106. The Rose’s Taste

“Lord Heirad, are you truly going to stand by?”

Clarisse having briefly excused herself, Isaac sought him out with a sigh.

Having weathered various events, the two had become somewhat close.

Especially since Heirad had also contributed when facing Arundel, making him one of the Golden Generation.

“The Princess, you see.”

To Isaac’s question, Heirad beamed with contentment, visibly pleased.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen her looking so happy. Recently, she’s only had hardships.”

“……”

“It seems she’s enjoying herself thanks to Baron Logan. If it weren’t for this northern affair, she would surely visit the Baron’s estate every day-.”

“Did you hear what I said? I told her to stop, didn’t I?”

At Isaac’s demanding tone, Heirad wore a smug smile.

“Baron Logan is far more trustworthy than Prince Raphael, clinging to other women like some cheapskate. I think it’s a relief.”

“……He’s not listening.”

Isaac gave up on the conversation and turned away. Just then, Clarisse emerged from Isaac’s residence.

She carried a wide platter adorned with snacks, pastries she’d personally brought from the royal kitchens.

“Sharen told me you don’t like things that are too sweet, right?”

“……Do you think he’ll like it if you come at him so aggressively?”

“Isaac’s not a typical man. I figured I should sufficiently showcase that I’m a good woman, at the very least.”

Clarisse winked, gesturing towards Isaac.

“Someone taught me this, you know? How to ensnare a man.”

“That’s-.”

“Especially that a beauty like me sticking to him, no one would dislike that so I shouldn’t hesitate too, right?”

“……”

His mouth clamped shut.

All the words he had said to Clarisse, every single one, were his own, making it difficult to refute her.

Even romance, strategically.

Seeing her use the opponent’s moves to corner them, Clarisse clearly had a talent in that area.

“Is it too much?”

Clarisse cast a furtive glance, gauging his reaction.

Seeing the tearful quality in her expression, Isaac’s eyes widened slightly.

“You’ve learned well, feigning weakness once in a while can sway the heart.”

“Tears would be the perfect garnish. Bring softness to the rigidity.”

Claris winked playfully, the earlier welling up a clear fabrication.

She learns too well.

Isaac murmured the thought, popping a sweet into his mouth.

Just as she said, the confection was perfectly suited to his taste.

“Well, if it’s too much, just say so.”

“And would you stop, then?”

“No? I’d just tell you to endure it. You’re leaving for the north in two days, Isaac. And I can’t go.”

Of course, Princess Claris could not travel to the north. Not only was it impossible to know what might happen, but she had only just returned from Brentarion.

“Well, then.”

Claris grinned, resting her chin on her hand. “Shall we go on a date, perhaps? What do you think?”

“Am I even allowed to refuse?”

“Ha ha!”

Claris burst into laughter, then shaped a heart with her fingers in a gesture of playful endearment. “Can a baron refuse a princess’s command? The world’s gone topsy-turvy!”

“…What would you like to do?”

“First–!”

* * *

Two days later.

The expeditionary force heading north was assembled.

It was somewhat tiring to depart again so soon after returning to Evergrade.

Still, Isaac completed his preparations with stoic resolve.

Unlike the bridal procession to Brentarion, this time they would be mounted on warhorses, allowing for far swifter travel.

Thus, there was a greater need for meticulous preparation than last time.

“……”

Isaac looked at the warhorse gifted by the princess, a bemused expression on his face.

After being relentlessly indulged by the princess for the past two days.

Yesterday, the princess had presented him with the magnificent steed, Ravenfall.

The black mane shone with a lustrous sheen; honestly, though he wouldn’t say it, Isaac was deeply pleased.

‘Worth all the playing around.’

Claris herself was delighted, claiming to have regained the strength to return to her administrative duties.

Sharen Helmondt poked Isaac on the back as he satisfyingly equipped his saddle.

“Isaac! I heard that just by lengthening your name, your title gets upgraded?”

“Hm?”

“Isa Baron! Isaac’s already a baron!”

“……”

He heard she’d been training with the Grand Master for the past two days; did she perhaps get hit in the head?

No, even so, it’s Helmondt, so there shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

“Not funny? The Grand Master was rolling with laughter. He’s still chuckling.”

Sharen’s fingertips pointed towards the Grand Master, who was clutching his stomach and roaring with laughter.

“……”

“It was a joke of true brilliance, I say!”

Sharen seemed deflated, her shoulders slumping with disappointment.

Just then, Knight Commander Eisenwolf bellowed that they were about to depart, so he decided to feign deafness.

Sir Eisenwolf was the one holding the reins of this expeditionary force.

A seasoned and experienced knight, an old lion guarding the kingdom.

Rumor had it he was retiring after this mission, and he was chosen to anchor the expedition—a mix of youthful nobles and veterans.

‘Princess Adeline truly knows how to deploy talent.’

Through Eisenwolf, she likely intends to rein in the Azure Stream Society, preventing them from overstepping their bounds.

Ravenfall’s debut.

Isaac stroked his steed’s mane gently as he climbed atop.

Sharen was still standing there, rooted to the spot.

“……What is it?”

Isaac asked, a premonition prickling at the back of his neck.

“Give me a ride!”

Sharen beamed.

He wanted to refuse, but considering she’d left her greatsword on the supply wagon, the decision was already made.

Sharen’s weight wouldn’t be a problem, but still,

if he, the son-in-law of Hellmunt, was seen fraternizing with Sharen, it might raise eyebrows.

Regardless, Sharen was already clambering up in front of Isaac, leaning against his chest.

“I’ll even share my treats!”

“Ha… Alright. Let’s go.”

The column began to move.

The Grand Master, mounted on his own horse, approached Isaac and grinned.

“Do you know what your name sounds like when stretched out long?”

Isaac felt a headache coming on.

“That was *my* bit!”

“Hmm? What a shame. I was hoping to try it out myself.”

The Grand Master grumbled, sticking a pipe between his lips. When Sharen and Isaac simultaneously pinched their noses, he cast them a sidelong glance and steered his horse further ahead.

“Hmph, having to sneak a smoke… What’s the point of living so long then?”

“He really *is* like an old man.”

“He *is* old, though.”

They whispered, only for a hard piece of bread to smack against their faces.

“I may be old, but my ears are still sharp as ever.”

Sharen swiftly grabbed the bread that had impacted Isaac’s face and took a bite.

“Hellmunt’s got strong teeth.”

*Crunch, crunch.*

Sharen munched away with gusto.

Amidst the chaos, an even more chaotic figure sidled up beside them on horseback.

“Greetings.”

Hair sculpted with wax into a cerulean crest, thick skin, and a meticulously groomed mustache.

It was Rayan Levis, the Levis family’s scion, our first encounter having been nothing short of disastrous.

“Get lost.”

Isaac’s annoyance was blatant, but he remained unmoved.

“Ah, but I haven’t come to see you, my friend. I’m here to make the acquaintance of the lady present.”

“Lady?”

Sharen, amused, glanced up at Isaac.

“Ahem, yes, the Lady!”

Isaac, plucking a breadcrumb from her cheek, sighed.

“Lady, I am Rayan Levis, of the Levis House. Might I prevail upon you for a brief discourse?”

“A lady does not refuse a gentleman’s invitation.”

“Finish your bread before you speak.”

Isaac cut in, but Sharen, feigning deafness, turned her gaze to Rayan.

“About what?”

“About, for example, your one and only elder sister.”

“Sister? What about her?”

Isaac frowned, glaring at Rayan, but he shamelessly pretended not to notice, directing his question to Sharen.

“You see, I find myself…intrigued by your sister. And so, I hoped to learn something of her tastes, her hobbies, and such.”

“Ooh.”

Sharen nodded, seemingly intrigued.

Perhaps no one had ever sought her out for such inquiries.

Her lips parted with astonishing ease.

“Unni likes handsome men.”

“Sharen…”

“Ha ha! Beauty is a preference all humans share, wouldn’t you agree? Your Blood Lilac, too, possesses exceptional beauty, so it is only natural.”

“She likes black hair.”

“Hmm, does she now?”

Rayan seemed slightly disheartened, perhaps a touch vain about his own hair.

Thereafter, a torrent of Rianna’s preferences, as known to Sharen, poured forth.

“She likes people who look weak.”

“Someone sensitive and affectionate is her type.”

“She seems to like men with slender faces. Someone with a soft, pleasant voice.”

The more he heard, the more Rayan’s gaze flickered to Isaac.

Conversely, Isaac’s face had flushed scarlet, and he turned his head away.

Because all of these were traits that could be seen in Isaac.

“Well? Was that helpful?”

Sharen asked, having finished her bread. Rayan forced a smile.

“Indeed, it was most helpful… though it seems you’ve just described the traits of Baron Logan, who is currently in your company, no?”

“Huh? Well, of course.”

Sharen, eyes wide, countered with a look of utter incomprehension.

“But Sister has never shown the slightest interest in any man but Isaac.”

“……”

“……”

A brief silence hung in the air.

“So, there’s nothing I can say except about Isaac’s…qualities?”

“Ha, hahaha…”

Reyean broke the quiet with an awkward laugh, striving for politeness as he offered a farewell.

“Ah, thank you for the information. It has been most helpful.”

“Shave that beard first. Sister would have loathed it.”

“I, I shall keep that in mind.”

And with that, Reyean spurred his horse forward, rejoining his own throng of Azure Stream nobles.

Watching his departure, Isaac gently stroked Sharen’s head.

“…Well done.”

“Huh? Did I do something deserving of praise?!”

Sharen, basking in the touch, shook her head, beaming.