The glass slippers I’ve long grown accustomed to wearing. Even as I run briskly through the vast Granado Castle, I don’t stumble.
On the way, I bump into the head chef, Topo.
"Madam? Lunch is still a while away. Are you that hungry already?"
"It’s not that, Topo. Because today—"
"Is the day Master comes back!"
When Tzecilie shouts, Topo’s voice brightens with a "Oh!"
"I see, that’s right. Then, Topo, I’ll skip the pre-lunch snack. I’ll have the moka parfait with Master."
"After lunch. Will there be one for me too?"
"Of course."
"Then that’s great!"
We exchange a few words and part ways. As I dash into the courtyard, I happen to run into the gardener, Johan. I almost bump into him but manage to stop just in time.
He seems to understand my state and immediately narrows his eyes.
"You’re here to welcome Master, aren’t you?"
"Yes! Sorry, let me through."
"Of course. But wait a moment."
Saying that, Johan pulls out the scissors from his belt and cuts some flowers from the nearby flower bed. He arranges the bright red flowers into a small bouquet and hands it to me.
"Are these for Master Cyrus?"
When I ask, Johan urges me to go on.
I thank him and run again.
The castle gates are bustling. The bell announcing the arrival of a dignitary rings out.
Anxiously, I feel the vastness of Granado Castle to be a hindrance.
"The return of Lord Cyrus Granado!"
The gatekeeper, Thomas, calls out and guides the carriage backward toward the front of the castle. The carriage slowly moves forward on the stone floor after passing through the gate.
I stop at the castle entrance, holding hands with Tzecilie, waiting. Normally, the carriage would come all the way here.
However, the carriage stops much earlier. Before Thomas can approach the back, the door opens from the inside, and first, a long leg appears. Then the upper body. Bending his tall frame, his long, silky black hair falls over his shoulders.
Thus, Lord Cyrus, the master of Granado Castle, steps out of the carriage.
"Welcome back."
"Marie."
Our words overlap perfectly.
Before I can curtsy, Cyrus runs over.
I bow again and say, "Welcome back," offering him the bouquet I held in my hand.
He looks puzzled.
"These flowers?"
"Um... I think they’re geraniums. Johan gave them to me to bring."
Hmm? Does Master Cyrus not like these flowers?
Oh well. Feeling the bouquet was a waste, I pull it back to my chest. Then, it seems Cyrus understands. He chuckles happily.
"These are for you, not me. In a way, they’re a gift for me too."
"For me... for Master Cyrus?"
"Yes. The red hair, green dress, and red flowers make you look like an embodiment of a flower. I almost wanted to embrace you."
Oh... I recall Wolfgang’s words from this morning, and my cheeks grow hot. Tzecilie says from below,
"Marie, your face is all red!"
Oh, stop it. Feeling embarrassed, I hide my face with the bouquet. Cyrus peeks in.
"Can I have them?"
Huh!? ...Ah, the bouquet. I offer it to him, and he grabs my wrist. With a strong pull, I stumble forward, and my face buries in his chest.
Oh, this...
"Whoa!?"
Panicking, I jump back and run into the castle. Cyrus and Tzecilie laugh together.
From a distance, I shout,
"Oh, stop teasing me!"
"I’m not teasing you."
Cyrus, who took the bouquet from me, presses it to his lips. He kisses the red petals and approaches me—no, he heads into the castle.
After ten days apart, my fiancé whispers as he passes by,
"Welcome back, Marie. You look even more beautiful every time I return."
He then takes a flower from the bouquet and tucks it into my hair.
It’s been a month and a half since I came to Granado Castle.
I’ve become familiar with the staff, and I’m no longer shy around people or places. Life in the mansion is comfortable. Delicious meals, a refreshing bath, a clean bed, luxurious furnishings—and gardening, playing with children, fashion, and chatting.
Every day is just pure fun.
On the other hand, my fiancé, Master Cyrus, seems to be as busy as ever.
He rarely stays in the castle for more than two days, often leaving for three days and taking a half-day break, or leaving for ten days and working in his room, then sleeping for a whole day before leaving for a week.
I only get to welcome him and see him off, and it’s a good day if we can have dinner together.
"Master, you’re always away. It’s not right to make a new wife feel lonely so soon after marriage."
Tunica, the bath attendant, was the one who complained the most.
While rubbing my belly with plenty of cream, she pouts in anger.
"We’re not married yet. It’s just an engagement."
"It’s the same. It’s unbelievable. I put so much effort into making Lady Marie’s skin smooth every night."
"There’s nothing I can do. It’s his work."
"It’s not supposed to be like this."
"Really?"
"No, no, I don’t mean Master is neglecting Lady Marie or being unfaithful."
Tunica frantically shakes her hands and head side to side.
I can’t help but laugh at her playful gesture.
"It’s fine. I don’t doubt him."
"---I’m sorry. Rather, I think he’s planning something naughty."
"Naughty...?"
"Yes. ...Naughty things. My wild instincts tell me so..."
"Are you from the forest?"
"I was born and raised in a seven-story apartment in the craftsman’s district of the capital."