15.


    “If there is time next weekend, let’s go watch a y together.”


    Harsen suggested it in an indifferent tone when dinner was almost over. Unlike his in tone, the content was not something to react inly about. Erce had surprised rabbit eyes. Looking at Vicente, he was also quite embarrassed, and his expression was stiffer than usual.


    Watch a y? The three of us?


    Did he ever do this before? Even if I rack my brain there has never been such an urence.


    Harsen added without knowing about her staring at him.


    “It will end early that day.”


    That wasn’t the answer Erce wanted.


    I want to know why Harsen thought of that, but I shouldn’t open my mouth because the atmosphere would get cold if I asked back, ‘Why?’. Anyway, it wouldn’t hurt to look like a harmonious family for once.


    “I like it.”


    Vicente didn’t know, but she actually was nning to watch a y with Vicente. So, she was grateful when Harsen took the initiative. Three would be better than two.


    “Vicente.”


    “I’m okay with it too.”


    Vicente answered at Harsen’s call without hesitation. In fact, he had no say in the matter. Unlike with Erce, he had to agree if Harsen told him to.


    “Clifton, book three tickets for the evening.”


    “Yes, my Lord.”


    Clifton, who had been a butler for a long time, was deeply moved by the incident, and his face was filled with restrained emotions.<em></em>


    ***


    “What happened back there? What came upon you?”


    After returning to their room after eating, Erce asked excitedly. Harsen, who took a short nce at her smiling face, answered briefly as he buttoned the changed shirt.


    “Just because.”


    There’s no way he’ll answer anything at one try. Erce narrowed her eyes thin. Obviously, he isn’t the type to do this for no reason.


    “You’re very busy these days.”


    “It’s only temporary. It will all be resolved soon.”


    “Are you giving up easily against Conrad?”


    “The Duke of Garten has decided to visit Conrad.”


    What did I just hear? Erce’s forehead frowned when an unwee name was heard. Her wide smile has long disappeared.


    “The Duke of Garten is not the right man for the job.”


    Erce retorted with a sullen face. The Duchess of Garten was calm, but the Duke of Garten was not suitable for diplomacy between countries due to his fiery temper.


    What can such a man solve? I wonder if he can even speak the Conradnguage.


    Cunning like fox, he had a crafty head but Erce couldn’t stand him.


    Back in the day, the Duke often picked on Caron, calling him Little Marquis. Caron didn’t show it then but he must’ve had a hard time.


    As time passed, such things gradually disappeared, but whenever Caron nned anything, he would still cross the line and argue about everything.


    “I wish my brother went there.”


    Erce mumbled, closing Harsen’s buttons. Harsen’s eyes were distorted.


    “The Marquis?”


    “I mean, he’s more diplomatic than the Duke. He knows how to speak the Conradnguage. Does the Duke know it?”


    “I don’t think he can.”


    “Hmm…”


    No wonder. I’m a little anxious-


    “There will not be any problem with an interpreter present. We’re not in a position to stay in Conrad.”


    “Going to a foreign country and speaking in theirnguage is showing good faith. It’s to be considerate.”


    Harsen exhaled a sigh at Erce’s retort.


    “His Majesty has made an unwise choice. He should have sent this woman here, not the Duke.”


    When he started teasing her, she shot at him calmly.


    “Don’t make fun of me.”


    “I’m just joking. Really.”


    As Harsen said that, a subtle smile appeared around his mouth, and Erce had no choice but to smile.


    “Let’s end it here. But His Majesty himself sent the Duke of Garten? That’s unexpected.”


    “The Duke volunteered actually.”


    “The Duke himself?”


    So he went to Conrad on his own? He’s definitely not the kind of person to do that.


    The Duke of Garten is not a man to involve himself in uncertain matters. He always used to move only when he was confident. Some praised it as a wise move but deemed it cowardice to change attitudes ording to the current. Erce, who disliked the Duke of Garten, was on thetter side.


    “Anyway, the terms for negotiation are already set, so it doesn’t matter who goes.”


    “Fair enough.”


    Since he has been in politics for a long time, he will do well on his own. He won’t dare ruin the King’s n.


    Suddenly, Harsen’s eyes reached her cheek. Erce looked at him with a strange look.


    “Do you have something to say?”


    “Nothing. I was a little surprised today.”


    “Today?”


    “Seeing you getting along with Vicente… it was a little strange.”


    “Oh.”


    Now, I get why he looked at me a bit differently, since earlier.


    Harsen was surprised to see Erce treating Vicente affectionately. He, who didn’t react much to most things, seemed quite disconcerted.


    If anyone saw what she did a while ago, they would have reacted more than Harsen, not less. Rather, his reaction was quite dull. If Sierra had seen it, she would go crazy.


    To be exact, Vicente was always annoyed, so Erce was trying to get along with Vicente herself, but they seemed to have a good rtionship in the eyes of a third party.


    Vicente doesn’t like her but he follows her words quite well. She thought she was okay but her pupils stiffened in an instant.


    Are you sure you’re properly familiar with the rules of hierarchy?


    She remembered the conversation between Harsen and Vicente earlier and it made a lot of sense. Vicente followed Harsen’s words unconditionally without even expressing doubt.


    This isn’t good. She vowed to teach Vicente how to express his opinion in the future. Her lips naturally opened with a sigh.


    “It’s bing better than in the past.”


    “Did it start when we talked about his education mattersst time?”


    Erce sat on the bed without answering and looked up at Harsen. She received the gaze of a man looking down at her and opened her mouth with a slightly shy face.


    “I want to be a good mother to him now.”


    Erce’s legs stretched to the floor, slowly rocked back and forth. Strangely enough, she seemed like a girl who was about to confess her heart.


    “As you know, I wasn’t a good mother. Even though I gave birth to him, I didn’t take good care of him. I was immature and med Vicente for everything. It’s not like he asked to be born, but I was foolish. But one day… I regretted it all. I know it’s veryte but I want to change myself now. Of course, I’m still inexperienced and clumsy. Sometimes, I’m afraid my unintentional actions might hurt him.”


    Actually, she made a slip of the tongue in front of Vicente at a restaurant the other day. She became familiar with her new soft tone, but she still wasn’t able to control her unconsciously popping up thoughts. This was also a habit she had to fix in the future.


    “But I won’t give up.”


    If I fix, fix and fix myself, can I one day be a real ‘mother’ to that child?


    “I want to get along with Vicente.”


    Erce imagined her friendly self with Vicente. Just thinking about the image drawn in my mind fills me with extreme happiness deep inside my heart.


    “I have to try hard.”


    She felt a little embarrassed because it was her first time talking about this in front of Harsen.


    Erce scratched her head. She didn’t know where to look. Harsen still didn’t say anything, which doubled her embarrassment.


    Erce tapped Harsen’s leg lightly, indicating him to say something. Yet, as he remained silent, he saw that the sulky woman was about to hide under the covers.


    Harsen put his hand on Erce’s shoulder. Her head was slowly drawn upward as the coolness passed on her bare skin. His eyes were staring into space.


    As always, his eyes were darker than darkness. And as always, she couldn’t read the eyes that looked at her. It was as if deep darkness was encroaching on her.


    It would be better if he smiled faintly as usual, but his mouth wasn’tced with any smile. Erce took a shallow breath.


    “Harsen?”


    He hardly opened his mouth as if troubled by some thought. She might be mistaken, but his eyes were shaking slightly.


    “… ly?”


    Really. A low voice rang in her ear.


    She wondered why he looked at her with such eyes, but she couldn’t ask why, so her lips naturally closed.


    That night, the night sky looked especially dark.


    ***


    “Let’s go buy a ne today.”


    Erce went to Vicente as soon as she heard that a rare blue sapphire, that was only found in Arki mine, was avable at the Rayleigh Jewelry store.


    “You can call the merchant to the mansion.”


    A monotonous answer was heard as opposed to her heightened voice. Vicente thought that Erce was like a normal nobledy today.


    She always liked parties and essories. It wouldn’t be strange for her to be thrilled for a sapphire blue jewel or something like that.


    Anyhow I don’t know why she wants to go out just for one jewel. All it takes is calling someone home.


    “T-that’s right, but….”


    “But?”


    Erce hesitated a little.


    “Then I have no excuse to go out with you.”


    “…….”


    Vicente looked at Erce without moving. He wasn’t surprised at her for spouting such embarrassing words so easily.


    Vicente didn’t think much of this because he had be immune to her shamelessness because of his multiple experiences with her, just like Erce, who had be immune to his coldness. He opened his mouth in the usual manner.


    “What if someone else had already bought it?”


    “It’s okay. We can buy something else.”


    You’re too motivated to say it doesn’t matter.


    Vicente didn’t bother to say that. Suddenly, he recalled the uing knight exam. He wouldn’t fall behind, but since he’s been going out oftentely, he can’t help but feel like he’s losing his touch.


    But because of his promise to Erce, he had no choice but to go, so it was a useless worry. Vicente nodded helplessly.


    “Then I’ll get ready.”


    “Would it take long?”


    “It’ll just take a moment.”


    “Then I’ll be waiting in the carriage. Come quickly.”


    Her steps seemed very light after hearing that. Now that he saw it, Erce was already wearing outer-wear.


    Were you sure that I would go with you?<i></i>


    Strangely, he was dumbfounded andughed.


    Going out with Erce has be a daily routine. He thought his father would object, but surprisingly, he left his mother alone.


    <i>Yesterday, I was quite surprised at dinner</i>.


    It was truly an unbelievable sight. Vicente doubted his eyes for a while because Harsen looked like apletely different person giving in to Erce.


    At first, he tried to guess his father’s intentions, but soon quit. It’s hard enough to read his intentions in the first ce. Vicente decided to draw a simple conclusion.


    <i>He’s weak with her.</i>


    If you think about it too much, it’ll only give you a headache.


    ***


    I lost my mind and added chapter 15 in 14.


    Also I learned how to write character’s thoughts in 3rd person limited so I’ll be using this format now and will slowly change it in the s too.


    Also also somebody please volunteer to be my editor/pr. Please, please! I’m desperate. I lost my motivation wondering if my work is readible to native English speakers. I won’t burden you much (at least not this month hehe) since it’s exam season.