Chapter 27
“There’s no helping it. There aren’t any other options.”
Was he finally done getting ready?
Usually, the young master simply wore whatever the staff prepared, as long as the colors matched harmoniously—he never complained. But today…
“Wouldn’t the pin be dangerous?”
Who would ever hurt themselves on the little pin at the back of a tie? Today, the young master’s imagination seemed to be running wild.
“I think the tie bar you wore to the archbishop’s inauguration last time would look good.”
It had been five years since he became the Grand Duchy’s servant, and yet, all the trips he’d ever made to the dressing room didn’t compare to today alone.
“I believe you don’t have any official appointments today. May I ask where you’re headed?”
Cairn, having fastened the pin, smoothed his shirt collar once more—determined to keep his appearance crisp and unwrinkled. With a wave of his hand, he called another servant over to fix his garter.
“…Let’s just say it’s a date.”
As he finally stated the true purpose of his outing, a faint hint of color returned to Cairn’s face.
“Ah…”
A dumbfounded sound escaped before he could stop it. After all, this was the first time since Cairn Etienne Headington’s birth that such an event was happening at the Grand Ducal house.
So he was interested in women after all.
The servant’s concerns, at least, melted away. He watched Cairn dab cologne on his wrists and the inside of his jacket, feeling oddly relieved.
* * *
The weather was so clear, not a cloud in the sky, and the sunlight was dazzling.
The gardens of the de Bermore house looked even more colorful than usual. White daisies, purple violets, yellow dandelions—the blend of colors, which could have looked gaudy, somehow worked beautifully.
“Cairn!”
Lilien, as radiant as the flowers, greeted him cheerfully at the gate.
As he walked up the gravel path, Cairn placed his hand gently over Lilien’s, which was holding a parasol.
“It’s hot out here—why are you waiting outside?”
Lilien tilted her parasol to shade Cairn, but he just tipped it back to keep her out of the sun instead.
“I thought you’d be here soon.”
Today, Lilien was dressed in an unusually bright yellow dress, looking more like an adorable little lady than ever.
“Did you put on makeup?”
Her cheeks looked redder than usual.
“…Yeah. Is it weird?”
Dressed up more than usual, Lilien was as lovely as ever. Cairn bit back the response he really wanted to give.
“Let’s go. We’ve got a long way ahead.”
She gave him a shy nod and a bright smile.
“Wait.”
Something felt off. As always, Lilien was beautiful, but…
“Why do you look so thin?”
Her face looked almost half its usual size. Normally, her cheeks were full and round—she loved sweets and treats, and he’d often had to stop himself from reaching out to pinch them.
But now, half of that plumpness is gone.
“Did something happen?”
“What happened? No, nothing like that.”
Lilien rarely wore makeup outside of formal occasions—she found it uncomfortable. Maybe she’d put it on today just to hide how pale and gaunt she’d gotten.
“I just didn’t sleep well last night.”
“…Really?”
It was obvious she didn’t want to talk about it. At times like this, Cairn always—
“Come on, Lily.”
—chose to act like he hadn’t noticed.
That was what Lilien wanted from him, after all.
He could always get to the bottom of things later.
* * *
As soon as they were in the carriage, Lilien leaned her cheek against Cairn’s shoulder and murmured softly.
“Why am I so sleepy today…”
Her eyelids fluttered, rimmed with red. With a silent sigh, Cairn lowered his shoulder to make it easier for her to rest.
Whenever Lilien was troubled, she would stay up all night, wearing herself out—and Cairn, knowing that, hoped she’d at least get a little rest now.
“Maybe it’s because you smell like you…”
Ever since they were young, Lilien had always had trouble falling asleep—except when Cairn was there. Even if people might frown on a young nobleman and lady sharing a bed, in their case, it was often just an innocent solution for her insomnia.
“I’ll just nap for a bit. Wake me up when we cross into Baltan, okay? I want to see the scenery…”
Cairn nodded gently at her request.
Apparently, Lilien hadn’t been lying about not sleeping—she quickly drifted off, leaning against his shoulder.
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