Episode 85

The next morning.

I was preparing to open the shop together with Alicia.

…I hadn’t told Alicia about yesterday’s Bestel incident.

Bestel said he had no intention of making a move on Alicia, so it should be fine.

I placed a sign at the shop entrance to announce we were open.

For now I left the sign facing inward, and I looked again at the shop’s sign.

…Today, Faik’s Smithy would finally open.

As I stared at the sign, basking in happiness, Alicia came out from inside.

“This side’s ready.”

“Is that so? Thanks.”

“We’re ready whenever.”

It’s finally happening.

I opened the front doors to signal the shop was open.

I placed a stone to hold the double doors open.

If I flipped the entrance sign to the front side, we’d be open.

Alicia and I returned inside the shop.

Then we went to the sales counter and sat in the chairs we’d prepared.

Now it was just a matter of how many customers would come.

It’s unlikely anyone would come the moment we opened.

I had fully expected that.

It would probably be quiet for a while.

I glanced toward the passage that led to the forge.

There, soldiers sat with chairs lined up.

Customers wouldn’t be able to see them unless they peered in.

Besides Capri and the others, the soldiers who stayed overnight yesterday were there too. With eight soldiers in total, Alicia would be safe in case anything happened.

“Ah, Faik! It looks like someone’s come.”

Alicia slapped my arm in excitement.

I turned to look at the voice, but after a moment Alicia flinched, her cheek twitching in a strained expression.

…Because the one who had entered was Reberto.

Reberto, wearing his usual confident expression, left his escort at the entrance and came inside alone.

“Lord Faik, Lady Alicia. I heard you were here.”

“…L-long time no see.”

Alicia seemed uneasy around Reberto; her expression was slightly strained.

He’s not a bad person, but he’s hard to read at his core.

Indeed, it’s understandable to be uncomfortable around him.

“Long time no see.”

“Please stop acting so ceremoniously. You’ve officially become engaged, right? In that case, your position is higher than mine.”

…Even so, well.

But it’s necessary to avoid diminishing the standing of the ducal house.

“…Alright then, but in return, could Reberto behave normally in places that aren’t official like this?”

“Hmm… that’s a bit difficult, you could say.”

“Please. I want to treat him strictly as a friend.”

…I want to continue dealing with Reberto as a friend going forward.

My suggestion didn’t elicit any objection from Alicia, so it didn’t seem like a big problem.

“…Sigh, now that you put it that way. Lady Alicia, is that acceptable?”

“Yeah… that’s fine, really.”

When Alicia said that, Reberto grinned again.

“Still, opening a shop, that’s impressive, Faik!”

“It’s just open and no customers have come yet. Why did Reberto come?”

“Well, I thought I’d drop by to say hello. We might be in each other’s care again. Above all, to make sure the future groom remembers my face.”

He winked jokingly and I gave a wry smile.

Indeed, with that excuse he could easily go out.

“I’ve already got his face memorized enough.”

“Is that so?”

“But… is who the groom is really that important?”

“What are you saying? Among the nobility it’s all the talk that Lady Alicia’s husband has been decided.”

“…Is that so?”

That in itself seems like it might become troublesome—will that be alright?

“Well, you don’t have to look so grave! You should be more calm and imposing. Of course, from your perspective most of your counterparts are nobles of a lower status than you.”

“Being told to be ‘calm and imposing’ doesn’t help. It’s hard to get used to, after all.”

“Haha, well it can’t be helped. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“…Yeah, I guess.”

“Well, if anyone were to tarnish Lord Goral’s name, something might be done about it, though.”

“……”

Th-this guy.

He said it so casually, but that was what worried me the most.

Lord Goral treats me kindly as well. I wanted to become someone who could support him.

“Reberto… don’t say things that would put too much burden on Faik.”

Alicia narrowed her eyes and spoke in a low voice. Her force was greater than usual, and even Reberto hurriedly bowed his head in alarm.

“I’m sorry, Lady Alicia.”

“Faik, don’t worry too much.”

“Yeah, I know.”

It’s a complicated situation.

There aren’t many people of higher standing than my current position.

So, with many people I need to take a firm, dignified attitude.

Otherwise, the prestige of the ducal house would be lost.

So it’s not a ‘should do’, it’s a ‘must do’.

That said, I mustn’t be arrogant either. It’s a difficult balance.

“It’s tough, all kinds of things…”

From now on, I’ll have to think about those things.