Is she not cold? Elroy thought, looking at Mariette's white neck.
On this day, when the snow had not completely melted, Mariette was seen wearing relatively light clothes. To Elroy's annoyance even more, Mariette wasn't wearing a scarf or any other neck protection.
It seemed it was true that Mariette couldn't feel anything.
"What were you doing in the forest?" asked Elroy breaking the silence between them.
"Just take a walk. I have to return to the Capital, so I want to look around," Mariette replied.
"You don't need to worry, I take good care of this area," Elroy told proudly. "Er, well, at least for this year. I have to leave here soon."
"Oh? You were transferred?"
"Hmmm, you could say that. Starting next spring, I will be Prince Louie's temporary tutor."
"You will be transferred to the Palace then," said Mariette. "Looks like we'll be seeing each other often."
"I hope you won't get tired of me," said Elroy. "What kind of person is Prince Louie?"
"Hmmm…"
Louie Vallotton, even though he is a twin, he is the boy. Later Louie will replace the current King Vallotton. Realizing the duties he will take on in the future, in the eyes of the other Palace's servants and workers, Louie is just an unstable teenager.
Louie is a teenager who will say whatever is on his mind, a little rough and rebellious even though it doesn't cause big problems. Very protective of Louisa and loves his father even though they sometimes have disagreements. He was friendly and kind to the servants and maids even though he used to play pranks on them when he was little.
That was the brief explanation from Elroy's brother in his letter.
Yes, Elroy asked Mariette to make small talk. Elroy wanted to hear Mariette's voice in the light winter breeze.
"Prince Louie is a smart and strong person, gifted in the field of strategy, and when he gets angry only Princess Louisa can calm him down," Mariette explained in an even tone. "His Highness is a very expressive person. You can tell what's on his mind just by the wrinkles in his brow."
Elroy laughed at the explanation. "I didn't expect to hear something like that from you," he said.
"With all due respect, I mean in no way to offend Prince Louie, Sir Elroy."
"No, it's just… You guys sound really familiar. You also sound like you have a special eye for His Highness."
"Because His Majesty the King takes care of me, indirectly they are like my own brothers--so people say."
"They treat you well?"
"Yes."
"How do you feel about them? Do you also feel the same way about them?"
Mariette did not answer silently. Elroy looked down at Mariette's simple bun, which looked messy because the ties were loose.
The silence between them made Elroy feel like he had said something wrong.
"I can't understand how anyone feels, Sir Elroy. I probably consider them family because they've been good to me and we see each other often. It's just… the feeling of being attached to them… doesn't hit my heart. I know they have been nice to me, so I have to be nice to them too," explained Mariette.
It took a few seconds before Elroy replied, "Sorry if my question just now was difficult."
"Absolutely not." Mariette looked up at Elroy, taking him by surprise at suddenly being looked at like that. "I understand if you're curious about how your fantastic test came out."
Elroy's face was red for many reasons. "My Lady, did you know that was classed as flirting just now?"
"Oh, I never meant to do that," said Mariette casually. "But your knowledge test results are indeed very famous."
"Not that good, really."
Elroy's heart skipped a beat. Even though it sounded evil, he was fortunate because Mariette couldn't feel his heart beating. His chest pressed against Mariette's back. If she didn't have a curse on her, Elroy's heart would race against her spine.
Why am I beating like this? thought Elroy embarrassed himself.
Because of Mariette's sudden glance earlier? Or because Mariette acknowledged his ability?
"What's not that good about getting perfect scores on all the knight exams? You are a hot topic of conversation throughout the kingdom, especially in the salons of the nobles and the Royal Palace," continued Mariette.
"It's just normal, really!"
They arrived at the Tierney family's estate. Unknowingly Elroy lamented that time had flown by so quickly. He thought that he should have galloped slower earlier.
They arrived at the same time as light snow fell. Mariette seemed to look up at the sky, watching the falling snow with her eyes that did not emit anything.
What was she thinking?
What is she feeling now?
Did their little walk to the Tierney estate just now mean anything to Mariette?
Elroy wanted to know and didn't. Because this small accidental meeting meant a lot to him.
"Would you like to come in first and have some tea, Sir Elroy?" Mariette offered.
"What–no, thank you. As I said earlier, I have to prepare for my departure to the Capital City," Elroy answered nervously. He hoped Mariette wouldn't notice if he had been watching her.
"Okay. Thank you for taking me back on your horse, Sir Elroy."
Suddenly, without Elroy being able to anticipate, his heart was pounding again.
Mariette smiled.
Elroy knew it was an automatic, learned smile. But still, Mariette smiled at him!
"Our little walk today was quite enjoyable. See you back at Royale Palace, Sir Elroy."
***
"Ferdinand, looks like spring is coming early."
"What?" Ferdinand looked out the window. "Yes, maybe?"
"Hehehe. I can't wait to see the flowers bloom."
"Okaaay. What are you doing now?"
Elroy grinned broadly at Ferdinand. "I think I'm in love with someone. Hehehe."
As he expected, Ferdinand gave him a disgusted look. "Damn it. Was what I heard just now a lament from a knight? You sound like a middle-aged teenager dancing with a woman for the first time!" he taunted mercilessly.
Even though he had been ridiculed like that, Elroy was utterly offended. He's in a good mood. He liked a woman: for the first time in his life.
And even though Elroy wasn't entirely sure if this excitement was love, he still enjoyed feeling it. Curiosity, desire to protect, desire to see her happy…
Elroy didn't think liking someone would be this fun.
But Elroy didn't know that one day, this would be the biggest heartbreak of his life.