CH 27

The next morning.

I woke up earlier than usual.

Or rather, I couldn’t sleep because of nervousness.

It wasn’t a nice clear day, and it had been cloudy for the past few days.

Although it was not raining, it looked like it could start raining anytime with the cloudy sky.

“Yuren-kun… why did you suddenly make plans to hang out?”

No need to think about it. He probably said it to cheer me up and show concern for me.

I think they all noticed that I was feeling down, including him and everyone else, although I tried to be careful with my facial expressions and attitude.

I feel sorry for them, that they made time for me.

“… But, let’s go out and play…”

Apart from that, I was also happy to be invited to hang out.

I’ve never been invited by friends before, let alone someone of the opposite sex.

I think it’s also because it’s Yuren-kun.

Along with my anxiety and worries, there was a small expectation in my heart.

I changed my clothes and headed to the meeting place.

I couldn’t wear the clothes for the court because it’s not work.

I thought it would be necessary for my private life, so I bought some regular clothes, which turned out to be a good decision.

There aren’t many and I wear them in the most fashionable way possible.

The meeting place is the entrance of the royal castle.

When I arrived, Yuren-kun was already waiting for me.

“Yuren-kun.”

“Good morning, Aria.”

“Good morning. Did I keep you waiting?”

“No, not really. Don’t worry about it.”

Although he said that, I think Yuren-kun was there thirty minutes before the appointed time.

That’s just the kind of person he is.

I also arrived ten minutes early to make sure I wouldn’t be late.

“Shall we go?”

“Y-Yes.”

We once went sightseeing together before, but that was by chance. This was the first time we met up and planned to go somewhere together.

I became nervous and started to worry about my surroundings when I became self-conscious.

“Um, Yuren-kun, where are we going today?”

“Ah, well, about that…” Yuren-kun responded hesitantly.

“I have one place I want to go, but I haven’t thought about anything else. What about you?”

“I-Is that so?”

“Yes. So I thought we could just wander around city until noon. Is that okay?”

“Sure, I’ll leave it up to you, Yuren-kun.”

The place I want to go is related to Transmutation Art materials, so I can’t think of any other places I want to go.

And since I’m not familiar with the city either, I think I’ll leave it up to Yuren-kun.

“Then let’s go around. Last time we only went to a few shops that sold materials, and then we got interrupted.”

“Okay.”

The two of us then toured the city.

Restaurants, clothing stores, accessory shops, and precious metal shops.

There were even shops that girls would like, making me feel refreshed.

I had been cooped up in the palace, focused on research, and was not knowledgeable about things that normal girls would like.

As I watched groups of girls around my age gathering, I couldn’t help but envy them for having those kinds of futures.

But it’s not like I’m unhappy with my current situation.

“Aria, is there a shop you want to go to?”

“Hmm, aside from collecting materials…I can’t think of anything else.”

“Hahaha, that’s just like Aria.”

“Since I was a kid, I’ve been thinking about Transmutation Art all the time. Nothing else really matters.”

I don’t even know about fashion or trends at my age.

I feel like I’m still on the same path I’ve been on since I was a kid, spending the majority of my youth on Transmutation Art.

Thinking about it, have I not changed at all since then?

Maybe I haven’t…grown up.

“Hey, Yuren-kun. Where do you want to go?”

“That’s a surprise for when we get there. Let’s have lunch first.”

“Okay.”

He acts mysterious, which makes me even more curious.

But his lips are sealed about it.

We finished lunch together, and just as we stepped out of the store, Yuren-kun spoke.

“The place we’re going to is a bit of a walk from here. Can you handle it?”

“I think I’ll be okay. I’m not tired yet.”

“Okay, let’s go. It’s the perfect time.”

I followed Yuren-kun as we walked.

We headed towards the outskirts of the city.

After passing through the forest where we previously gathered materials, we came across an open area.

Following up the slope, there was a small hill.

“Here it is.”

“This… is a grave?”

“Something like it, yeah.”

At the end of the hill, there were crosses buried in the ground.

Colorful flower wreaths were put on a beautiful white cross.

Yuren-kun’s response was ambiguous.

Was this not a grave?

“This is the place you wanted to show me, right?”

“Yeah, look behind you.”

“Behind me?”

“You’ll understand when you see it.”

I turned around as he said.

And then——

“Wow, you can see the city and the castle from here!”

“Isn’t it a great view? This is the best place to see the capital city clearly in this area. It’s my favorite spot.”

As he said, the cityscape was clearly visible.

The castle was also visible, and the great nature surrounding it was included in the view.

It was certainly a beautiful place.

The breeze blowing through was also pleasant.

“It would have been perfect if it was sunny, but well, it’s better than raining.”

“No, it’s beautiful enough. I’m seeing this kind of view for the first time.”

“That’s good to hear.”

It’s a view that moves you just by looking at it.

Although I had heard about it, I didn’t think such a thing actually existed.

But it does exist in this world.

These types of views that soothe your heart.