Why Is She Acting Like That?
Why is she acting like that? The person who should be happy suddenly starts behaving this way—it’s strangely chilling. It feels like I’ve fallen into some kind of trap. One wrong answer and it’s straight to the abyss. Even if I survive, I have a feeling I’ll just break even without any reward.
“It seems she wanted to greet me. We exchanged a few simple words before she left.”
I straightened my back and answered with confidence. After all, confidence was key.
“Ah……”
Amelia nodded with her mouth slightly open. The anxiety that had filled her expression melted away like snow. Just like that.
“Then, what about you, Young Master…?”
“I was planning to get some sea breeze before heading back in. But she called for me right before I fell asleep, so it woke me up.”
I threw in a mix of complaint and joke with a laugh. I had calculated that this level of teasing was acceptable between us.
“I’m sorry. I don’t have the right, but I’ll apologize on her behalf.”
As expected. Amelia simply smiled bitterly without getting too flustered.
“It’s fine. By the way, are the two of you getting along well? Their families are quite formidable, so I’m not sure if they’ll be satisfied.”
“Everyone liked it. It seems the unique yet neat atmosphere really appeals to them.”
“With both of them vouching for it, I feel reassured. It gives me confidence.”
The young ladies of a marquis and a duke household stood at the pinnacle of luxury. There was nothing they hadn’t enjoyed. If people like them gave their approval, I could confidently open for business.
“Did my evaluation help as well?”
“Of course. It was because you stayed here first and gave your assessment that I could invite them here. Otherwise, I would have hosted them at the villa.”
“I’m glad.”
Amelia smiled with flushed cheeks. The way she shyly insisted that she had contributed too was adorable. She was becoming more charming by the day.
“Um, by the way… there’s something I’d like to tell you. I thought about it all night, and since we’ve met like this, I wanted to say it now.”
“Go ahead.”
I had no idea what she was so nervous about saying. Could it be… she wants money?
“It’s been some time since we started facing each other… and my friends have arrived too. So… I was thinking it might be good to change how we address each other a bit.”
The way she fidgeted with her hands clasped over her chest. Her gaze slightly turned to the side. Even her voice that seemed to shrink back. Amelia used every method she could to express her intention.
I never thought I’d experience something like this in my life.
I don’t have much experience with women, but I know the cliché reactions. I’m confident I’ve read quite a lot. So it was fascinating to the point of being dazed. It was the kind of situation a handsome character—or one with a special narrative—would experience.
Ah. I’m pretty handsome too, aren’t I?
To be precise, it’s Yohan Meyer of the Meyer family who’s handsome, but anyway. It’s not bad. The more favorably the other party approaches me, the safer I am.
“Then, shall I call you by name? Amelia?”
“Eep…!”
Right after I suddenly called her name, Amelia’s face flushed bright red. Her neck did too. It seemed like if I touched it, there would be a sizzling sound and I’d get burned. The smell of grilling meat would probably come as a bonus.
I simply smiled while looking at the embarrassed Amelia. I waited until she spoke first. In times like this, it was wise to wait until she reacted, whether good or bad.
Whoooosh. By the time the heat gradually cooled in the cold air, Amelia’s lips parted.
“Yo… Yohan.”
Just one word. And she stuttered while calling my name. So pitifully.
“It sounds nice hearing you call me by name, Lady… no, Amelia. My name feels more special, and I like it.”
“You’re praising me too much.”
Amelia shook her head. Her long twin tails swayed this way and that.
“I mean it. Still, if it’s too embarrassing, shall I stop?”
“Please do.”
Amelia nodded with her head deeply bowed. She was too embarrassed to lift her head.
“Then… shall we wrap up today’s conversation here? A little bit of regret will make tomorrow something to look forward to.”
I had been about to bring up business but stopped. It wasn’t urgent anyway. There was no need to ruin the mood by bringing it up now.
“Ah…! I’m sorry. You must be tired, so please rest soon.”
“You too, Amelia.”
We parted at just the right time and I returned to my room. Was it because I had been living in the noble world? Calling a woman’s name privately didn’t feel awkward anymore.
Let’s give the gift tomorrow.
Seeing the gift lying on the table, I lay down on the bed. The drowsiness I had been putting off while tense came rushing over me like a tidal wave.
Between morning and lunch, the three war heroes sat on the rooftop terrace, enjoying their leisure. It had been a really long time.
“This place is really nice. You can see the sea, and there’s nothing stuffy nearby, so it’s comfortable.”
Reina murmured while looking at the sea. At the corner of the terrace. While drinking tea prepared from the cafe set up for guests.
Amelia and Charlotte nodded while drinking their tea as well. They deeply agreed.
“But why did you go out last night? For reconnaissance?”
Charlotte asked, lowering her teacup. Amid a perfectly ordinary question, the tension from the war lingered.
“Huh? No. After hearing that story yesterday, I got too excited to sleep, you know? So I thought I should at least see the owner’s face.”
Reina murmured as if it was no big deal.
“Anyway.”
Charlotte shook her head with a bitter smile. Her appearance and the fact that she uses ice make her seem cold, but she has a fiery side. Then and now.
Just how long has it been since we were this relaxed?
A bitter question rose in Charlotte’s mind. She couldn’t even remember. It meant that the daily life they should naturally enjoy had become that distant.
“Excuse me.”
In the midst of a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere, Yohan came holding a gift wrapped in black silk.
“Yohan? What’s the matter? And what are all those things in your arms?”
Amelia, who jumped up in surprise, ran over to Yohan’s side. Reina and Charlotte’s gazes sparkled as they looked at Amelia’s back. Look at her? Their eyes seemed to say exactly that.
“They’re gifts. I couldn’t give them yesterday because things were hectic.”
“Gifts…?”
Amelia’s eyes shook. Even the attitude he had shown so far was endlessly grateful, but gifts on top of that? It felt overly burdensome.
“They’re modest, but they contain my welcome and gratitude. Please accept them.”
Yohan smiled as he held out the gift bundles. What the emperor gave was only honor. They even just gave them Empty Medals with no benefits whatsoever and called it a day. A medal is a symbol of honor. It could become that person’s pride, but an Empty Medal has no meaning at all. There needs to be some practical authority or even a small benefit for it to shine. It wasn’t because he was blinded by material value. It was simply to avoid giving the impression that he was just paying lip service. Respect proclaimed only with words is hollow.
That’s why Yohan prepared gifts. Since he prepared them based on the information he read in the rofan, it wasn’t wrong.
“Thank you. To prepare even something like this……”
Charlotte and Reina stood up from their seats. They looked surprised. They never imagined they would receive gifts.
Of course, it wasn’t that they had never received gifts before. They were war heroes. While they were treated like monsters, they weren’t denied even superficial courtesy.
However. Gifts given with direct expressions of respect like this were rare.
Come to think of it, I don’t think we received gifts like this even before the war…….
Charlotte received the gift with a complicated heart. She was smiling on the outside. Not because she disliked the gift, but because it made her feel complicated.
“Thank you. May we open them now?”
“Of course.”
The three women immediately sat down and unwrapped the silk packaging. At the same time, their eyes widened.
For Amelia, an embroidery set and silk. For Reina, a high-end chess set. For Charlotte, a horse saddle. Items Yohan had prepared based on information from the rofan.
“All this……”
Amelia murmured while looking down at the gifts. Both her voice and eyes trembled. It was the first time she had received such thoughtful gifts tailored to her preferences.
The other two were the same. They had received countless good gifts, but none that matched their tastes. They had only received gold and ornaments. Nice clothes. Superficial and formal gifts that matched the average of typical young noble ladies.
“Do you like them?”
Yohan asked carefully. Even though he knew their preferences and prepared accordingly, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.
“Very much.”
Amelia lifted her head and answered. Her eyes sparkled. Reina and Charlotte weren’t as much as Amelia, but they were moved. Because the gifts contained consideration and goodwill.
“How did you know I like games?”
“It’s amazing. Normally, one wouldn’t think of gifting a saddle to a young lady.”
Reina and Charlotte looked at Yohan at the same time. It was novel and bewildering.
“I did my best to find out and prepared what I thought you would like. I’m glad you seem to like them.”
The sincerity of trying to learn the other’s tastes in a time when everyone fears them. Sincere respect. Reina and Charlotte felt favorable toward Yohan’s attitude.
Yesterday, because Amelia had been too favorable, they had suspected if he was demanding something in return for repaying a debt. The noble world is insidious, after all.
However. Today, they felt there was no need to suspect anymore.
“Thank you.”
The two bowed their heads in unison. With gratitude and apology.
“I’m glad you like them.”
Yohan also read the emotions in their voices and nodded. Since the other party acknowledged it, he felt relieved.
“Ah. Amelia. There’s something I’d like to tell you for a moment……”
“Yes? Ah, yes.”
Amelia stood up with a dazed expression. What on earth was he going to say?
“I’m sorry. Please excuse us for a moment.”
Yohan took Amelia to the corner of the terrace. So that their voices wouldn’t be heard.
Thump thump. Amelia’s cheeks flushed red. Her heart pounded with tension.
“Amelia.”
Yohan called Amelia’s name. The thought of no way flashed through Amelia’s mind.
“Yes, yes! Please speak.”
“It’s nothing else, but a few days ago you said you wanted to work, right? It’s burdensome, but something has come up that I’d like to ask of you.”
However. As soon as she heard Yohan’s words, Amelia’s hot cheeks cooled rapidly. A sigh escaped her.