“And Marquis de Barthet is a loyal subject,” Claude continued. “When this all came to light, he handed over authority of the Barthet region to me. He’ll probably offer to rescind his title and may avoid execution, considering what he still has to offer the kingdom.”
“I see…”
Philip and Sabina had committed unforgivable crimes. Yet, the thought of people being executed because of something that involved Agnes was upsetting to say the least. All in all, she was somewhat relieved to learn what would happen.
“But there’s something more important than all of that,” Claude stated.
“What could that be?” Agnes asked, tilting her head.
“Preparing for our wedding. Things are already underway, but I’ll need your cooperation and input for many of the elements, such as your dress, accessories…” As Claude ticked things off on his fingers, Agnes found herself blinking.
“Our w-w-wedding?!”
They had already expressed their mutual desire to get married and were engaged, so all this was simply a natural progression of events. Still, Agnes had thought the actual marriage might be a ways off.
“And we need to get our new residence prepared, too,” Claude added.
“Our n-n-new residence?!”
“The building has already been renovated. We’ll be able to live in it soon.”
“Whaaat?!”
This is all going so fast! Agnes’s mouth was hanging wide open.
Seeing her shock, Claude peered at her face with concern. He seemed to have misinterpreted her reaction. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Perhaps you wanted to live in the royal palace instead?”
What? No way would I want that. Agnes shook her head hard, and Claude smiled.
“Good. I’d also rather spend time with you, just us, than in the royal palace with all those people around,” he said, sounding pleased.
That wasn’t what she meant by her instant rejection of the idea. The mere thought of living in the royal palace was already unbearable enough to her. But Claude’s smile was so dazzling, Agnes felt she couldn’t clarify.
Though she’d gotten somewhat used to him by now, the fact remained that Claude was an undeniably beautiful young man. His Prussian blue hair was as dark as the night sky, and his brilliant gray eyes brought out his dignified features. He wasn’t just good-looking, either. Claude was as skilled in swordplay as any knight, he could wield magic as a result of his Dragon Crest, and he had a gentle, kind personality to boot.
Okay, so he was a mushroom-loving fanatic, but even with that flaw, Agnes still felt he was far too good for her.
“If there’s anything you desire, just let me know,” he said sweetly. “Why don’t we go check it out together next time? Maybe you’ll think of some things you want once you see the place for yourself.”
“R-Right. So, uh, since when have you been planning a home for us?” Agnes asked.
“Since right after I proposed to you, Agnes.”
“That’s way too soon!”
Claude’s proposal… When exactly was he referring to?
Agnes considered his first proposal to be when he’d said: “This is fate! I promise you, it’s no spore-of the moment decision! My morels are not questionable! You and I would make the mushiest couple imaginable! Would you marry me?”
These days, she could be a little more open-minded about it, but at the time, his mushroom fetishism had completely taken her aback. It was just about the worst proposal ever, and Agnes had been almost too shocked to turn him down.
To think that he’d started looking for a house right after witnessing Agnes’s horrified reaction… Goodness, he really must be some sort of freak. Even now, Agnes found her head spinning over the entire concept.
“I was certain you were the only one I would ever want to marry, Agnes. So I figured if I have to wait anyway, why not have some fun and get some preparations in order at the same time? But then you came around quicker than I was expecting, so I’ve had to hustle a little with all the prep work.”
“…You weren’t expecting me to assent to the marriage?” Agnes asked.
To tell the truth, all Agnes could think of was running away very fast at the time. Surely Claude had noticed? Despite that, he still went ahead and started preparing a house for them? Yeah, that was weird no matter how she looked at it.
“You’ve been through a lot, and I didn’t want to force you, so I was planning on waiting for years if that’s what it took. Of course, I wanted to live with you as soon as possible. But your feelings are what matter most to me, Agnes.”
Claude was a twisted mushroom fancier, yes, but he was also so incredibly kind and considerate at the same time. Agnes was still a little stunned by the contrast, but she actually didn’t mind it so much—much to her surprise.
“You’re always far too good to me, Claude. I wish I could do something for you in return,” she said.
No doubt an offering of mushrooms would make him happy, but Agnes wished there was another way she could show her appreciation.
“As I’ve said many times, your presence is a gift enough to me, Agnes,” Claude reassured her as he stroked her cheek. “Just touching you, like this, seems to soothe my soul.”
The gentle touch of his hand conveyed love and warmed her heart.
Just then, the carriage was filled with the sound of a loud pop.
A Helvella crispa. Claude glanced at the grayish-white mushroom with a wooden stick-like stalk and a bumpy top resembling a horse’s saddle before plucking it off in an instant and propping it between Ciel’s curled-up legs.
“Well, I suppose you won’t mind if I ask for a little more soothing from you then, Agnes? The truth is I’m a little tired. Would you mind if I lay down?” Claude requested.
“Oh, of course not!”
Agnes had a hunch that Claude really was more tired than he’d let on. She wanted him to rest and not push himself too much.
“Okay, thanks.”
Claude proceeded to lay down with his head on Agnes’s knees, still smiling, as he nestled into her lap.
“Erm, uh…”
“If I am to lie down, I need a pillow, don’t I?”
Then, as if to punctuate Claude’s rhetorical question, there came another pop.
A Calvatia nipponica had appeared on the opposite chair.
The fluffy white globe appeared to sway, as if it was saying, “Here you go.”
“Oh look, a pillow just grew.” Agnes spoke without thinking, but just then, as if to interrupt her, there came an even more explosive pop.
Growing next to the white sphere was a mushroom with a red cap and white warts resembling polka dots. The Amanita muscaria’s umbrella cap unfurled wide, as if to make a statement.
“One in a different pattern.”
Claude didn’t move from Agnes’s lap, even as he gazed at the white and red mushrooms.
“Very tempting, but right now I’d prefer your lap, Agnes. I hope that’s okay?”
Agnes was surprised that the mushroom fiend would decline mushrooms. She looked down at him, unguarded for a moment, and her eyes met his shining gray ones. Her heart skipped a beat at the intense, close-range eye contact.