CH 12

Chapter 1, Episode 12

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

The meeting place with Ryniel-sama is a park located in the center of the castle town. The meeting spot there is not the fountain, but the entrance to the flower garden, which is slightly off the beaten path. This is also said to be a hidden rendezvous spot, but perhaps because it is slightly out of season, it is sparsely populated.

「Good morning, Ryniel-sama. I apologise that I made you wait.」

I hurriedly ran up to Ryniel-sama, who was already waiting for me, even though I arrived quite a bit earlier than the meeting time, and bowed to him.

「No, it’s expected. Oops, was it『No, I just got here too』?」

「Eh, what is that?」

I don’t know what you mean by rephrasing.

I ask him, “What is it?” and he starts to giggle.

「No, I’ve heard that it’s a common conversation when lovers meet up on a date, so I thought I’d try it out.」

「I see. I just learned about it for the first time.」

I was impressed that the lovers of the world were having such a conversation. But isn’t it strange to say,「I just got here,」when you were waiting for me first? Like, to not make me feel bad? I can understand if you are concerned about a lover who’s late, but I wonder if I wasn’t late. Is it a stylistic thing?

「Did you never use it before, Ryniel-sama?」

I guess he never had a chance to use it before because he said he was just going to try it out. Unlike me, I’m sure that he can afford to go on a date or two.

「It was the first time I had ever had a rendezvous.」

「Ahh, is that so. Normally, you would be picked up from the ladies’ mansion.」

No, don’t. Ryniel-sama is the son of a count, so there is no meeting up like common people does, right? I usually get called out for vacations, and I often have to meet up with people, so I had forgotten about it. Huh, how strange. If that’s the case, I should be a Viscount’s daughter too, right?

「Well, to be honest, I was surprised when you specified a meeting place. I don’t mean to say to your private office, but I was planning to pick you up nearby.」

「I am sorry for your concern about that.」

Although I say so with my mouth, I have to admit that I am glad I designated a meeting place. If the sparrows had seen me being picked up by Ryniel-sama in civilian clothes, they would have spread unnecessary rumors again. Yes, you are right about the rendezvous. Well, I’m sure Ryniel-sama will take some consideration.

「No, it’s nothing to apologize for. The rendezvous was fresh and fun.」

「I’m glad to hear you say that.」

I am glad to hear that you were not offended. I’m glad to hear that you rather enjoyed it.

「Speaking of which, did you know?」

「What is it?」

「Over here.」

“Here,” Ryniel-sama said, pointing to the ground. He points not at the ground but at the entrance to the flower garden where we were meeting.

「Here?」

I just designated a place that I always use for meeting without thinking about it, what is the meaning of this place? Ryniel-sama replied to me meaningfully.

「Apparently it’s only during the off-season in the flower garden…」

Ryniel-sama lowered his voice, bent down a little and put his face close to my ear.

「They use it as a『secret lover’s meeting place.』」

「Well…」

Secret lovers. What a word that would delight the sparrows. I wondered if there were secret lovers waiting for me, and looked around without being suspicious, but I couldn’t find a pair that seemed to fit the bill. Rather, since there are people, albeit sparsely, in the area, it does not seem like a good place for secret meetings. Moreover, the fact that it is only during off-peak season means that during the busy season, secret lovers will meet at a different location.

「Hmm… This is a tough one.」

Whispering.

「Yes? Did you say something?」

「No, it’s nothing.」

Oh, really? I thought I heard something, but I guess I was imagining it.

「Are you familiar with these stories, Ryniel-sama? It’s quite surprising.」

I didn’t think he was interested in anything gossipy, not to say hard-headed, but rather hard-nosed. I thought it was a topic I rather disliked.

「It doesn’t hurt to know as much as anyone else. Sometimes it can be useful in unexpected places.」

「Helpful… and educational.」

I’d like to hear when it would be useful. I’d like to hear when on earth they are useful.

「Do you come here often?」

「Yes, this is a convenient place to go to both the aristocratic and common areas.」

「So, today…」

「We will be going to the downtown, the common area.」

We are going to buy something to take to the orphanage as a souvenir, so we don’t need something from the noble town. It should be something that the children of the orphanage can get as adults, if they work a little harder.

「You don’t like it?」

Some nobles are terribly averse to entering the common district. I’m sure Ryniel-sama will be fine, but I just wanted to make sure.

「Not at all. It’s best to take a date where the woman wants to go. There’s nothing wrong with that.」

Ohh, so it’s a date, huh? Well, when I say that a man and a woman go out together, it may be a date, but you don’t have to worry about me just because Myra-sama asked you to escort me.

「Fufu, it’s an errand run in the name of a date, though.」

「No, this is called errand running.」

Ugh, loyalty to duty is also an idea, Ryniel-sama.