Chapter Title: The Ladybug
While she was just enjoying the delicious meals served at every meal, Adelaide began to feel somewhat pathetic.
*I feel a bit pitiful...*
As she crouched down, staring at the ladybug, Aegir cautiously spoke up.
"...Is there a problem?"
Although she could have said it was nothing, she felt a sudden urge to confide. Adelaide spoke calmly.
"He seems like an extraordinary person."
"Are you talking about the master?"
"Yes. Not everyone can do what he does, even if they grew up in the same environment as my brother."
This must mean that his charm comes from the confidence of someone who has achieved something on his own. Moreover, it seemed that Cesare would readily admit that his starting point was ahead of others.
*I hate to admit it, but he's quite impressive...*
Having everything yet not being satisfied with it.
"...He feels distant."
Feeling somewhat deflated, Adelaide forgot to imitate a lady and flicked the ladybug. The bright red ladybug climbed onto her finger. At that moment, a thick, rough hand reached out from beside her.
"He is not far."
Aegir quietly transferred the ladybug onto his finger and then released it into the sky.
"Now, he is your family."
"..."
He might have said it without much thought, but his words shot like a meteor into Adelaide's heart, striking deeply.
"Then..."
"..."
"...If I do well."
Adelaide paused. The ladybug was spreading its wings. The two watched it fly for a moment. When the ladybug was no longer visible, Adelaide stood up.
"...I need to go to the Hall of Aria to practice dancing. Let's return when my brother comes out."
---
"Master."
The secret attendant, disguised as a civil servant, spoke quietly.
"At ten o'clock, under the scales, it's the young lady."
Cesare, who was greeting Accopiatori Commissioner Aleotti, only moved his eyes to glance that way. The grass rustled just enough to be noticeable with focus. It was Adelaide.
*...What is she doing?*
As he half-heartedly accepted Aleotti's greeting, Cesare frowned. He had heard she wanted to come to the outer palace, but he hadn't heard she would be hanging around him. Fortunately, she seemed to have Aegir with her, but the outer palace was...
"Count Cesare?"
"Oh. It's been a while, and you seem healthier than before. You must be doing well."
Cesare naturally smiled. Commissioner Aleotti's round cheeks lifted as if he had been waiting for those words.
"Thanks to the bezoar you gave me! My old mother recovered completely as well!"
"That's good to hear. Then please, go inside."
"Yes!"
As Aleotti walked briskly inside, the attendant quietly asked.
"What should we do?"
"...Leave her alone."
Cesare smiled wryly. He had an idea. It was probably because of a deal with Lucrezia. Maybe she planned to figure out his routine and report it. Something like that. Having sold out others and even himself, but never having been sold out by someone else, this was an unfamiliar situation for Cesare.
Ignoring the bustle around him, Cesare looked at the sky, cigar in mouth.
*Why would she have no interest in me to such an extent?*
Though she had stepped on his foot, it didn't seem to be because of that. Adelaide had even shown concern for him. Dancing had been quite enjoyable, and he thought their physical compatibility might be good.
"...Lord."
Yet she had no interest. And quite actively at that. He had wanted this, but being outrightly rejected stung his pride. Cesare had never been turned down by any lady before.
"Master!"
*And she thinks she suits Lucrezia? Is she blind?*
"Master!"
"..."
At Gigi's shout, Cesare finally looked ahead. Master artisan Sporko Chibo from a minor arte was halfway through a bow, looking up at him with puzzled eyes. Cesare belatedly smiled.
"Sorry. The sun blinds me when I see a beauty."
"..."
"Th-Thank you..."
"Not you. I spent too long looking in the mirror this morning."
"..."
*Wow. What a bastard.*
Everyone looked at Cesare with tired eyes. Cesare took a long drag on his cigar, then smiled at the pitifully wounded Sporko.
"What are you doing? Go inside. Can't you see the line behind you?"
"...Yes."
Sporko slumped his shoulders and headed inside. After greeting everyone, Cesare spoke in a low voice.
"Gigi. If Adelaide asks about my schedule, don't tell her. Make her come to me directly."
"...? Yes, sir!"
Cesare turned his gaze. Hair resembling peacock-colored black pearls peeked through the grass. She was a shoe shiner with immense patience. But he had no intention of being swayed so easily. Cesare flicked his cigar and turned away.
---
Adelaide's antics continued for several days. This meant her stalking continued. It only happened when Cesare was working at the outer palace, though. Surprisingly, Cesare found it difficult to spot her unless the attendant pointed her out. Perhaps due to her experience as a shoe shiner, she was as skilled at hiding as a cockroach. With Aegir's help, she found secret spots and observed Cesare with a serious expression, like a ten-year-old discovering a stag beetle.
"..."
While he was used to being watched, it made his neck itch. Adelaide wasn't just wasting time tailing him either. Every night, Cesare summoned Epony and Aegir to report on Adelaide's day. From their reports, it seemed she was more diligent than before, never showing laziness.
"She studies very hard. She has reduced her meal times and studies more in the evening after visiting you during the day. Sometimes she even tries to cut her sleep short, which I have to prevent."
This was Epony's report, who had begun showing some affection towards Adelaide.
"...When the master enters restricted areas, she practices dancing with me while waiting. She has become quite good at waltzing."
This was Aegir's report, who seemed deep in thought. After sending them away, Cesare smoked a cigar alone in the unlit office. The night was quiet. Somewhere on the second floor, a shoe shiner would be sleeping soundly, wrapped in a clean and fluffy blanket she had never touched before.
*Tok.*
Cesare's fingertips tapped the desk. His anger at her outrageous claim that he matched with Lucrezia had gradually subsided. Resting his chin on his hand, he thought of Adelaide watching him with intense focus. A smirk emerged.
"Hm."
She seemed kind of cute. Was it really a lie that she had no interest? Maybe the deal with Lucrezia was a distraction. Otherwise, how could she follow him so passionately? The waltz. How good had she become?
*Tok. Tok. Tok.*
His fingers started tapping out a waltz rhythm, almost unconsciously.
Four days later, while returning to his office in the inner palace after visiting the commercial district, Gigi spoke to Cesare.
"By the way, the young lady really did ask about your schedule."
"Hmm."
Cesare smiled pleasantly as he took off his coat with the help of the maid and servant.
"You did as I instructed?"
"Yes. I told her it was a security matter and that it would be best to ask you directly."
"Good job."
*Then she'll be coming soon.*
Rolling up his sleeves, Cesare dismissed the maid and servant. He sat at his desk and picked up a pen. Then he paused in that position. Since she had been so adamant about not wanting to see him, it might be awkward to come first. After a short consideration, Cesare told Gigi.
"Have lunch with Adelaide tomorrow."
"Isn't your schedule tight?"
"Figure it out."
"Uh... alright."
"Treverium?"
"No response yet."
"They better not try to take my maritime rights."
---