CH 6.11

I thought all he does every day is to read paperwork but to think he has a hobby like this. At first, I found it weird because it didn’t fit him at all, but after thinking about it, there was nothing that didn’t suit him.

Knitting is a good hobby that you can do even when you are old—if you have dexterity. I stared at the dark blue yarn Lacius was knitting and asked abruptly.

“Who will you give it to once it’s done?”

“I usually gather a year’s worth and give it to the poor people in my estate on New Year’s Day.”

“Are you revealing that you made it?”

“That’s a secret. If it gets known, a lot of people will want to steal it.”

“Ah, well…”

Thinking of Narnia, yes, it certainly is possible. There is no problem if you buy it at a reasonable price, but some people will surely steal or threaten you to give it to them.

Lacius’ decision was wise.

“Besides, I’m not making this alone.”

“Do you make them with Theobalt and Maynard too?”

“Yes. Maynard makes the best. Maynard can knit even a fur sweater.”

It’s quiet, but it’s nice to hear his voice full of pride while talking about his family. Maynard was probably the one who started it, then Lacius joined in after seeing him. And while he was knitting, he realized  that it was very good for clearing his head and continued doing it.

“So Maynard is the best at knitting?”

“Yes. When Maynard’s knitted sweaters and blankets went over a hundred, we started giving them to the poor, and now it has become an annual event.”

“Hmp, but you didn’t tell me about it till now? I’m somehow feeling sad.”

I purposely pouted and grumbled. Lacius stopped his hand moving the needle as if embarrassed.

“It’s not that I purposely left you out, it was just that… I didn’t bother to inform you because it was a trivial matter.”

“Yes, I understand….”

“Shay, this is really…”

There’s a hint of embarrassment on his handsome face. Watching it, I shook my shoulders and burst into laughter.

“Pfft.”

“Shay?”

Puhahaha

It’s the first time I’ve seen Lacius look so depressed like that. I wiped my eyes and stopped laughing.

“It’s a joke, a joke. Give me a needle too.”

I smiled brightly and held out my hand to him.

“Do you know how to knit?”

Then Lacius held out the needle to me while asking in a very eager tone.

I accepted it and answered confidently.

“I don’t!”

“Oh, I see. Then do it like this….”

Most people would think it was absurd, but Lacius didn’t show any sign of it. His attitude is totally: If you don’t know, let someone who knows tell you and teach you.

That’s the dignity and character of this man.

Without realizing it, I got mesmerized watching Lacius’ long and thick fingers move.

Thread the needle and knit, thread and knit.

Why does the hand repeating that move look so sexy?

‘I can’t believe I’m falling in love with you after seeing you knit.’

I watched blankly as Lacius did so endlessly.

It was so peaceful that I started to doze off, which was inevitable.

* * *

The time I left my room was the day an invitation to a ball arrived.

“A masquerade ball?”

It was sent by the young lady of the Marquis named Yuriel, and her father must have been quite famous in the business world. Since she is from a marquis and a wealthy family, her power must be enormous. It was said that Yuriel would hold a masquerade to commemorate her 20th birthday this time.

“I absolutely want to go!”

I hadn’t been to an official tea party or gathering since my engagement to Lacius. I was very busy and also I need to think about it carefully. It’s more strange to go anywhere carelessly when you were to become an archduchess.

But this is different.

It’s a masquerade, how would they know my identity?

My hair color is a problem though.

“You can change the color of your hair with a magic dye… but I’m worried about your health.”

Lacius gave me the solution even though he looked very worried.

I can’t believe there was such an amazing thing called magic dye!

“I’ll be fine. Where do you buy that hair dye?”

“You can get it at the magic workshop, or you can buy a one-day color change coupon but it’s much more expensive.”

“What is that?”

“It changes hair color, eye color, and even skin color, and it costs about 5,000 gautes.”

“Wow, it’s really expensive.”

“If you go to the workshop’s office, the wizard will cast a spell on you that will last for a day.”

“It’s convenient, I like it. Oh first, I have to reply that I am going.”

What color should I change it to?

My hair was deep red like titania shell rose.

It’s an alluring color as if it would smell like a rose if smelled, but how about lowering the saturation this time?

I can’t splurge 5,000 gautes for every masquerade I attend. So let’s do this just this once.

I thought about the various hair colors I had seen so far.

“You look like you have a hair color you want to try.”

“Yes, but it is a secret. Look for me there.”

“Is that an invitation for me to come too?”

“Are you not coming?”

Even if I’m going..?

As I asked back, I looked at Lacius and was stunned by his deep eyes.

It was a joke. I was just kidding, but he took it seriously.

The thought that I had made a mistake made my heart go cold.

“It would be fun to attend separately and look for each other.”

After a while, Lacius breathed out a sigh and smiled.

At the same time, his outstretched hand felt different from the way it used to touch me.

“Let’s make a bet. Will you find me first, or will I find you first?”

“… Deal.”

“If you find me first, I will give you a castle ornament made of jewels as a gift.”

His voice was terribly sweet.

I swallowed my saliva.

Lacius’ blue-grey eyes contain me. No one else, only me.

My reflection in his eyes must have made me nervous.

“But if I find you first…”

He stroked my cheek gently.

It didn’t cross the line. It was just simple physical contact but my heart was already jumping as if it would explode.

“I want you to give me a whole day of your time.”