It was clear that this was a decision made unilaterally by Grandfather.
Frustrated, I clutched my head, but soon Emilie began tidying up my outfit.
Ricardo might be a much more impressive man than I had imagined, but today, Emilie's touch was even more excessive than usual.
"I don't like this perfume…"
Emilie, who was spraying the perfume, said firmly, "This is a popular scent among young ladies these days. They say it's a pheromone perfume that seduces men."
"Am I some kind of animal?"
"Well, in a sense, humans are also animals."
The perfume was just the beginning.
"Miss, please bear with it a little more!"
"...I've already given all I can."
"Just a little more!"
The corset was tightened so much it was hard to even breathe.
"Should I just remove a rib?"
"Miss, don't say such scary things!"
Emilie laughed, thinking I was joking.
…But I was serious.
After much ordeal, I finished preparing and headed to the reception room.
Ricardo, who had been sitting elegantly drinking tea, let out a hollow laugh when he saw me.
But I felt the same way.
…Why would someone with that much money dress like that?
Ricardo was wearing nothing but a single robe, with no proper etiquette to be found.
Unaware of my thoughts, he asked sarcastically, "Are you on your way to a ball?"
"Are you off to explore a back alley?"
"Something like that. I plan to look around the town."
…Sightseeing in town?
Ricardo bent down to meet my eyes.
"The place we're going is not a banquet hall, but the town."
Then you should have told me what to wear in advance.
Really…
I gritted my teeth and left the reception room.
Damn it!
In the end, I changed out of the fancy dress.
If we were going to town, someone could have told me in advance.
…Was it on purpose?
After spending a dizzying, exhausting amount of time, I headed to the town with Ricardo.
Just loosening the corset a little made the world feel much more beautiful. My body felt lighter, too.
"Is there anywhere in town you'd like to visit?" Ricardo asked quietly.
"No."
There's no way I'd have a place I want to go with you.
"I thought since you specifically came to see me, you might have somewhere in mind."
Excuse me?
No, I don't!
I'm not the kind of person who asks for favors from anyone.
Grandfather probably asked on my behalf.
Suppressing the urge to shout, I forced a smile. "I never asked Grandfather for anything like this."
But Ricardo's expression said, 'Don't lie.'
"I was dragged into this too."
"Yes, I understand."
You don't believe me at all, do you?
Sighing inwardly, I made a suggestion he might like. "Let's just spend a little time here and then go back."
"I wish I could do the same."
Ricardo glanced toward an alley. A man who met my eyes hastily hid his camera.
…What was that?
"A journalist is following us. He seems to be from the Marchesi family. Do you have any idea why?"
Ah, could it be that Grandfather knows Ricardo likes Idette?
But there was no sign of that.
I recalled the newspaper photo of Ricardo and Idette together.
Maybe he wants to take a picture of us together to quell the rumors?
Whatever the reason, it wasn't my concern.
"Do we have something to do?"
My ribs ached, probably from the corset. I just wanted to go home quickly.
"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to take one picture and then go our separate ways."
As I started to walk toward the journalist, Ricardo grabbed my arm.
I looked at him questioningly, and he said defensively, "You're not acting like yourself today."
"This is how I always am."
Ricardo tilted his head at my words. "No, that's not what I meant."
"...?"
"Are you feeling unwell?"
My ribs hurt, but I didn't want to admit it. If I told him I'd come wearing an unsolicited ball gown, he'd surely mock me.
"I'm fine. I'm just a little tired from being dragged out suddenly."
"So you're saying I'm the cause."
That wasn't entirely wrong, but…
When I didn't answer, Ricardo's hand slowly fell away.
Then, a sharp laugh escaped his lips.
"I, too, have had a sudden schedule change, but I came out of politeness and am doing my best. It's part of my job."
Who said anything?
"Fine. So let's just go our separate ways. It seems we're both wasting time on an unwanted schedule."
"...Wasting time?"
Ricardo's smile stiffened.
"I can't think of another way to put it. Thank you for your consideration so far. That's why I was trying to show at least minimal courtesy."
"...If you wanted to be considerate, you should have acted before Grandfather contacted me."
"How was I supposed to know your grandfather would contact you?"
"It seems your grandfather still thinks you like me."
I was sure I'd told him before.
Then I realized.
Ricardo really doesn't listen to me.
I unconsciously took a step closer.
"I already explained. The Loigin family's situation wasn't good back then, and I couldn't tell your grandfather."
"Everything you say just sounds like an excuse."
"Then that means you're the one clinging to it."
Apparently annoyed by that, Ricardo also stepped closer. "I'm clinging to it? You expect me to believe we suddenly get engaged after not seeing each other for ten years?"
"Are you still trapped in the past?"
"The past?"
"Yes. That 'past' you're thinking of."
Ricardo looked puzzled. "Isn't it rather insensitive to bring up our past so casually?"
I had been talking about Bianca liking him, but Ricardo seemed to take it differently.
That past when Bianca bothered Ricardo.
Exactly that past.
I wondered if I should apologize for my mistake, but Ricardo was faster.
"Fine. Maybe the past isn't important. But as you said, ten years have passed. That should have been plenty of time to tell your grandfather how you truly feel."
At those words, my intention to apologize crumbled like a sandcastle.
"I forgot about it! I thought it was just a silly childhood crush, and I never dreamed Grandfather would remember!"
Ricardo chuckled. "I must have been mistaken. Bianca, you haven't changed a bit."
"Then why don't you go tell the late Duke? Our engagement was an agreement between the Duke's house and the Marquess's house."
At my words, Ricardo quickly turned his head away, trying to calm down. His broad chest heaved roughly.
"Let's just go our separate ways. You go to Idette—"
"Why is Idette's name coming up here? I came to see you, not her."
"If it's a schedule you didn't want either, wouldn't you rather spend time with Idette?"
Ricardo gritted his teeth. "Fine. At least being with Idette would be better than being with someone who doesn't understand me."
Just then.
Someone grabbed my shoulder and shouted loudly, "Bianca!"
The moment I saw the man who called my name so cheerfully, Ricardo's face hardened.
No way.
"...Leon? Big brother Leon?"
"Yes! It's me, Leon."
Leon smiled his bright smile, just like always.
"I missed you."
We had parted when he was still a boy, so seeing him so different from the image in my memory was strange.
His chubby cheeks were gone, replaced by a sharp jawline.
He was much taller, too, incomparable to how he used to look. He seemed to have put on some muscle as well…
"Huh?"
Just then, Leon noticed Ricardo standing in front of me.
He narrowed his eyes and stared for a while, then apparently recognized him, letting out a surprised voice.
"Wait, Ricardo?"