DDSWTB 31

Chapter 31

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I figured it would be better to wait a little early by the carriage than to keep Gilbert waiting.
Thinking that, I headed for the carriage a little ahead of time.

But there was Gilbert, already waiting before me.
Did I mess up the meeting time? I’m sure I’ve got the time right though…

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I apologize for being late.”

I apologized just in case.

Maybe I really had misunderstood the time.

“No, Tiana, you’re not late. I just thought, judging from your recent behavior, that you’d probably come early, so I decided to wait here ahead of you.”

Gilbert had anticipated that I’d arrive early and had come before me.

“I see. Thank you for waiting.”

He doesn’t overlook even the smallest details, so he must have noticed something suspicious in my recent behavior.

“Let me introduce you. This is Luxion, who will be our escort today.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Tiana. My name is Luxion, assigned as Sir Gilbert’s knight escort.”

“I’m Tiana Astaire. Thank you for your service today.”

I said with a smile free of hostility.

If he’s Gilbert’s escort knight, he must be someone trusted. It can’t hurt to get along with him.

“Well then, enjoy your shopping trip with Sir Gilbert.”

“Have a good time!”

The three maids who serve me personally each sent me off with their own words.

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy myself.”
I waved my hand to them.

Just as I was about to step into the carriage, Gilbert extended his hand to me.

“Your hand, please.”

I hesitated for an instant whether to place my hand on his, but it would be rude to brush away a hand offered like that, so I gratefully took it.

“Thank you.”

I hadn’t expected Gilbert to offer me his hand.

“If anything should happen, please call me. I’ll be riding my horse right beside the carriage,” Luxion said.

“Alright,” Gilbert replied.

As we traveled, a silence lingered for a while.
We had nothing in particular to talk about, and it felt a little awkward. Even if I wanted to start a topic, we didn’t have much in common.

“I hear you’re looking for some accessories, Tiana. What kind of things are you hoping to find?”

Perhaps noticing my awkwardness, Gilbert kindly initiated the conversation.

“Recently, my maid Lucy has been styling my hair really cutely, so I’ve been thinking I’d like to wear some hair accessories.”

“I see. So today’s hairstyle was also done by your maid Lucy?” Gilbert asked.

“Yes.”

“You look really cute today too.”

When Gilbert says something like that directly, I don’t know how to respond. He’s never said things like that before, so maybe it’s just polite small talk.

“…Thank you.”

(Oh, he averted his eyes. He’s embarrassed.)
Gilbert thought that to himself.