Chapter 17: Girl's Troubles (3)
Night, September 2:
Reinhild lay flat on the bed, staring at the ceiling as she recalled her recent conversation with Ferris.
"So, you've been dating for six days, and apart from changing how you address each other, there's been no real progress, meow?
You're only preparing lunchboxes for Subaru every day and not doing anything else? Even if Subaru likes you the most, being this passive could leave regrets, meow."
Sometimes men can be even shyer than women, or perhaps more stubborn. They impose all sorts of conditions in their heads and end up not confessing at all. Like Lord Wilhelm—he's married but still couldn't say "I love you," and His Highness is similar…
"Yeah… are we going to spend our whole lives like this?"
Reinhild recalled the six days since the confession and suddenly sat upright. She walked to the window and gazed at the quiet capital. Because of Ferris, they had returned early on the 31st, so today was already the third day.
—Subaru should be done with his work by now.
Looking at the capital, Reinhild reflected that if the Dimitri incident had shown her a disaster where she wasn't needed, the capital made her realize she truly wasn't indispensable.
—even if she weren't there, kind young men would still help the elderly carry heavy packages, the knights would still maintain order, and…
Images of wandering the capital over the past three days flashed in her mind. As she touched the wristband on her wrist, the last remnants of her sadness vanished.
Her gaze hardened. Three days were enough for her to resolve to pursue the future she wanted.
.
.
.
Noon, September 3:
Under the great tree in the center of a golden flower field stood a girl in a light-colored long dress with a modest sunhat, holding a huge box.
Reinhild silently watched the sky, feeling tense as the sun shifted its position. Memories of Ferris' instructions filled her mind.
Footsteps interrupted her thoughts. With remarkable eyesight, she spotted Subaru approaching from afar. She smiled and waved.
"Sorry, Rein-chan, for keeping you waiting."
Reinhild shook her head, then took a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Subaru's forehead. Subaru's body trembled slightly—Reinhild understood that he was restraining his instinct to step back.
—Things really can't continue like this.
Feeling the awkward tension between them, Reinhild knew someone had to break it.
"It's okay, no rush. I just got here. How are you feeling?"
Reinhild put away the handkerchief and asked.
"Two more treatments and I should be fully recovered."
Relieved, Reinhild took out a picnic blanket from the box and spread it on the ground, gradually laying out the food she had prepared. In an instant, the setup was complete, and she sat down, watching Subaru.
"Um…"
Subaru hesitated, looking at the picnic blanket. Somehow, the lunch Reinhild prepared seemed more abundant, or perhaps the blanket had shrunk. Besides the food, there was only a small patch of space left next to Reinhild.
—Might as well sit next to her. We're a couple now, so we can squeeze together.
—Just because we're a couple doesn't mean I can act recklessly. This is the Middle Ages, not modern Japan. …
"Subaru?"
"I'm fine, I'll just shift a bit."
Subaru reached for the box of omelets, moving it atop the sandwich box, then reached for the sushi box—but before he could touch it, Reinhild grabbed his hand.
"Subaru, we're already a couple. Why not sit together?"
Reinhild lowered her head as she said this.
"Ahahaha, you're right. Sorry, I'm not used to it yet."
Somewhat awkwardly, Subaru sat beside Reinhild. To ease the tension, he grabbed a sandwich and stuffed it into his mouth. He didn't voice any compliments, eating too quickly for them to come out.
After some clumsy fumbling:
"As always, it's delicious. Truly fitting for Rein-chan."
"I make this for you every day, so don't rush. By the way, how is Lady Beatrice?"
"Ah, I didn't expect her to make so many friends and even become an advisor to the knights. I can be at ease now. Oh, and I saw Julius today. Henkel's situation seems real… unbelievable…"
On the golden flower field, Reinhild listened as Subaru recounted the day's events while she noticed what he disliked eating. Of course, she understood the drawbacks of being picky, so she adjusted flavors and reduced portions when needed—for instance, the sandwich tomatoes were sliced thinner, and the peas Subaru disliked were transformed into a jelly-like dessert. Seeing him happily eat, she felt a sense of accomplishment.
Gradually, most of the lunchboxes were emptied. Subaru finished recounting everything that happened yesterday, and they fell into a brief silence. Subaru naturally began helping clean up.
"So, Subaru, you don't have any plans tomorrow, right?"
Reinhild suddenly asked.
"Mm."
Subaru thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Then…"
Reinhild faltered for the first time in a while but regained resolve as she recalled the past few days.
"Subaru, can we go on a date tomorrow?"
"Ah!!!!"
Subaru exclaimed in surprise, staring at Reinhild. Though they had gone on a few dates, those were mostly his suggestions, and he considered them casual. This was likely their first real date.
"Not okay?"
Reinhild's tone carried a hint of disappointment.
"Of course it's okay! This is our first proper date, Rein-chan. Even if there's something else, I'll make time. Even a storm can't stop me from keeping my promise to you."
"Don't push yourself if the weather is bad."
Reinhild suppressed her excitement and spoke seriously, then bent down to place the last items in the original box.
"Then tomorrow at 10 a.m., I'll wait for you at the main entrance of the Astrea shop."
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