to be somewhat downcast. Raynard rubbed his face against Yurina’s neck.

Yurina shifted her eyes to Betsy, who turned her head away, then grabbed Reynard’s cheek and pulled his face away.

“I’m sad about that too. But let’s go back to the capital this time, and later come here again. In summer the days will be hotter, so we can play by the sea as much as we like. And in the summer, my brothers can take a vacation so that the five of us can go together. That will be even more fun.”

Raynard’s face instantly turned pale as he heard the last detail of their upcoming journey.

“It’s good that we were alone this time.”

It was a voice more like a whine. Out of nowhere, her older brothers appeared in this story, who didn’t give him a pass. Yurina laughed at the reaction.

“As you say. We can split up with them and leave together. Are you okay then?”

“It’s still a pity.”

“Yes, for me too. But we can’t help it. I just can’t ignore the party.”

“Shall we not go?”

Yurina clapped Reynard on the shoulder. She didn’t hit lightly as a joke, but it took quite a bit of force.”

“You have to go if you don’t want us all to be accused of disrespect for the crown. Not only you, but I will be dragged along.”

“Then no. Of course I will go.”

“You should have said that earlier.”

After stretching once, Yurina stood up from the couch.

“We have a lot to prepare. I think we return to the capital tomorrow morning.

Yurina tried to get up so she could go back to her room to unpack her luggage. But Reynard took her hand and pulled her back into place.

“What? Do you have anything to say?”

“Let’s play another card game.”

“It is still daytime. Let’s just do one more game.”

Yurina wondered if he was so resentful that he kept losing today, but his eyes looked somewhat desperate rather than burning with the desire to win. Yurina looked at him and studied Reynard’s face, who was blinking at her, then without hesitation she went back and sat.

“Just one more game.”

“Okay.”

Reynard skillfully shuffled the cards. He said that he played a lot in the academy, and his hand movements for shuffling the cards were quite natural. Yurina gazed with admiration at his long white fingers deftly interfering with the cards.

“Shall we bet?”

Because of that, Yurina understood Reynard’s words one beat late.

“…Huh? Bet?”

“Yeah. Simply, it will be more interesting. This is the last game before sending. How about this, who loses grants the winner’s wish?”

“Hmm…”

Because it was such a sudden proposal, Yurina didn’t immediately accept it, but looked suspiciously at Reynard’s face.

“What are you up to?”

“I do all this without a second thought. Just to have some fun. I bet on meals with the kids when we played at the orphanage. Don’t agree if you don’t like it.”

He clearly had something on his mind, but his expression and voice were clear. Yurina hesitated to take the cards Reynard handed her. But then she nodded.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

Based on the previous record, Yurina’s chances of winning were high. And even if she loses, there’s nothing wrong with that. Reynard wouldn’t make a weird wish, would he?

“Get ready to fulfill my wish.”