Chapter 23 Rachel

“Hey, Sarah. Are you sure about this dress?”

“Don’t worry, My Lady. You look like a daughter of a merchant… I assume. ...But I can’t deny that I can also see you as a noble lady traveling incognito.”

Looking at the mirror, Rachel saw herself in a simple dark-blue dress and a cream-colored scarf, her hair tied together with the same cream-colored ribbon as the scarf.

Louis gave her this dress.

To answer why she looked like this, let’s go back to what happened a few days ago. That day, Rachel received a letter from Louis that said, “Before you returned to your family’s territory, let’s sneak into the recommended cafeteria I talked about before.”

In other words, Louis invited her out.

Rachel was going to leave a week later. Therefore, her parents agreed that it would be good for her to go out somewhere nearby first before traveling far away by carriage.

In the past, Rachel never thought of going to the commoners’ place despite living in the royal capital for a long time.

Her environment allowed Rachel to have merchants and designers come to the residence to fulfill her necessities, such as accessories and dresses.

Besides, she was foolishly prideful, not understanding why a noble lady like her should go to where commoners live.

But now, the commoners’ place Rachel heard from Sarah and the others sounded like such a lively place. She got excited just by listening to their stories.

Therefore, she had been looking forward to this outing since yesterday. She couldn’t sleep easily, so she played with Black and read books until late at night.

Even now, Rachel was very excited. Just how would the commoners’ place be?

As Rachel was thinking in front of the mirror, Black came closer to her feet.

“What’s wrong? Do you want to go with us?”

Rachel squatted on that spot and looked into Black’s face.

Then Black circled her. And he slowly moved to his cushion, stretched his body, and laid down with a purr.

“Mhm. Some people may see spirits in the town. You should wait, Black.”

Kuro seemed to understand human’s words. Before, right after Rachel muttered, “Lord Theodore should be arriving soon,” Black wandered around in front of the door, excited.

Even now, Black’s ears twitched. After Black adjusted his posture restlessly, he closed his eyes and started to sleep.

At that moment, Rachel heard a knocking sound. From the other side of the door, Paul said, “His Highness has arrived.”

(Alright, let’s go.)

Rachel headed to the hall with Sarah. There, she saw Louis. HIs usual blond hair changed to brown, and he wore a worn-out shirt and a vest. His boots were worn off, spots of dirt here and there.

Amazing.

His atmosphere changed so much just by his clothes and hair color. However, his bare face peeking through his slightly long bangs was handsome. Even his current standing posture alone exuded nobleness.

Hmmm.

Rachel couldn’t help but wonder if he wouldn’t stand out when they arrived in the commoners’ place.

“Ah, Rachel. You look pretty. If there’s anyone living in the town who is as beautiful as you, I’m sure all men will propose to her.”

“Um… You’re praising me too much.”

When Louis looked at Rachel, his eyes widened in surprise. Then she squinted them immediately, smiling in joy.

Rachel’s cheeks became flushed at Louis’ expression and words.

“Your Highness, what did you do to your hair color?”

“Ah, this is a wig. Having blonde hair will make us stand out. When I go to the city, I wear a wig and pretend to be the apprentice of a blacksmith who knows my situation.”

“My! Your Highness, you have planned that far.”

“If the commoners know that I’m a member of the royal family, most of them will distance themselves from me. So I have to adapt to learn about life in the city.”

“I see…”

Now that Rachel thought of it, Louis told her that he secretly went to see the commoners’ life before. Unlike her, he was probably used to this kind of thing as well.

“By the way, we’re acting as the apprentice of a blacksmith who keeps inviting the daughter of a wealthy merchant over and over again. She finally accepts after seeing his determination, and today is their first date.”

“D-date?”

“Of course. From the beginning, I’m planning to have a date with you.” With a sweet and mellow smile on his handsome face, Louis held out his hand and said, “Let’s go.”

Rachel timidly put her hand on his. Louis held it tightly.

Just like that, he escorted her into the carriage.

♢

Rachel and Louis sat face-to-face in the carriage. Next to Louis was a knight with dark blue hair. He was dressed like a merchant. He seemed to be the knight who would accompany their secret outing today.

Louis told her that several other knights also guarded them, but she wouldn’t see them.

Also, this carriage was small, unlike the usual spacious one used by the royalties.

Before they got in, Louis told Rachel, “Sorry. We can’t stand out, so it may be uncomfortable to sit.”

However, she didn’t have any discomfort. It’s like the seat was made with some kind of particular materials.

Rather than that, Rachel kept thinking of their destination. The throbbing of her heart didn’t stop. The curtains were tightly closed, so she was wondering about the outside scenery that she never saw.

Louis chuckled at her excitement. Then he said, “Ah, right. You can’t call me ‘Your Highness’ in the town, okay?”

“That’s right. Then how should I call you?”

“Louis.”

(Calling Your Highness ‘Louis’? No way. Impossible, definitely impossible!)

Rachel immediately blushed and shook her head.

However, Louis was grinning at her, not minding her embarrassment.

“Come on. Practice calling my name.”

“Eh… Um…”

“Go ahead.”

“Lo…”

“Yes, yes.”

“Lo… Lou… Sir Louis.”

When Rachel called Louis’ name, he stared at her with a blank look for a moment. Then he smiled playfully and answered, “Yeah.” But then he added, “But it’s strange to call an apprentice of a blacksmith with ‘Sir’.”

Rachel knew that this was to prevent their identity from being revealed. Besides, it would be hard for the hidden knights guarding them to protect them if chaos happened in the town.

But it’s embarrassing. And Rachel wasn’t brave enough to call Louis without honorifics.

“I guess you can’t do it. Well, we can do it step by step.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Ah, but right. Call me Luke today. I always use that name in the town.”

“Your Highness! You’re tricking me, right!”

“Hahaha, sorry. But it was a chance to have you call my name.”

Louis laughed loudly at Rachel, who was scolding him with a bright red face.

Even though Rachel was angry, she gradually found it funny as well. Unconsciously, she put her fingers on her mouth, unable to endure a chuckle from leaking out of her mouth.

Ahh, this is nice.

Joking around and laughing at each other.

Rachel never thought that she could experience this with Louis.

(It’s fun.)

More. Rachel wanted this to continue for a long time…

Contrary to her thoughts, the carriage shook, gradually slowed down, and stopped.

“Oh, seems like we have arrived. The cafeteria is at the entrance to this shopping street. We don’t have to walk that much.”

Rachel came back to her senses at Louis’ words.

(What was I thinking about just now? I’m the one who decided to return to my family’s territory…)

Rachel chased away her depressed feelings. And she forced herself to smile. “Yes. Please guide me there.”

“Yeah, look forward to it,” Louis said, then he swiftly got down from the door opened by the escort standing on his side and reached out to her. Rachel grabbed his hand and got off the carriage.

After that, what greeted her eyes was the sight of a crowd of people, stalls, stands, and shops lined up on the wide road.

Witnessing the laughter of children and the commotion of people in this bustling city, Rachel felt her chest become full.

“Here it is…”

“Yeah. It’s lively, and everyone is lively, right?”

When Rachel looked up at Louis next to her, Louis also squinted his blue eyes as if he was looking at something bright.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

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