That evening, Ashley sat across from Clyde in the parlor and drank tea. Of course, there were carrot cookies. She laughed out loud when she heard that the black wolf had taken the cape and hat they had made for him and put them in his mouth. She was happy to hear that it liked them more than she had expected.

Seeing Ashley like that, Clyde also smiled and drank his tea. 

Then, Ashley suddenly remembered and asked, “Will you be alright for the hearing?”

She wondered if they would pursue him about the disappearance of the black wolf. She looked up at him in concern.

Clyde nodded, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.” and in a teasing tone he said, “Are you worried about me?”

“Of course I am.” It’s natural, isn’t it? Obviously, she’d be worried. Also, she’s still bothered by the fact that Clyde had Fernan tell the chief magician that he would bear all the blame if it failed.

Clyde’s eyes widened when she replied, a little miffed at the idea of being teased. Then he laughed happily, “I see.”

“That’s right.” What did he think he was? She pouted.

Clyde’s smile widened as he beckoned to her.

“…what is it?” As she reluctantly got closer, she was suddenly pulled towards him and found herself in his arms. She was flustered as she started, “Oh, that…!”

“We’re engaged.” 

That’s right. She remembered how relieved she felt to the point of tears when she heard his voice when she had been questioned by the king. 

It’s strange that she was just afraid at first. As she meekly rested her body in Clyde’s arms, he hugged her tighter and tucked his chin into her hair, as if he was making sure that she was okay.

“I’m glad to have met Miss Ashley that time in the queen’s audience room.” A happy and contented voice sounded over her head.

Ashley felt strange. She loves the narrow, dark, and quiet space inside her quilt, but she felt equally calm here as it is. She was surprised at herself, but she gently closed her eyes.

Silence flows and the wind through the window is quite cold, but it is very warm in Clyde’s arms.

And then,

“Hank and Jeanne will return back to the royal palace soon since the black wolf is gone.”

That’s right. They were assigned to the Sargent’s as a caretaker of the demon beast as well as to protect Clyde.

“I’ll miss them…” Not only the black wolf, but Hank and Jeanne too. They got along well and became friends.

To cheer Ashley, whose shoulders are slumped, he said in a teasing tone, “I thought milady was more aloof and selfish, I guess Miss Ashley is different because of your last life.” 

“…It was certainly so in my previous life, but now I’m a human being.” 

She is indeed human, no matter how you look at it. With an impassive tone, he retorted with an amused smile, “Is that so? Then, say something like a noble lady would say, even if it is something selfish.”

When she looked up, his green eyes were shining with amusement. A little miffed, she tried to get out of Clyde’s arms. But Clyde held onto her tight and wouldn’t let her escape.

“…Could you let me go?”

“I don’t want to, you’re my fiancée.” He embraced her tighter, but his hands were gentle as he stroked her hair.

Still, she could tell he was absolutely amused. She had to do her best to be a little selfish and surprise Clyde, just like a young noble lady. Ashley was deep in thought.

‘Selfish request. What I want to do now is—’ She couldn’t think of anything in particular. The people in the Sargent residence are very nice to her, even though Clyde would at times tease her, he is usually good to her and she was accustomed to it.

She was able to properly send off the black wolf to Furt Island. Also, she would like to spend more time with Hank and Jeanne, but they are magicians, and they have duties to fulfill in the royal palace. She wouldn’t want to be the one in the way of it. Furthermore, Clyde is the king’s younger brother as well as her fiancée, she can go to the palace at any time. Clyde even told her that he’d take her whenever she wanted to.

‘Hmm…’ Is there anything else? Her brows furrowed as she thought even more seriously.

Clyde chuckled as he watched Ashley.

The only thing that came to mind was that she’d like some carrot potage for tomorrow’s breakfast and maybe a smaller bedroom since she likes smaller places.

‘No. That’s not it!’

She looked around in puzzlement. Through the window onto the large balcony, she could see the black shadows of trees melting into the darkness of the night under the moonlight as they sway quietly in the wind.

‘That’s it!’ Finally, Ashley came up with the idea.

“Well, then, show me a beautiful scenery.” She thought she said something good and she was confident, but it was probably not.

Clyde bursted and heartily laughed as his back rolled and his face was pressed against Ashley’s shoulder, “…Good. Ashley is the best… For sure, it dawned on you as you looked out the window a beautiful scenery. It’s night, so it’s dark and you can’t see anything.”

She was admirably seen through. She looked into the distance wondering why, but Clyde was still smiling. She was getting somewhat bewildered, so she tried to slip out of his grasp again. This time, she easily succeeded. She was happy in her heart that she was able to, but it was because Clyde loosened his grip. Why did he loosen his arms? At that moment she tried to think. 

“All right. My fiancée.” Clyde smiled as he said it in an airy tone, he leaned forward as his hand was on his chest. He placed a hand under her neck and waist at the wondering Ashley. Then, he lifted her up.

“Wah!” Ashley was so surprised that a strange voice came out.

‘T-this. Isn’t this what is commonly called a princess carry?!’She can feel herself turning red in embarrassment.

“Please put me down.” she desperately pleaded.

“But, didn’t you want to see the beautiful scenery?” He didn’t let go of her as he went out the half-opened window towards the balcony.

“Aren’t you cold?” He asked her softly.

She shook her head frantically, “Oh, uhm, really let go—”

“If you move too hard, you’ll fall.”

She stopped struggling as she heard those words while Clyde smiled. The night breeze felt good on her burning cheeks. The half-moon was floating in the dark night. Perhaps due to the dry air, the outline of the moon was clear.

She wondered if the black wolf was looking at the same moon. She looked at Clyde while she was still in his arms and saw him looking up at the moon as well. They had similar thoughts. Ashley felt happy as she looked up into the night sky again and continued to gaze at the moon together.

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