Chapter 12: First Date
The next day, I was dressed in a beautiful dress by the enthusiastic maids. My hair was carefully styled, and makeup was applied. I was adorned with incredibly expensive-looking accessories.
As someone who was just staying here, I felt apologetic for all this trouble.
“Um, isn’t this a bit too much effort. . .?”
“I heard it’s your first date with Ralph-sama, so it’s only natural.”
“First date. . .”
It seems that our outing today is indeed a date.
The maids were all saying things like “You’re the most beautiful in the world” and “Ralph-sama will surely be delighted,” and when Ralph appeared, he also praised me to the point where I felt embarrassed.
“You look truly beautiful. Indeed, that color suits you well.”
“Thank you. Did Ralph choose it for me?”
“Yes. I ordered it with Lisette-sama in mind.”
“Ordered. . .?”
If it’s a custom-made dress, it’s definitely not something that can be completed in just a day or two. I wonder when they had it prepared.
Although it piqued my curiosity, I used the technique I have developed since coming to this mansion—the “not think too deeply about it” technique.
On the other hand, Ralph was wearing a high-quality jacket and looked even more radiant than usual. I was impressed by how someone could be so beautiful.
“Well then, shall we go?”
“Yeah.”
I took his outstretched hand and got into the carriage. I had a feeling that today would be a fun day.
❂❂❂❂❂❂
“Oh, delicious!”
“I’m glad. Lisette-sama looks adorable no matter what.”
It had been eight years since I had properly come to the capital city, and it had changed more than I had expected. The streets were even more lively than before, with many more people and shops.
There were many lovely shops and delicious things. Ralph seemed to know my preferences perfectly and took me to places that would make me happy.
As I enjoyed eating and walking around, Ralph had an even happier expression than me.
“Should we buy all of these as well?”
“Wait, we really don’t need that much.”
And Ralph, who wanted to buy everything, made me feel anxious. It seemed like his sense of money was also skewed.
“I’ve already earned enough that I can’t spend it all. Please don’t worry, Lisette-sama.”
“I can’t help but worry.”
“I’m just buying what I want.”
He gave me a dazzling innocent smile, and a pang of pain struck my chest. Am I really someone deserving of being pampered by Ralph like this?
Seeing me like that, Ralph furrowed his eyebrows.
“. . .Did I bother you, by any chance?”
“No, it’s not that. Honestly, I think I’ve always longed to spend time like this, like a normal girl.”
Hearing my heartfelt words, Ralph gently lifted my hand, narrowed his soft eyes, and smiled.
“In the future, let’s do many things that Lisette-sama likes.”
“. . .Things that I like?”
“Yes. Lisette-sama has endured so much hardship, so it’s okay for you to be more selfish. I will make all your wishes come true.”
At Ralph’s words, my vision blurred. Even though I wasn’t sad, I felt like crying.
“Actually, there’s a shop nearby that I think Lisette-sama will like. Shall we go?”
“. . .Yes, thank you.”
Even though it was our first time going out together, how did he know what kind of shop I would like? While thinking about that, a smile unintentionally appeared on my face.
And just as we started walking again, it happened.
“──Lisette-sama!”
In an instant, Ralph’s arm wrapped around me tightly and pulled me back forcefully.
At the same time, something passed right in front of my eyes and nose.
Without understanding what had happened, I realized that countless chunks of ice were impaled where I should have been standing.
Moreover, they were concentrated around where my face would have been. If something like that had pierced me, I would undoubtedly have died instantly.
The joyful mood I had just moments ago vanished in an instant, and my heart was pounding painfully fast.
“. . .Ah!”
“Lisette-sama, are you alright?!”
In Ralph’s hand, the same large sword that I saw in the sanctuary forest was now tightly gripped.
Soon, I turned my gaze towards the direction where chunks of ice were flying, and there stood a tall man.
“What do you intend on doing, Melvin?!”
“Huh? That’s my line.”
The person who had just tried to kill me turned out to be an acquaintance of Ralph. The man with striking red hair named Melvin created another chunk of ice.
Instinctively, I tensed up, but Ralph kindly reassured me, saying, “It’s okay, I’m here with you.”
Seeing that, the man furrowed his eyebrows.
“That’s why I’m asking, why is a hero like you associating with such a monster?”
“What. . .?”
Despite trying to kill me when we first met, it was incredibly rude to treat me as a monster. What on earth was going on?
Ralph, who had been standing in front of me as if protecting me, pointed his sword straight at the man. His eyes were as cold as ice.
“If you say anything more, I’ll kill you.”
“Ralph, what the hell happened to you? Did you go crazy from too much peace?”
Then, after scrutinizing me from head to toe with probing eyes, he wore an expression of disbelief and spoke again.
“. . .That woman, she’s a monster.”
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