Memories of Summer, You and I 2

We departed from the Grand Duchy the morning after bidding farewell to Lirea.

The unplanned departure likely amplified the weariness I felt. Yet, I feel pride and exhilaration at having attended that ceremony.

"Are you well, Spica?"

Arthur sat across from me in the carriage.

"Yes, I am quite well. I merely exerted more strength than intended, wishing to aid Lady Lirea."

This carriage, issued by the imperial family, appears at first glance to be that of a mid-level noble, but it has been enchanted to expand, and its interior is as spacious as our family’s parlor. There is almost no sway, and I reclined more comfortably than usual on the provided chaise.

"I couldn’t bear the thought of you doing something reckless, that’s why I was so worried."

"I am not so reckless as you think. And was it not the same for Arthur-sama, who also asked for aid?"

"That may be so… but I’ve often heard from your elder brothers that you tend to act recklessly before the Virgin of the Barrier. I’ve been quite worried, even now."

Arthur-sama puffs out his cheeks and turns away. He seems to have been more troubled than I expected.

In recent days, Arthur-sama has ceased making light remarks toward women and has grown more earnest in his demeanor. I decide now to ask him about this change.

"You’ve changed quite a lot, Arthur-sama. I remember you used to make jests and mock women quite freely, didn’t you?"

Arthur-sama winces as if a long-buried wound stirs. He clutches his head.

"Please, don’t bring up the past! Back then, I thought that sort of thing was admirable."

The faint outline of her ears is flushed with shame.

I found myself smiling softly, unable to help it—Arthur-sama seemed so endearing.

Don’t laugh… it’s embarrassing… just a youthful folly.

"Is it different now, then?"

I asked with a soft chuckle, and Arthur lifted his face.

I believe one need only be honest with those to whom one wishes to look back now.

She spoke, her gaze firmly holding mine.

I flinched, unable to meet her gaze, and replied, “That is a most admirable mindset,” my eyes turning away.

I thought, with shameful selfishness, that it would be better if I were that person.

A moment of awkward silence settled over the carriage.

The duchy is still some distance away. Rest now, at your ease. You cannot rest properly with me here, can you? I shall leave my seat, so rest as you please.

She says it and walks toward the door. Beyond the door, as glimpsed for a moment, lies another chamber.

Normally, I might have taken offense at being left behind, but this time, I understood the words at face value—Arthur’s gaze as he departed was filled with quiet compassion, not reproach.

Now, inside the room, there are three others besides me: one guard standing before the door Arthur entered, one servant assisting with duties, and one female secretary.

I tell the secretary that I wish to lie down for a moment, and she produces a screen, arranging it so it surrounds a cushion and a long chair. I wonder where she produced it from, and the secretary—about the same age as Mother—smirks with a playful grin, tapping the old pouch at her waist. That must be a magic pouch, I think.

A smile spills forth unexpectedly at the rare sight of magic, too precious to contain.

And I meant only to rest my eyes for a moment—I closed them.

How long had passed?

I suddenly feel a gaze upon me, shift once, then open my eyes, and there he sits—Arthur-sama.

I let out a small, breathless sound, not quite a cry, and feel my face grow hot.

"Arthur-sama… when did you arrive here?"

"Just a little while ago. I came out when I heard you were still resting, just as we were nearing the duke’s manor. I saw something quite remarkable."

I am already in a state of panic over having made a spectacle of myself before Arthur. Yet his words struck me suddenly. Had he not said we were just arriving at the duke’s manor? I must have slept for a considerable time—now I can scarcely bear it.

“Where is the carriage now?”

I asked cautiously, since there was no sign of motion…

“It’s in front of the duke’s manor,” he said. “We arrived a short while ago.”

I gasped, this time a sharp intake of breath.

To have dozed off entirely while being brought to the garden of a household I had never visited before—this humiliation is unbearable.

Arthur says I am safe, but I am utterly panicked. Still, I manage to rise with a semblance of grace, smoothing the wrinkles from my dress. Arthur chuckles lightly, amused.

“Is something amiss? Did I do something strange?”

“No, nothing is amiss. I simply could not help but smile—your sweetness is overwhelming. Now, shall we descend?”

He extends his hand before me.

I lay my own upon it, concealing my shame beneath the mask of a lady’s composure, and step from the carriage.

I am greeted by Lord Velvet, the late duke and uncle to my grandmother.

I have met him several times in the capital, and thus I am welcomed with gentle ease.

When I delayed my descent from the carriage, he smiled and said, “Such is the privilege of royalty,” and I let out a quiet breath of relief.

During my stay here, lasting about a week, I undertook many duties.

I inspected the mines, visited the gem workshops, and observed the crafting of magical artifacts—prosperous in this land rich with mineral resources, and deeply instructive.

At a shop specializing in raw gemstones along the way, I found a gemstone with a hue identical to Arthur’s eyes.

It was a transparent red, tinged faintly with a pinkish-purple, and I was told it was a rare mineral known as bixbite—a variety of emerald, they said.

I had just decided to purchase it when Arthur stopped me.

Upon my disappointment, he said, “Let me give this to you as a keepsake from my side. Shall we have it crafted into a matching ornament with Althera’s?”, and offered me a cosmetic box containing the raw stone.

I tilted my head, puzzled why Ana’s name had been mentioned.

“This is Althera’s eye color, isn’t it? I thought it might be a gift for her wedding, now that the ceremony draws near…”

“Ah, yes, that’s right! But I’ve already arranged a gift for Althera. And besides…”

I believe Your Highness’s eyes are closer to this garnet. This bixbite reminds me of Arthur’s eyes.”

His face reddens with each passing moment. And I, recalling my own words, grow red as well…

When he hands me the small box again, asking me to accept it, I am so overcome with shyness that I stare silently at the gemstone.

It felt wonderful… a quiet joy, deep and warm.

Later, Your Highness accompanied me on my shopping, and I enjoyed it as I had not in some time. In between, I spotted a sign for a dress shop that exists in the imperial capital and purchased a few everyday garments and a few gowns for afternoon teas. I will admit, I had been thinking of rotating my wardrobe soon—it was a great help, and I’ll keep that to myself.

In recent days, whether summoning the Fashion Guild or visiting shops in the capital, my elder sister was always present. As soon as I reached for anything, she would take it from my hand and say, “I’ll buy it,” and if I asked for a dress, she would later order it in my size and have it delivered. As a result, I received no new garments from her. To make matters worse, the expenses were drawn from my maintenance fund, and Mother had recently reprimanded me for excessive spending on clothing and jewelry. I had even been informed that no further transfers would be made to my account for the time being. Just how much had my elder sister spent, I wonder…

Now, I should set such thoughts aside and simply enjoy this holiday.

On the final day of our stay, we were to spend time boating on the large lake located behind the Duke’s manor.

A summer-appropriate attire, white with delicate green lace, newly purchased.

Having finished dressing, I descended the stairs to find Arthur already waiting in the entrance hall. Black trousers, a white shirt, his usually untamed hair combed neatly back, and black leather gloves on his hands.

"I do apologize for the wait. You’ve changed your hairstyle today, Arthur. It suits you perfectly, especially with your attire."

"Thank you. Spica, you’re so delicate you might be mistaken for a water sprite if you step onto the lake."

Walking side by side with him, we followed the path through the estate’s garden toward the lake, moving slowly.

Surrounded by the occasional chirping of birds and the rustling whisper of green leaves in the breeze, this is a luxury beyond the reach of the imperial capital.

After walking for a while, chatting idly, the shimmering surface of the water unfolds beneath them.

Unlike the sea, there are no waves—just a gentle, soothing sound that stirs a quiet sorrow in the heart.

“According to what I’ve heard, near the waterwheel cottage a little further on, there’s a dock. A small boat and a boatkeeper are said to be there. Spica, have you ever sailed on a boat before?”

“Yes, I have ridden aboard a warship of the fleet in our domain. But this is my first time sailing on a lake.”

“Hahaha—comparing this to a warship would be laughable. I’ve heard it’s barely large enough for two people to fit.”

“Still, how is it propelled? Is it magic like the warships?”

Arthur could not suppress a laugh at my question.

“Pfahahaha, even you don’t know everything! Today’s boat is rowed by hand. I’ll be the one rowing.”

I feel a slight pang of disappointment as Arthur wipes tears from laughter.

“I know many things too! Have you ever rowed a boat, Arthur-sama?”

Arthur nods with easy grace, his gaze drifting to the lake.

“When I was young, I used to play in the pond at our summer villa with my brothers. I even rowed a boat then—raced against Gauvain elder brother.”

His eyes hold a faint melancholy, as though reflecting a memory from childhood.

“I wish I had been there with you.”

He draws close, then says, “Today, it’s just you and me.”

Soon, a narrow channel drawing water from a small stream comes into view, along with a waterwheel house beside it.

At the end of a wooden dock extending from shallow water rests a charming little wooden boat, tied with rope.

As we approached, we were guided by an elderly man waiting to receive us, and we boarded the boat.

Arthur entered first, stepping aboard with ease despite the vessel’s swaying, but I hesitated slightly, my feet unsteady.

“It’s all right. I’ll be right here.”

He reached out his hand, and with renewed courage, I took it, stepping onto the small boat. I nearly fell backward as the boat rocked violently, but Arthur steadied me firmly, and I remained unharmed.

I was instructed to lower myself slowly, my heart pounding so loudly I feared it might be heard, yet I settled into place, and the boat grew steadier than before.

Arthur settled opposite me, and the old guide untied the rope securing the boat, then gently pushed us out into the open water.

Only the rhythmic patter of water, evenly spaced and shimmering with sunlight, echoed around us, and our time passed slowly.

The water, so clear it seemed to stretch to the sky, gave the illusion of floating above the earth, dissolving into the endless expanse above.

Before I realized it, we had drifted far out to sea; the scenery around us had grown distant, save for the guard ship visible at a distance.

“We’ve come quite far out, haven’t we… Perhaps we should stay closer to land?”

“We came out here on purpose.”

Arthur stopped rowing and fixed his gaze upon me. A quiet tension settled between us.

“Miss Spica von Emmental.”

I startled at the sudden call of my name, and my reply came out breathless: “Y-yes? What is it?”

Arthur-sama did not so much as notice such matters, but instead held out before me a gem that shimmered in white and violet light.

“Would you accept this Sacred Stone?”

I stared, my breath caught in my throat, words faltering…

This… could it be… a proposal…

“I have long wished to be with you as soon as you graduate from the academy. Will you become my companion?”

The answer to my hesitation came without delay.

Though my heart soared, I felt a flush of shyness—yet still, I took the Sacred Stone offered before me, my hands trembling with a quiet, fluttering joy.

“Arthur-sama, I humbly accept.”

The reply came instantly.

Holding the Sacred Stone in my hands, I cradled it against my chest as if sheltering something precious. In contrast, Arthur-sama let out a soft sigh, his posture slackening as he said, “Thank goodness~.”

After sharing a while longer in laughter, they returned to land.

On the way back, Arthur-sama walked hand in hand with them, taking a path closer than the one they had come, and strolled slowly once more back to the manor.

The heat has lingered, but how fare you all?

Sato, overcome with tears of gratitude, feels at last the true weight of having surpassed five hundred bookmarks—so many have read this.

Though work will remain busy until after the Obon festival, making updates a bit delayed, I shall strive to write diligently.

I ask your continued support.