# Chapter 45
What did you just hear?
Was I delusional due to lack of sleep?
“What are you doing? Quickly come in and take it off.”
I was not delusional then!
I slowly crossed my arms in front of my chest for cover.
“We can't go on a secret mission in uniform. Take it off and put this on.”
Edmund suddenly opened the carriage door and pointed inside.
On the seat was a carefully folded dress.
“Then don’t tell me to take it off, tell me to change it!”
“...what confused thoughts are you thinking about now? Do I seem like a shameless man to you?”
“It's not like that, but you surprised me when you suddenly said that!”
“Little girl, what are all these suspicious thoughts in your head?”
Edmund's face flushed as he pushed me inside.
Honestly, anyone listening to him would have misunderstood him.
I grumbled as I picked up the dress.
It was an ordinary dress at first glance, but the material was luxurious.
And even the size is just right.
I put it on and looked at my reflection in the window.
As expected from Olivia, her pretty face makes even this simple beige dress look stunning.
But, what is the story of this sudden “secret mission”? Why does he go out with me in particular? Isn't he supposed to go with his guards?
I got out of the carriage complaining, and found Edmund wearing a uniform of a similar color.
What is this? It's like... we're wearing a double suit!
“Stand down, I have to ride too.”
He frowned as I stood in the doorway, frowning.
Oh, so we're actually going to ride in the carriage, I didn't know, I thought it was just to change clothes.
I quickly made way for him, he sat comfortably, and the cart set off.
I looked out the window, and Felix, the guard, was posing as a coachman, leading the horse.
“By the way, where are we going?”
“We decided to check out the Umfa area, right?”
He said as he looked out the window.
“But didn't we decide to all go this weekend?”
“Did you say that?” he answered coldly.
What is this? Wait a minute, I can't...
“Is it because you wanted to be alone with Ecla?”
"What?"
“If that's the case, why don't you tell her directly?”
Oh my God, is he so infatuated with her? I'm tired of switching appointments for this.
“And it never occurred to you that I wanted to be with you?”
“…Excuse me?”
Did I hear him right?
“I mean, I'm more comfortable when I'm with you.”
“Ah~ sure.”
With Ecla, he cannot order and prohibit as he pleases.
Or maybe he feels nervous around her.
In the end, I'm the easiest party for him.
I turned my face angrily.
“What's up now?”
"nothing."
"Really? Why are your lips hanging like that?"
“They are not.”
"Okay?"
He raised his long finger and tapped my lips twice lightly.
“So this is not a mouth but a chin?”
He smiled lightly, it was longer than usual, and perhaps because he rarely smiled, his face looked unusual...
Attractive in a strange way that made me look at him repeatedly.
***
“Wow, this is the Umfa area?”
The stone-paved roads were flat and easy for carts to pass.
The street, which was full of garbage, is now decorated with trees and flowers.
The old, dreary buildings were transformed into clean buildings in soothing colours.
"Very beautiful."
Even the spaces between the buildings were filled with green grass.
Whoever sees it now will not believe that it was once a hotbed of filth.
“Really, it looks beautiful.”
“We're having the opening ceremony here, right?”
Umfa was previously a maze of narrow alleys, but after replanning, a small children's park was created, shaded by a large tree and surrounded by colorful flowers.
In the middle of it is a simple fountain paved with white pebbles. It is not luxurious, but it brings peace to the soul.
“Right, we will hold the opening here, and then the Guard soldiers will march towards their new residence.”
“Shall we go there then?”
The residence was at the furthest point of the area, so we should check the way there.
We walked together in the quiet street, except for the chirping of the birds, all we could hear was our footsteps.
“Did you get home safely that day? I mean, after your date with him.”
“Ah, yes, Galerhead gave me a ride.”
There was silence again.
“…So you two are dating now?”
"no?"
“Really?” he seemed surprised.
“I mean, not every date means we become lovers.”
In my previous world, there was such a thing as the “acquaintance period.”
“True… these days it is better to meet several times before deciding.”
"exactly!"
With these meetings, I will know whether Galerhead is the true master or not.
“…So, you won’t say those words to me anymore?”
“What words?”
“Like asking us to go out on a date or something.”
I stopped in my place. We were a few steps away from the guards' residence.
Is he joking now?
Even without him saying anything, I heard what Lucid said, so I no longer intended to hold on to him like before.
“Aren't you the one who asked me to stop confessing to you?”
No matter how joking or complimentary my confession was at the time, it remains painful for a person to be repeatedly rejected.
“…So, have you really given up on your feelings?”
What now? Does he look sorry? Did he miss me chasing him? Is it this tendency that says: A woman who stops following me makes me curious?
“Not quite. Feelings are not a piece of paper that can be folded up and gone.”
"truly?"
He smiled lightly as he continued walking, as if he liked my answer.
What's up today?
I couldn't understand his mood swings, but I had only to follow him.
“So this is the guard’s residence.”
“Well built, looks great.”
“Shall we take a look inside?”
“Is this allowed?”
“Who's going to stop me?”
Ah, this is truly the power of the prince.
Only the entrance to the area was closed, not the buildings themselves.
“Let's take a look then!”
I felt excitedly like I was visiting a model home.
I walked in, and the interior was simple but cozy.
“I advised them to pay attention to the decor.”
Edmund said as he explained while I looked around in admiration.
There are many windows to let in light, and the rooms are equipped with dark curtains for those who work shifts.
Everything is new, from the beds to the linens, and the bathrooms are clean and tidy.
“I hope they like the place.”
“It will definitely please them, it is much better than before.”
“And you added multiple entrances to the area, right?”
Previously there was only one entrance, but in the redevelopment four entrances were created.
“Yes, so that the guards can move around every street easily.”
Indeed, Edmund is as sharp as ever.
After I opened a few more rooms and found them all the same, I went out.
“This is how we finished the round!”
Check out the Umfa area, done successfully!
I looked at him with a smile and asked: “Your Highness, since this is a secret field mission… it is an outside job, right?”
“…If you want to be precise, yes. And it’s over now.”
“So, can I leave early?”
The point of real field work is to leave early!
“I thought you had a lot of work.”
“Ah, I'm done with it.”
I can meet him at the end of the week, so there's no need to rush.
"Really? That's good."
Then he motioned to me with his head, saying, “Come.”
“Huh?”
Didn't he say we're done? Aren't we supposed to come back?
"Where? Is there somewhere else? Isn't the mission accomplished?"
He just said it's over!
I thought we would come back, but he seemed determined to keep me with him.
“The work is done.”
He said as he extended his hand towards me.
What's up? Why does he extend his hand...?
“That is, what we are going to do now is not work.”