Chapter Title: The First Meeting
"..."
Ezra's face turned red. It seemed he was more embarrassed than angry. He hesitated for a long while before asking, with a complicated expression,
"...Does that mean you won't marry me?"
"Can I decide that? Agreements between families are sacred, and the head of my family is my brother, Cesare. Of course, if I strongly refuse, my brother wouldn't force it upon me. But."
Adelaide paused before continuing,
"Can you do that? Can you force such a burden on future generations? We've lived benefiting from the glory our ancestors built, so how can we shove the responsibility onto our descendants?"
*Thank you, Lady Flavia. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to say this.*
"..."
Ezra couldn't answer, his eyes wavering as he looked at Adelaide, as if searching for the truth. Adelaide met his gaze indifferently.
After a long pause, Ezra spoke, unable to hide his confusion.
"...I apologize. I thought you were merely seeing me as an arranged marriage partner."
*To be honest, I do have my sights on you.*
Suppressing the urge to joke, Adelaide replied indifferently.
"I understand how you could misunderstand. But to slander a lady you haven't even properly greeted, based on rumors?"
"That was indeed my... mistake. I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted."
"Yes..."
"..."
Silence fell as the situation resolved. The sound of seagulls could be heard from somewhere.
Ezra, with a somewhat complex expression, glanced at Adelaide intermittently.
Adelaide asked nonchalantly,
"Can you step aside now?"
"Oh."
Ezra made a flustered sound but didn't move. After a brief hesitation, he asked resolutely,
"...Could you introduce yourself to me?"
His light purple eyes sparkled nervously, like a boy afraid of being rejected.
Adelaide stared at him for a moment before speaking,
"Greetings in the name of the goddess. I am Adelaide Bonaparte."
Ezra's downy cheeks lifted in a bright smile.
"May the goddess bless your well-being. I am Ezra Della Valle."
The polite greeting, warm tone, and kind impression made it clear why he was considered the most amiable gentleman in the social scene.
"Thank you for forgiving my rudeness towards a lady."
"Although our first meeting was unpleasant, I don't think it will always be so. I hope we can maintain a good relationship as members of the same community."
The tips of Ezra's ears turned a faint pink.
"...I look forward to it."
"Yes."
"...Since we met like this, would you like to take a walk together if you don't mind?"
Adelaide, slightly dazed by the slightly awkward question, replied,
"I'm not in a good state to chat. My ankle..."
Ezra, seemingly recalling her limping, widened his eyes in alarm.
"I'm sorry! I've kept an injured lady for too long... Where can you sit?"
"No. I'd like to go down and see a doctor first. It's probably just a minor sprain."
"How did you fall? Where are your companions?"
"They left ahead. I said I wanted to admire the sea alone. I felt a bit dizzy from the sun."
"It's too much to go down the trail with an injured leg."
Adelaide looked at him silently. Ezra, meeting her gaze, took a breath and spoke quietly.
"If you don't mind, I could... help."
Ezra's ears turned red again.
Adelaide lowered her eyes and replied,
"Yes. Please."
---
Ezra lifted Adelaide effortlessly. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, his neck turned red, but his kind smile remained composed.
"I'm indebted to you."
Whispering softly, Ezra flinched momentarily but answered calmly,
"It's nothing. I did make a mistake. This won't make up for my rudeness, but I'm honored to be of help."
"..."
*Could he really have been so disarmed by the conversation? I didn't expect it to be this easy.*
As Adelaide remained silent, Ezra, slightly awkward, initiated the conversation.
"How about looking at the horizon? The weather is nice, and the sea is beautiful. Maybe it will calm your dizziness."
Though she didn't think it would, Adelaide followed his suggestion and looked at the horizon. The sea, sparkling like a blue jewel, filled her vision.
"It is beautiful."
"Isn't it?"
Ezra smiled brightly.
"Ador is a wonderful city. It's very faithful to its desires. Have you heard this saying? If I wake up in the heart of Ador one morning..."
"All my desires will awaken at once and surround me."
Ezra stopped. When she looked up, his face was filled with a bright smile.
"You know Calvino!"
His innocence and joy almost made her let her guard down. Adelaide maintained her composure and replied,
"I've read his books, but I didn't know it described Ador."
"It's not exactly Ador. As you know..."
Ezra, wanting to leave a good impression, continued,
"He didn't describe real cities. What's important is how the reader perceives it."
"You must like his literature."
"My father says it's too unrealistic."
Ezra laughed again, a gentle and refreshing smile.
"I've seen many who like Durante or Francesco, but not many who know Calvino. This is exciting."
"You must love literature."
"I enjoy reading. I also love delving into things. What about you?"
"I..."
Their conversation continued down the trail.
Ezra was easier to handle than expected. He made her feel the time spent in the library was worthwhile.
The trail seemed much shorter than when they ascended. When they reached Santa Lucia Square, Ezra hesitated before asking,
"You're staying at the Bonaparte resort, right?"
"Yes. Please let me down somewhere suitable and call for someone..."
Ezra stopped. He looked at her with clear, light purple eyes and asked,
"...Would it be inconvenient if I wanted to escort you all the way?"
"...I'd be grateful."
Adelaide replied after a pause. Ezra smiled faintly, even though he sensed it wasn't the best response.
"Do you have plans for the evening?"
"No, not really."
"I'm hosting a reading club. Would you like to join? I'll come to pick you up."
"I'd need my brother's permission."
At the mention of Cesare, Ezra's face hardened. His kind smile quickly turned into a sneer.
"Count Cesare, you mean."
Adelaide blinked, slightly surprised by his strong aversion. Ezra, seemingly deep in thought, asked,
"...Is he kind to you?"
"How kind he is."
"Is that so..."
An awkward silence fell as they approached the resort.
Hoping Aegir might be around, Adelaide looked around and stopped upon seeing someone at the resort's arched entrance.
"...Brother?"
Cesare, smoking a cigar at the entrance, looked up.
Having cleaned up, his hair was wet and glistening. His white shirt sleeves rolled up, and his hands in his pockets, he struck a nonchalant pose.
As Ezra approached Cesare, his back straightened and shoulders squared. When Adelaide glanced at him, his once gentle face was now frowning.
The tense atmosphere made Adelaide glance between the two men, saying nothing.
Finally, Ezra reached Cesare. Neither said a word.
Then, Cesare let out a low chuckle.
"You two seem to get along well."