Of the four seasons, Fall was the most beautiful among them in Wiven.
The only beautiful one as a matter of fact.
Even among the small countries in the eastern corner of the continent, Wiven was the most remote and desolate territory, with its only claim to fa being its flat terrain and mild climate, making it a rural area where almost all the inhabitants engaged in agriculture.
So, besides the golden wheat fields, there wasnt much to brag about in Wiven.
The world was in the midst of upheaval as steam machinery clashed with pure magic, but living in Wiven made it seem like this conflict was worlds away.
It would take a bit more ti for the changing tis to have an impact on Wiven.
In this case, it was a good thing.
Elric looked out the window at the wheat fields where the harvest was in full swing.
Despite the cool weather, the farrs cheeks were beaded with sweat.
Bending over and working seed like truly exhausting work.
Still, it wasnt a pitiful sight to see because,
A good harvest is a good harvest.
For he could see the joy on their faces.
Yes, this years harvest is unusually bountiful. Only the second ti in less than a decade, and its the first ti youve seen such a sight since you were born, Milord.
He nodded at Aldios words.
Certainly, Wiven had never been so densely packed with wheat in Elrics mory.
It was beautiful.
The sight of the wheat fields which shone red and brilliantly in the fading light of the sunset was a far cry from the stark barrenness of the battlefield.
Elrics expression softened as his mind relaxed.
In the midst of it all.
Hmm?
Elric spotted Tyria near the entrance of the mansion.
It seed like she had also noticed Elric as she quickly shifted her gaze towards the window before bowing her head briefly.
Elric smiled and waved at her.
Looking at her, he rembered sothing.
The Harvest Festival will be here soon.
It was only the second ti since his childhood that he would participate in such a festive occasion.
The first ti had been the Imperial Banquet that he had attended with Elvus Grayman.
As he thought back to that day, his breath caught in his throat and his nerves kicked in, but he quickly shook his head and the nervousness away.
No, its absurd to compare the festivities of Wiven to the banquet of the Imperial Family.
After all, wasnt it the sa festival that they had been enjoying since they were young?
There was no way that this festival would be the sa as the battlefield of nobles wielding swords made of rhetoric.
All he had to do was help Tyria deliver her speech.
Aldio.
Yes.
How is the speech for being prepared?
She writes her own speeches, just as your lordship did.
Well, she knows the mannerisms of nobility, so she must be a good writer.
Last years speech was actually quite good. It played an instruntal role in calming the public sentint during the confusing period after the previous lords passing.
Ah, now that you ntion it, that mans death was around this ti.
He found himself wondering about that speech again.
Would she answer him if he asked her about it? Probably, but he felt hesitant to ask her for so reason.
After all, whats the point of digging into such details?
Elric shook off the thought.
Lets go have dinner then, since shes co back from working.
Yes, Milord.
Stepping away from the window and heading to the dining hall, Elric went down to join Tyria for dinner.
Nowadays, the two of them had beco close enough to have dinner together.
One morning, a few days later, at breakfast, Tyria spoke up.
Um, would it be possible for you to go out with today?
Kek!
At the abruptness of her words, Elric spat out the water he was drinking, displaying a lack of manners.
Quickly realizing his mistake, he wiped his mouth and looked at Tyria.
She didnt seem too bothered by it.
For work, work.
She replied hastily, sounding as if she was just coming up with an excuse to be with him.
The local residents are decorating the square for the harvest festival. Its sothing we always do, so there shouldnt be much to worry about, but I asked if you would like to join just in case we need to do a safety inspection. You need to learn about these things too.
As Tyria spoke, her gaze montarily fell on Elrics leg.
If its inconvenient for you, Ill go alone.
No, lets go together.
It was ridiculous to refuse what she had previously suggested.
Although he had shown her a poor example of himself all this ti whilst relying on his cane, there was nothing particularly difficult about this.
He could just sit with her and watch her work.
If necessary, he could stand on one leg whilst doing so.
Are you sure you will be okay?
It shouldnt be a problem.
At that mont, Tyrias eyebrows parted slightly.
It was so slight that it took Elrics superhuman eyes to notice it.
She seed pleased.
Thats good to hear. As the head of the family, there are things that are difficult to learn at any other ti of the year, so Im grateful for your consideration.
So that was the reason.
Ellic chuckled and replied.
Well, thank you for being considerate.
This was just a roundabout way of avoiding needless conflict by promising her that hed be doing it again next year.
Lets leave around lunchti, then.
Were not going right away?
Well, I need to get ready.
Oh, I see.
Co to think of it, a woman needed much more ti to get ready for an outing than a man.
Elric chastised himself and nodded.
I see. Then, please call as soon as you are ready.
Okay.
Tyria stood up after replying, leaving so food still on the table.
Is she not hungry?
It was unknown to Elric that she had actually forgotten to eat in her excitent and had eagerly gone to prepare.
Elric was very far removed from the concept of dressing up.
He was a man who believed that the role of clothes was to cover important body parts and to keep the cold of war at bay on wintery days, and as such, his fashion sense was hopelessly lacking.
Disaster was easily foreseeable.
Milord, what on earth are you wearing?
Hmm? I tried dressing up a bit as I am heading out for official business in the territory.
There must be a new definition of dressing up that Im not aware of
Aldios lant was natural.
Elrics appearance was truly unbearable, to the point where he couldnt even open his eyes and look at him for a long ti.
He wore a short-sleeved shirt, a tie, and a brown vest over all of that, whilst his pants fluttered only at the hem, and his shoes were pointed and white as if he wanted to kill soone.
It was a horrible, horrible ss, and the fact that he was the only one who didnt recognize this fact and was smug about it made it all the more cringeworthy.
Aldio massaged his temples harshly and spoke.
I think it would be necessary for you to change clothes.
Hmm? Is it that bad? Ive heard in my travels that these clothes showed off a mans manliness.
Who said that?
A rcenary.
Elric swallowed those words.
The outfit was from a story a rcenary had told to a group of soldiers around him about a woman hed t in the west whom he had seduced.
Although he had been just fifteen years old, he still rembered the incident clearly, and that the rcenary had been quite handso.
He doubted that such a man would talk about clothing lightly.
Of course, his fashion sense didnt save his life.
His throat had been slit, and he had died.
It was a mont of reminiscence for Elric.
Please change your clothes quickly. I dont want the mistress to see you like this
May I co in?
Tyrias voice rang out from beyond the door.
Aldio felt a shiver run down his spine.
But, before he could intervene
Ah, co in.
Okay.
Creak
The door swung open.
Aldeo closed his eyes tightly, whilst Elric grinned.
Are you
Elrics greeting was cut short as his mouth fell open.
His gaze followed her absentmindedly.
Her simple and not too extravagent clothes emphasized her novel charm.
She was wearing a white, one-piece dress that extended in a straight line from her neck to her ankles, whilst a purple shawl was draped over her shoulders, drawing a graceful curve and revealing her nape.
Her overall elegant appearance and small head made her body proportions admirable, combined with her choice of clothing, her droopy eyes, and her long eyelashes, this all contributed to an enhancent of her mysterious and unreal atmosphere.
Uh.
Just as he was about to speak, Elric felt her gaze on his outfit.
She lowered her head.
In that mont, Elric felt a cold chill run down his spine.
Why am I wearing these clothes again?
It was like he had just woken up from a nightmare.
The thought of walking next to her in this outfit gave him goosebumps.
Having another outfit to compare his outfit to had sobered him up and helped him regain his senses.
Elric raised his head and was left speechless.
Tyrias pupils trembled as if a mini earthquake was occurring in her head.
This was definitely the first ti she had shown such intense emotions.
Tyrias mouth opened.
Did you perhaps not want to go out
No. I just dressed up like this to tease Aldio for a mont. Ill change right now. Im sorry for the inconvenience.
His lie flowed out like oil spilling on ice.
Aldios face was montarily colored with confusion, but he soon recovered and smiled.
It was a funny joke.
Im glad to hear that.
Elric inwardly thanked Aldio with his eyes.
But inwardly, he desperately hoped.
Hoping that Tyria wouldnt despise him for this.
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