Schlus has changed a lot.
Really, a lot.
When I think back to that grumpy and rude man I met in the Imperial University dormitory, it doesn’t even match anymore.
Well, to be precise, he was still rude, but his personality has become so charming that it didn’t stand out.
Maybe this is Schlus’s true nature.
He had been suppressed for so long that it didn’t show, but now, finding his ease, his nature is slowly revealing itself.
Erica couldn’t recognize that nature at all.
All this time, she thought of Schlus as a rude, impolite, and corrupted commoner.
But maybe Emilia and Iris had seen through his true nature long before.
That must be the difference.
The difference between those who take a closer look at Schlus’s inner self and those who just glance at his appearance.
A small difference at the start created a huge gap now.
Erica could only conclude that.
“Huh. Hm. I like that painting.”
“Uh… I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere.”
To be honest, there was only one painting that stood out to Erica from the art gallery.
Unexpectedly, she was completely captivated by Schlus, who was so engrossed.
Hearing that he came from a common background and wielded a sword while moving around construction sites, she thought he wouldn’t be interested in such artworks at all.
She even thought about explaining it to help him focus, wondering how much he could truly understand.
But throughout her time at the gallery, it was Erica who was being led around, not Schlus.
Every painting Schlus paused at was one she hadn’t seen before.
Recently emerging, unique styles of paintings.
As soon as she admired them, her gaze quickly moved to Schlus’s face.
There was something sorrowful in his eyes.
As if he were reminiscing about a long-lost hometown.
Seeing such a side of Schlus for the first time, and reflecting on when she had last examined his face and expressions, Erica felt a mysterious allure.
“Um, Schlus. If you don’t have anything special to do…”
“Yeah?”
“Wanna grab a drink?”
Right after they exited the gallery.
Erica was anxious, fearing that the atmosphere would chill, and she needed to speak to Schlus quickly.
She had to act on her feelings.
For that, she needed alcohol.
There was no way a coward like her could confess without a drink.
“On an empty stomach? We should eat first.”
“Ah, uh, right… Right…”
“Wine would go well with it. I know a great place.”
That’s right.
They should eat before anything.
Erica took Schlus’s offered hand, standing side by side with him as they walked.
Schlus walked with confidence.
Now that she thought about it, he had been the same when they were flower-viewing earlier.
In the chaotic market of the old town, she lost her composure, relying only on Schlus’s big hand to walk.
Then, at the moments he paused, she would look up to find beautiful scenery spread out before her.
It might have looked even more beautiful because she was with Schlus, but it was clear he was well aware of the charm of the flower festival beforehand.
So how did he know?
It was obvious. He must have come here last year.
Was he alone back then?
Not a chance. He must have been with another girl.
While she still kept her distance and loathed him, someone else was happily walking side by side with Schlus, laughing as they admired flowers and placed them in each other’s hair.
For Schlus, this might be the second, or perhaps third, experience.
He had certainly gotten more adept, but was he still as giddy as he was when he first came?
‘Stop it, Erica. Please.’
Erica bit her lip and clenched her eyes shut.
She kept letting her thoughts drift to the bad side.
Thinking negatively would bring nothing good.
No matter what the past had been, right now Schlus was with her.
He was enjoying the moment together with her.
That was the only certain fact.
Erica continuously repeated this to herself like a mantra.
“Wow… I was worried seeing it in the alley, but coming in it’s quite nice. Have you been here before?”
“No. It’s my first time too. I heard it’s really good, so I wanted to check it out.”
“Uh-huh…”
Once inside the restaurant, Erica couldn’t help but marvel.
The atmosphere rivaled that of a fancy restaurant, emanating from this small establishment hidden in a corner of the old town.
There was no way she could have stumbled upon such a place by chance.
Schlus had definitely come here with someone else.
Most likely a woman…
‘Stop it, really.’
It was pointless.
What did it matter where Schlus had gone or what experiences he’d had with other women?
Right now, it had nothing to do with her.
It had to be that way.
Erica struggled to suppress the unsettling thoughts that kept cropping up in her mind.
Soon, the drinks and food that Schlus ordered arrived.
Everything served was light and easy to eat and drink, disappearing into her stomach without hesitation.
To hide the awkward atmosphere in between, it went down even more smoothly.
‘Huh?’
She thought she was tense, yet Erica found herself chatting away innocently.
More honest and natural than ever.
Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol.
Thinking that calmed her racing heart a bit.
Now was the time.
As it grew dark outside and her tipsiness began to rise, the atmosphere was perfect.
Right now, she had to convey her feelings to Schlus.
If not now, there might not be another opportunity.
“Schlus… you know.”
Boom!
The moment she opened her mouth, a terrifying explosion tickled Erica’s ears.
It was the loudest sound she had ever heard in her life.
Startled, she turned her head, unable to help but be amazed.
Red fireworks exploded in the sky, spreading outwards.
Next came yellow…
Vividly colored fireworks burst one after another, illuminating the black sky.
“How does it look? I designed it myself, adjusting the color combinations and order of the fireworks.”
“It’s beautiful… really…”
“It is pretty, but a bit noisy.”
“Yeah…”
Just as she thought it was a bit loud, the thunderous noise significantly subsided with Schlus’s gesture.
To a level that was just pleasant to the ears.
Erica’s gaze had once again gravitated back to Schlus’s face.
For some reason, he looked exotic today.
Even though she had seen his face countless times, it felt fresh today.
‘Now, Erica.’
This was the moment.
She had to speak now.
Erica thought that, and her lips began to move.
She had never looked at Schlus so closely before.
She had never felt that Schlus could be so lovable.
She wanted to be by his side.
Along with that desire, fear slowly oozed out from within Erica.
‘I have to say it.’
From their first encounter, she had expressed hatred towards Schlus.
Not only that, but she had clearly shown her dislike for a considerable time.
Given that, she worried that confessing to Schlus now might only bewilder him.
Could it be too late now?
With three wives, would someone like her’s love confession evoke any reaction?
Such a scene had already played out three times after all.
Those thoughts kept creeping in, and Erica’s left hand resting on her knee and the wine glass in her right hand began to tremble more and more.
“Schlus. You know…”
Yet she had to speak.
Summoning the courage to speak, Erica felt as if her throat had tightened up like a frozen string.
What if he rejected her?
What if they were so close now that they never saw eye to eye again?
Such worries filled Erica’s mind to the brim.
She couldn’t endure anymore.
Her chest felt painfully tight.
“Ugh… No… I don’t want to say it.”
“…”
Erica forced a bitter smile, looking at Schlus.
Just being colleagues was enough.
What good would it do to cling to a man who already had more than enough lovers?
Erica thought that and resolved to shake off her lingering thoughts.
This was the right answer.
The answer that would let her stay by Schlus the longest…
“Unsatisfactory.”
“Huh?”
“When are you going to say it if you don’t say it now?”
At that moment, Schlus let out a breath as if he found it ridiculous.
Unsatisfactory…?
Feeling as if he had pierced through her innermost thoughts, Erica startled and shuddered.
There was no way.
That dull and foolish Schlus couldn’t have realized her true feelings…
“Nothing… There’s no way I would…”
“What do you mean there’s nothing? Say it now. If you miss this chance, I won’t listen to you again.”
“Uh… Ugh…”
“I have plenty of time. I’ll wait. Take your time to catch your breath.”
“Wha- Euh…”
Tears welled up.
He would wait for her.
This foolish, cowardly woman would be endlessly waited for.
After sobbing for a while, Erica finally managed to look Schlus in the eye again.
Until then, Schlus was calmly leaning back in his chair, waiting.
As if it were no big deal.
As if he were trying to ease her tension.
But if she sneaked a glance under the table, she could see Schlus’s sturdy shoes trembling.
He was just as nervous.
He was simply holding it in.
Knowing that made her feel a bit more at ease.
“Schlus.”
“Yeah.”
“Schlus Hainkel. I… I love you.”
A short, concise confession.
As she uttered those words, Erica smiled brightly.
There was no regret now.
She had said something she thought she could never say.
Gathering all the courage she had, she felt that she would lack even a lifetime’s worth.
Even if she failed and could never be by Schlus’s side again, she would not regret this moment.
Tears brimming in Erica’s eyes contained all those thoughts, worries, and emotions.
‘Huh… I must have messed it up.’
Erica’s smile quickly transformed into a bitter one.
The courage she summoned in her life was separate from the outcome.
Dropping her head, Erica…
“You have something on your mouth. Look up.”
“Ah, uh…”
At Schlus’s assertive voice, she lifted her head.
Even though she had just made a once-in-a-lifetime confession,
Schlus spoke as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
He was choosing to ignore it.
Deciding to act as if he hadn’t heard.
Even though it was somewhat expected, Erica couldn’t help but feel her heart burn with painful despair.
Schlus wasn’t a simple man who fell in love at first sight.
No matter how many compliments her face got, in Schlus’s eyes, she was just an impudent noble lady who loathed him and didn’t even give him a second glance.
Just as she was about to tear up again…
“Ugh…?”
Erica trembled at the warm, soft sensation on her lips.
Fingers held her chin, leaving her unable to move.
“Mm…”
Closing her eyes once more, Erica felt the dreamlike sensation and let out a sweet moan.
Tears flowed down Erica’s cheeks.
