I hadn’t seen it wrong. The color and shape were the same, and that peculiar rabbit expression undoubtedly matched the one I had given.

I observed Ulric, who was swirling the remaining ice with a small spoon. Although he had always liked cute and charming things, he had never revealed it in front of others. But why now?

I considered asking but swallowed my words.

“Rezhe.”

He smiled at me.

“Tell me now. I want to hear your story.”

Ulric focused on me. Even if there was something to say, it was just gossip about Yune that I had vented earlier.

Although there were still plenty of gossips about Father, I didn’t want to talk about others’ misfortunes in front of Ulric, who had just boldly revealed his ambitions.

“Um… Felicia is getting married soon, and she’ll be at the Polon Mansion for about a week.”

“Felicia, your sister?”

“Yes, I never dreamed Felicia would get married right after becoming an adult.”

Ah, come to think of it, Felicia was the same age as Ulric.

When would Ulric get married? According to the novel, he would marry the daughter of a competent knight’s family about a year later. It was a contractual marriage, but the couple cared for each other, and the household was harmonious.

However, my life didn’t flow as the novel did.

‘The Ulric in “Hero of Penton Manor” and the Ulric in front of me are so different.’

Like different people.

“Marriage…”

Ulric muttered, lost in thought. It was a casual remark without much thought, but he accepted it more seriously than I expected. Could Ulric have a prospective partner for marriage?

Suddenly, I felt a bit strange. The childhood friend I used to play with now harbored feelings for an unknown woman. He was no longer a boy but a man. A man.

The term ‘man’ felt awkward and embarrassing to me.

“Until Viscount Kito arrives, I’ll be preparing for the solo Set Chess Tournament.”

I quickly changed the subject. Ulric also relaxed his expression, lifting his gaze from below.

“…When is he coming?”

“He has some business, so he might not return soon. It could take at least a month, don’t you think?”

Sipping my coffee absentmindedly, I found my cup empty. Sitting quietly, I rubbed my cold feet and hands. The afternoon chill struck my face several times as it got colder.

“Are you cold?”

Ulric asked.

“Uh, yeah. A bit… Shall we get up now?”

“If so, would you like to take a short walk?”

“Sure.”

Ulric looked at my attire and stood up without changing. I also gathered my belongings and stepped out of the terrace with him.

He didn’t head towards the hill where the mansion was but towards the opposite side of the market. The side illuminated by the bright sunlight felt less chilly than when I was sitting.

“Ulric?”

Ulric, seemingly still bothered by the cold wind, turned towards a shop nearby. The dress shop was the most expensive place in town.

Following Ulric without knowing English, I glanced around the familiar interior.

I had been here a few times following Isabelle. The shop exuded an antique charm with high white wallpaper, tall ceilings, and three large chandeliers in different shapes. It seemed like nothing had changed here since the past.

“Welcome. Can I help you find something?”

Three shop employees rushed over simultaneously. They smiled kindly, yet repeatedly stole glances at Ulric’s ecstatic appearance.

“Please pick a few dresses that would suit this lady. Choose something thick, not thin.”

I stared at Ulric in embarrassment. Before I could refuse, he spoke before me.

“Do you have any clothes you like? Anything would look pretty on you, but still.”

“Are you buying for me?”

“If so, why would I bring you here?”

“It’s okay. I can buy it. I have money too!”

As I tried to take out my wallet, Ulric stopped my hand. His grip was strong, making it impossible for me to pull out my wallet.

“Let me buy. I didn’t give you a present on your seventeenth birthday.”

“That birthday was months ago.”

“Even so.”

“…Sigh. Fine, understood. Do as you wish.”

“…”
“But let me buy you a gift as well. Similarly, I didn’t give you a present on your nineteenth birthday.”

Ulric seemed displeased with something, but I didn’t give in either. Eventually, we reached an agreement, and I ended up looking at a few dresses that the shop employees had picked.

I tried to randomly choose one among the five dresses they had selected. However, due to the employee’s insistence that I had to try them on, I ended up entering the dressing room.

The employees stripped off all the clothes except the undergarments and began putting on dresses, starting with a purple one. They adjusted them with needles or pins around my waist and then tied the loosened dress straps one by one.

“You look absolutely beautiful, miss. Your husband will fall in love with you again.”

“Huh? I don’t have a husband.”

“You’re not married yet?”

“He’s just a friend.”

My words surprised the employees. Their expressions questioned how I could just be friends with such a handsome man. Although they seemed eager to say something, they silently arranged the dresses again.