After being scolded by Sir Agliardi, the prince turned his slightly malicious smile on Sir Celes and I. He always smiled so gently, but to think he could make this kind of face too... Wait!
“So? What are you going to do? Lie to a foreign king’s face?”
While the prince grinned, obviously having fun, Sir Celes responded with a tone as low as the ground. “...Your Highness.”
There was a sharp shine in his sky blue eyes. He’s actually terrifying!? Even Miss Maria backed off when she heard it. Shiro squeaked a nervous sound from his spot on her shoulder, too.
“Please, forgive my insolence for a moment...” He took a moment to collect himself...before screaming at the prince. “YOU ARE BUTTING IN AT THE ABSOLUTE WORST TIME!”
You could feel the sparks in the air as he shouted, but all it did was make His Highness burst out laughing. Hasn’t the prince’s personality changed?
“Lucia, come with me.” Sir Celes’s face was blank as he took my hand and started to lead me away. I didn’t quite understand what was going on, but I followed along anyway, since he was acting so strangely. And really, I just wanted to talk to him alone for a bit.
“Have fun!”
Hearing Miss Maria quipping that while hiding her laughter, we finally walked away.
✦ ✦ ✦
Sir Celes silently led me through the garden. I didn’t even have a chance to admire the roses.
After we walked together for a while, he started speaking, “I’m sorry about earlier. I must have surprised you.”
“Ah, yes... I was a bit shocked. You’re usually so gentle.”
“I kinda lost my cool a bit. He just had the worst timing... I’m just embarrassed.”
His shoulders dropped sadly, and I just had to laugh at how cute he was. “It’s okay. I’m just glad we got to see each other. Our rooms are so far apart. Miss Maria managed to get us out like this today, but up until then they hadn’t let us out of our room at all.”
“Wait, they really kept you locked up!?”
“What about you guys?”
“I mean, we couldn’t walk around freely, but they didn’t stop us from going out at all. They just told us that the whole western building and part of the eastern one were off-limits. We’ve been trying to search for you and the Sacred Maiden this whole time. Where were you? No one would tell us. Does that mean you were somewhere off-limits?”
“Yes, we were in the western building. You were in the eastern one, right?”
Sir Celes sighed. “What’s with that? Why can’t they just leave us alone? I just want to be with you.”
“You’re handsome, so of course any girl would be smitten. You were popular back in Banfield, too.”
“The only person I want smitten with me is you. I just wish they’d quit talking about it.”
His response made me blush. He only wants me smitten with him! Oh, what should I do? This is too much for me! Wait, now isn’t the time for that! I might have gotten a bit carried away, but Sir Celes was the one who was troubled right now.
While I panicked, Sir Celes stopped beside a particularly beautiful rose bush.
“Lucia.” Turning to me and acting formal, he pulled something out of his uniform pocket. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. But I couldn’t really go shopping for one, so this is all I could get ready. It’s kind of embarrassing, but can you wait for a proper one until we get home?”
Saying that, he unfolded the handkerchief. Inside was a wooden bracelet. It was carefully polished, so it shined beautifully.
“What’s this?”
“I made it. I’m not a craftsman like my dad, so it’s not that great, but I think I did well enough for an amateur.”
“Wow!” Touching it, I could tell from the feel of it how carefully it was carved. Ah, this is so wonderful!
“Lucia.” Slipping the bracelet onto my wrist, Sir Celes looked at me, more serious than ever. “Will you marry me once we get back home?”