LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 164
“Intense situations?”
“Yes. Do you know the phrase ‘IDOROOTDOAF’?”
“I’ve heard it before. It means, ‘If I do it, it’s romance; if others do it, it’s an affair.”
“I intend to put that into practice.”
He paused for a moment, making eye contact with Luize.
“…For example, by us getting engaged.”
“…!”
Luize’s eyes widened in surprise as she stared at his face.
“I understand it’s a burdensome proposal given that we’ve just become a couple. If you don’t want to, we can just pretend to prepare for the engagement. As for our relationship, I intend to proceed at the pace you desire, Miss Luize.”
“…What pace do you want, Edward?”
He smiled and kissed the back of her hand.
“Will you promise not to reject me even if I’m being honest?”
“I promise.”
“As for children, I will follow your plan, but I am open to having none or up to seven children.”
“Starting with the plan for children is quite a leap. How did the maximum number reach seven?”
“The highest number of multiple births recorded in the Empire was seven.”
Luize’s eyes sparkled with interest as she laughed.
“Is there more?”
“No matter how busy I am, I will make time to be with you every day. Once the situation stabilizes, how about we find a new hobby to enjoy together? Even something simple would be nice. I think making apple pie with you would be fun.”
“…And?”
“Once the children are grown, I plan to delegate most of my duties and travel with you. I haven’t been to many places, but I’d like to show you the ones I like most. It would also be nice to explore new places together.”
“You’re not planning everything to the end, are you?”
“In the end, I plan to live one day longer than you, no matter what it takes.”
“…Why?”
“I’ve decided I won’t leave you behind.”
“…”
“…So I think it’s best to proceed at the pace Miss Luize wants.”
Edward smiled and kissed her ring finger. Luize, who had questioned him, remained silent for a while, her face slightly tense.
“… Let’s do it, the engagement.”
She said this quietly and snuggled into Edward’s arms.
* * *
A few days later, the garden of the Lindeman estate was bustling with servants and knights in plain clothes. Robin floated a magic light in the air.
“Honestly, I never expected a coup for the throne to become this romantic.”
“
Haha
, it’s only romantic to us. To others, it will look like a grand scandal.” Hendrik laughed and agreed.
Aiven muttered as he scattered petals on the ground. “…It will look like the epitome of double standards.”
“
Hahaha
, well, who cares? We know the truth.”
Ren, who was playing with petals on the ground, looked up at Maxion. Maxion was weaving flowers into something.
“
Ppyuppi
?” [Are they getting married?]
“It’s not confirmed. The engagement is just for show.”
Ren patted the petal-strewn ground with its front paws. “
Ppippi
?” [Then why are we preparing this?]
“…He said he needs to propose.”
“
Ppippippi
?” [Why is the knight order preparing that?]
“Everyone thought it would be fun, so they offered to help. We have some leeway thanks to the reinstatement documents Luize found.”
“
Ppi
?” [Is it happening today?]
“Yes.”
“Hmm…
Ppyuppip
.” [Then it shouldn’t be prepared today.]
“Why?”
“
Ppi
…” [Well…]
After pondering for a while, Ren grinned mischievously and shook its head.
“
Ppipppi
,
ppihihiihihi.
” [Never mind, let them experience it once.
Wihihihihi
.]
Maxion looked at Ren with a puzzled expression, then glanced at the sky. Today’s weather was exceptionally sunny.
“…Alright.” He placed the small flower crown he had just completed on Ren’s head.
“
Ppi
?” [What’s this?]
“I made it because there were leftover flowers. It’s for you.”
“
Ppii
!
Ppi
!” [A crown! It’s awesome!]
Ren’s eyes sparkled, and it smiled widely.
* * *
Edward and Luize openly enjoyed their date in the capital streets.
“Maxion is not the guard today?”
“When I’m absent, Maxion handles the knight order’s duties, so Rio often takes on the guard role.”
Luize noticed a man with wine-colored hair and navy blue eyes following them. He was paler and leaner than other knights, and his sharp eyes made him look intimidating when he was expressionless.
“He didn’t go on the expedition with us, but he seems familiar for some reason.”
“He stayed at the capital residence. You’ve met him before.”
“When?”
“When you moved from the Cloette residence to mine, he accompanied you.”
“
Oh
…! I remember. He was the one who helped with my bags.”
“Yes.”
“He’s not very talkative, so he seems hard to approach.”
“…Depending on the situation, he can be quite talkative.”
“Really?” Luize blinked in surprise.
The two visited Fillio’s dress shop. Fillio gave Luize a mischievous look as he asked, “Is it for that day?” After that, they headed to an accessory shop. Although they had already ordered dresses and accessories for the upcoming banquet and engagement, they had nothing specific to buy.
Luize was holding platinum earrings set with blue gems when Edward spoke. “They suit you well.”
“I just touched them.”
“That’s enough for me to tell.”
“…”
This time, Luize’s gaze lingered on a ruby necklace longer than on anything else.
“That necklace suits you too.”
“All of a sudden?”
“Yes.”
“I just thought the color was similar to Edward’s eyes.”
“Then it definitely suits you.”
Luize sighed deeply and moved to the men’s accessories section. She wasn’t used to buying luxury items unless necessary, but she secretly liked all the accessories Edward had pointed out.
“…I really can’t hide anything from you.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing.”
Luize quickly glanced at Edward’s wrist and the men’s accessories, making sure he wouldn’t notice.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
As Luize turned to leave, Edward signaled the clerk.
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
He purchased all the accessories Luize had shown interest in, even the ones she hadn’t mentioned.
When Luize looked at him in surprise, Edward smiled brightly. “There are many accessories that seem to suit you well.”
“That’s too many.”
“If you want, I can buy the entire store for you today, so don’t worry. And you should get used to this lifestyle. Your fiancé is extremely extravagant when it comes to his beloved.”
Edward bent down and whispered close to Luize. As he unexpectedly brought his handsome face closer, Luize blushed slightly and responded in a small voice.
“…Right, that was the plan. Thank you.”
Edward looked puzzled. “The plan?”
“Yes. To stand out for our plan.”
“…”
“… Isn’t it?”
“To be honest, I was sincere just now. And I plan to continue being so.”
“…
Oh
.”
“So this will continue even after our plan is over.”
Edward smiled and straightened up, giving instructions to Rio. “Load the packaged gifts into the carriage.”
“Yes.”
Rio took the shopping bags and headed out of the store.
* * *
After visiting a few more stores, Luize pretended to be surprised. “I forgot something in the store.”
“I thought I was keeping an eye out. My mistake. I’ll have Rio fetch it. What did you leave?”
“Well…” Luize glanced at Edward’s cufflinks. “A button.”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s small, so you probably didn’t notice. I left a button. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
“In that case, I’ll go with y—”
“No!”
“…Pardon?”
Luize, quickly scanning around, noticed a macaroon shop with a long line. “Well… I suddenly want to eat a macaron from the shop right there. Please get me one with a black tea flavor.”
“Rio, get it.”
“Yes.” Rio bowed and ran to the macaroon shop.
“Now, let’s go toget—”
“I also want a strawberry cream cake from the shop next door!”
“I’ll have Rio line up there next…”
“Right now!” A cold sweat ran down Luize’s back. “Please, Edward. I’m begging you, My Love.”