“Nananana~”
Today was a good day.
There wasn’t any special reason; I just felt good today.
Just.
“Hey! Let’s go out!”
“…Are you crazy?”
“You have nothing to do anyway. Let’s just go!”
So I went to look for Louise.
Kyle suddenly said he had work to do and told me to stay by myself.
Normally, I would have insisted on going with him, but not today.
I had been stuck to Kyle like glue lately.
Even though Kyle and I were dating and about to get married, having personal space was still a necessity.
It wasn’t like Kyle was abandoning me to go party or anything; he really had work to do.
So, I decided to let him go.
As long as he came back home by tonight, I was satisfied.
“Um… You’re not busy, are you? That would be annoying.”
“I’m not.”
“Then let’s go. We haven’t hung out in ages.”
*Sigh…*
Anyway, I gathered one party member.
Just like when I gathered a party to explore the sewers back in the day, I simply asked.
It was always easier to ask first rather than overthink things.
Once I brought Louise on board, it was straightforward.
With the rear covered, it was naturally time for the front.
I usually supported from the middle rather than leading the charge.
“Elin~ Are you busy today?”
*Sigh…*
“Huh?”
We entered the Knights’ building where Elin was.
Elin was just hanging out much the same way she did when I first saw her.
Unlike the other knights outside training.
Well, technically, Elin was probably too busy to be messing around.
Although she was a woman, she was the Vice Head of the Knights.
‘Vice’ Head of the Knights.
In fact, it would be more burdensome for Elin to join the knights’ training sessions.
It was like having the Head Butler show up while the servants were cleaning the halls, no, even worse.
Because knights had a stricter hierarchy than servants.
Not so much in ranks, but they were super sensitive about seniors and juniors.
“If you’re not busy, wanna come out and play?”
“Uh…”
Elin thought for a moment.
Was she really swamped today, unlike usual?
It was strange when Elin had fewer tasks than normal.
“Of course, I’m not busy! Let’s go!”
“Woohoo!”
“Yay!!”
“Ha…” Thus, our three-member party was formed.
Not having a healer was a little disappointing, but we weren’t really going out to fight; we were just going to have fun.
“But what are we going out for?”
“We’re just going out to play. Kyle’s not around today.”
“Oh… Is there nothing else happening?”
“I guess so. Usually, if I ask him to come along, he lets me go with him without any fuss.”
That was a bit disappointing.
I had been spending almost every day with Kyle lately.
So, when he suddenly said he wanted to do something alone, it was hard not to feel a bit left out.
But, of course, Kyle had to work; that was just how it was.
I tried to be understanding.
I was a broad-minded woman… right?
At least, in principle.
Physically and psychologically.
*
“So, exactly how much is this wedding talk spreading around the castle…?”
“Wow… Is it really that much?”
“Yeah. The other day, while I was having class with Adela, someone suddenly asked me about it!”
“Huh…”
I sipped my coffee while watching the snowfall at a small café.
It wasn’t snowing heavily, being summer, but there was enough on the ground to watch.
We were casually chatting and hanging out.
I knew people had been gossiping about my wedding to Kyle within the castle.
I mean, I could hear it.
But… I didn’t expect it had reached Elin or Louise too.
“Well, nothing bad is being said, right?”
“Of course not. I mean logically, if they badmouth you, they’re badmouthing Kyle too. Who would have the guts to do that?”
“That’s true.”
“*snickers*…”
Suddenly, Elin beside us laughed for no reason.
What could possibly be funny now?
“They’re saying a lot about it in the Knights too.”
“Well, of course, since it’s the Knights inside Eristirol. Naturally, they’d talk a lot about such big issues.”
“But seriously, they’re talking about it a lot! I heard them talking while having breakfast with beer this morning.”
“Uh…”
I didn’t expect it was that much.
I thought it would just be a casual level of gossip.
But suddenly, knights were discussing it over breakfast while drinking beer?
Honestly, that struck me as a bit off.
Had it been the servants working at the castle, I might have understood it better.
They were directly involved in planning the wedding, after all.
But knights casually sitting around drinking beers during breakfast while discussing the wedding like they were news anchors? I never saw that coming.
“Has it been over two weeks since the news broke, and they’re still at it…?”
“Yep! Sometimes I toss in new info too?”
“….”
“Why? Everyone in the castle knows anyway!?”
“No, I’m just surprised.”
It was just… surprising.
I mean, it was merely a typical event like a wedding, yet so many people were interested in it; it astonished me.
It felt like I was getting a taste of what it must be like for celebrities or politicians when news breaks about them.
It was genuinely a strange feeling.
To think my story was out there amongst an indistinctly large crowd because of my marriage to Kyle was mind-boggling.
If it hadn’t been for Kyle, I never would’ve experienced this feeling.
I definitely wouldn’t have felt it in my past life, and it probably wouldn’t happen again in this life either.
*
“Do we really have to pick such dresses?”
“We’re getting married soon! We should wear something that your husband likes!”
“That’s true. But next time, shouldn’t you wear something long when we celebrate?”
“G-That’s….”
It was tough to refute.
She wasn’t exactly wrong.
I had already made promises with Kyle about it ages ago.
Honestly, it was a bit terrifying to think about, but it was something that needed to happen, and it was something Kyle really desired.
“Well, even so… I don’t know about wearing something this revealing…”
“No, this subtle exposure is the real deal!”
“Right! Subtle exposure is totally a thing.”
“….”
“Anyway, there are only women in the shop. Just try it on once?”
Well, I had become accustomed to women’s clothing.
It felt a little embarrassing, but I decided to go with a slightly revealing wedding dress according to Kyle’s request. Anyway, I had progressed a little from before.
“But, I mean, t-the belly button is completely visible…”
It was risqué.
It was genuinely risqué.
Anyone would think it was an outfit meant purely for sex.
More like something you’d see in those videos from my past life.
“….”
“….”
The two beside me silently handed over the outfits, and honestly, I felt they were a bit intimidating today.
Usually, they were just friendly friends and typically had a light-hearted vibe.
But today? Not so much.
I could feel it in their eyes.
They were determined to get me into that outfit.
They were definitely going to tease me once I wore it.
“Hey, Louise, I think the Young Master would actually love this outfit, don’t you think?”
“I’m sure! I mean, he’s a guy. If he suddenly sees his wife in something super sexy just waiting in the bedroom? He’d…”
“Naturally, right away…”
“Kah…”
“…You maniacs.
What the heck are you imagining regarding someone else’s boyfriend?
Though it was obvious who would be the target of those fantasies, that didn’t change the fact that NO WAY was I wearing that outfit!
It was too revealing.
Like, a black bra and panty set with sheer fabric that seemed like it would fall apart with just a gentle touch.
“But… Do you really like it…?”
“Of course. If Kyle suddenly stepped out in something super handsome in front of you, what would you do?”
“Um… I’d definitely say he looks incredibly good-looking!”
“Exactly! If you suddenly showed up in that outfit for Kyle, he’d absolutely love it!”
“….”
In my head, I thought I shouldn’t buy or wear this.
But hearing that Kyle would like it made me… dare I say… a bit tempted.
I thought I might be falling too easily for these kinds of comments, but for just a moment, I imagined it.
Imagining myself waiting for Kyle in that outfit and wondering what kind of foolish expression he’d have.
Wasn’t that a bit pervy? But then again, my whole genetic makeup was a bit pervy.
I decided to just not think about it.
*
“Sophia, did you go out today?”
“Uh, yeah?!”
“No, it looked like a carriage came back when I entered the castle.”
“Oh…”
I just remembered I hadn’t told Kyle that I went out.
I was going to mention what I did over dinner today, but it slipped my mind.
Of course, it wasn’t anything particularly important, so it wouldn’t be a problem now.
“Yep, I was out. Just hanging out with friends for a bit?”
“Sounds fun! What did you do?”
“Just… chatted at a café, had lunch, took a walk, chilled at the café, and bought a few things…”
I purposely kept quiet about what I bought.
After all, the thing I bought today was better saved for a surprise reveal later.
Even if I mentioned it, showing it off right away was not really in my plan.
I was already shy enough to show it to my friends, let alone Kyle.
I wasn’t that confident of a person.
If anything, I was more on the shy side.
“Kyle, do you prefer sexy or cute things? Which do you like more?”
“….Huh?”
“Just curious.”
I hadn’t just bought one thing at the shop today.
I got that black sexy lingerie and a slightly cute…? kind of costume as well.
Cat ears and all… well, you get the idea.
“Well… I guess sexy is always better. Most guys prefer that, right?”
“…Right?”
I thought the same when I was buying those cat ears.
People generally prefer the sexy, provocative stuff over the cute, less revealing designs.
“…Just you wait.”
“…Huh?”
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