Let’s not act awkward. Don’t feel embarrassed either, just treat him as usual. He’s avoiding me, so I have to approach him.
Besides, Dorian is only twenty years old, but I’m twenty-three, right? I need to act like an adult.
But the more I thought that, the stiffer my body felt. I regretted refusing Dorian’s dance at the ball, only now.
Still, if I could go back, I’d probably refuse again. I still don’t want to handle it.
I clasped my hands together. In any case, until I can fully detach from them and distance myself, nothing should happen to them—no one should get hurt or die.
Of course, a “happily ever after” ending would be best. Isn’t that what brought me this far in the first place?
“This place is safe, so it’s okay.”
I deliberately muttered to myself and stepped into the training grounds.
Passing through an arched doorway made of stone, I saw a wide courtyard divided into sections. Flags were planted here and there, and in the distance, I noticed short black hair fluttering in the wind.
Dorian was wearing a simple gray training uniform. His exposed nape glistened, probably from sweat.
The closer I got, the more I noticed the sword he was holding with both hands. It wasn’t a wooden sword—it was a real one. A longsword straight out of a classic fantasy story. There were no wooden dummies or straw scarecrows around.
“Haah!”
Dorian shouted as he swung the sword from below to above. He stepped back and spun the sword in a full circle.
From a 21st-century perspective, it seemed really cumbersome and elaborate. But without firearms, I guess that’s unavoidable.
He looked so focused that I purposely cleared my throat.
“Hrm, hrm.”
Dorian placed the tip of the sword on the ground and turned his body. His eyes under the blue sky were unusually sharp.
Was it because he was wielding a sword? I brushed my forearm and spoke to him.
“Is your training going well?”
In an instant, the sharpness in his eyes vanished. His eyebrows relaxed slightly. He spoke in an uncertain voice.
“…I’m not sure.”
He said this while glancing at the sword. Upon closer look, it was real but seemed to be for training—the edge was dull. It didn’t look like it could cut anyone… maybe just leave a long bruise.
Dorian continued.
“Miss Rohela, what brings you here?”
His gaze landed on the hem of my skirt. He seemed puzzled that I was wearing commoner clothes. I smiled lightly.
“I came to inspect the estate.”
“Inspect, you say? It seems you already have some ideas in mind.”
As expected, he saw right through me. I nodded obediently.
“Yes. I still need to consider feasibility, but even having some ideas within a day is a relief.”
I said this while snapping my fingers.
“In that case, would you like to join me on the estate inspection? I’ve never been to a marquisate before, and since neither Iva nor Hartman are around… I think Lewin would enjoy coming along too.”
“Very well. May I tidy up here briefly?”
Dorian grasped the sword again. The cloth wrapped around the hilt was tattered. Did “tidy up” mean leaving the sword behind? Probably not.
I smiled brightly and replied.
“Of course. Just wear whatever you have on now.”
“The clothes I’m wearing?”
“Yes. Your training uniform.”
Dorian fiddled with his collar. He responded hesitantly.
“It smells of… sweat.”
“That’s fine. Isn’t it easier to show Lewin the estate if we’re not dressed like nobles? Have you ever done a stealth visit before?”
“I’ve seen it, but always with adults. I haven’t done a stealth visit myself. Well, if it’s okay with you, I understand.”
Dorian accepted my words obediently. I spoke in an even brighter tone.
“Then just put down your sword and let’s go get Lewin immediately. The sooner we explore, the better.”
As I said that, a gust of wind blew. I squinted and held back my hair from flying into my face. Dorian tapped the ground with the tip of his sword. Maybe because of the wind, his ears were red.
He spoke.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
The marquis had prepared many toys for Lewin, but it seemed they weren’t enough for the castle. When Lewin, fiddling with a wooden whale in his room, heard that we were leaving, he immediately threw himself into my arms.
“Coo!”
I stroked the back of his head, sweet and soft, as children often smell.
“Did you like it?”
“Mm-hmm.”
I soothed the child gently in my arms and then took him out of my embrace. I met his gaze, which was similar in color to mine.
“Were you bored?”
Lewin rolled his eyes in response.
“Ugh…”
Then he shut his mouth tight. He neither clung to me nor made eye contact anymore.
He must be upset. We hadn’t gone anywhere before, and even now, I wasn’t interacting with him properly.
I spoke honestly to him.
“Yeah. I should have come sooner, but I was late.”
I hugged him tightly again. I felt his small hands cling to me.
Meanwhile, Dorian returned from bathing, refusing to go out sweaty. He was still in his training uniform.
“Are we leaving?”
“Where to?”
Lewin tilted his head at Dorian’s question. Seizing the opportunity as I let go slightly, Dorian lifted Lewin in one motion.
“Lewin, do you remember coming here when you were little?”
Lewin shook his head instead of answering. His hair flopped around with each shake.
“Well, you were really small then. You probably don’t even remember. You probably don’t recall crying the first time you ate ice cream either.”
Dorian placed Lewin on one arm and gently pressed his cheeks with the other hand. His lips puckered like a little goldfish, and Dorian smiled.
“Want to go again with your brother?”
“Yeah!”
Lewin shouted brightly. Even with his cheeks pressed, the sound came out slightly muffled… but who cares? The kid was really well-behaved. Despite all this, not a single complaint.
Dorian patted Lewin’s head and then put him down.
“Then let’s change clothes quickly. We’re leaving immediately.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
Lewin’s eyes sparkled at Dorian’s words. Hesitantly, he asked.
“Can Lewin pack Lewin’s bag?”
“Of course. But we’ll check it before leaving.”
It wasn’t even a proper leather backpack, but Lewin visibly brightened and ran to his toys. I watched him ponder which to take—the wooden whale or the small leather ball—and then looked away.
Dorian was already approaching the treeline.
“Do you need a maid?”
“We need to change clothes.”
“I’ll do it. It won’t take long.”
Dorian stopped reaching for the treeline at my words. I crouched down to Lewin’s level and pointed at the stuffed leather ball instead of the wooden whale.
“We’ll be walking a lot outside, so let’s take the light ball. Okay?”
Lewin pondered deeply, then carefully picked up the ball. I clapped.
“Good. Now that we’ve decided what to take, shall we get dressed? Your brother said to change too.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Lewin nodded. I held his hand.
Changing Lewin was easy. I thought, what if he insists on doing it himself? But as a noble child, he had no issue letting someone help.
I dressed Lewin in a blue-dyed linen shirt and beige pants. It was summer, so I considered the heat, but also the strong winds near the coast.
But there was a problem.
“More than I expected…”
“Indeed…”
Dorian and I looked at Lewin, exchanging only the first few words. We didn’t need to finish our sentences to know what each other was thinking.
Even though I chose modest clothes suitable for the material, Lewin still looked like a noble child.
Dorian, studying Lewin seriously, said:
“This can’t be helped. You can’t hide being raised with love.”
I realized he could be this sentimental. Without formal speech, it would’ve felt like he forgot I was there.
I covered my mouth slightly with my hand. Anyway, I did my best. Even in the simplest, most plain clothes, Lewin still looked like a noble child—but that’s just who he is.
Watching Lewin secure his cloth bag, feeling pleased, I asked Dorian:
“How do we get to the commercial district? By carriage?”
“Yes. While changing clothes, I requested a carriage. The one we came in, or the marquisate carriage, has emblems, so it’s not suitable for stealth.”
Now I realized Dorian was impressed by the idea of a stealth visit. It helped that the Brecht dukedom didn’t have an estate.
Even if the duke attempted stealth in the capital, it would be pointless. The Brecht family is well-known there.
Regardless, preparing an unmarked carriage was the right call. I silently applauded Dorian.
Then I asked casually:
“When will the carriage arrive?”
“A supply wagon is arriving now. Would you like to take it? Otherwise, a proper carriage would take about an hour to get here.”
I didn’t want to wait an hour. I nodded eagerly.
“Great. Then shall we go immediately? Lewin, let’s go!”
I encouraged Lewin. He grinned and raised one hand.
“Let’s go!”
