The Returnee Wants Peace

Madame Marselle, the owner of the clothing shop, was an incredible professional.

She gently spoke to Rosha, who was awkward as it had been so long since she had clothes fitted, helping her relax while directing the shop and proposing various combinations on the spot.

Seeing that all those combinations looked good without exception, the madam seemed to have an excellent eye.

“This is sky blue satin fabric. It’s beautiful with very fine gold dust mixed in, and it matches well with the young lady’s eye color. For accessories, we just received a large diamond. I think it would also look good matched with a high-grade magic stone with gold in it, and if we engrave a defensive magic formula, it could also be used for protection…”

“Skip the magic stone, just the jewel.”

“Understood, Your Grace. Oh, how about this fabric? It’s a light silk fabric with an orange tint, which harmonizes very well with the young lady’s hair. It also goes well with red, so using rubies would be nice.”

“I think pearls would be better than rubies, Madam.”

“Oh my, now that I hear Your Grace say it, you’re absolutely right. As it happens, we have some nice pieces among the accessories our shop owns, would you like to see them?”

She said she was fully prepared, and it was true.

The fabrics endlessly wrapped around her body and disappeared, and the jewelry collections changed to match each time.

What was even more impressive was Froy, who didn’t lose his concentration at all during that time.

‘Is this a battle between spear and shield?’

His aesthetic sense seemed to be almost on par with Madame Marselle’s. Moreover, as a picky customer with his own tastes, it took quite a long time just to decide on the fabric.

Actually, the madam seemed to be enjoying the process, not looking tired at all.

“Then for the next step, the detailed design… Oh my, the young lady seems a bit tired. I think a break is needed, shall I bring out some refreshments?”

The madam, making eye contact with Rosha, tactfully suggested a break.

Froy nodded, and after confirming that the madam had left with the others, Rosha half-reclined on the sofa.

On the way here, she had been so conscious of Froy, but now that her body was tired, even that disappeared.

“Are you very tired? Shall we go back for today?”

“No, it’s not that bad. I just… feel like a shrimp.”

“A shrimp?”

“Yes. A shrimp whose back is split in a whale fight.”

“Where did you learn such an expression?”

Froy, who understood from the context, asked with a chuckle.

She looked up at Froy from her lying position. He looked perfectly fine.

Isn’t it usually the opposite?

As their eyes met, her heartbeat started to speed up again.

‘This damn allure…’

Here we go again.

She turned her gaze to the window, pretending nothing was wrong.

She could see the knights standing and waiting in front of the building.

Eola, who had come as Rosha’s escort knight, looked quite bored, but Froy’s knights in black armor hadn’t relaxed their posture at all.

As if to say, after all the years of hardship they’ve endured, how could they not wait for this much?

“…I was wondering what you were looking at, but you’re watching my father’s long-time servants.”

“What?”

Looking back at Froy, he was staring at Rosha with slightly subdued eyes.

“Weren’t you curious about why I had neglected such skilled knights all this time?”

At his tone that suggested if not that, then why was she avoiding his eyes, she hastily replied:

“I-I was curious.”

It was a lame answer, but it was true.

She hadn’t asked because it felt like interfering too deeply in someone else’s family matters, but she had been suspicious since the head butler at the fortress had asked her to persuade Froy.

“…Then.”

What he said next was something she had vaguely guessed.

“My father conducted ability experiments with the former Emperor to obtain [The Guiding Lantern]. It was an experiment that had continued since I was in my mother’s womb, and I was an important test subject.”

She wondered if it was okay to suddenly hear the truth like this, but she soon became engrossed in the story.

He said the experiments were very painful. While Princess Illien, who underwent the same experiments, had lost all memories of that time, Froy had not.

And in his memories, the image of knights escorting the carriage as they traveled between the domain and the imperial palace remained clear.

“I know too. That they are extremely loyal knights.”

“…”

“But there remained the question of where their loyalty was directed… and I postponed confirming that. Perhaps I didn’t want to easily give the knights the indulgence of loyalty.”

Froy, who was opening up about his feelings, was very calm. As if that’s how it should be.

Only then could she understand where his dry atmosphere came from.

Now everything was sorted out enough to be shared with others, but back then, he might not have been able to endure without cutting himself down.

“Time passed endlessly like that, and finally at this Moon Altar, I was able to confirm the direction of their loyalty. Thanks to that, my long-delayed revenge has also ended.”

“I… didn’t call the knights with that intention.”

“I know. But even if you had intended it, I would have followed. Because you occupy a great importance to me now.”

“Still…”

“I mean it sincerely, Rosha. With you by my side now, past stories that have already gone by are nothing compared to you. So…”

The man who had stepped closer to her continued:

“Don’t avoid me. If I’ve done something wrong to you, I’ll fix it.”

Though his words were confident, his eyes were practically pleading.

Seeing his face that somehow looked desperate, she felt guilty. Feeling that misunderstandings would deepen at this rate, she blurted out incoherently:

“I’m not avoiding you. It’s just, well…”

“Just?”

At his voice immediately questioning back, she hesitated for a moment.

Thinking that cutting it off here would lead nowhere, Rosha closed her eyes tightly and said in a small voice:

“…The allure magic… doesn’t seem to have worn off completely…”

To think that a supposedly competent magician like her was struggling because she couldn’t properly dispel allure magic.

It was very embarrassing, but she had no choice since Froy had been so honest with her.

Silence followed.

She thought he would say something in response, but he didn’t say anything.

‘…What kind of reaction is this?’

She became inwardly anxious. With a ‘whatever’ attitude, Rosha gently lifted her eyelids.

And then she found purple eyes looking down at her.

“…”

How long had he been like this?

With one arm draped over the back of the sofa and his upper body leaning forward, his expression was extremely peculiar.

He seemed to realize his prediction had gone wrong, and a mix of pleasant excitement and caution could be felt simultaneously.

And… the distance was far too close.

“Oh my, I’m sorry. I’m sure I knocked…”

Madame Marselle, who had opened the door with a click, tried to quickly leave with a somewhat pleased look. Only then did the kind of tension that had settled in this space break.

“…It’s fine. Come in.”

Froy raised his hand as if to say not to make a fuss and straightened his upper body.

He looked very relieved.

He whispered, curling up the corners of his mouth slightly:

“Let’s start over for now. As for how to break the allure… let’s find out together after this.”

…Ugh.

* * *

It was an hour and a half later that they were released from the clothing shop.

The unexpected thing was that the outfit being made wasn’t a dress.

As it turned out, due to the influence of the trials, outfits that were both active and beautiful were preferred, and the number of women wearing pants had increased.

‘They say these days it’s fashionable to match riding clothes or dresses that don’t drag with long coats. Well… it’s comfortable for me.’

However, there was one problem.

“It’s too expensive. It’s too much to receive as a gift. And it’s not just one outfit.”

Rosha said, turning around as she boarded the carriage.

That was because Froy had instructed to make a total of five outfits, choosing several fabrics in addition to the one Rosha had chosen. Of course, all the accessories that came with them were separate as well.

“It’s already done. Just get in quickly.”

“…I could have just used the cape I have.”

“You mean that thing that can change appearances? That’s a bit lacking in sincerity. It’s your brother’s marquis investiture ceremony, isn’t it?”

“But…”

“I’m just doing it because I’m in a good mood, so accept it quietly.”

She wanted to say something in response, but Froy seemed determined not to listen.

“What? If they’re giving it for free, just take it.”

Koko, who had escaped early from the clothing shop to tour the city, said carefreely.

It was clearly because of the madam’s promise to make a cute tie for it to wear as well.

Rosha let out a small sigh and looked out the window.

She could see the scenery of the big city of Aden.

Bright ash-gray buildings and well-paved streets without a single pothole.

The well-maintained city looked rigid at first glance, but looking closely, it was a place that operated quite flexibly.

After all, people of various backgrounds were mingling together.

‘Probably because of the spatial gate.’

As if it was currently operating, bright blue magical light was pouring out.

And someone who walked out from there looked around the city scenery as if finding it fascinating.

Rosha accidentally made eye contact with the person’s bright blue eyes.

…Oh?

‘Is he coming this way?’