The three-day wait passed quickly because Chas was busy preparing everything.
He went back through his papers with Duke Colton, sneaked in and out of the Beulah Temple Library, and took many notes. Chas also prepared many neat and secret notes to take to Paiton. Do not also forget personal needs while traveling. Oh, a present for little Desmond, now his nephew.
"Your letter has been delivered to the duchy, Lord Chas," the butler at the townhouse reported as he served Chas a light breakfast. "This afternoon, Your Lordship can go straight away."
"Hopefully, the weather will continue to be sunny. I don't like slippery roads," said Chas.
"For today, it doesn't look like it's going to rain."
After breakfast, Chas checked the preparations. Until then, he had guests.
Which turns out to be Chloe.
"Uh, sorry. You look busy. I see a carriage in front," said Chloe as she was brought into the sitting room.
"I'm going to Paiton this afternoon," Chas told her.
"I just heard about it. So suddenly…"
"Because there is critical business. I'm sorry I can't accompany you for a walk today."
"Oh, not a problem at all. I'm not here because of that." Chloe also put a small box on the table. "I want to give this to Lord Chas."
Chas took the box and opened it hesitantly.
The same pair of gold cufflinks as his eyes. There is a small carving on the cuff.
"I promised to give you something, right?" Chloe smiled at Chas. "I don't really know about fashion trends. I also doubted it—you might already have a cuff like that. But… I hope Lord Chas likes it."
"Thank you," Chas said sincerely. He smiled gently for the first time in a long time. So far, Chas only smiled mockingly or belittled him. "Even though I didn't prepare anything."
"No, no. I've been bothering Lord Chas all this time. This is a small token of gratitude from me," Chloe said hastily.
"I will take good care of it. I will definitely use it later if there is a chance," Chas promised.
"I am glad to hear it. If that's the case, I'll take my leave first. Thanks again for your time so far, Lord Chas. I hope we can meet again later."
The feeling is coming back. An anxious and uneasy feeling that Chas didn't understand why. This is the first time Chas has felt other than his family and Rheannon. A feeling that Chas had not anticipated at all.
"Lady Chloe," Chas called before Chloe got into the carriage. "Take good care of yourself. Please don't go out often, especially when it's winter time. Better if you just stay at home. If you get bored, write to me at this townhouse address―I'll reply somehow."
Chloe chuckled. "Yes, I will remember it."
"Then, when this is all over, let's go sightseeing again."
Chloe looked confused for a moment. She definitely didn't understand what Chas meant. Nevertheless, Chloe still smiled and said, "Of course."
This way, the burden on Chas's mind was reduced.
Or, that's how it should at least be.
In fact, for the rest of the day in the Ozera Capital, all Chas was thinking about was Chloe. Her words kept ringing in his head...
[I hope we can meet again later.]
I must be crazy, Chas thought, shaking his head.
"L-Lord Chas!" A servant approached Chas, who was about to go to his horse carriage. "Her Highness Princess Luciell has come to visit!"
Chas is crazy now.
Sure enough, Luciell was already sitting peacefully in the living room of his townhouse. A maid and her two knights were standing not far from her.
Chas blatantly slammed his travel bag on the floor with a bang. "What an honor it is for you to come to this small residence, Princess Luciell. But unfortunately, I can't host you because I have to go now," he said matter-of-factly.
Luciell gestured for her followers to wait outside. "Ah, that's why there's no tea for me. I think the Colton family's maid is deliberately insulting me. I almost punished them."
Chas gritted his teeth. "Now you're trying to threaten me with my servants?"
"Did it work?" Luciell smiled sweetly at him. "I did it because you don't have a woman to threaten."
"I don't have time for this, Your Highness," Chas tiredly sighed. "Let me take you to the front door. We can go out together to satisfy you."
"Why in such a rush?"
"I don't like rain."
"You're going to kick me out without even asking what I'm here for?"
Chas blatantly rolled his eyes. "What is it that you wish you could tell me, Your Highness?"
Luciell propped her chin up and tilted her head. "I will miss you while you are gone."
"Princess Luciell…" Chas sighed out of breath. He took a deep breath, then said, "You did, right? Now let me take you out."
To his surprise, Luciell agreed without saying or doing anything else.
Luciell's carriage was waiting, even the coachman was still standing nearby. It seemed that it was true that Luciell had come here to say goodbye earlier. What Chas wondered was how this woman knew Chas would leave.
I hope she doesn't find out where I'm going, Chas thought.
"After this, everyone will return to their home." Luciell turned and looked at Chas. "You left and didn't know when you would come back like you did before. Even the cutie Chloe is back at the Wynton residence and I don't know if she'll be well after the winter."
"Hey-!"
"Lord Chas, I'm going to be lonely after this," Luciell cut in. Her hand grabbed the side of Chas's face and stroked it gently. "Come back. Next year, okay? So I can still find you."
Chas brushed off Luciell's hand. "No, thank you. I'd rather be at home. You'd better find another man, Your Highness."
Luciell snorted in amusement. "No way, Lord Chas. I want you and only you," she said. "And I was determined to get you."
So Luciell didn't come to Chas to say goodbye. But to threaten him.
"Whatever. Wish you luck."
Without being able to anticipate it, Luciell kissed Chas on the cheek.