As if my excitement was contagious, Marine was also very excited and helped me prepare for tomorrow's outing.
She carefully chose pretty wrapping paper to wrap the book I would give as a gift, and carefully selected the clothes and shoes I would wear.
Recently, pretty and fancy clothes had started piling up in my closet, but since it was our first meeting and Cherish was still a patient, I chose a simple and neat dress and shoes.
I prepared for bed earlier than usual. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to fall asleep quickly, but thankfully, I fell asleep right away.
As soon as I woke up early in the morning, I prepared to go out with the things I had prepared yesterday.
When I finished my last preparations in front of the mirror, Aen came to visit.
As soon as he saw me, he greeted me with a cheerful smile.
"Good morning, Lady. You look even prettier today?"
I smiled shyly at his words.
"I'll be back, Marine."
"Have a good day, Lady!"
I smiled and waved at Marine, who whispered 'Fighting' and clenched her fist.
Aen and I headed to the front door.
A carriage prepared by Aen was waiting in front of the front door.
But...
"Wow... it's huge."
It was a much larger and more luxurious carriage than the one I rode yesterday.
It's cool, but isn't it too big for just the two of us to ride?
The moment I looked at Aen with that thought in mind.
"No, this is too much."
He muttered with a perplexed expression.
Wasn't it prepared by Aen?
Then, Aen, who turned to look at me and flinched when our eyes met, quickly said as if defending himself.
"This carriage was prepared by Lordvelle, not me."
"By Lordvelle?"
I opened my eyes wide at the unexpected fact.
Aen nodded.
"This is your first outing since you officially became a direct descendant of Lordvelle. I guess they paid extra attention."
"Ah..."
Is that so? Honestly, I don't really feel it.
I don't think the Duke would have paid special attention to that.
Still, thinking it's better than something shabby, I asked Aen.
"So, is it just the two of us going?"
At my question, he paused, then scratched his cheek awkwardly and said.
"Actually, one of the conditions for the Lord's permission to go out was to bring a knight."
"A knight?"
I reflexively looked around.
There was no one except the coachman who would drive the carriage.
"I requested a withdrawal this morning. When I thought about it, I'm the strongest of Lordvelle's knights. I thought it would be more of a hindrance."
"That's true."
I nodded. Certainly, he was right.
"... That's just an excuse, I just didn't want to be disturbed on this monumental first outing with you. Fortunately, we were on the same page."
Aen winked and smiled playfully.
Watching him, I thought.
Certainly...
'I can feel that Aen is really looking forward to it.'
From his flushed eyes and expression, and the way he paid attention to even the smallest things, I could feel his sincerity in looking forward to today.
'I like it.'
Seeing him like that made me feel enthusiastic too.
'I must become close to him.'
I clenched my fist.
Soon, Aen and I got into the carriage together.
Unlike the exterior, which was covered in luxurious platinum, the interior was decorated with soft wine-colored fabric.
I absentmindedly touched it and was startled by how soft it was.
The chair was as soft and elastic as if it were made of clouds.
Aen sat opposite me.
"We'll be departing."
With the coachman's announcement, the carriage began to move forward smoothly.
Soon, we left the grounds of the Lordvelle mansion.
Looking at the road I had traveled yesterday through the window with fresh eyes, I suddenly remembered the dream I had in the carriage yesterday and reflexively turned to Aen.
Aen, reaching out his hand to someone and crying on the ruins.
What was that?
Was it just a dream? Or...
"It looks like you have something to say."
"Yes?"
"Go ahead, Princess."
"Ah."
He crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked at me with a playful smile.
I was flustered by the sudden situation and opened my lips.
"That."
"That?"
"So..."
"Hmm?"
"That, what kind of child is Cherish?"
... I couldn't bring myself to ask.
How could I ask, 'I had that kind of dream, do you know anything about it?'
Especially since it's not even a good dream!
He would definitely be upset.
So, I hurriedly asked a different question and that's what came out.
I was embarrassed even after asking...
'I'm curious though.'
Since I was curious, I glanced at Aen with expectant eyes.
"Hmm, Cherish, you say?"
Nod nod.
And for some reason, I felt embarrassed and added.
"I thought it would be good to know in advance. Her favorite food, her personality, or what she and the commander have in common since she's the commander's daughter..."
"Ah."
Aen let out a short sound and closed his mouth for a moment.
Soon, he smiled awkwardly and said.
"I didn't tell you in advance."
"......?"
Tell me what?
"Cherish is not his biological daughter."
"Yes?"
"She is his adopted daughter. Haha."
I stared at him with wide eyes at the unexpected story.
She wasn't his biological daughter.
Aen's smile, which had been awkward, gradually faded.
He spoke in a calm tone.
"I met Cherish when I was a mercenary. To be exact, she was a child from a village that my army attacked."
"Ah."
"Because we couldn't confirm who was an enemy among the civilians, our army annihilated the entire village."
"......"
"It was a terrible massacre. Our mercenary group, including me, found out about it later and terminated the contract... but that's a story for later. We can't deny that we were also the main culprits of the massacre."
Aen's head gradually lowered. His shoulders shrank.
His face, covered in deep shadows, hid his expression, but it couldn't hide the regret and guilt in his eyes.
"Cherish was a child from that village. Both of her parents died and she was the only one who survived. I took her in then. Haha, isn't it terrible?"
He raised his head with an awkward smile.
The moment his eyes met mine, he paused.
My face was reflected in his pupils.
My face looked like I was about to cry. I could make that kind of expression.
"I am......"
But I didn't know what to say.
Would comfort be appropriate? Or should I scold him? I don't know what to say in this kind of situation.
Then.
"It's okay."
Aen smiled softly.
"I know what you're thinking without you having to say it. Actually, that's why I told you the truth. You're so kind that I thought you wouldn't hate me even if you heard my story. Am I right?"
Nod nod!
"Haha, I knew it."
He laughed lightly and leaned his head back.
Then he mumbled.
"That's how Cherish became my daughter."
As I listened to the story, I had some doubts.
I hesitated and asked cautiously.
"Was Cherish... okay?"
According to Aen's words, Aen was the one who killed Cherish's family and destroyed the village.
She could have been a target of hatred, but would she have willingly become the family of such a person?
I indirectly asked that question, but I regretted asking it too late.
Wouldn't she be upset?
I glanced at him, and Aen had an understanding expression on his face.
He answered quietly.
"Hmm... I guess it would be difficult. To become the child of an enemy..."
Aen, who trailed off, smiled faintly.
The moment I felt that his smile looked very sad, he said.
"Cherish lost her memory."
"......!"
I looked at him with a surprised expression at the unexpected story.
Aen, who lowered his upper body as much as possible, clasped his hands on his knees and fidgeted with his fingertips anxiously.
He continued in a choked voice.
"It must have been because of the shock of the disaster. She forgot everything except her name and age."
"......"
"That's why she quickly took my hand. I made a promise when I saw that hand. I will definitely protect this child."
"......"
"But, she got sick... haha."
An empty laugh spread emptily inside the carriage.
I didn't know what to say, so I just looked at him.
When our eyes met, he smiled faintly.
"You must have been very surprised by the sudden story?"
I reflexively tried to shake my head, but soon nodded obediently.
"Yes..."
To be honest, I was very surprised.
I never thought that Aen and Cherish would have such circumstances.
And... this might be a stretch, but after listening to Aen's story...
'It's strangely similar to my dream.'
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