Episode 31

When I returned to the room, Alicia was there… She must have just come from the bath. Her hair was slightly damp. With her light clothing, she looked very alluring.

…The room was filled with her scent mixed with soap, a dizzyingly pleasant smell.

…I found my heart starting to race a little.

“Father, did he approve?”

Alicia tilted her body slightly. With the loose clothing at her chest, a little became visible with that movement.

I wish she’d be a bit more aware. Does Alicia realize she’s one of the most beautiful girls in the world? No, she probably doesn’t.

That’s why she can show such an unguarded appearance… No wonder Lord Goral worries.

“It’s still too early. Well, an ordinary blacksmith would sell that much in a day.”

But I only work once a week.

First, I need to somehow get a shop and increase sales.

That said, even if I suddenly rented a shop, customers might not come right away.

Since a shop has maintenance costs, it’s better to sell at the market until I build up a steady clientele.

Sitting across from Alicia, I stared at her.

“Wh-what is it…? Is something strange?”

She fiddled with her bangs nervously. I smiled and thanked her again.

“…When I left the court, I thought I had nowhere to go, but you saved me, Alicia.”

“R-really? That’s good.”

All the more reason I needed to be there for her.

I recalled what Lord Goral had told me earlier.

“By the way, a noble named Reberto will be coming tomorrow.”

“…Yeah, I know. I have to meet Reberto tomorrow.”

Alicia frowned, and that alone told me he’s someone she doesn’t want to meet.

“…I see. Uh, sorry. You said you asked me to be your fiancé to keep people like that away, and I still haven’t been much help.”

“D-don’t worry about that!”

Alicia said it strongly. She must have meant it to ease my mind. I was glad, but also felt guilty for making her worry.

Alicia then opened her mouth further.

“J-just…I’m not good with Reberto…so, can I come see you after it’s over?”

“…Yeah, understood. I’ll be at the smithy tomorrow, so come by anytime.”

“Okay.”

Alicia smiled happily. Then she shifted her body lightly.

“What’s wrong?”

“W-well…today my outfit is a bit different than usual… h-how is it?”

Different than usual…

Indeed, she usually wears clothes that show less skin.

But today, as I said earlier, her clothes revealed her chest when she moved. And because she wore short sleeves, her healthy, tanned arms were exposed.

She must exercise regularly. Her moderately muscled arms were so beautiful they were mesmerizing.

To be honest, I wanted to touch them.

“…Wh-what do you mean by ‘how’?”

I didn’t know exactly what Alicia wanted to hear.

She was very attractive, even bewitching. Was she testing me?

“U-um…well. Wearing something like this will make men fall head over heels…”

“…Who said that?”

“…Refy did.”

I see, it was that person’s idea. It was definitely an outfit Alicia wouldn’t normally wear.

So she wanted my opinion. For the sake of her future partner.

This is just my opinion, but…

“…If I were married to the current Alicia…I’d probably have lost all my self-control.”

“S-so… it swept you off your feet?”

“Y-yeah…I mean, I was surprised when I walked into the room.”

“…I-I see.”

Alicia smiled happily. It seemed I had given her the answer she wanted.

“…I see. So these are Faik-style outfits.”

“N-no, it’s just…”

“I-I…uh, my chest isn’t very big or anything, but… for Faik… is that a problem?”

What does ‘not a problem’ even mean? Isn’t that statement itself problematic?

Honestly, I never cared about size. But saying that outright was embarrassing.

As I couldn’t bring myself to say it aloud, Alicia moved her face closer.

“Don’t you like it?”

“…I don’t dislike it.”

…Stop it. With the face of the person I love right in front of me, I can’t believe I managed to squeeze out that reply.

I almost wanted praise for not completely losing my words.

Hearing my answer, Alicia blushed slightly, smiled shyly, and left the room in high spirits.