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I sent Al a letter saying, 'I'd like to see you as soon as possible' and he received a reply saying, 'I'll see you at the castle in three days'.
On the day of my appointment, I wore a dress for climbing the castle and rode the carriage to the castle.
I wore a red dress. The color I used to like and wear, but lately I've been avoiding it for the reason that it's flashy.
But Al's eyes have a beautiful red color. The color of the eyes of the person you love. What's wrong with wanting to wear clothes that go with it?
Even red should not make a strong impression. That's what I thought, I decided to stop my favorite color combination of matching black to red. It's a strange thing because it only changes my impression a lot.
Lotte admired me, and even if that's flattery, at least it shouldn't look like a 'villain's warrant'.
Walk down the hallway of the castle, following the soldier in the guide as he told himself that way. The soldier guided me to the front of Al's room before returning in a courtesy.
Take one deep breath and feel better.
It's Lili.
"Come in."
When I knocked and named him, Al replied in his voice.
Open the door and go inside. Al stood by the window.
"Al."
"... Lili. Come here."
"? Yes"
Early on, I was invited, and I stopped by while wondering. Al points out the window.
"I'm just getting a view of the garden from my room, you see, over there"
"Ah..."
Following the lead Al pointed out, there was Chloe and Prince Wilfred.
They sit on benches set in the courtyard and speak with pleasure.
"Chloe?"
"Because we're friends, I think I invited you. There are people in the courtyard. Looks like Miss Carlisle didn't say no either."
"... sounds like fun"
In the distance, but unlike before, Chloe looked like a natural. He nods at Prince Wilfred's words and grins.
"Right? You must be surprised.
"... Yes"
Really stuttering. Al said with a bitter smile as he was stunned but couldn't help but keep an eye on the two of them.
"I was stunned to find it earlier, too. If you get rid of the paperwork and look outside, it's that one."
"You didn't even know Al."
"If I'd known, I'd have taught you first."
"Yes... right? Excuse me."
I wish Chloe would have told me too, but I also feel it would be different to tell me which way to meet a friend. I know that Chloe and Prince Wilfred became friends because I was watching the scene, and I guess she could easily respond if we were friends.
The distance between the two was not too far away or too close, and from the edge it seemed that a friendly man and woman were bickering.
"But good... you're treating me like a good friend"
Chloe seems to enjoy herself. Saying so with heartfelt relief, Al looked subtle for some reason.
"Al?"
"... really, does Lili look like that?
"Huh?"
I don't know Al's intentions, I tilt my neck. He turned to Chloe and the others again and told me.
"In such a prominent place, a second prince speaks intimately to a woman of his age. Sounds like fun, no matter what you look at it. All the witnesses, you'd think. The second prince is after that woman. Whatever the truth, everyone who doesn't know about the relationship doesn't think they're friends."
"Ah..."
"Those who have witnessed them today undoubtedly assume Miss Carlisle is a candidate woman for fiance. I think the rumor will soon spread that the Second Prince has finally decided who to deal with."
"Oh, no... even though it's a misunderstanding. I don't know what to do, I have to figure out the misunderstanding."
"Misunderstood, right? At least, I think Will knows what he's doing. - He's my brother. I told you before. It just wasn't right until a while ago. If he's serious, he should be able to drop it as easily as one of his favorite women. Either that or I think he's more who he is right now."
……
I stopped listening to Al. No way, who would think Prince Wilfred would take such a way. At least I didn't even think about it, and maybe Chloe doesn't even realize it now.
"Duh, what shall I do? I have to teach Chloe......"
"How? Are you even going to interrupt while you two talk? I don't think you're smart enough to deal with a second prince."
"Uh, then... how do I..."
I don't know how to help Chloe. As only his feelings were in a hurry, Al slowly shook his neck to the side.
"Lili. This is a matter for both of us. Until now, there has been a problem with Will's way. That's why I brokered and helped get in the way, too. But, you know, it could be a bit of a sloppy way, but Will hasn't done anything wrong this time. I'm just getting permission from Miss Carlisle properly and talking to her where she can feel safe. In fact, she seems relaxed, too. Or does Miss Carlisle look nervous to Lili and in trouble? Will's forced to. Do I look like I do?
"... I can't see"
I didn't lie because I don't actually see it. Al nodded at my answer, adding.
"It would be strange for us to intervene. Love is a rush. I lost my guard when Will said he was a friend, and Miss Carlisle is sure we're not aware of how we're being seen from around now. But that's something Miss Carlisle should be aware of, and that's not what we're gonna say to you on purpose, is it?
"That may be..."
"Will's thinking about being Will, too. Well, the way we try to bury the outer moat first may not have been complimented, but our lineage has been around for generations, so I'm sorry, but I can only tell you to give up on that."
"Huh? Really?
"That's right. It's basic to surround the person you want."
I was told flat out, and I was convinced it was, yes, basic... but that shouldn't happen.
Leaning his neck, Al invited me to the couch.
"You can leave Will and the others alone. They're also old enough to take responsibility for themselves. That's all we can do for you. As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather talk about us than my brothers."
"Are we going to...?
"Yes. You've decided to be my bride, and I wonder if you mean the future in that sense"
"Huh...!
Clearly, it illuminates me. Of course, I'm very happy for you.
But today, before we do, there's something we need to talk about.
"Al, can I talk to you about me first?
"Speaking of which, you said you wanted to see me as soon as possible. Was it convenient to miss me and wonder if I missed you? Too bad."
"... well, there's that too"
You're right about wanting to meet basic Al, so you can't deny it.
Al, who cared better about what I affirmed, smiles and encourages him to talk. With all due respect to that, I made the story of the tutor becoming Noel Al.