I went to Yatanagi and Hitani to tell them that the lesson is over, but then I felt chill down my spine and made me turn around. "Emm... Arthur-san." Iseri was there keeping her idol personality. 'Be normal, even though she's scary.' I thought and smile to her.
"Yes, what is it Iseri-san?" I ask her with a smile. "Hmm... I want to ask what do you think about me using a sword." Iseri said while lean her body forward acting cute.
"Ah, yes. I forgot. With your nimble movement, I think you're more suited to use daggers. You should try it." I said giving honest judgment. "Hehe... Then. Arthur-san, Can I ask you a question?" Iseri walks closer to me.
I try to maintain my smiling face. "Yeah, sure. Ask away.". "Do you like children?" She asks but for some reason, she looked like watching every movement I made. "Hmm... I actually like them. They're cute." I said in honest thinking.
"Hehe... would you like a son or daughter?" Her face coming closer. 'What with this question? She's scary.' I thought before Elise calling me "Arthur, what takes you so long?".
"Ah, Elise. One moment. I'm sorry, Iseri-san. Might be another time ok?" I said apologizing and run toward Elise.
"Thanks for saving me Elise," I said when I reach her. "Hehe... No problem." Elise said while hugging my arm. "Where is Arlette?" I said looking around and notice Arlette is nowhere to be seen.
"Arlette already went to the carriage first. We're waiting for you." Elise said and drag me out. Arrived at the carriage we went back to our house.
"What took you so long?" Arlette already crossing her arms, looking mad but cute at the same time. "Sorry, Iseri caught me with some question." I said apologize.
"What question?" She intrigued by the situation. "She asks me whether I like a son or daughter. I can't really know what she meant by that question." I said shrugged my shoulders.
"Hmmm... As Ryūtarou, had you been in contact with children?" Arlette asks while holding her chin. "Yes, of course. I help my orphanage on Sunday. But it still didn't make sense." I said by thinking about it over and over.
"Then, why don't you answer the question, which one?" Arlette said. "Well..... I prefer daughter." I said but I could feel my face burning. It's quite embarrassing. "Do you want us to give you a daughters?" Arlette asks but she also lowered her head.
"Let's talk about it after the wedding will you." I said changing the topic. "It's fine isn't our wedding, only a month away." This time she looked outside saying it, even though it's only her muttering her words. I could still hear it.
Then after a few moments, Elise breaks up the silent but she looked scary "Still, Arthur. Do you forget the blond that asking you question in class?" her face darkened and Arlette also heard and glare at me.
"What? I just joking. It's your fault for teasing me, I can't help myself to tease you." I said while looking outside. "Don't you know who she is?" Elise ask.
"No, who cares anyway?" I said without looking at them. "She's the daughter from Duke Crezac House in the west. You dare court her in front of me." Arlette explain.
"How should I know?" I move my seat closer to the corner. Arlette then sighs and the situation turns back to normal "She would really come to our house. You talk as if you give her a green light.".
"Then? Can't I just reject her offer? I mean. I don't really care for her." I said nonchalantly. "You can't do that. She is the type that won't let go of her prey. At least, I can help by pressuring her. Since I'm your fiancé and a Royalty. Either way, if you can make her fall more for you. We can get another support from the Duke family." Arlette explain.
"Nope, I don't really need another family support or get into a political marriage that much." I said as if I don't care. "Hey, Arthur. Do you really okay with only two of us?" Elise ask.
I turn toward her "What are you talking about? Of course, I'm.". Arlette sigh at me "Fine, we will do what we can, but there will be a time where you need to and you can't reject.".
"I know but I need to know my partner behavior. Like I observe you and Elise before. If I didn't know, I won't even accept both of you." I said a harsh word but both of them only smile.
Then the carriage stop "Excuse me, Master. We have arrived back at home." Como said outside the carriage. He opens the door to let us get out.
"Thank you, Como. Can I ask for your favor once again?" I said to Como. He bows to me "Anything, Master. Just say it.".
"It's not something hard. I just need you to buy a ration that can last for a week. I'm going on a trip." I said to Como. He bows and leaves to buy some.
I walk up the stairs and notice Arlette grip her clothes tighter. I pretend to not notice it.
We get back and took some rest while training a little bit after lunch. I try to train Arlette and Elise in melee fighting if they pushed to the corner.
At night I notice, Arlette is nowhere to be seen while Elise is sleeping soundlessly. I use my detection magic and found her at the roof.
I walk upstairs and she just looking at the mana stone and the stars. "Can't sleep?" I said startled her. Then I walk slowly and sit beside her.
"Hey, Arthur. Aren't they beautiful?" She asks while resting her head on my shoulder. "Yes, they're.". I said to her.
"I never get to see it, because father always asks me to sleep early. I used to sneak with mother to see it." Both of use laugh lightly.
"Nee... Arthur. I want to be like mother, she loves father so much. She even trusts him that he won't leave her but I can't. I love you, I trust you but I'm scared of losing you." She cried on my shoulder.
Then she gets her head up from my shoulder and looks at me "Can you not go tomorrow? I don't need your protection. I can take care of myself. Elise might not stop you but I know she's worried but I can't be like her. I'm scared of losing you for the second time. I'm sorry if I act spoiled like this, even start calling you 'dear', or 'husband'. I just don't want to lose you."
I can't take it anymore and hug her "You know that you act like when we meet at the plaza? At first, even though I couldn't see you. I admire you that you decide to confront your feeling by yourself. Maybe the timing isn't perfect when you said that, if it's not me back then. I might still listen to you talking. That time I lost my parents, maybe that's why my anger took over me.
The first time I saw you at the banquet, I couldn't help myself. My heartbeat becomes fast, but I try to avoid looking at you. When I realize that you run and hugging me. All my world feels like the time has stopped. It feels like a dream, but when you tell me who you are, some of my heart darkens. That's why I try to avoid you.
But deep down. I know, I need to know more. You even start acting childish around me, but with your parents' attitude toward you. I realize that's your real personality. So, I try to accept both of you. Just as I thought, You're beautiful.". I smile and laugh a little. I broke my hug and look at her. "How's my story?"
She blushed red and wipe her tears "It sounds terrible. You really can't tell the mood." She said pouting but then giggle.
"Pfftt... Of course, it sounds cheesy but at least you stop crying." I said laughing and look at her with a loving gaze. "Stop laughing when the mood is romantic!!" She said angrily.
Then I kiss her lips "But, it's true. I love you both." I smile sweetly at her. "Hmph... Why do I have to fall in love with you? I really worried you know!". She said while looking to the side while blushing and angry at the same time.
"I know, I know. But at least it's not gloomy anymore." I said while relaxing my seat and look at the sky. "Let's go back. I guess Elise is dreaming of eating a mountain of cake right now." I said while asking for her hand.
Arlette sigh "Why my love had to be this hopeless?" She said and smile while taking my hand. "What hopeless? You looked happy right now." I said while going down the stairs with her.
"How can you ease your woman like that? At least try something more romantic." She said complaining then leave toward the room. "What makes you so slow? I want to sleep." She said looking at me.
I smile and went toward her and found Elise drolling about her cake and biting my pillow.