CH 35

Episode 35: What Makes A Secret, A Secret (III)

“This is my small sincerity, my lady.”

Baduel, baduel.

‘A small sincerity that shakes 100 times a second? Young gentleman.’

I smiled softly and accepted the flowers. At that time, my hand slightly grazed his.

“……!!!”

The chestnut bracken-like hand flinched like a surprised squirrel, woosh! He hid behind the sofa.

‘Ah, the baby must have been surprised.’

“Thank you so much, gentleman.”

However, this soft chestnut gentleman did not answer for a moment.

Bizet, who was watching, called his son’s name, “Kyle?”.

Then, after taking a brief deep breath, chestnut said,

“Sorry, I’m sorry. My heart is pounding so much.”

‘Chestnut gentleman is cute, heuk-heuk.’

I held back my laughter for a bit, fearing that I might laugh again through my nose.

Before I knew it, the boy’s fingertips were burning up again on the sofa.

“Lady.”

“Yes?”

Again, unlike his shy attitude, his tone and accent were very noble.

“After I become an adult, can I formally propose to the lady?”

…What a bulldozer comment at the age of 10!

Was this the ‘beastly’ side of Kyle that Bizet was talking about?

I glanced at Bizet’s eyes.

It was saying, ‘My son is good!’ With cheering eyes, he was shooting his gaze enthusiastically at the sofa.

‘I can’t refuse.’

It seemed like if I refused, the father and son would cry into their blankets next to each other tonight.

I happily replied with a smile.

“Okay, gentleman.”

After all, the chestnut gentleman wouldn’t even remember this promise when he becomes an adult.

‘Umm, my baby is trembling so much, let’s give him a ride.’

“As I heard from Marquis Winston, Kyle seems to be a gentle and wonderful person.”

“……!”

Kyle didn’t answer for a moment.

However, behind the sofa, I could see the chestnut head resting in embarrassment.

I just chuckled inwardly and laughed.

Then, Bizet, Marquis Winston, answered with a proud face.

“Of course! My son is a very attractive man. I want to show you more of that… Ah, Annette. May I serve you a meal at the Marquis of Winston?”

“Yes?”

‘Is he inviting me to his residence?’

‘What a bulldozer, even the aspiring father-in-law!’

‘Is being a bulldozer a family trait?’

As if he had read my expression for a moment, Bizet added hastily.

“Not today. However, I want to visit Taran Boulevard (the most popular shopping street in the region) with you and buy you a book.”

“I’m sorry, Marquis… I think that would be a little burdensome.”

“As your sponsor, I would like to do that for you, simply.”

“…Are you my sponsor?”

I was genuinely surprised.

‘The sponsor I have been curious about since yesterday is Marquis Winston?!’

In front of me, who had my eyes widened in surprise, Bizet awkwardly stroked the back of his head with an Indian dimpled smile.

He was shy.

His shy figure was even more stunning, just like the image of a young man created by God with love.

“Well, I was sponsoring and without realizing it, I fell in love with you.”

“……!”

Ah, if other people hear it, they would misunderstand!

‘Please add that you fell in love as a father-in-law, Marquis.’

‘You are a bulldozer supporter looking for a daughter-in-law with such an angelic appearance.’

Perhaps the true obsessive maniac of this novel was…?

It wasn’t that much of a big deal, but I felt grateful and friendly to Bizet, who liked me and supported me like that.

Maybe the distance in my heart narrowed when I actually saw the sponsor I was curious about. 

In fact, if one stayed in the Forest, one would rarely see the downtown area.

I have always wanted to visit ‘Taran Boulevard’, the busiest street in the region. I heard that the crepes sold there were very delicious.

In addition, when I get close to chestnut, I would be able to hear where he saw me and why he liked me, right?

‘And I’ll see his face.’

‘He’s not going to carry a sofa around even in the downtown area, is he?’

As I was thinking about it, I heard a small voice from behind the sofa.

“Please… it would be an honor if you could come, lady.”

‘Is the baby unusually courageous?’

I have to respond too. I smiled broadly.

“I like that.”

“……!”

“……!”

The father and son duo clenched their fists at the same time and exclaimed, “Yes!” They were like a large rice ball and a small rice ball, so I also laughed a little.

‘They both act like each other.’(TL/N: ‘붕어빵’ literally means ‘fish bread’, the name of red bean paste-filled pastries that resemble a carp. But in slang, it’s used to tell a person they look like someone else.)

I laughed a lot. It made me feel so happy that they were happy that I accepted the invitation.

“Then take this, Annette.”

“What is this, Marquis?”

The object that Marquis Winston brought out was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, and was in the shape of a brooch.

In the center, a green magic stone the size of a pearl shone, and elaborate patterns crafted with gold adorned it.

At first glance, it was an expensive item.

“It’s a multi-purpose teleport.”

“……!”

Here, in this worldview, not only the abilities and magic, but also magical tools themselves were rare. But it was not a one-time thing, it was a multi-use teleport! I had no idea how much this would cost.

Of course, if I used it two or three times, the magical power would disappear, but it would be worth as much as a necklace full of diamonds.

‘He is willing to give me something like this.’

I could see the sincerity in your wealth.

In front of me, who couldn’t hide my curiosity and observed the magic tool, Bizet got down on one knee and gently made eye contact.

“If you click, press, or touch this jewel, you’ll teleport to the Marquisate of Winston.”

“Ah.”

“It’s quite a distance from the forest to the Marquisate of Winston, so if the little lady goes by carriage, you will get tired. So, why don’t you come over to Marquisate immediately, eat first, and then go downtown together?”

…Was personality proportional to good looks?

‘Wait a minute, then why is Heinrich’s personality…?’ As the thought stretched out, I shook my head violently.

Then I answered with a soft smile.

“Okay, Marquis! I think it’ll be really fun.”

Bizet smiled happily.

“I’ll send you an invitation in three days.”

I had seen a few cases where sponsors invited their Tree out, and Madam Mimosa always gladly accepted it.

Spending time with sponsors was something the Forest recommended.

Thanks to this, I was able to answer immediately.

“Yes. I like that.”

“Oh, be careful not to accidentally touch the teleport magic tool first.”

Ummm, it couldn’t touch my clothes instead of my hands?

While I was puzzled, Bizet cautiously whispered to me.

“If the clothes touch first, only the ‘clothes’ you are wearing will be teleported.”

“……!”

***

‘Oh my, I have to be careful.’

After saying goodbye to the Winstons and leaving, I carefully shoved the teleport magic tool into the pocket on the inside of the dress.

If I accidentally teleported only my clothes in the Imperial Palace, uh, I was really imagining it. I didn’t even want to.

Dok, dok— It was when I was poking my cheeks with my hands.

Suddenly, Heinrich appeared from the corner.

“Sister! What, I’ve been looking for you for a while. Where have you been?”

“Ugh, just…!”

‘If I say that I had been proposed to, this crazy chihuahua might destroy the Imperial Palace.’

I smiled awkwardly as I looked into the bright purple eyes that showed a strong personality.

Julius, who approached late, said,

“I heard you asked to complete your socialization training today, Annette.”

“Yes, I just want to go back, Julius.”

Please.

There’s a scary prince here!

I remembered the nightmare I had forgotten for a moment while meeting the angelic father and son.

Julius said with a sigh— raising his glasses.

“There are still many nobles to say hello to, but… It is judged that it is not good to overdo it in the first socialization training. Besides, Annette did a good job today, so let’s finish this.”

“Oh, yes.”

Heinrich was very happy. Of course, I was relieved too.

“Well then, let’s go and thank the Crown Prince for inviting us.”

“……Yes?!”

‘I beg your pardon? Julius, wait a minute. Who are we going to say thanks to?’

“Just in time, he’s coming over here.”

At this moment, while I was panicking, I saw a tall man walking towards me.

It was Prince Gerard.

The cool red eyes under his elegant silver-gray hair felt terrifying once again.

Gulp–

While I was nervously swallowing my saliva, Heinrich and Julius set a respectful example to him.

I barely bowed down one tempo slower.

“It’s a pity that you’re leaving. It would be nice to enjoy the banquet a little more, Annette.”

His cool eyes lit up with a warm glow as he looked at me.

‘…Did Gerard memorize my name?’

‘I’ve only said it once.’

‘Does he have a good memory? Or does he have a special interest in me?’

“Is there anything lacking in the Imperial Palace banquet?”

“…No. The banquet was great and the Prince treated me well, but I was a little nervous, so I wasn’t feeling well.”

“It’s unfortunate.”

In response to my modest model student-like answer, the prince gently reached out to stroke my hair. It was then.

“……!”

Dundun– What came to mind was his cruel figure as he blew the high priest away.

Without realizing it, I avoided his touch, and Gerard looked at me.

“……”

My heart was pounding at the sight of his eyes that became sharp in an instant, as if they could pierce.

If it was found out that I witnessed the murder and had his ‘cigarette case’, would I die?

Just like High Priest Arthur, who was silenced by death because he knew the secret.

It was then. Gerard’s sharp gaze moved downward.

Towards my pocket with the case in it.

‘Oh my God!’

I shut my eyes tight.