Chapter 72 I Love You

This was the very first time Petronilla had done something like this, and she shiftedawkwardly. She snuck a glance at Rothesay, who was walking quietly by her side with a smile on hisface. Thesunlight cast a glow about him like a halo.

Is there something on my face, my lady? Rothesay asked.

Ah,no, Petronillahastily replied,flustered. You'redressed so well today, I was simply admiring your outfit.

I am glad it is to your liking, My Lady, he said with a sigh ofrelief. Iworried quite a lot over whether you were interested in me or not

If I was not, then I would not be here with you

Thank you, My Lady. Rothesay then asked herkindly, Isthere anything in particular that you would like to do?

Something I'd like to do? she repeated.

I plan to spend the entire day withyou. I'dlike to do everything that you would like to do.

Oh Petronilla slightly panicked, not realizing that she would be the one to decide how the date wouldgo. Tobe frank I never thought about it, she murmured helplessly.

Oh dear, I see, Rothesay saidregretfully. Thenplease try thinking of it now, but don't get too concerned over it.

Isn't there anything you would like to do?

Did I not tellyou? Asmile appeared on Rothesay's charming face. I'm happy to do anything together with you, My Lady.

So long as I'm with you, nothing else matters to me.

I see.

This man is quite shameless. Did he learn this from someone?As Petronilla thought this, herexpression brightened.

Sir, she called.

Yes, My Lady. Please speak.

I have something that I'd like to do.

Anything you desire, My Lady.

A wicked smile spread on Petronilla'sface. I'dlike to go see a duel.

A duel? Rothesay reiterated, completely taken aback.

Petronilla nodded. Yes, a duel.

A duel where two people wield swords and fight?

Yes, that kind ofduel, Petronillaconfirmed laughingly. The one where they fight to the death.

In actuality, Petronilla had never seen a duel, and she never understood how nobles could go watch such meaningless slaughter for fun. However,this was the perfect solution for hersituation. Afterall, who could ever like a brutal and barbaric woman? A smile spread on Petronilla's face, thinking her plan was asuccess. However, there was one thing that she had overlooked

My Lady, are you alright?

AAAAH! H-Howhow could I ever be alright?!

She couldn't stand gladiator fights. It hadn't even been 10 minutes since they entered the stadium, and she already wanted to leave. But if she were to say that, her lie would be discovered.Ah, wait. Wouldn't that be alright, too? No, then every time she ran into this man, she would be uncomfortable beyondbelief.Petronillachanged her mind.

Are you alright, my lady?Truly? However,Rothesay didn't seem to notice. If you are not, we can leave, my lady.

But Petronilla wasn't able to protest a secondtime. You've already paid the entrance fee. It'd be a waste she said helplessly.

Rothesay couldn't help but go crazy at how adorable she was. Let's leave, My Lady.

But your money

I have a lot of it. It's fine.

Without asking for permission, Rothesay swept her up into his arms and beganwalking. Thisattracted the attention of the people around them. Petronilla looked like she was going to die of embarrassment and she squeezed her eyes shut.

What are you doing? We are inpublic! shehissed fiercely.

We're currently on a date, so it's fine. Everyone will understand.

In actuality, the men around them were glaring as if they wanted to throw them down onto the dueling grounds, but Petronilla didn't see as her eyes were stillclosed. Afterreassuring her, Rothesay leaned over her and whispered into her ear.

Please wait a little longer. We'll be out in a bit.

Petronilla kept her eyes closed and saidnothing. Alittle while later, an ear-splitting cheer roared aroundthem. Oneof the gladiators must have been killed.Why on earth do people find this fun?Petronilla scowled with her eyes closed.

Think of this as a banquet hall instead, Rothesay's voice said in her ear.

And there are a variety of sweet desserts strewn across the table.

Ah.

Imagining that seemed to calm her down a little bit. Just when she was bringing the brownie that she couldn't finish at the National Founding Festival up to her lips, she could feel the bright rays of the sun onher. Petronillafinally opened her eyes to Rothesay's own brown orbs, which were sweeter than any chocolate in a brownie.

Ah she gasped involuntarily.

It's alright now, My Lady.

Thank you, Petronilla said self-consciously. II think it's fine to let me down now.

I don't want to.

Why? Petronilla asked, taken aback at his answer.

I am not going to let you down.

Please, sir, I'm horribly embarrassed.

Everyone on the street was staring atthem. Petronilladidn't want this attention.

Please hurry and let me down, she urged.

Only if you would please call me by my nameonce, Rothesayproposed, a cheeky smile on his face. Please, just once.

Howcheap.Petronillasighed inwardly before calling out a single name.

Rothesay.

Thank you, Petronilla.

After slyly calling her by her own name, Rothesay let her feet down on the ground. Petronilla still hadn't fully registered that he had called her by her name, and she wore a flushed, dazed expression. Now she felt like a liar from what happened earlier.

When she slightly turned her head to steal a glance, she found Rothesay already looking ather. Hisaffection-sick eyes overwhelmed her.

W-What is it? she stammered.

I know what you were intending to do.

You are quite adorable.

I don't believe that's the proper reaction to what I did.

My lady, you are terrible at lying, Rothesay said while smiling kindly. Please do not worry, MyLady. Iwill never tire of you or be disappointed in you. I swear it on the Bradington family's honor.

I will never throw away my feelings for you for as long as you allow me to have them. I can also swear this.

Why? Petronilla asked, her tone slightly sad. Why would you go so far?

The answer is simple, Lady Petronilla. With a tender smile, Rothesay confessed to her.

Because I love you.

Mirya, Patrizia calledquietly. Thelady-in-waiting hurried over upon hearing her name.

Yes, Your Majesty. You called?

Yes. There's something I need you to do.

Patrizia gave a quiet smile before asking her favor.

Would you send a bouquet of 100 roses to BainPalace? Make sure to choose splendidly beautiful flowers that match the owner and wrap them up nicely.

Pardon me, Your Majesty? Mirya exclaimed, her eyes wide. What is the meaning of this? Are you not feeling well?

I'm sorry, Mirya, but I'm very much healthy.

No, Your Majesty. I'm certain that you've fallen ill. Mirya, who was usually composed, had no choice but to work up a fuss from this recent development. Whyroses? Notto mention a hundred of them?! Is it really that strange for me to react this way?

No, it's quite normal, Patrizia said, the ends of her lips curling up into a grin. It's extremely normal behavior.

Then are you saying that you're not normal, Your Majesty?Mirya thought to herself. As if she knew what Mirya was thinking, Patrizia laughed merrily.

That's right, Mirya. That's the reaction that Iwanted. You're most certainly my loyal subject.

I'm sorry?

Now, hurry and prepare that bouquet. That way, Marchioness Ethylaire will be pleased.

Thinking that there was definitely something wrong with the Queen, Mirya exited the room with a stunnedexpression. Evenafter Miyra left, Patrizia continued to hum as if nothing was wrong as she flipped another page of the book she was readinga tragedy in which the villain killed the heroine.

Petronilla and Rothesay decided to compromise by spending the remainder of their date peacefully. After leaving the dueling arena, they headed to themarketplace. Asshe enjoyed shopping, Petronilla was pleased with Rothesay's suggestion, but she worried whether Rothesay wouldn't enjoy it as much as she did.

Sir, Petronilla called out.

Yes, My Lady. Please speak.

Is this really alright with you?

What do you mean?

Shopping like this are you okay with browsing the marketplace? Petronilla asked hesitantly. Generally, men don't enjoy things like shopping

What's important isn't whether men generally like or dislike shopping, he said. His smiling eyes reassured the nervous Petronilla. What's important is that I enjoy being able to shop with you together, My Lady.

He definitely learned this from someone, and it was definitely from a completecasanova.Petronilla willed herself to not be swayed by his tactics as she continued ahead. Behind her, Rothesay smiled, delighted.

Of course, Petronilla took the lead in browsing through the variousstalls. If it were any other man, he would have been disinterested or even annoyed at having to go through women's jewelry or other luxury items. But from what Petronilla could tell, Rothesay seemed to enjoy it all. She didn't know whether he really was happy with just being with her or whether he was putting on an act to win over herheart. Ifit was the latter, then it only proved that Rothesay had the patience of a saint.

She spent the past three hours walking nonstop through the marketplace in an attempt to drophim. Despitethat, Rothesay followed her, completely unconcerned and not uncomfortable in the slightest. He even gave his opinions and advice on the items she picked out.

This suits you,orI feel something else would be better for you,orThis color looks much nicer on you than the other

It was the words of someone who was quite used to outings likethis. Inthe end, a somewhat suspicious Petronilla couldn't help but question him.

How are you so proficient?

At what?

At shopping with a woman?

Ohdear. Heshook his head as if something was wrong before replyingimmediately. Yourwords hold a grave mistake, my lady.

A grave mistake?

You are not just 'awoman.' Rothesaycontinuedearnestly. Youare the one I love.

Not just 'a woman', he repeated.

Iunderstand. Petronillacontinued walking down thestreet. Hereally was one to leave her speechless.

Just when she started feeling the ache in her legs and thinking there was nothing else left to see, something caught her eye.

Wow. Petronilla couldn't help but exclaim in awe, and Rothesay naturally looked towards what caught herattention. Uponseeing what it was, a look of surprise crossed his face.

Isn't that a crystal ball?

It seems so.

With a child-likecuriosity, Petronillastepped towards the street stall, Rothesay following her from behind. She inspected the crystal ball that was colored like the nightsky. Consideringhow intently Petronilla looked at it, Rothesay was about to offer to buy the crystal ball for her when the street vendor's words interrupted him.

You're a young lady who's afraid of a future that has yet to come.