This month was a crazy day.
Rudel defeated a group of mysterious guys, then faced Derrick without an armed unit and beat him.
Then he went to demand compensation from the Six Great Nobles for what happened.
My heart is beating as if I had run a marathon for hours.
Today I was happy because since I now live in Erselica-chan's mansion, every day is fun.
Rudel and the boys get up to mischief together. Yesterday they went fishing, and the day before yesterday, they went to a bar and fought with the customers.
But my reason for being happy is just one.
Today there's a festival in the city!
Something like this is rare since usually such events are planned by the great nobles, but it seems it's an event after finding out Derrick is imprisoned.
But...
"What do you mean you can't go?"
Erselica-chan and her boyfriends... it's still weird for me to know that these guys, not counting Rudel and the servant Allen, are her love interests.
The free expression of love in the kingdom is amazing.
"I'm sorry, but these guys have to go to the embassy since they're still interrogating us."
"I can go since they don't have to ask me anything."
The person who said that was the most unexpected: Rudel, with interest, said he wanted to go.
I was going to invite him obviously, but I thought he'd say something like, "There's surely going to be a lot of troublesome people who want my money."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. I'm bored anyway until they finish preparing the compensations."
"I understand."
For a moment, our gazes met, and I averted mine from his.
Why did I do that?
🖤🖤🖤
"You don't mind?"
"Not at all."
We set off in the morning on a bicycle Rudel bought recently.
I was on the back with a short dress. And he, normal home clothes.
He said that instead of using a taxi, it would be better to go like this.
I have no problem with that since there's a bike lane, so you can go peacefully.
Some people looked at us; it made me feel embarrassed since they'd think we're a young couple.
🖤🖤🖤
After arriving at the festival, the whole place was lively.
We went to eat some meat skewers first.
You could put any dressing on them.
I drenched mine in cheese sauce, and he spread on a kind of green paste.
After the first bite, he yelled since that condiment was called wasabi or something like that.
🖤🖤🖤
We were on a carousel. It's fun to ride one.
But it seems Rudel can't stand the ride since he was getting dizzy and ended up vomiting.
🖤🖤🖤
Now we were in line for spinning teacups.
There were children to adults in line.
A man approached us and asked if we were a couple since generally couples ride to cuddle without realizing it.
I felt a bit embarrassed that he thought that.
I looked at him to see what he thought, but he seems unwell, so we left there to rest.
🖤🖤🖤
I never noticed it before, but it was already getting dark.
The sun was setting.
It was a very fun day.
It's a shame for Erselica-chan and the others, but it was a very fun day for me.
Before ending the day, we got on this huge spinning wheel.
I was on one end, and Rudel on the other.
I enjoyed seeing how big the city was.
It annoyed me that this country was called the supreme kingdom. It's a very ostentatious name for a country.
Well, this country is the one where the Vermillion Household, my late household, was in charge of controlling.
But all that changed one day after the fire.
It hurts to remember, but there's no point in thinking about the past anymore.
Without warning, the wheel stopped. I was scared, thinking something bad was happening.
Then I noticed that the couple who got on before us in another cabin was kissing.
I blushed because of that unexpected act.
Not only them, the couple behind was doing the same.
Wait, why are they doing it?
Don't tell me the reason why they only allowed two people per cabin was for this reason!
I felt very embarrassed. As for looking at Rudel, he was asleep; his drool was falling from the corner of his mouth.
It annoyed me for some reason.
Since night had already fallen, I don't know how much longer I had to wait for this colossus to start up normally.
At that moment, the most beautiful thing I saw all day happened.
"How pretty~!"
On one side of the window, I watched fireworks being launched.
No matter where I looked, everything emanated happiness from people's faces.
This was the happiness I couldn't enjoy due to Sara's harassment and Jude's insistence.
But now, thanks to this boy, I can enjoy that.
My gaze turned to his face.
I hadn't noticed before.
But his hair is shiny at night. It's black, but with a little light, it shines as if it were daytime.
I didn't realize I stood up and placed myself close to him.
Why am I doing this?
I hugged him. For what reason am I doing it? I don't understand.
"Thank you. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me."
Tears fell from my cheeks.
"I... was scared; I had no one to help me. But you, and only you, had the kindness and strength not only to do it. You also showed me that one can change the fate that awaits."
I think I understand it now.
I looked at Rudel; he was sleeping like an innocent baby.
I feel ashamed of myself for not noticing.
"This is a gift for being the best man I've ever met."
My lips approached his face. I touched his cheeks with a kiss.
It was the first time not only touching a man's body. It was also the first time I gave a kiss to someone other than my parents or Diana.
It was only on the cheek. But, how would it feel if it were on the lips?
It's not the first time I've wanted to do that.
I wanted to have a boyfriend to do couple things with him. But that never happened thanks to Jude.
Just as I was about to direct my lips to his mouth, he woke up.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry! I won't hit your husband again, but please don't look at me like that!"
"Eh? What am I doing here?"
Quickly when he woke up, I went to my seat since he really scared me.
"You were asleep while we were up here. That really scared me."
"R-Really? Sorry, I made you have a bad time."
"Not at all, one could say that... I really enjoyed that you slept."
"Is that so? I'm sorry; I'll make it up to you tomorrow by buying something delicious at the market."
"Okay."
After that, when the cabin went down, we got off and went straight to the bicycle.
All the way home, I hugged him under the excuse that I was scared in the dark.
🖤🖤🖤
"Rudel, there's a leftover piece of bacon; here."
"Thank you."
Today was dangerous and exciting at the same time.
After going to the market, we ran into Jude; I was terrified, but today Rudel showed me a side that made my heart leap.
He extended his hand and said let's go home.
As a woman, I feel there's no turning back with my feelings.
I, I've fallen in love with him.
In fact, I feel very happy to say it inside me.
I thought all the strange things we lived through together were a sign that he wanted something with me. I felt annoyed since this guy didn't realize that his plate was the only one with a heart shape.
Even now, I watched him eat with a smile.
Well, it doesn't matter if he realizes now or not. I have a whole year to enjoy being with him and decide what I'll do after that.
"Rudel, you're a Count; you shouldn't neglect your image."
"Thanks again."
I hope this is the happiness I've been searching for so long.
Since only he has made my heart beat at full speed just by seeing him.
Love for a girl is undoubtedly something wonderful.