How did you co to that conclusion?
Adele, who still had that funny look on his face, opened his mouth, and answered.
I dont care. Anastasia can laugh at for even a hundred tis.
Suddenly, a part of my heart shook. It felt as if butterflies were fluttering inside . I blinked hard.
Adele was not resistant to my pranks, and I felt like his fresh, honest words were sotis like a strong stimulus.
You think Im going to be moved if you say that? Not at all!
I coughed.
He didnt notice my red face, right?
Adele responded with a smile.
Yes. I look forward to your kind cooperation.
We had finished eating the walnut pie while we were in the kitchen. Then the chef brought more tea, juice, chocolate, pudding, and cookies, and the table quickly overflowed with food.
Adele stared at while I was eating pudding and started talking.
I heard that they will raise sky lanterns on the Marlowe River tonight and tomorrow night. Are you interested in seeing it?
Ah! I knew about it, but I gave it up because I thought Adele wouldnt allow it!
Absolutely! I want to go!
I shouted without thinking. Adele added a condition with a smiling face that resembled the sun.
But you have to co with . Because Im taking over as your guardian.
Yeah! Okay!
Adeles eyes grew wide for a mont as if it was a surprise that I agreed.
It seed that the real Anastasia said quite a few harsh words towards Adele. Thats why hes so conscious of his words while accompanying .
He smiled widely in relief, and then soon spoke softly,
Then get ready. Ill pick you up in the evening.
Adele is really the best!
Thank you for the complint.
Adele showing his joy looked cute. Maybe I should praise him more often.
After a brief tea ti, Adele returned to the Dukes residence to prepare for the outing. I chatted with Irina and chose a dress for the evening.
I chose a modest brown dress, and Irina gave an 85 out of 100.
Irina suddenly insisted that I should wear a hat because people might be surprised if they saw my face. Irina thought that my face was as dangerous as a weapon.
She tied my almost transparent silver hair loosely. Irina said that she loved my hair color because it looks good on any dress. I agreed with that.
Anastasia gave off a mysterious, ecstatic, and sweet atmosphere even in plain clothes.
Her big moon-like eyes and glossy silver hair looked mystical. Her pale face looked a bit cold but boasted an unrivaled beauty.
It was kind of sad to think that this beautiful appearance would wither away once the condition worsened later on.
I had a light dinner because it was obvious that I was going to eat snacks outside. By the ti the sun was setting, Adele ca to see with a new light suit.
He looks like a prince in disguise. I pressed down my hat and followed Adele.
We went to our destination by carriage.
Despite the sowhat cold night wind, the area near the Marlowe River, which runs through the capital, was crowded with people. I was amazed because I never imagined that so many people would co here.
rchants went out to the streets to sell chicken skewers, baked corn, fruit candy, and cotton candy. The childrens laughter filled the square.
Hundreds and thousands of lanterns were hanging over my head. The whole world seed to be filled with yellow and orange starlight.
I looked around frantically.
Wow, its really pretty. Everything is sparkling.
Youll see better if we get on the boat.
We bought two sky lanterns and rented a small boat.
The lanterns reflected in the river were like fishes that glowed on their own. It was a beautiful night view that money could never buy.
Adele, who was skillfully rowing a boat, spoke to .
Anastasia, youre shining.
I could feel the people on board, like us, were glancing at Adele.
I slowly let Adeles golden hair, and breathtaking appearance sink into . Hes the masterpiece of the century.
He was a nobleman who looked like a white birch surrounded by bright light. Adeles existence alone was enough to attract peoples attention.
I whispered gently.
Thank you, for bringing here.
Im just glad that you let co with you.
Adele replied with a smile.
If we light up the sky lantern around here, it will go a lot farther. We can use a little trick, but itll be no fun to use magic.
I fiddled with the sky lantern,
Hmm, do I have to release it? I just want to keep it.
Adele listened seriously, even though I was just grumbling.
Then, lets just light up Anastasias lantern. You can take mine. When it reaches the sky, your wish may co true.
But what about your wish?
My wish is for your wish to co true.
Adele answered in a tone as if I was asking for the most obvious thing.
Orange lights swimming in the sky cast a fascinating shade over Adeles face. My cheeks flad.
I imdiately lit up my lantern and released it into the sky, then I rushed Adele.
Sha-shall we get off now?
Are you bored?
A little.
I made an excuse, and Adele who sensed the room imdiately started rowing the boat.
Ill turn the boat around right away.
I was all of a sudden embarrassed by Adeles crazy driving force.
You dont have to row so hard
We arrived at the opposite dock, squeezing and crossing among the other boats. Adele helped get off the boat and we looked around.
Theres a lot of people over here,
I found a sweet-slling shop and pointed my finger at it.
Lets go eat cotton candy!
I pulled Adele before he could even say no.
Adele got dragged without a hitch.
And it was sheer folly that I found her.
At a close distance, I saw a girl with long shiny brown hair, with an air that gives an impression of a peach blossom.
That girl with bright blue eyes was holding roasted corn.
She was a beautiful girl, enough to make so people turn their heads and look back, but she gave so kind of ominous feeling when I saw her wearing a dress embroidered with a rabbit shape.
I couldnt ignore it. She wasnt just pretty, it wasnt common for a beautiful woman to stand out like that in a dress with a funny rabbit-shaped embroidery as well.
It was really suspicious, so I stepped a little closer, then the girl said to the Lady who sells strawberry-flavored candies,
Auntie, Im Olga. Im here to buy so candy.
This is crazy! Its the heroine!
Ah.
I imdiately stopped and awkwardly turned around as if I had rembered sothing I forgot.
I changed my mind. Lets go that way.
Therell be nothing there.
Adele gave a puzzled look, but I already turned my back.
Quickly.
I didnt want to lose Adele this early.
Olga was destined to et Adele at my funeral anyway. Cant he just be my friend until then?
Just let him stay with for at least two years.
I thought Id have no regrets in this life, but everything suddenly felt very unfair.
I took Adele into a deserted alleyway.
Bottles of liquor were scattered all over the place.
But I didnt want to go back to where Olga was, so I walked a little more, grating my eyebrows.
It was a heavily secluded area, so the visibility was not clear.
Ugh.
As soon as I stepped on sothing and stumbled, Adele grabbed my arm.
Anastasia, watch your step.
I looked down and I unconsciously jumped in surprise when I saw soone.
What is this?
A good five people were laying on the ground, wasted. I could also see so faint bruises on their faces.
There must have been a fight. It also seems to that they were beaten unilaterally.
Ugh, the sll of alcohol
The intense sll made dizzy. I felt a lump rising in my stomach. Adele grabbed by the arm and pulled towards him.
Please forgive for my rudeness. Excuse for a mont.
Adele helped out of the alley. I asked with a stuffy nose.
What about those people? Dont you have to help them?
Youre my priority right now.
It was a determined answer. I recovered little by little from Adeles tender consideration and his fresh citrus scent.
If I drank alcohol, I would go ho and sleep, but why the heck are they using the street floor as a bed?
I grumbled and closed my eyes.
Fortunately, Olga was gone when we ca back.
But there were quite a few eyes on us.
People are staring.
It seems that I got too close to Adele as he was helping . Adele let go of in embarrassnt.
Youll be safe here. Ill be back with the security forces. Of course, Ill keep an eye on you, so please refrain from doing anything dangerous.
That probably ant that he would be watching through magic.
Adele considered it a taboo to use magic in public, but it seems that its an exception when hes trying to watch over .
Yes, take care.
I sat at an empty outdoor table.
I put on my hat once again so that my face wasnt exposed, and touched my loosely tied hair. I didnt know that Adele, whose head was filled with justice, would take care of before the injured. I was slightly impressed.
As I stared blankly in the direction where Adele disappeared, soone suddenly approached the table I was sitting in and asked.
Excuse . May I sit across from you for a mont? All the other tables are full,
I gave him a dry reply without even checking who that person was properly.
Sure.
But I soon regretted my words.
When I yawned and lifted my head, the person sitting opposite ca into view.
It was a very handso guy. The first thing that caught my eyes was his bright red hair which is rare in the empire. He also has freckles and his green eyes were impressive.
Is it not? No way
He smiled and asked.
Did your companion leave?
Hell be back soon.
I replied with a hint of reluctance. He cut the conversation with deft skill.
Then, do you think its okay to talk until then? I didnt expect to et a noble like here. Youre a noble, arent you? I can tell even if youre hiding it. I think Olga will like it if she found out that theres a girl like her here.
Ugh! You even ca with Olga!
I had no choice but to admit it at this point. That red-haired boy must be Ash Claude.
Ash Claude was a character who always got in Adeles face, an obvious villain. However, the female protagonist, Olga, had been close friends with him for a while as well.
Im screwed. I think I just screwed it up.
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