Chapter 138 – What seemed to have changed had not changed (8)

TL: Zimming

Editor: bodyinthefreezer

Even if his health was bad, he was still the Marquis of Westin.

If it was a chronic disease, he would’ve noticed it a long time ago, and if it was some kind of an injury, like a fracture, then they had specialized doctors or priests that could take care of it.

It was nonsense to think that he didn’t bother to call the priest or doctor and said that he’d give up treatment to prepare for the wedding.

Moreover, it was Ron’s wedding day tomorrow.

This caused a stir throughout the aristocratic circles. Not only the Emperor, but also many nobles were set to attend the wedding.

Of course, Blake and I were also in attendance.

There were still people who would attend Richard’s wedding despite the poor public opinion he had acquired thanks to the fake Crown Princess incident.

Even if Marquis Westin was seriously ill, and Lady Westin was in a hurry to get married because of his father, Richard would’ve opposed it, saying it would not be possible tomorrow.

That day was very important for Richard if he wanted to restore his good reputation.

There was no reason to set the date for tomorrow and risk losing his reputation thanks to not many guests showing because they went to attend Ron’s wedding instead.

I was sure there was something strange going in.

I was still lost in thought when Jayden suddenly asked me, “Your Highness, do you have any concerns?”

“N-no.”

I shook my head.

In the end, Jayden became my escort.

Seeing the chaotic atmosphere among the knights, Edon took care of the situation and appointed Jayden as my escort. Of course, I agreed.

“By the way, are you okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“You must’ve joined the Imperial Knights because you wanted to escort the Crown Prince, but you were assigned to be my escort instead.”

“No, I’m very honored. I’m fine, but it’s just that, sometimes, I feel many gazes on my back…”

“Huh?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Jayden didn’t say it clearly so I couldn’t catch what he said at the end.

“Hey, Jayden.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“…how’s Diana been doing while I was gone?”

Diana only said she was doing well and no one else told me about her honestly.

I wondered how this child had really been.

I thought Jayden would tell me honestly.

“She’s courageous and hardworking. She never gives up and is nice to her friends.”

I was a little relieved to hear Jayden’s answer. I was glad because it seemed Diana didn’t spend too much time being sad.

“Diana is very confident and she has the ability to lead people naturally so everyone likes her. She was especially popular with women.”

“She wasn’t popular with guys?”

“I don’t know. But I like it.”

I looked at him in surprise.

Was he confessing that he liked Diana?

I did ask him that question to get a glimpse of his thoughts on Diana, but I didn’t think he’d answer this directly.

“Do you like Diana?”

“Yes.”

Jayden answered monotonously. Was he saying that he liked her as a friend?

It was probably so considering his tone.

“I was very happy when Your Highness came back. I saw how much Diana missed you. As soon as I heard that you were back, I called Diana over without your permission.”

“But you didn’t tell her before, didn’t you?”

Jayden didn’t tell Diana when Ser showed up pretending to be me.

“Honestly, I was suspicious of her before. His Majesty’s reaction was too cold. I don’t want to disappoint Diana with uncertain information.”

When other people talked about me being dead, Jayden would call them out on it.Maybe he did that for Diana.

“But when you returned, I thought it was for real this time. I forgot that I couldn’t tell anyone without your permission and told Diana. I’m sorry.

“No, thanks to you, I got to see Diana earlier.”

“I was also happy because she was happy.”

Jayden smiled even wider. Was the mere thought of Diana enough to make him smile?

It wasn’t my business, so I thought I shouldn’t just assume that. But at this point, I was sure.

“Jayden, do you happen to…”

“Yes?”

“What do you think of Diana…?”

“She’s a good friend of mine.”

He didn’t beat around the bush and answered quickly.

“Ah…”

A friend.

Actually, I thought he had some other feelings towards her, but I couldn’t say anything if he just called it a friendship. Diana also said that they were only friends.

“Ancia.”

When I entered the Amoria Palace, I saw Blake waiting for me.

“Why are you out in the cold?”

“I missed my wife.”

He took my hand with a big smile.

“But what were you talking about so seriously?”

“I was asking about Diana. Sir Jayden is friends with Diana.”

“I see. I’d love to hear it with you next time.”

Blake smiled brightly and held Jayden’s hand. At that moment, Jayden’s face turned pale.

What’s wrong? Was he nervous?

“I-I’ll get going.”

Jayden bowed his head and quickly turned as if he was fleeing.

“Did you happen to do something to Sir Jayden?”

Blake shook his head when I asked him that.

“No, of course not. I’m a good man.”

Blake smiled and held my hand.

“Let’s go to the greenhouse. I want to show you something.”

“Okay.”

I went into the greenhouse with him. Then, a white rose blooming on one side of the greenhouse caught my eye.

I planted a seed with Blake yesterday, and it grew up in a day.

“Did you do this?”

“Yes, I practiced what you taught me yesterday.”

I taught Blake the magic of growing plants yesterday.

However, he mastered the magic so perfectly that it bloomed in just one day.

“Amazing! Not even a mage could learn this fast!”

“It’s all thanks to you being a good teacher.”

“No, this is your natural talent! What a genius!”

“Eh…I’m not.”

Blake’s face turned red with just some compliments.

It was very cute to see him looking down slightly and turning away…

“You had a hard time practicing, didn’t you?”

He must’ve become tired from practicing alone. I was going to ask him to take a break today, but he noticed my thoughts and answered quickly.

“No, I can still learn today.”

“Don’t overdo it. You don’t have to rush.”

“It’s not like that. I just like learning from my wife.”

Blake smiled and looked into my eyes. I touched his silver hair lightly.I didn’t want to push himself too hard, so I decided to review what he learned yesterday with him.

He made strawberries appear on a tree that had been planted not long ago using his mana.

I picked the strawberries and put them in his mouth.

His mouth was puffed as he ate the strawberry and the sight reminded me of our childhood.

He was so cute. He still had a youthful face that didn’t change with age.

“How does it taste?”

“Your strawberries are sweet and delicious, but mine are a little bland.”

“That doesn’t have anything to do with it. The magic is just to grow the strawberries. This magic is used for growing crops that originally grow slowly in a short period of time.”

“Okay.”

“You have to work hard. Aside from watering them, you need to control the Mana too.”

I held Blake’s hand and let the mana flow.

“Does it feel ticklish?”

“A little.”

“This is how you deliver mana to the whole crop.”

“Yes, I’ll try.”

Blake injected mana into the freshly sprouted strawberries. He was always serious when studying magic.

The strawberries began to grow in size. The leaves, which were a little smaller than just a while ago, became green and full of vitality.

Drops of sweat formed on Blake’s forehead as he concentrated his entire mind on the mana. I wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.

His shoulders shook when I did that. Was he feeling shy?

He was so surprised, so I playfully rubbed his earlobe.

This time, Blake showed a nonchalant response, but I saw his ears getting redder and redder.

At night, he acted like a beast, so it was very cute seeing him be embarrassed at such a light touch.

Suddenly, as if he had been triggered, Blake couldn’t stand it anymore when I rubbed his earlobe and turned his head.

“W-wife?!”

He shouted with a red face.

“My husband’s ears are so pretty.”

“I-If you touch it like that…!”

It was ridiculous to see him stammering in embarrassment. He was…

But before I could say anything, Blake murmured in a small voice.

“I’m embarrassed…”

Gasp…!

I couldn’t stand it when I saw the Blush on his face because he was so cute. Blake was the cutest on the whole continent.

Finally, I lost control and hugged him tightly.

“W-wife…!”

Blake was embarrassed. I completely leaned on to him and he supported me so that I wouldn’t fall into the dirt.

“My husband is very cute!”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“Cute!”

“…still a long way huh?”

He sighed.

“Huh?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Blake shook his head. He picked the strawberries up and put them in my mouth.

“How is it?”

“Tasty.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

He picked another strawberry and tried it himself.

“It’s still lacking compared to yours.”

The strawberries I made were still much sweeter. Still, it was a great development compared to the beginning.

“It’s only your second time. This is already good.”

I comforted the sullen Blake. But I didn’t mean it out of courtesy. He really had a natural talent for it.