063. It Was Clearly Spring Now
Originally, the Grand Duke used to summon merchants to the palace whenever he needed something — even items for me. It was more secure and more convenient that way.
But now, he was suggesting we go shopping outside — intentionally showing ourselves to others.
Of course, other nobles would also be out shopping for the upcoming hunting festival, so they’d inevitably see us together. That would naturally convey the message that we’re on good terms.
Still, I understood why the Grand Duke sought my cooperation for this outing. It was because he knew I found shopping exhausting.
Adding the fatigue of shopping to the time spent traveling — he likely thought it would be a burden for me.
“I know shopping tires you, but since we need to show our harmony in public, please pretend to be really happy.”
I gave him a wry smile and pointed out something he hadn’t considered.
“Your Highness. If we were choosing things at the palace, Fania would’ve insisted on helping me. Compared to that, shopping alone with you is much easier.”
Fania was three years older than me, but her debutante ball was scheduled for next year.
She had been pouring all her remaining energy into helping me prepare for mine.
It was sweet and thoughtful, but also exhausting just thinking about it. Everything looked the same to me, but she would insist I make the final decisions — pressuring me to choose.
Like lace versus frills. Even if the stitching technique was different, once attached, who could tell? Did it really matter whether the cuffs had lace or frills? Anything would do, wouldn’t it?
In that sense, shopping with the Grand Duke was much more comfortable.
He simply picked whatever he thought suited me, and if he wasn’t sure, he left it to the professionals. All I had to do was stand like a mannequin, which made things mentally easier.
“That’s quite fortunate. I should probably thank Lady Martina for that.”
The corners of his eyes softened. Perhaps conscious of eating finger foods, he gently brushed my cheek with the back of his hand and whispered in a low voice.
In my previous life, such an overly familiar gesture would’ve made me clutch the back of my neck in shock. But after accepting food from his hand, I wondered what boundaries were left.
“Still, let me know if it gets too tiring. This is all for you — it would defeat the purpose if you suffer.”
My original plan was to do nothing and simply stay alive, but being cared for so much despite doing nothing made me feel a twinge of guilt.
The Grand Duke probably thought he was a reincarnator while I was not, so he treated me with the consideration of an adult toward a child — when in fact, we were both reincarnated and had lived long lives.
To ease my conscience, I asked:
“But what about you, Your Highness? You’re picking not just your clothes but mine as well.”
“Ah, don’t worry about that. The actual clothes will be chosen by my mother. We just have to pretend to pick things in public.”
“Ahh.”
That was a relief.
“So the styles won’t be what’s currently trending among our age group. If Lady Martina helps, that might balance things.”
“I don’t mind.”
I never followed trends in my past life anyway. My firm tone must’ve conveyed my sincerity, because the Grand Duke burst into a hearty laugh.
“Right. We’re not exactly in a position to follow trends — we set them, if anything.”
If I set the trend, it would no longer be a trend. I wouldn’t change my style for at least 10 years once I chose it.
As I emptied my teacup with such idle thoughts, I realized something.
Yes. Even after sitting outside for so long, my body wasn’t getting cold — it was unmistakably spring now.
* *
If I were to go shopping with the Grand Duke, I had to inform Fania in advance. She had likely already planned to pick out all my outfits.
Since Fania hadn’t had her debutante yet, she still found joy in being invited to luncheons.
Next year, once she had her debut, she’d be going out often at lunch anyway. This was her last year of leisure, so I invited her to lunch cheerfully.
“So, I won’t be able to get your help this time.”
After all, if the Empress Dowager was picking out my clothes, I couldn’t very well bring Fania along. Not to mention, Fania would probably tremble like a rabbit before a tiger.
“Ah, so the misunderstanding happened after all.”
Fania, ever concerned about the differences between me and the Grand Duke, understood right away.
“Then wouldn’t it be better to postpone your debutante until later? His Highness is only 15 after all. If you waited two years until you were 15, it would actually be a better age to enter society.”
It seemed she thought the rumors of discord between us were genuine.
“No, if we delay it unnecessarily, strange rumors will only get worse. His Highness hasn’t officially debuted in society yet, so that’s part of why he can’t address the rumors properly.”
I didn’t feel the need to correct her innocent misunderstanding. Instead, I talked about how to respond.
“As originally planned, he and I should debut formally this year and announce our engagement. If people still spread nonsense afterward, that’s when we respond properly.”
The ones starting rumors were simply bitter that I would become the Grand Duchess. Leaving things be for two years wouldn’t help — it might even make things worse. We had to stick to the plan.
“If you say so, Blanche…”
Fania still looked worried but didn’t argue further.
“If I had known things would turn out like this, I would’ve entered society early too.”
Fania was sixteen this year — a year older than the Grand Duke. But since there was no need to rush, she’d decided on a typical debut next year.
“Then I could’ve helped more.”
“Your heart is enough. Thank you.”
And I meant it. How could this girl always treat my hardships like her own? I smiled faintly and patted the back of her hand.
“Now I can’t even help you pick a dress.”
“You can help next time.”
“But you said you’ll head straight to the Academy after the hunting festival.”
Fania pouted.
“Classes start after the festival, but I won’t actually enroll for a few more months.”
“And how many parties will there be in that time? You hate noisy places, Blanche.”
She hit the mark so perfectly that I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’ll have to attend at least one — I need an excuse to wear the dress you picked for me.”
Even as I said it, I realized I’d gotten better at joking. Perhaps moved by the jest, Fania smiled and lightly tapped my shoulder.
“You’re not allowed out during the semester, right?”
“I can leave with permission, but it’s frowned upon to come and go. It’s better to stay put.”
Fania let out a dramatic sigh.
“I can’t be with you for your debutante, but I wish you’d be with me for mine.”
It was a sentiment I found hard to relate to. Debutantes were attended by family anyway, so why need friends?
And I certainly wouldn’t want people I knew well to see me nervous.
In the past, I would’ve asked bluntly, “Why do you think that?” But after living as Blanche for 13 years, I had learned tact.
So instead of pointing out that she’d have family with her, I said this:
“On your debutante day, I’ll wear our friendship bracelet. If you wear yours too, even if we’re apart, it’ll feel like we’re together, right?”
Even if it was just an object, I knew how comforting something with meaning could be.
Hearing me say that, Fania — already softened — completely melted.
“But I haven’t even set a date yet.”
“Then send me a letter when you do.”
“Will you reply?”
“Of course.”
If Fania wrote me, a reply was nothing. I smiled faintly.
Even after knowing Fania for 10 years, my opinion hadn’t changed. She was still a child who hadn’t yet had her debut and didn’t know how big the world was. Just like a bird can only see the world after cracking its shell.
To say that ten years of friendship wouldn’t fade easily was laughable. After all, I had known His Majesty for over 50 years.
No matter how long you’ve known someone, people grow apart when they do.
Just as the years I shared with His Majesty didn’t stop him from casting me aside — and my belief that he’d call me back wasn’t because of our shared time.
That’s why I still believed my friendship with Fania could fade without issue.
The only difference now was that I no longer believed it would definitely fade.
“So, if you ever have something to say — write to me.”
And I hoped she would. I hoped this friendship would last, even a little longer.
Facing that subtle change honestly, I clasped Fania’s hand and smiled warmly.
