15.

If there is time next weekend, lets go watch a play together.

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

Watch a play? The three of us?

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

Harsen added without knowing about her staring at him.

It will end early that day.

That wasnt the answer Ercella wanted.

I want to know why Harsen thought of that, but I shouldnt open my mouth because the atmosphere would get cold if I asked back, Why?. Anyway, it wouldnt hurt to look like a harmonious family for once.

I like it.

Vicente didnt know, but she actually was planning to watch a play with Vicente. So, she was grateful when Harsen took the initiative. Three would be better than two.

Vicente.

Im okay with it too.

Vicente answered at Harsens call without hesitation. In fact, he had no say in the matter. Unlike with Ercella, 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.

***

What happened back there? What came upon you?

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

Just because.

Theres no way hell answer anything at one try. Ercella narrowed her eyes thin. Obviously, he isnt the type to do this for no reason.

Youre very busy these days.

Its 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? Ercellas forehead frowned when an unwelcome name was heard. Her wide smile has long disappeared.

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

Ercella 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 Conrad language.

Cunning like fox, he had a crafty head but Ercella couldnt stand him.

Back in the day, the Duke often picked on Caron, calling him Little Marquis. Caron didnt show it then but he mustve had a hard time.

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

I wish my brother went there.

Ercella mumbled, closing Harsens buttons. Harsens eyes were distorted.

The Marquis?

I mean, hes more diplomatic than the Duke. He knows how to speak the Conrad language. Does the Duke know it?

I dont think he can.

Hmm

No wonder. Im a little anxious-

There will not be any problem with an interpreter present. Were not in a position to stay in Conrad.

Going to a foreign country and speaking in their language is showing good faith. Its to be considerate.

Harsen exhaled a sigh at Ercellas 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.

Dont make fun of me.

Im just joking. Really.

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

Lets end it here. But His Majesty himself sent the Duke of Garten? Thats unexpected.

The Duke volunteered actually.

The Duke himself?

So he went to Conrad on his own? Hes 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 according to the current. Ercella, who disliked the Duke of Garten, was on the latter side.

Anyway, the terms for negotiation are already set, so it doesnt matter who goes.

Fair enough.

Since he has been in politics for a long time, he will do well on his own. He wont dare ruin the Kings plan.

Suddenly, Harsens eyes reached her cheek. Ercella 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 Ercella treating Vicente affectionately. He, who didnt 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 Ercella was trying to get along with Vicente herself, but they seemed to have a good relationship in the eyes of a third party.

Vicente doesnt like her but he follows her words quite well. She thought she was okay but her pupils stiffened in an instant.

Are you sure youre 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 Harsens words unconditionally without even expressing doubt.

This isnt good. She vowed to teach Vicente how to express his opinion in the future. Her lips naturally opened with a sigh.

Its becoming better than in the past.

Did it start when we talked about his education matters last time?

Ercella 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.

Ercellas 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 wasnt a good mother. Even though I gave birth to him, I didnt take good care of him. I was immature and blamed Vicente for everything. Its not like he asked to be born, but I was foolish. But one day I regretted it all. I know its very late but I want to change myself now. Of course, Im still inexperienced and clumsy. Sometimes, Im 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 wasnt able to control her unconsciously popping up thoughts. This was also a habit she had to fix in the future.

But I wont give up.

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

I want to get along with Vicente.

Ercella 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.

Ercella scratched her head. She didnt know where to look. Harsen still didnt say anything, which doubled her embarrassment.

Ercella tapped Harsens 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 Ercellas 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 couldnt 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 wasnt laced with any smile. Ercella 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 couldnt ask why, so her lips naturally closed.

That night, the night sky looked especially dark.

***

Lets go buy a necklace today.

Ercella went to Vicente as soon as she heard that a rare blue sapphire, that was only found in Arki mine, was available 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 Ercella was like a normal noble lady today.

She always liked parties and accessories. It wouldnt be strange for her to be thrilled for a sapphire blue jewel or something like that.

Anyhow I dont know why she wants to go out just for one jewel. All it takes is calling someone home.

T-thats right, but.

But?

Ercella hesitated a little.

Then I have no excuse to go out with you.

.

Vicente looked at Ercella without moving. He wasnt surprised at her for spouting such embarrassing words so easily.

Vicente didnt think much of this because he had become immune to her shamelessness because of his multiple experiences with her, just like Ercella, who had become immune to his coldness. He opened his mouth in the usual manner.

What if someone else had already bought it?

Its okay. We can buy something else.

Youre too motivated to say it doesnt matter.

Vicente didnt bother to say that. Suddenly, he recalled the upcoming knight exam. He wouldnt fall behind, but since hes been going out often lately, he cant help but feel like hes losing his touch.

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

Then Ill get ready.

Would it take long?

Itll just take a moment.

Then Ill be waiting in the carriage. Come quickly.

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

Were you sure that I would go with you?

Strangely, he was dumbfounded and laughed.

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

Yesterday, I was quite surprised at dinner.

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

At first, he tried to guess his fathers intentions, but soon quit. Its hard enough to read his intentions in the first place. Vicente decided to draw a simple conclusion.

Hes weak with her.

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

***

I lost my mind and added chapter 15 in 14.

Also I learned how to write characters thoughts in 3rd person limited so Ill 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! Im desperate. I lost my motivation wondering if my work is readible to native English speakers. I wont burden you much (at least not this month hehe) since its exam season.