On the day of my outing with Albert, there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky.
Although we were going to a park, it was a place where nobles went to socialize, so I was all kitted out in a gown. Nevertheless, it was an outdoor d-date (ahem), so I’d had the maids who helped me dress pick something that wasn’t too gaudy and was easy to move in. For some reason, we were going out in the evening, so as it would likely be cold, I was also wearing a fur-lined coat at their suggestion.
Albert was on point with his wardrobe too. The carriage that came to the front gate of the institute at the scheduled time wasn’t conspicuous, but it was of nice enough quality that you could tell at a glance that it belonged to a noble. As Albert stepped out of the carriage, he was wearing a different sort of outfit than he had the last time we went into the capital. It was brilliantly embroidered, and it made his status self-evident.
Albert was already attractive, so I figured he would look good in anything, but he looked even more handsome than I had anticipated. He felt fifty percent more dazzling than usual when he dressed up like this. I could bear to observe him from afar, but I got too shy up close and couldn’t look him in the eye. As Albert helped me into the carriage, I pretended to watch my feet to avoid his gaze and recover my self-control.
The park was near the center of the capital. As would be expected from a place where people went to socialize, it was bordered by countless other carriages that had brought their noble masters to the park. When I descended from the carriage and glanced around, I saw other visitors who looked like nobles too. However, the time being what it was, most were on their way out of the park—unlike us.
“Shall we go?” Albert asked.
“Let’s.”
Albert escorted me onto the green.
As one might expect from a place the nobility used for walks, the paths were well maintained. They were flat with no grass and lined with neatly pruned shrubs. There were also trees planted at regular intervals along the paths, as well as grass used to accent them both. Even though the season was cold, there were flower beds of multicolored flowers.
Albert and I remarked on the scenery, which I was enjoying since it was so different from the palace gardens. It wasn’t spring or summer, when flowers would have been at their peak, but this garden was lovely even in winter.
Thus we continued making our way through the park until I spotted a black iron fence. There was something that looked like a gate with a guard standing near it. Was that the far edge of the park? However, that didn’t seem to be the case, as there appeared to be a dense forest on the other side.
As I wondered about this, Albert led me to the guard. “I’m Albert Hawke.”
“We’ve been awaiting your arrival.” The guard opened the gate for us. He smiled and gave a slight bow as Albert escorted me past the gate.
“Do they need that gate to keep the public from something beyond it?” I asked.
“Indeed. Only members of the royal family are allowed to walk through this area.”
“What?! Really?”
“I managed to secure permission for you.”
“For me?!”
I was stunned to hear that this fenced-off area was for the royal family’s exclusive use. I assumed they used it for parties they personally hosted or something. The palace had its own gardens, but this place had a unique charm, so it seemed lovely in its own right.
How to describe what I was feeling? It was a vague impression that part of me couldn’t accept what was happening, even as I knew something important was about to unfold.
What did he mean, he secured permission for me? Did he ask the king to take me on this date? Can you ask to use a place like this for something as minor as a date? I was overflowing with all kinds of doubts as we came to a clearing in the forest.
The spectacle that revealed itself robbed me of all thought.
“Oh my!”
The marvel before us was so enchanting that it made me cry out. I wasn’t sure how to describe it. It was like taking in a landscape carved entirely of ice.
The grove was coated in translucent frozen layers, and the trees sparkled as they were bathed in the light of the setting sun. No, wait—it wasn’t just the sun. When I looked closer, I realized that some of the branches were accented with glowing points as well.
Are those enchanted foci?! Huh? But why is something like that on the trees?! I was stunned to see the same kind of light I had just seen at the theater now illuminating the trees here and there. What is this place?
As I stared in wonder, Albert explained, “I tried to recreate something you once told me about. How did I do?”
“You mean Christmas lights?”
“Exactly.”
Albert’s words and the wonder before me made memories bubble to the surface. At some point in the past, when I had been telling Albert about the world of my origin, I had mentioned Christmas lights. So that was what these were supposed to be? That made sense. I had also told him that we used those lights to decorate every year during the cold winter months.
“You remembered?” I asked.
“Yes. I thought they must look something like this. Was I right?”
“Yes. They’re exactly like this.”
“I’m glad to hear that. As they were something you used to see every year, I thought you might like to see them here as well. That’s why I did this for you.”
“Really? Thank you. It’s so beautiful.”
Albert had gone to all this trouble? He’d made this frozen grove? That was in his wheelhouse, as a master of Ice Magic. I was sure he could enchant foci as well. I greedily drank it all in so that I would never forget the sight. He must have put a great deal of effort into making this scene.
I turned to thank Albert again, but for some reason he took my right hand. What was he up to now? I looked up at him to ask, at which point I saw that he was gazing down at me with a serious expression.
Albert wrapped both hands around mine. “Sei…I love you. Will you marry me?”
His declaration made me choke.
“M-marry me”? No, wait, back up. He loves me? Huh? He loves me?
It was a strange experience, oh-so-conveniently hearing something I had so hoped to hear. It made me doubt my ears. I stared at Albert for confirmation, but he still wore the same nervous yet serious look. I couldn’t detect a hint of teasing in his eyes.
Did he really just ask me to marry him? I continued to stare at him, still disbelieving.
Albert didn’t move as he went on, “To be honest, I wanted to take things much slower.”
“O-oh?”
“Yes. You didn’t seem accustomed to traditional courtship.”
Albert’s words brought all kinds of things to mind, and a slight heat rose in my cheeks.
Well, you’re right about that. Now that I think back on it, the way he kissed me on the back of my hand or brought his hand to my cheek—all of those things I took as teasing—was that actually his way of testing my comfort with the situation? I thought dumbly.
Then Albert’s expression grew clouded. “But I can’t hold back anymore. Too many people have been seeking your hand in marriage.”
“Do you mean—”
“I couldn’t keep my calm when I heard about you and Grand Magus Drewes.”
“Oh…”
“I don’t want to lose you to anyone else.”
I was shocked to hear Albert bring up the grand magus. He knew. However, it turned out that I’d never had any reason to worry. The rumor had merely inflamed Albert’s competitive spirit. As such, I was imprudently relieved.
“Of course, I have no intention of ignoring your feelings. But if you wish to do so, would you accept my hand in marriage? I will cherish you for the rest of my days.”
As I gazed into Albert’s earnest eyes, something started to well up from my feet.
I was happy. So, so deliriously happy. I wanted to say yes immediately. But I lacked the confidence, so I just stared up at him.
“Are you sure you want someone like me?” I asked, my voice trembling.
“Yes,” Albert replied, his voice full of reassurance.
Perhaps it was because of my joy, but my vision began to blur with tears. My throat quivered, and I couldn’t speak. Instead of words, I took Albert’s hand in mine, thereby accepting his proposal.
Albert broke out into an enormous smile, and he drew me into his arms for a tight embrace. I wrapped my arms around him as well, embracing him in turn.