“When young lady Alicia was young, she often came to the temple with Count Lancaster.”

“You seem to have come for research.”

“……Yes. I was so glad to see it again after nearly 10 years.”

“She was very quick to learn. To the point where I thought it would be good if she became a priestess.”

As the young priest next to the old priest chimed in, Eric frowned heavily.

He was displeased that such talk was brought up in front of him, the fiancé, when priests were forbidden to marry.

The young priest then shrank back and hurriedly began to make excuses.

“I’m, I’m sorry. It’s not that I really wish that were the case, but she was so surprisingly easy to talk to. As if we had known each other from before. Do you think I would really think that way with her fiancé glaring at me with such fierce eyes? Even back then, I was moved by how much young lady Alicia worried about the commander. Oh my, looking at you two now, you really suit each other well. I must have been momentarily crazy.”

“……”

As Eric stared with a disgusted expression at the young priest rambling on in a high-pitched voice without pause, another priest chimed in.

“But shouldn’t we schedule the High Priest’s appointment in advance?”

“?”

“The High Priest usually officiates noble house weddings, right? Since the High Priest’s schedule is so busy, we should book in advance. Even if we book now, it would only be possible several months later at the earliest.”

“Ah.”

Suddenly feeling brought back to reality, Eric closed his mouth.

The several months he had imagined a few months ago were clear.

But the several months he was imagining now were uncertain.

‘It can’t be uncertain, that’s not possible.’

The end of the contract is clearly set.

So it shouldn’t change.

No, would it be a problem if it doesn’t change?

Eric stood up with a confused mind.

“What’s wrong?”

“I have another appointment, so I should get going now. There doesn’t seem to be anything more to discuss, so let’s end today’s meeting here.”

“I suppose you’re right. If I find out anything more, I’ll contact you.”

“Please do. Then.”

Eric greeted them and hurriedly left the meeting room.

[This is the timeline separator]

Knock knock.

Eric leaned against the doorframe of Alicia’s office and knocked after opening the door.

Now used to this sight, Alicia looked up and smiled.

“I keep telling you, you’re supposed to knock before coming in.”

“It was open.”

That response was also familiar, so Alicia laughed briefly. Eric also smiled and sat down on the sofa.

“What brings you here? I heard you had a meeting at the Grand Temple and might finish late.”

“It ended earlier than expected.”

“Seems the results weren’t good.”

“Not just ‘not good’, there were no results at all. So we couldn’t drag it out long.”

“That’s troubling.”

“There was something that was sort of a big deal though.”

“Why? What happened?”

As Alicia asked with a worried expression, Eric laughed saying it was nothing, then asked.

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

“If you’ve already agreed on an ending, but want to change it? That would be a big deal, right?”

Not sure what he meant, but seeing Eric’s face look quite serious, Alicia also spoke seriously.

“If the person who agreed also wants to change it, I don’t think it would matter?”

“Of course.”

“Why? Does the other party not want to change it?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Then talk it over well. I think they’ll listen well since you’re not one to speak nonsense.”

“You think so?”

As Alicia nodded, Eric smiled.

“I’m confused about possibly wanting to change it, but it’s not that I absolutely have to.”

“Ah, so you could leave it as is too?”

“Preferably. I think that’s right.”

Eric muttered in a smaller voice than before.

“Probably.”

“?”

After looking at Eric for a moment, Alicia got up and sat next to him.

“Are you really okay? Is it such a worrying matter?”

“……”

Eric silently stared at Alicia’s worried face looking at him, then grinned.

“Are you busy? No, it doesn’t matter if you are. As your employer, I’ll allow it, so let’s play today.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yeah. It’s okay once in a while, right?”

Alicia looked at Eric for a moment, then smiled and pushed aside the documents she was looking at.

“Alright. What shall we do?”

“Hmm.”

Nothing really popped into Eric’s head.

If it were a man, they could just drink together.

Eric pondered for a moment, then stood up as if he had a good idea.

“Wait here for a bit. Get ready and come out when I call you.”

“What should I prepare?”

But Eric left the office quickly without answering, leaving Alicia behind.

[This is the timeline separator]

“What’s this all of a sudden?”

Alicia asked the head maid trying to change her clothes with a puzzled expression.

“I heard you’re going on a date. So you need to wear suitable clothes.”

“A date?”

“I heard you’re going out with the Count, is that not right?”

“Ah. A date. I see. That’s right, a date.”

Thinking it could be called that since they were going out to play together, Alicia nodded.

“What would you like to wear, miss?”

When the head maid opened the dressing room closet, Alicia looked inside in surprise.

“Where did all these clothes come from?”

“The Duchess has been sending them whenever she thought of it. Since you’ve been staying here often lately. I thought you knew?”

“No, I didn’t. She never mentioned it.”

Since she hadn’t heard anything, Alicia naturally hadn’t thought to look in the dressing room.

Last time the maid had naturally taken out pajamas, and now the closet was fully stocked with clothes.

She was grateful, but it felt a bit burdensome.

‘How did she know my size… Ah, they measured for the Imperial tea party dress.’

“It could be hot outside. It would be good to wear something cool.”

“Where are we going?”

“Oh my, it wouldn’t be fun if I told you. You should hear it directly from the Count.”

“Ah.”

Alicia nodded.

He had confidently told her to get ready, so it seemed he really was planning to do something.

“This outfit would be good.”

“This one?”

“Yes. It’s cool, isn’t it?”

“But this is a bit-, no. It’s pretty.”

With help, Alicia changed clothes and stood in front of the mirror.

The neckline was low-cut, a design the usual Alicia would never wear.

“It looks cool and pretty on you.”

Alicia smiled awkwardly as she looked at herself in the mirror. She was still conscious of the chest area, but she straightened her posture and stood up straight.

“Here, take this hat too. The weather is nice today so the sun could be strong. And just in case, it would be good to take this shawl as well.”

“Thank you.”

“Shall we go? The Count is waiting.”

Still feeling a bit awkward, Alicia lightly draped the shawl over herself and went downstairs with the head maid.

“Shall we go?”

Alicia gently placed her hand on Eric’s outstretched hand.

“Where are we going?”

“Just follow me.”

Eric smiled.

He was worried whether things would be properly prepared since he had requested it so suddenly, but he decided to worry about that when they got there.

“We’ll be back.”

They set off, sent off by the butler and head maid.

“Wow.”

Alicia exclaimed as she looked out the carriage window.

Before she knew it, the lake and surrounding scenery spread out beyond the window was beautiful.

The sunlight reflected off the water surface, making it sparkle and shine.

“I didn’t know there was a place like this nearby.”

“I didn’t know either.”

“You didn’t know? Then how?”

“Allen has a villa near Lake Merlin. I contacted him urgently and he said we could use it.”

“Ah, I see.”

It was true that he had contacted urgently, but it was more of a notification than asking permission.

Allen was working in the knights order anyway, and his parents had gone down to their local territory, so Eric already knew the villa was empty.

Besides, they weren’t planning to use the villa itself, just a small part of the private lakeside area in front for a short while, so it should be fine even without proper preparations.

“Wow, it’s beautiful.”

Alicia exclaimed in admiration at the scenery as soon as she got out of the carriage holding Eric’s hand.

The green lawn they had passed on the way was pretty, but the jade-colored water of Lake Merlin reflecting the blue sky, the lush green trees surrounding it, and the flower gardens in full bloom were beautiful.

Seeing Alicia smiling brightly, Eric’s mood lifted as well.

“Welcome, Count.”

“And you are?”

“I am the steward managing this place. Please call me anytime if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ve prepared a place for you to rest. This way.”

The steward received the luggage from the coachman and began walking in front, guiding Eric and Alicia.

“Looks like Allen prepared better than expected? Even though I contacted him so suddenly.”

“Indeed. That’s really nice of him.”

The place the butler guided them to was a grassy area near the lakeshore. With the lake in front, flower gardens behind, and lush green trees on both sides, the scenery was very beautiful.

Under a tree with branches spread wide to the side, a comfortable-looking spot was already prepared in the shade.

A large mat was laid out, with cushions, pillows and other items set up for comfortable seating.

“The young master earnestly requested that the two of you be accommodated comfortably, so we hurriedly prepared, but I’m not sure if it will be to your liking.”

“This is more than enough. You’ve worked hard.”

“Not at all, Count.”

‘That Allen kid, he’s been trying to climb up lately so I was planning to teach him a lesson, but maybe I should forgive him.’

Eric smirked as he followed the steward closer to the prepared spot.

“I heard you would be bringing things to eat, but just in case, we prepared some simple items. Please call anytime if you need anything else.”

“Thank you.”

“The shade should be sufficient, but we’ve also prepared a parasol for the lady.”

“Thank you.”

“Then please enjoy your time.”

The steward set down the luggage, bowed deeply, and went back the way he came.

“Shall we sit then?”

“Wow, the grass is much softer than I expected.”

“Sit on this. I’ll put this behind so you can lean back.”

Alicia sat in the spot Eric prepared and said teasingly:

“In the end, it wasn’t you who prepared this, but Sir Allen?”

“……Will you give me credit for giving good instructions?”

“Pfft. I think it was appropriate instruction for such a short time. As expected, you’re capable.”

“Thank you. Now then, shall we see what was prepared?”

Eric opened the basket.

It was prettily filled with all kinds of finger foods and fruits.

“The chef put a lot of effort into it in such a short time.”

“Indeed.”

“Give it here.”

“I’ll do it. I told you I’d take care of everything today.”

Then Eric started taking everything out of the basket.

‘Ah, we’ll have to put it all back if we can’t eat it all. And the space will get cramped too.’

But Eric seemed quite excited, so in the end Alicia smiled and let him do as he pleased.

“Here. Drink this.”

Eric took out a glass bottle of juice, poured it, and handed it to Alicia.

After watching Eric’s actions, Alicia asked suspiciously:

“Why are you being so affectionate today?”

“Hm?”

Eric looked at Alicia for a moment, then smiled.

“It’s like a bribe.”

“A bribe?”

“In case we need to come to an agreement later.”

“?”

Eric smiled and reached out his hand to Alicia.