The Story of a Modest Young Lady Who Formed a New Engagement the Day After Her Engagement Was Annulled - Chapter 35

For some reason, I was led outside the royal capital and arrived at a small hill. At the top of the hill stood a single large tree, firmly rooted in the ground as if it had lived through a long time. Perhaps this magnificent tree before my eyes was older than the history of the royal capital itself. As I looked up, Lord Fels came to stand beside me.

The gentle wind rustled Lord Fels’ hair, and the sunlight directly overhead reflected off his silver-thread-like strands. While his silver hair had looked beautiful reflecting the lights at the evening party venue, I squinted my eyes, thinking how lovely it also looked shining in nature.

“This is a wonderful spot. The breeze feels so nice!”

I naturally smiled and looked up at him.

“I didn’t know such a place existed outside the royal capital either, but I learned about it from a companion. I heard it would be perfect for a picnic and it seems the story was true.”

As Lord Fels shifted his position, I also moved to face the direction he was viewing. What came into sight wasn’t the large wall surrounding the royal capital, but rather the long road leading to other territories, wheat fields, and a forest stretching out in the distance. Lord Fels held a fairly large basket, which apparently contained sandwiches. Since the meals prepared by the chefs at the Margrave’s residence were delicious, I was quite looking forward to it after learning we’d be eating outdoors.

I’d be happy if I could recreate them with my own hands, but I don’t possess the professional knowledge and skills like the chefs do. I had been thinking about making delicious sandwiches and going out with him, but it seemed that would have to wait for the near future as I turned my gaze to the basket.

“If we went to a restaurant, we’d inevitably receive special treatment. I wanted to eat casually outdoors like this, just the two of us.”

The moment Lord Fels spoke, I could feel my face turning red. It wasn’t because I was hungry or eager to eat the sandwiches quickly that I’d been looking at the basket. He seemed to have mistaken me for being overly eager about food. Thinking it wouldn’t be proper for a noble lady to let the misunderstanding continue, I shifted my gaze from the basket to Lord Fels.

“Lord Fels, I wasn’t thinking that I was hungry or wanted to eat quickly! But I am happy to be able to spend time leisurely with you and eat outdoors like this.”

“I know. I’ve kept the guards to a minimum, so I’ll handle the preparations. Eleanora, please relax.”

Chuckling softly, Lord Fels took out a folding chair from the carriage’s cargo area and set it up. He seemed to want me to sit, but I couldn’t leave everything to him. Still, if I phrased it wrong, he might firmly refuse. Worried about whether I could convey it properly, I opened my mouth.

“I’ll help too. It would feel lonely just watching you work alone, and since we have this opportunity, I’d like to work together with you.”

“Women aren’t supposed to do these things normally but indeed, it does sound enjoyable if I can do it with you. Let’s see, there’s a mat in the cargo area. Could you spread it out for me?”

I thanked Lord Fels for granting my wish. As he said, noble women rarely handle preparations. Even men often leave it to their attendants or guards, so Lord Fels might be quite unusual in that regard.

Perhaps because both Lord Fels and I had served in the military, our noble sensibilities had faded somewhat. I wasn’t sure if that was good or bad, but as long as we shared the same mindset, things would probably work out well in the future.

“Yes!”

I replied to him and took the mat from the carriage’s cargo area. The guards were looking at me with concerned eyes, but it was a light item so there was no risk of me falling. Though I smiled wryly thinking they were worrying too much, it was part of their job to be attentive, so I shouldn’t mock them.

Whether they were following Lord Fels’ orders or simply focusing on their guard duties, they didn’t speak to us or offer assistance. While I was spreading the mat, Lord Fels efficiently set up a table and placed it on the mat I had laid out. Watching him lift the luggage with ease made me feel reassured, and soon the meal preparations were complete.

“Well then, Eleanora. I’m not sure if you’ll like it, but I asked the chef to prepare dishes suitable for eating outdoors. Please eat without hesitation.”

Inside the basket were neatly arranged sandwiches – some with leafy greens and meat, others with sliced tomatoes and cheese, and there were even rolled varieties as interesting options. The rolls probably had jam inside, with berry reds and purples pleasing to the eye. The bread slices were perfectly cut, truly showcasing the craftsman’s skill.

“They look delicious! The colors are beautiful, and the careful cutting of the bread shows the chefs’ attention to detail.”

“Is that so…? I thought they looked tasty, but I didn’t notice as much as you did, Eleanora.”

As I peered into the basket, Lord Fels beside me tilted his head in confusion. Being a man, perhaps he didn’t pay much attention to appearance as long as the food was edible and tasty?

The meals served at the Margrave’s residence were prepared with incredible care by the chefs, with many dishes being visually appealing as well as delicious. But Lord Fels didn’t seem very interested. While it felt characteristic of him, I hoped he might gradually come to appreciate the aesthetic beauty of the dishes presented. Given his past circumstances, he probably never had the time to enjoy such things.

“Here, have a seat.”

Before I knew it, Lord Fels had moved behind me and pulled out my chair. Feeling slightly embarrassed by his polite treatment, I sat down as instructed.

“Thank you.”

When I expressed my gratitude, he smiled faintly and took the seat opposite me. Though I had shared many meals with him at the Margrave’s residence, this was our first time eating in such an open space. I never imagined we’d be having a meal like this on a hill with gentle breezes.

Thinking how enjoyable such experiences could be, I offered a prayer to God and began eating. Lord Fels reached for the sandwich with meat without hesitation. As I was wondering which one to choose, I noticed him watching me intently.

“I think there’s no need to feel pressured. You can just take whatever you like and eat it. Is that difficult for women?”

Lord Fels asked me while holding his sandwich without taking a bite. Indeed, somewhere in my mind was the thought that if I took the one with meat first, I might be seen as a gluttonous woman.

The one with tomatoes and cheese would require opening my mouth wide, which felt slightly embarrassing in front of Lord Fels. If I honestly conveyed my feelings, Lord Fels would probably worry about it. How could I phrase it to keep things peaceful? As I was pondering this difficult question, Lord Fels spoke before I could.

“Is there something you dislike?”

Lord Fels looked at me with great concern, but I don’t have any particular food dislikes and can eat anything. My younger brother would grimace at green peppers, and my mother absolutely detests celery.

“I don’t particularly dislike any foods. I was just confused about which one to choose because there are so many varieties.”

It was a slight lie, but I wanted to avoid telling him that opening my mouth wide was embarrassing. Though knives and forks were also provided so I could cut them into smaller pieces… Lord Fels probably chose sandwiches specifically so we could eat casually.

“I see. My apologies, it seems I rushed you.”

“Not at all. I appreciate your concern.”

Upon hearing my words, Lord Fels began eating the sandwich he was holding. It must have been delicious as he took two, then three bites, and soon the sandwich in his hand had disappeared.

Impressed by how refreshing it was to see a man eat heartily, and thinking I shouldn’t make Lord Fels worry, I picked up one of the rolled sandwiches. Inside was spread with berry jam – simple, but precisely because of its simplicity, the taste was guaranteed. It was smaller than regular sandwiches, so I wouldn’t need to open my mouth wide. I took a bite of the roll sandwich.

“Ah, it’s delicious.”

“Is that so? I’m glad you like it. I also prepared drinks. We have wine, but there’s juice too. Which would you prefer?”

I could drink alcohol, but drinking from midday felt somewhat improper. When I chose juice, Lord Fels poured it for me. Though I felt it was almost too perfect treatment, I wondered what Lord Fels would drink.

“Thank you. What about you, Lord Fels?”

“I thought I’d drink the same as you. — Thank you.”

We ended up pouring drinks for each other, feeling somewhat embarrassed and sharing a laugh. After finishing our lunch, we decided to spend some leisurely time, simply sitting on the hill and gazing at the scenery.

“I’m glad I met you, Eleanora. If I hadn’t met you, I’d probably be running around looking for a fiancée right now.”

Lord Fels suddenly spoke up. He looked at me, smiled, then turned forward.

“I’m also grateful for your help, Lord Fels. And for even going as far as becoming engaged to me.”

Apparently, Lord Fels had known about me from the battlefield. And when the incident with Lord Caius happened after the war ended, he had been observing the situation. That he became interested from there and we became engaged in just one day was surprising. But now, half a year after our engagement, I genuinely felt from the bottom of my heart that I was glad my fiancé was him. I hoped Lord Fels felt the same way, but I wondered.

“Eleanora. This is something that’s become popular among commoners.”

Lord Fels wore a hesitant expression as he took out from his pocket the small box containing the ring we bought earlier at the jewelry store. Taking the smaller ring from the box, he gently lifted my hand.

The ring in his hand seemed to be trembling slightly – was Lord Fels nervous? It didn’t show on his face, so it might have been my imagination. And so, the simple ring was slipped onto the ring finger of my left hand.

“This might be selfish of me but I want to let everyone know that you belong to me.”

Then Lord Fels declared, ‘I have no intention of giving you to anyone,’ and I became aware of the heat rising to my face. Lord Fels seemed to notice too, smiling faintly as he said, ‘Please put a ring on my finger too. I want to let everyone know that I belong to you.’ He held out the small box containing the remaining ring toward me. Feeling my heart pound, I took the remaining ring. It was quite a large-sized ring, but it would fit Lord Fels’ finger perfectly.

“Lord Fels, please give me your hand.”

I took his large hand and slipped the ring onto the ring finger of his left hand. His rough fingers were probably evidence of all the training Lord Fels had undergone. And also proof of his achievements that earned him the title of War God. As I narrowed my eyes hoping no one would ever have to stand on a battlefield again, his large arms reached out and firmly embraced me. Then he whispered in my ear:

— I love you.

Short, commonplace words but Lord Fels’ sweetly resonating voice kept echoing in my mind for a while.