The rain that kept falling restlessly for days stopped, unexpectedly, and the sky was clear again, after that, the temperature dropped down and the wind started to blow, the weather was getting colder.
The flower beds, that were ruined by the heavy rain, were now diligently restored by the gardeners, and I was absent-mindedly looking at them through the window and then my eyes went upward, towards the blue sky.
'The sky here is bluer than it was in my previous life. Probably because the air here is clearer and there is no fine dust either. Is this what they call the season where the skies are high and blue and the horses get fat?'
The deep blue sky made me feel that autumn was just around the corner.
In the empire, the color blue was considered the color of the Emperor, the color of supremacy, so in autumn when the sky was deep blue there were always many national events and many other private gatherings hosted.
'Come to think of it, today is the day we launch the fall season menu. Should I go and see the reactions?'
I put on a thicker robe and got on a carriage to go to Armand.
...
"My Prince, is that true?"
Miguel, who was passing through the East gate Square with Isidor, asked when he saw the poster promoting the autumn menu in front of Armand.
~Autumn, the season in which apples are tastier.
Fall in love with the sweetness of the best 1% apples from the Floris province, that were cultivated with a special cultivation method by farmers with 40 years of experience.~
"There is nothing false about it."
Isidor shrugged his shoulders.
There must be orchard farmers who have worked for about 40 years, and are using special methods to cultivate and take care of their trees.
You could also say they were the best apples because only the round and chunky apples with no bruises or other imperfections were used.
'One percent is a bit exaggerated, but there is no way to check if it's really real.'
"I see, so the Floris province is famous for its apples. I didn't know that."
"There are many good-quality apples produced in that area, It's a land with good temperatures."
Because the Visconti family's land was located in the south where there was a lot of fertile land, Isidor had a good grasp of the various local products.
'Wine is the only product in which revealing its origin emphasizes the quality. I didn't expect her to promote a simple fruit drink like that.'
Princess Deborah's skills always exceeded his expectations. She was able to understand the minds of those who were obsessed with scarcity, and Isidor really liked her sharp insight.
"They are great apples, but unfortunately, they are sold only for a short time."
Miguel stared at the picture of the apple from the seasonal menus, and muttered with a fascinated expression.
" Let's eat something. We still have thirty minutes."
"But, two men going to a dessert shop..."
In fact, being of the same sex was an excuse. Miguel felt uncomfortable sitting at the same table with his bad-tempered boss to drink tea and eat sweets. After all he was so hard on him just for laughing a bit during work.
'Is not laughing the only way to show loyalty?'
"If you are uncomfortable then go alone, as long as you get me a dessert, too."
"My Prince, where are you going all of a sudden?"ಠಿâ ã®â à²
His master, suddenly, began to go somewhere with an alarmed look.
'What just happened?'
Isidor saw a familiar figure that slowly flowed between the crowd of people.
"Ah, what is it? Oh, I'm sorry."
"Just now, a very handsome man..."
"That surprised me."
Isidor ran as fast as he could through the crowd of people until he managed to reach the desired person.
"...!"
Behind the black robe, ruby-red eyes looked at him startled.
Isidor was also surprised.
During the Spring Flower Festival he already knew her destination and route, so he could figure out who she was if he observed a little. But now it was purely a coincidence.
"Oh..."
Deborah blinked slowly staring at him. Her long purple eyelashes fluttered slowly as if they were petals.
His heart pounded rapidly and the nape of his neck heated up becoming slightly red.
'It's probably because I ran too quickly.'
"Sir Isidor?"
...
Isidor suddenly appearing out of nowhere made my heart beat rapidly.
'Why can't I get used to his beauty?'
Isidor's clear smile, which she had just seen, was stunningly beautiful.
Isidor cleared his throat and asked.
"Princess Deborah, we happened to meet like this. What are you doing?"
"I was just taking a walk. What about you, Sir. Isidor?"
I spoke dazedly, my mind was still confused because of his charm.
"I was on my way to the training ground."
The barracks of the White Knights, that Isidor belonged to, were close to the east gate.
"Next week is the start of the new semester."
His statement brought me back to my senses.
The Academy year was divided in two semesters, the spring semester and the autumn semester, and the autumn semester was starting next week.
"Did you have a good vacation?"
"It was alright. And you Sir. Isidor?"
If, according to my assumption, Isidor is the key to discovering Master's identity, I decided that it would be better for me to get closer to him than to keep pushing him away.
"It was good."
Isidor's eyes curved as he smiled.
'Have I been too suspicious of him? Haaa...I feel guilty because he is happy just because we met.'
"Actually, I've been busy treating my colleagues. Thanks to you Princess, because you wished me luck."
"Congratulations on winning the tournament. Pardon my late congratulations."
"Everyone bet money on Diera without any consideration. Did you also bet on him by chance?"
"O-oof course not. Your performance was amazing! Ha Ha Ha...!"
Isidor hit the bull's eye, and my body stiffened, and he looked obvious embarrassment as he noticed my poor acting skills.
"I thought you were joking with me, but... were you actually serious?"
"The world of competition is really cold-hearted."
I couldn't say anything and just looked at the distant mountains.
"You even gave me your handkerchief... Of course, I thought you were sincerely supporting me."
"Honestly, I didn't expect you to be such a skilled knight, because you are so handsome."
"Princess, you are cheating."
Even though Isidor must be tired of hearing about how handsome he is, his mood seemed to improve as he rubbed his long neck. He looked embarrassed. ð³
"You are very popular among the ladies and gentlemen as well."
'I thought I was at a concert, not a jousting arena.'
"Did you only realize that now?"
'Haa... We should stop this conversation.'
"Don't you have to go to the training ground?"
"I still have a lot of time. After all I went through a troublesome competition and brought honor to the White Knights, so they should turn a blind eye even if I arrive a little late."
'A troublesome competition?'
"You didn't want to compete?"
Isidor's white-gloved hand flinched when I asked.
'It seems like that was a slip of tongue.'
"Even if it's troublesome, I was going to participate because the winning prize. It is a fairly useful sword."
'If he participated because of the prize, why didn't he participate in the novel?
A third-generation chaebol should be able to buy as many swords as he wants. Beside that, he is an only son, so he doesn't have to share his inheritance.'
I looked at him suspiciously but he looked at me quietly.
"Did you figure out that I lied?"
"Huh?"
"The jousting tournament. I wanted to act cool for you. Do you think that I'm childish?"
Isidore said in a light tone, but I felt embarrassed at his words and my heart changed its rhythm again. My brain refused to think. His words were like a strike leaving me unable to say anything.
"I'm a little hungry. Since it's tea time why don't we go there?"
Isidor la quickly changed the topic and pointed to Armand.
"Let's... let's go."
The advertisement made by Isidor last time he visited the shop was so efficient, that it made me want to ask him to come by at least one more time.
"I am a regular there. The atmosphere is not bad."
Isidor giggled at my words.
"Well I guess I have to become a regular, too."
'I should be very happy that a celebrity wants to become a regular at my shop. So why do I feel so anxious now?'
I returned home after I had tea and dessert with Isidor.
'Weird. I thought that maybe I could find something from him, but the conversation was so trivial and ordinary, and when we ate he ordered a variety of cakes and then pushed them in front of me to eat...Looking back, it felt like we were on a date....I am so confused.'
"It feels like I always get caught up in his pace."
I covered myself with a blanket, and let out a sigh while rubbing my red cheeks.
...........................