‘But it seems like another hoax…’

Expectations further dwindled, but if Lady Christina wanted to keep her choice of the dress shop more secretive, choosing a place like this might not be entirely out of the question.

In front of the courthouse…

Since they had come this far, the successor, with a sense of wanting to confirm, said to the messenger, “Go and check the situation inside.”

The messenger widened their eyes.

“Now? Do you want me to meet them right away?”

The successor, looking through binoculars again, said, “I can’t do anything right away. Still, go and see the situation once. We can’t just wait endlessly here.”

The messenger hesitated.
“But there are too few people here, so if we reveal ourselves now, we might get caught. It’s been quite a while since they went in, and they might come out slowly… Oh, they came out!”

“What?!”

The successor quickly hid behind the building while turning binoculars in the direction the messenger was pointing.

“!”

Then, the successor widened their eyes.

It was Arthur! Even from a distance, feeling the atmosphere, the successor held their breath.

It was indeed Arthur who came out of the dress shop!

Although not clearly visible behind the awning of the entrance, it caught the successor’s eye that there was a woman in a dress beside him.

Two maids busily moved around them, loading some luggage onto the carriage and locking the door of the dress shop.

And Arthur escorted the woman in the dress to the carriage.

The blonde hair flowing beneath her hat fluttered.

‘Lady Christina!’

The successor clenched their fist.

Although it was said that General Improvements only dealt with official business, the successor knew that there would be at least one day when they secretly went out!

Moreover, if they came out once, they would come out two or three times.

If they could somehow meet, there were countless ways to create a connection using coincidence!

The successor held their breath, focusing on the binoculars that covered their eyes.

The woman’s face was almost visible.

The successor, to not miss the moment when Lady Christina’s face was revealed, held their breath and followed their movements.

Remember the face for now.

Surely, there will be another outing…!

Just before Arthur escorted her into the carriage, the successor, seeing the smiling face of the woman slightly visible under her hat, memorized it intently.

At that moment, a plausible scenario formed in the successor’s mind.

“Please go in first. We’ll go down to the city to take care of some more things and then join you.”

The two maids stayed in front of the dressing room, not getting on the carriage, bidding farewell to Reyna.

“Won’t you come with us?”

Reyna asked, but they were not the ones to repeat the mistake that happened between Arthur and Reyna.

“We have other errands to attend to.”

They smoothly made another excuse, smiling and stepping back, not getting on the carriage.

Arthur smiled, diverting his gaze from the maids,

Reyna realized, ‘It’s time for Lady Christina to order dresses for this month. I need to go there and come back,’ and waved her hand to the maids.

“Take care.”

“Go inside!”

The two waved and sent off Reyna with smiles.

And they disappeared happily together.

It was not difficult to guess that Arthur’s generous tip included the carriage fare and free time.

Seated comfortably in the carriage, Reyna looked at Arthur on the opposite side and smiled.

He looked tired, but his expression was good.
However, Reyna briefly glanced at him with a slightly concerned expression.

Why?

When Arthur raised his eyebrows and asked with his gaze,

Reyna seemed to hesitate for a moment before answering subtly.

“I also wanted to give something in return, so I briefly thought about buying a gift for Arthur with the money Arthur gave.”

“…….?”

Arthur tried to maintain a calm expression, but couldn’t help bursting into a short laugh.

“How absurd.”

Reyna also laughed along, saying softly,

“…I know it’s not very ladylike. But.”

Reyna smiled awkwardly and continued,

“I felt a bit embarrassed because it seemed like I spent such a good time.”

Arthur leaned his elbow on the carriage and rested his chin on his hand.

“Was it a good time?”

His warm gaze met hers.

“Yes… It was enjoyable. Very much so.”

Reyna’s voice trailed off, then she bit her lip and asked hesitantly,

“Arthur, were you not bored today?”

Arthur looked at her and smiled.

“You asked me if it was boring when you deliberately dressed up and came out to see if it suits me. How could that be boring?”

“…….?”

Reyna’s face turned red.

He heard that.

Reyna, not knowing what to do, turned her gaze outside the carriage window.

“…Let’s talk about something else.”

Arthur chuckled and laughed, covering his face.

Thunk!

The carriage wheels suddenly shook as if caught on something, and Reyna grabbed the chair with both hands, looking surprised.

Then, with a face flushed with surprise, she met eyes with Arthur.

“…….?”

As if he was about to catch Reyna if she fell, Arthur reached out his hand but withdrew it, smiling.

“…….?”

Suddenly, Reyna felt a strange emotion.

Longing.

Wanting to see him.

What could that mean?

“…….?”

The streets of Julius, which she hadn’t been to for a long time, were bathed in the light of autumn.

Rows of trees on the street, colored with yellow, red, and blue light.

Birds leisurely pecking at the fruit hanging from the trees.

Children chasing dragonflies.

A sky higher and bluer than usual.

Colorful leaves rolling on the ground and a pleasant breeze.

Fountains spraying shimmering mist in every square, giving off a sparkling fragrance.

Carts full of fruit, and the sounds of people.

…A city where she had lived her whole life.

Reyna thought of herself leaving this place after all this was over and Arthur, who would become the master of this place for a lifetime.