Chapter 46 - Outing Date (2/2)

“Mistress, please take this,” saying this Dahlia hands over two small paper cartridges.

“What’s it?”

“When you think ‘it’s no good’ please use this.”

“It’s no good?”

“Yes”

“……somehow or another I feel I know.”

If I sniff the odour *kunkun*, it smells of those medicinal plants from that time.

“In the beginning, please drink one. Then when you think even so it is ‘no good’ please drink another one,” Dahlia informs me of the instructions. Uh huh, dosage and administration are straightforward!

“Understood”

I gave a big nod while steadily looking at Dahlia’s eyes, and I drank one on the spot.

……with the above, the recollection ended.

Dahlia and the others, knew that I would probably be eating out today. Because of that they have given me those powdered medicinal plants to have. Probably because it is expected that I will most likely encounter terror. I am full of tears at Dahlia and the other’s concern.

“Now then, shall we go? The food here is truly delicious!”

The Duke gallantly escorts me.

“……for me Carthame’s cooking is good”

I mumble.

“Eh? Did you say something?”

“No~?”

Together with me being a small eater who will eat whatever (more than that I am anti-terrorist), I take only one or two mouthfuls of each [dish] but be that as it may it is gourmet food. Be that as it may they have used high  class ingredients. It is undisputedly delicious but as expected I end up having to drink the other medicine. I think he probably didn’t notice my bad condition. Because going further than I ever thought possible, while I still had room, I thoroughly stir the medicine in the water of the glass and drain it up while the Duke is looking away.

Somehow the terrorists let me pass and, the meal safely comes to a close.

By now I’m longing for home but,

“Now, let’s go to the next one,” the Duke joyfully informs me. It seems he will not release me yet.

The next place he takes me to, again different from promised, jeweler’s shop. I hear it is a popular shop among young people. Well, that is among the rich nobles though.

How long does this person want to shop? Even though I have lots of accessories I feel he will still buy some.

“This ring, is cute. Viola, how about you try putting it on?” he says and shows me a ring with lots of gems but, when I do the washing it will be a nuisance and, when I clean it will be a nuisance, in various scenes it will be a nuisance so it is rejected.

“It is lovely but I have enough at the moment”

“Really? Well then, necklace?”

“That also I had new ones made during the time of the evening party”

“Huh~, earrings……”

“Those also are made as a set with the necklaces?

“Umm~, well…….”

“Ah Duke? Over there, are some lovely cuff-links?”

Persistently……*cough*, I guide the Duke’s eyes that are enthusiastically looking here are there, to the cuff-links that are displayed in a showcase.

“Aah, they are”

His gazes returns here after just a fleeting glance so,

“I think something like that go well with your shirt! Moreover it looks like it would also go with the shirt we bought today?”

I press him again. This time I have completely become a jewelry shop assistant!

“Would you like to try them on?”

The owner of this place who has been silently accompanying us till now, fires some cover fire. Thank you Madame and nice owner for the nice back-up!

The Duke who was pleased with the cuffs, bought them at the shop. Again my shift change is a success.

After that he took we to a cafe he has a membership, when we returned to the mansion it was completely evening time.

He didn’t take me to …….a confectionary shop…… I drive to the entrance with a distant look in my eyes.

Rather than some sort of date, I feel acutely that it was matching up to the Duke’s tastes.

But I am glad the Duke was in a good mood from beginning to end. Something mental has been greatly shaved though.

“Today was fun”

The Duke is in a good mood and greatly delighted,

“Is that so? I am glad we could go together”

I cannot honestly answer. Because I am totally exhausted. I am prone to tiredness and I urge on my tired eyes that are about to close and paste a smile on my face,

“Are you not interested in dress, jewelry or delicious food?”

He peers at my tired face and his in-a-good-mood face has a complete change is clouded with concern

“That’s right. I am not interested such things”

“I sensed that”

The Duke gives a bitter smile. Was my answer a bit too straightforward? I wonder if I said too much, I peep at the Duke’s pretty dark pupils, all of sudden his eyes tenderly narrow,

“Well then, next time I will properly research so let’s go on an outing again”

Incorrigibly another invitation. And what is this so called research?

“yes”

I give a half-hearted reply but, as a result, did I say show me what you’ve got……?