Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 20

Two weeks had passed since I first met Lord Olga.

Since then, we’ve been exchanging letters frequently, and I feel like the distance between us has been gradually closing. Through these letters, he shows concern for me, and that makes me happy.

He invited me to go out with him to the royal capital during our next day off. Of course, I gladly accepted.

“Katie, how do I look? Is it strange?”

“You look very lovely, my lady. You’ll be just fine.”

I peered into the full-length mirror again and again, checking my reflection.

“My lady, it’s wonderful that Lord Olga is such a good man.”

“Yes, it is.”

Knock knock knock

It seemed a servant had come to fetch me.

I walked with Katie to the entrance hall, where Lord Olga was waiting. Instead of his usual knight’s uniform, he was wearing an off-white shirt and slacks.

“Good morning, Lady Ginette.”

“Good morning, Lord Olga.”

His smile made my heart pound like a rapid drumbeat.

“Lady Ginette, you look very cute.”

“Ah, th-thank you. You look wonderful too, Lord Olga.”

“Ah, thank you. Shall we go then?”

“Yes.”

Escorted by Lord Olga, I boarded the carriage, and we arrived in the city center.

The center was filled with the aroma of food from street stalls, the pitter-patter of children’s footsteps, and the chatter of women. Performers were putting on a show in the square, and everything was brimming with vitality.

“It’s so lively here.”

“Yeah. Let’s hold hands so we don’t get separated.”

“Y-yes.”

I gently placed my hand over the one Lord Olga offered. The warmth of his hand spread to mine, and my face flushed red.

“Lady Ginette, is there anywhere you’d like to see?”

“N-no. Just walking with you like this, it m-makes me happy.”

“I-I see. I feel the same way, just walking with you like this, Lady Ginette. To be safe, shall we hold hands?”

“Y-yes…”

A gentle warmth came from his offered hand. I could feel my heart beating thump, thump in time with the pleasant, buoyant feeling rising in my chest.

Hand in hand, we browsed the street stalls.

Aware of his warm hand, we slowly made our way around the stalls. Everything I saw felt fresh and new.

There were all sorts of goods for sale—accessories, clothes, weapons, vegetables, fruits—and it was endlessly interesting to look at.

After we’d seen everything, we decided to take a break. We bought some fruit water from a stall and sat on a bench set up in the square.

“This fruit water is delicious.”

“Yeah. When it gets a little colder, some soup would be nice too.”

“That’s true.”

As we chatted about the stalls we’d just visited, I noticed a young lady running toward us from across the way.

“…Lord Olga.”

“Ah, I’m sorry…”

We stopped our conversation.

The girl approaching was running toward us without a care for her appearance. Anyone who saw that cute girl running so desperately would surely find it endearing.

But behind her came her guards and maids, creating a rather tense atmosphere.

“Olga! I found you!”

We stood and bowed.

“No need for formalities here.”

Princess Celestina said this, so we stopped bowing and stood straight.

She seemed quite angry. She crossed her arms, making her displeasure clear, but her natural beauty kept her from seeming intimidating, and to those around us, she probably just looked charming.

“Olga, we’re going back! I can’t stand being mixed in with these filthy commoners. But, well… if you’re with me, Olga, I suppose we could look around the shops a bit.”

“Princess Celestina, why are you here? I took the day off to spend time with my fiancée.”

“Ah, your once-a-month duty as a fiancé must be so hard. You’ve met her now, so you’ve fulfilled your obligation, right?”

Princess Celestina firmly took Olga’s arm and began pulling him away.

I never imagined she would come all the way here to interfere.

Suppressing the urge to sigh, I spoke up.

“Lord Olga, thank you for today. I’m glad we could spend such a pleasant time together. Please, escort Princess Celestina back to the palace.”

“…Lady Ginette. I’m sorry. I’ll contact you again.”

“Yes.”

As soon as I said that to Lord Olga, Princess Celestina as if to say “finally” linked arms with him and started walking.

Then she glanced back, gave me a smug grin, and clung to Lord Olga as they walked away.

I was left all alone.

…All I could do was sigh.

Aware of the eyes around me, I started walking, blending into the crowd.

“My lady, I’ve prepared a carriage just beyond this street.”

“Understood.”

I got into the carriage with the servant who had been following us and returned to the estate.

After changing and having dinner, I relaxed on the sofa in my room.

“Lady Ginette, I never thought your date would be interrupted like that.”

“Yes, I never imagined the princess herself would come.”

“I’ve heard the princess is quite obsessive. My lady, it might be best to be careful.”

“…Katie. You’re right. It’s better to be safe than sorry. How are the engagement talks with the prince from the neighboring country going?”

“They’re progressing smoothly at the moment. His Majesty seems quite keen. I’ve heard that to avoid giving a bad impression, they may start limiting your guards and who you can meet from now on.”

“I see. I hope Lord Olga isn’t removed from his guard duties.”

After Katie finished preparing me for bed, she bowed and left the room.

I opened the window and let the night air wash over me.

A quiet night.

Not even the sound of insects could be heard.

A bitingly cold wind blew, stinging my skin.

I wonder what Lord Olga is doing right now.

Recalling the day’s events, I sat listlessly on the sofa, brewed some tea, and took a sip.

I want to see him.

What’s happening to me?

Is this what love feels like?

I want to talk with Lord Olga more.

I feel unsettled by these unfamiliar emotions.

…I want to see him again.

As if to suppress my growing feelings, I slowly let out a breath and took another sip of tea.