A Promise to Mars

"Madam!"

That clear, unmistakable address... Could it be...?

"You're out earlier than I expected."

Britain Aslet, the dazzlingly handsome young man, stood smiling at the Marquisate's gate.

Actually, Britain had contacted me earlier today to meet up, but I'd turned him down, citing a prior engagement. So this sudden encounter was somewhat disconcerting.

"Today, I really wanted to..."

Britain's gentle voice, the kind that made my thoughts scatter, reached me.

"...meet with you, Madam."

With no more escape possible, I began walking down the sunset-lit street alongside Britain.

Britain Aslet. Uncle Zimmer... that is, Parmes's son. My fiancé, whom I still couldn't quite get used to.

"How are the Marquisate's affairs coming along?"

"Fine. Adam has been working tirelessly. He's checked and restored the bank accounts and revenue structure, and we're planning to start a new revenue-generating business. We're also waiting for the Grand Duke Maila's messenger. Adam's worried about whether it might have been lost in the snowstorm, though."

The Maila Grand Duchy was the ruler of the northern Maila Duchy. Though nominally part of the empire, it was virtually autonomous. It was said that snow fell there year-round, and a massive wall stood guard.

"Grand Duke Maila is a strict man, but I'm sure you'll do well, Madam."

Britain smiled encouragingly.

"I've heard he appreciates people with steady nerves. Like you, Madam, who once won Lady Alence away from Lady Maechert."

At Britain's continued words, I nearly choked.

'He heard about what happened at Lady Maechert's birthday party?'

"Oh, come on! 'Won away'? It just... things ended up that way without me planning it."

I answered composedly, though a flush of embarrassment crept up. I couldn't read what was behind Britain's gentle smile.

It was true that Britain was showing me goodwill, but not knowing the reason behind it made it all the more suspicious.

'Maybe this isn't the fluffy, gentle goodwill I'm imagining at all.'

"But... isn't Lady Maechert close to Your Highness?"

"Ah... We're on friendly terms."

At my question, Britain paused briefly.

Lady Maechert was unpleasant in personality, but she was beautiful, and most importantly, she had excellent connections.

'I heard the Maechert Duke family owns two gemstone mines, right?'

"But it's different from how I treat you, Madam. Very different."

Britain added this with a bright smile.

"So you, Madam, who prefers a reserved, sunny... partner, needn't worry."

I looked at him with a puzzled expression.

What was different? And what was he just telling me not to worry about? Sunny...? That was my ideal romance novel male lead type?

I drew question marks in my head at this incomprehensible situation when Britain, who had stopped walking, spoke.

"Madam..."

I halted my steps and faced him.

The boy's blue eyes, backlit by the sunset, rippled gently. He looked like he wanted to tell me something.

But as if quickly abandoning that thought, Britain glanced at the ground once before looking back at me.

"If it's not too much to ask, may I make my first formal date request to you, Madam?"

"...What?"

"Actually, that's why I came to see you today."

I tilted my head at Britain's words, his cheeks slightly flushed from the sunset.

After a moment, he opened his mouth.

"There's a fireworks display tomorrow evening, commemorating the first anniversary of the imperial throne."

'So that's why he wanted to meet me today.'

"..."

"...If it's all right with you, Madam, I'd like to spend time together."

But why did the word "plaza" immediately bring to mind my day with Mars?

We had wandered around together and spent a joyful time, just like in Galnem Village. The Glass Flower Festival opening tomorrow... I'd heard that city festivals were splendid and fun, and I'd wanted to go see one.

But...

"I'm sorry, but I have a friend I want to see the fireworks with."

I knew it wasn't proper etiquette to reject the Crown Prince's proposal this way. My words, spoken with a clenched fist, seemed to make Britain's pupils tremble.

"It's not that I dislike Crown Prince Your Highness... I just made a promise with that friend once. Haha, I don't know if they'll even remember it..."

Britain's blue eyes reflected my image.

A brief silence passed, and the boy spoke.

"I'm curious, and a little envious. Who is the person you want to spend your precious time with, Madam?"

His voice came out low, tinged with self-deprecation. He looked a little sad, a little complicated, and yet with a smile mixed in, making him look pitiable.

I gave Britain an apologetic expression.

"I'm sorry, Crown Prince Your Highness. But if it's a different day than that one..."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, shadows grew longer. I gave Britain a faint smile.

"I think we could spend a day together sometime."

'He's not a bad kid, I just can't read him well...'

It didn't seem right to just flatly reject him. But I thought there was a good chance Britain would reject this time. After all, telling him I'd meet someone else on the day he proposed, and suggesting we reschedule for another day, might hurt his pride.

"Very well, Madam."

But Britain responded to my proposal with a faint smile.

"Being your second is fine with me."

After finishing her home tutoring, I gave Lady Alence the Harastia medicine as she returned home, and she jumped for joy.

It was the herb I often ground for her in Galnem, when she complained of shoulder and back pain. It wasn't something I'd picked myself, but herbs Adam had bought from the market, so I couldn't guarantee its efficacy, but it would be better than nothing.

"The old lady thinks I have the qualities to become the flower of high society, but... I don't really want to walk around all day doing the crane dance."

Of course, despite saying such things, I seemed to have quite a talent for the crane dance, just as Lady Alence said.

'The kid said my steps were too narrow and childish, but I followed along so well that she said she'd skip ahead next time.'

"Hoo..."

The flower of high society, the Marquisate's reconstruction and business, and Britain's fiancé.

'Am I doing okay?'

As Maila's heir, if my influence grew, could I protect people from the Great Famine and protect myself?

Lost in thought, I heard a knock-knock from outside the window. And then the window swung open.

I raised my hand to greet the welcome guest.

"Mars!"

I hopped down from the bed to stand before Mars. Black robe and white mask — my precious friend. Behind the mask, Mars's black eyes stared fixedly at me.

"..."

Looking at Mars, I recalled my earlier conversation with Crown Prince Britain. And the reason I'd declined the fireworks date.

"Mars, Uncle Amus said there's fireworks in the city. You don't know how beautiful fireworks are, do you...?"

One day, sitting side by side with Mars watching fireflies, I had told him about fireworks.

"Actually, I lived somewhere else before I was born as Arinell, and in the place I lived, they had fireworks every festival. When the fireworks spread across the sky, they're all colorful... I always got excited. But what's with that look like you think I'm lying? I really have seen them!"

From behind Mars, who stood up as if uninterested, I had said:

"Sometime when we go to the city, let's watch them together."

"You know. Tomorrow evening."

At that moment, Mars's pupils seemed to ripple greatly.

"If it's okay, shall we go see the fireworks tonight?"

"..."

Hearing the next invitation as soon as he arrived, Mars stared at me for a long while. Normally he would have nodded or shaken his head in response, but he just stood there as if nails had been driven into his feet.

And after about a minute, Mars took a few steps toward me. And stopped at a distance so close our breaths could touch...

"..."

He lowered his head and rested his forehead against my shoulder. I could feel the weight of the boy's head, as if he'd been troubled.

This... was a positive answer, right?

'But what was that look in his eyes just now...?'

It seemed like relief, didn't it?

I patted Mars's shoulder, which was leaning against me.

"Come get me. I'll be waiting."

Britain entered his lavish room, removed his mask, and looked at his reflection in the mirror.

The corners of his handsome face lifted slightly, while his blue eyes glowed coldly.

"If it's okay, shall we go see the fireworks tonight?"

Arinell's shy voice remained etched in his mind.

To be honest, he had barely restrained the urge to frown at Arinell's words about wanting to see the fireworks with someone else. Arinell was the type to make friends easily, and she might have made another friend while he wasn't watching.

'Good thing, Arinell.'

Britain's smile, as he looked at the neatly arranged candy jars, held relief. The candies, with their sweet colors and scents, were just like Arinell.

'That I don't have to finish off whoever was your first.'

Outside the window, an eagle spread its wings and soared into the sky. Soon, he thought he could hear the cries of mountain birds.

A chilling killing intent swirl in his faintly rippling pupils. He looked very much like his father, Parmes Aslet.

And the reason he had approached as the gentle Crown Prince Britain, hiding his true self.

"Your ideal type? Naturally, the best romance novel male lead is a reserved, gentle, sunny man. Always speaking warmly to the heroine, gently reaching out his hand, and putting up an iron wall against other women with his reserved personality..."

'I'll grow to be the only man you want.'

Soon, his hair began slowly turning silver. His black pupils had already turned blue.