I Got My Engagement Annulled… Even Though We Were Never Engaged - Chapter 22

“I’m sorry about our commander.”

Lord Aubrey quickly prepared the purchase documents for the materials, so I signed them on the spot and left everything except the materials to be presented to Duke Dauvergne in the Magic Knight Order’s reception room.

Given the substantial amount, the money would apparently be delivered to the Cambrelive Count household at a later date.

“Don’t worry about it. The rumored Magic Knight Commander was unexpectedly playful and amusing.”

Since he offered to arrange a carriage, I took him up on his offer and now found myself swaying in the carriage with Lord Fevan.

The journey from the castle to the Cambrelive Count household took about forty minutes by carriage.

“You’re amazing, Adeline, to call that playful. The commander is usually a quiet person, but once he gets fired up, it’s quite something. Since he got the griffin egg, he’ll probably be in high spirits for a while.”

“How long does it take for the egg to hatch?”

“About ten days to two weeks. I think it should be fine if we keep it warm and turn it occasionally. If we treat it like a bird, the commander would know more about it, right? His place is practically a bird mansion.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He has several aviaries. I can’t tell them apart, but the commander has named every single one and dotes on them obsessively. In our order, it’s rumored that the commander doesn’t get married because he’s blindly devoted to his birds and has no interest in anything else.”

I smiled wryly, thinking how the truth often diverges from public rumors.

Lord Fevan sat beside me instead of across from me and held my hand the entire time.

Perhaps because I had agreed to our trial relationship, he was much closer than before. As a result, while I appeared to be speaking calmly, my heart was pounding.

“Once the griffin purchase reward comes in, I’ll deliver half to the Levesius Marquis residence.”

“Why? I gave that to you, Adeline, so I don’t need it.”

“But you were the one who defeated the griffin, Lord Fevan.”

“No, we did it together, right? Because you drew one of them, defeating them was much easier. If both had come at us at the same time, it would have been tough.”

“If you say we defeated them together, then please accept half properly.”

“Then, as a stay expense at the Cambrelive Count household, I’ll present that half to you, Adeline.”

It seemed he had no intention of accepting the reward no matter what.

…Two weeks’ stay costing 150 gold coins is ridiculous!

The total reward for the griffin was about 300 gold coins. It was an unbelievably high purchase price. Combined with the compensation previously paid by the Levesius Marquis household, 400 gold coins had suddenly entered my pocket. I felt dizzy.

“Since the material purchase, which I thought would take time, was settled quickly, Adeline, would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow?”

“A date?!”

Having never dated anyone of the opposite sex, I was startled by that powerful word.

As I flustered, Lord Fevan looked at me curiously.

“Why are you so surprised? If we’re dating, going on a date is normal, right? Or do you have plans tomorrow?”

“N-no, I don’t have plans, but…”

My older sister, who is acting as our father’s representative in the royal capital, would be delivering the griffin materials to Duke Dauvergne. Such matters are best handled by the head of the household or their representative, so I had no role to play. With zero social skills, I had no plans to go out but a date.

“Then it’s settled, right?”

“Y-yes, but what do we do on a date?”

“Well, since it’s our first one, let’s just walk around town together. Because of me, the newspaper wrote some strange things, but if we’re seen together, those odd rumors might die down quickly. They might even realize that the article itself was a mistake.”

I doubted it would work out so conveniently, but if I said I didn’t want to go anywhere until the rumors subsided, it would sound like I was blaming him.

In fact, acting confidently might prevent people from saying this and that.

“U-understood. Shopping, then.”

The word “date” was too embarrassing, so I rephrased it as “shopping.”

When I got back, I’d ask my sister what to wear when going out with someone of the opposite sex.

…But before that, I needed to explain about Lord Fevan. How should I explain it?