Unexpectantly hearing that familiar title, I unknowingly turned around.
I glanced at the bedside table where <Arista and Ellesa: Hearts Across Borders> was stored deep inside, then back at Aen.
For a moment, I was so flustered that I couldn't even control my expression, but fortunately, Aen took it differently.
He said with an awkward expression,
"It's a bit strange, isn't it? Forget what I just said. I was going to look for that book when I went back anyway, and since she's such a book lover, whatever I give her-"
"No, it's not that."
I quickly shook my head.
Certainly, I was flustered to hear a familiar title in an unexpected place.
'It could be.'
It was an incredible coincidence, but if that was her taste, it could happen.
'She's the same age as me...'
Does Aen know what kind of book it is?
I subtly checked his expression, but he seemed to have no idea, judging from his bright face.
Well, he said he reads a lot of books, but it would be difficult to check all the contents.
Hmm, then...
"I'll give her that book as a gift."
"Really? It's a book that was published a long time ago, so it'll be hard to find. Are you sure?"
I nodded.
Rather, I thought it was a good opportunity since I knew exactly what Cherish wanted.
"If that's what you want, Lady... but how are you going to get it? You haven't even received permission to go out yet."
"I'm going to ask Marin or the head butler."
There are many ways.
Of course, superficially.
Aen was quickly convinced.
"Okay, then please do. She'll be very happy to receive a book directly from you, Lady."
"I hope so."
"Great, you're serious about meeting her, Lady, so I need to step up my game too!"
He rolled up his sleeves, burning with fighting spirit.
"Wait for me. I'll definitely get permission for you to go out."
"Yes. I'll be waiting."
"Okay, see you later!"
"Goodbye."
I waved my hand at Aen's back as he left the room.
Thud.
After the door closed, I lowered my hand.
'It'll probably be difficult.'
The Duke won't easily allow it this time either.
'The permission... I can get it later.'
I'm a bit more reluctant to face the Duke these days, but if necessary, there's no choice.
'By the way, I think I need to go out alone once before that.'
It's not just about finding the book, there's actually one more thing to do outside.
I couldn't bring Aen there.
'I was planning to go sometime, but...'
I didn't expect the timing to be this soon.
Oh well, there's nothing I can do.
I took out a hooded coat from the closet and put it on.
Marin, who had just returned to the room, was surprised to see me.
"Lady? Where are you going?"
"Yeah, so I need Marin's help."
"Yes, please tell me anything."
Once again, Marin was ready to accept my command with a loyal expression.
Feeling deeply satisfied with Marin's reliable appearance, I said,
"Be me."
"...Excuse me?"
Marin's expression went blank.
In front of her, I smiled brightly.
"Lady, I told you I would obey you absolutely, but this is dangerous."
Marin, after hearing my plan, showed a negative attitude for the first time.
"You're going out alone? How dangerous is it outside! You don't know what could happen."
It was because of my words that I was going to go out alone.
"I know very well what it's like outside, Marin."
"..."
Because I was born on the streets.
Especially the place where I lived was particularly dark and dangerous. After being born and raised and surviving there, would I not know how dangerous it is outside?
Marin, who had been monitoring me, knew that fact better than anyone else, so she seemed to lose her words for a moment and closed her mouth.
But soon she shook her head again.
"Even so, you're now a respectable noble lady. Dangerous people might target you. There could be an accident, and you could get lost."
As if to scare me, Marin raised her hands like claws and made a terrifying face.
I realized once again that Marin really sees me as a child.
So I told her again.
"I went to the underground labyrinth to meet Marin."
That I'm not an ordinary child.
"To pass through that underground labyrinth, I also infiltrated the warehouse of the white building."
Of course, I had Vansis's help then.
There was no need to tell her that fact.
"Not only that, but an ogre..."
I was about to say that I survived being chased by the monster ogre, but I closed my mouth.
That... there was no need to say that.
But Marin's face darkened as if she had already realized what I was trying to say.
"I'm sorry, Lady..."
"No, no."
Seeing Marin become depressed, I hurriedly shook my head.
"I'm really okay. And instead, Marin stayed by my side. That's enough."
This was also sincere.
Marin was a necessary person for me in many ways.
She became my hands and feet, my eyes and ears, and above all, a place of comfort for my heart.
If I thought it was a struggle to get Marin, it didn't feel so difficult.
"What I want to say is... I'm okay. And I won't be going out as a child."
Yes, this.
The reason why I could confidently tell Marin that I would go outside alone.
I held out a crudely made ring in front of her.
Holding both sides of the ring and turning and pulling, the ring split in half with a snap.
The name of this ring, which is also recorded in the magic item books, is commonly known as 'Exchange Ring.'
"I can use this ring."
If you wear this ring, the appearance of the two wearers will be swapped for a certain period of time.
In other words, I would change into Marin's appearance, and Marin would change into my appearance.
However, the unfortunate thing is that the duration is not long, and the appearance does not become completely identical.
Above all, it was disposable.
But it was a very useful tool even with those drawbacks, so I saved it until the end...
'It can't be helped.'
It's meaningless if you don't use it when you need it.
"I'll also bring protective equipment, so the situation that Marin is worried about won't happen."
"Ugh..."
Thorough preparation prevented Marin's opposition.
Marin, frowning, glared at the ring like a sworn enemy.
Eventually, she sighed deeply and said,
"Okay. Instead, there's something I want to ask. If you listen to that, I'll send you off, Lady."
"Yeah, what is it?"
Putting half of the received ring on her finger, Marin said with a serious expression,
"What I want to ask is..."
Standing in front of the Duke's office, Aen stared at the thick door with a cold expression.
He felt that he had been visiting this place often lately.
It was a place that resembled its owner, as he felt every time he came.
The family crest, which seemed to thoroughly screen visitors, and the confidence of not having a single soldier stationed, were all like him.
"Hoo..."
Aen took a deep breath and muttered.
"I have to keep my promise this time."
In fact, Aen had been bothered by the fact that he had not kept his promise to get permission for her outing.
The guilt of burdening Lucia with pressure and the powerlessness of being able to only watch were still vivid.
'I won't repeat the same situation again.'
With cold, sunken eyes, Aen raised his hand.
Knock knock.
"Your Lordship, this is Aen Rixus."
His sunken voice spread gently.
Soon.
"Come in."
Permission was granted.
Aen regained his composure with another deep breath and opened the door.
The Duke was working as always, with a desolate winter in the background.
Moving his pen, he said,
"What's the matter?"
"It's a matter that requires Your Lordship's permission."
"My permission?"
He asked back indifferently, but he paused at the following words.
"Please allow Lady Lucia to go out."
"..."
His pen, which had been gliding gracefully, stopped.
After a moment, the Duke raised his head.
"...You're asking me to allow Lucia to go out?"
His questioning voice was chilling.
The air in the room became cold like the shadows of winter, but
"Yes."
Aen didn't care.
Instead, he raised his head even more and said.
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