The Squire on a White Horse

I sat up and finally took a sip of tea. Stanley sipped from his cup as well.

We both put our cups on the saucers at the same time and both breathed at the same time.

“…Well, there’s nothing I can do about it, is there?”

There was nothing that could be done about it, even if I rolled around on the ground crying out that I didn’t like it.

Just a few minutes ago, it was I who said that life would become what it is.

“I don’t know if it’ll be.”

“What will be will be.”

“And your life?

“It’ll just be what it’ll be.”

“I don’t know if I’ve ever known you to be so optimistic.”

“I’m not optimistic. It’s the result of much deliberation… These cookies look freshly baked.”

I liked freshly baked soft and crumbly cookies, but I was not interested in that right now. My hand took the liberty of picking up the cookie and bringing it to my mouth.

Stanley said as he stood up and poured me another cup of tea.

“I think I’m going to have to take a longer vacation in a week. I have to go back to my parents’ house and make some preparations.”

“Yes, that’s a lot of work.”

I popped another cookie into my mouth. If I’m going to get married, I’d like to take the recipe of these cookies with me. I wondered if I could ask the cook for the recipe.

Stanley, sitting in his chair, peered into my pensive face.

“What are you talking about? You’re going through bridal training too, My Lady.”

I put my teacup back on the saucer and turned pale as I faced Stanley.

“I’ve done enough bridal training already.”

“You’ve been training to become a bride, now it’s time to train to become a bride.”

I covered my ears with my hands and looked into the distance, pretending not to hear.

I heard a deep sigh.

“Please do your best. I’ll do my best, too.”

“You don’t have to work so hard, you always work too hard. You still have those horrible dark circles in your eyes. You’re ruining your good looks.”

“No.”

With a firm voice, Stanley shook his head. His sincerity came back again.

“I’m going to take over the Arliss Trading Company and take the youngest and most beautiful daughter of the Lord of Chamberlain as my wife. No matter how hard I try, it won’t be enough.”

I didn’t like that name. I frowned and stuck out my tongue. Unfortunately, I was the beautiful youngest daughter that everyone is talking about.

“…My Lady.”

“I’m embarrassed by the compliment.”

“You should be more graceful in your embarrassment. You need to be more self-aware.”

“Excuse me.”

I turned around, thankful for the voice that interrupted my lecture. The maid was standing there with an apologetic look on her face.

“I’m sorry, Lady Florence, Mr. Arliss, for your absence. Mr. Arliss, the butler wants to see you.”

“‘Okay, right away then.”

Stanley replied as he stood up and looked down at me.

“My Lady.”

“I don’t care, go ahead.

“My Lady.”

He looked down at me with narrowed eyes as I waved my hand, happy that she had called him at the right time.

I know what you mean. I gave him an exaggerated shrug.

“I know what you mean. I’ll do my best so as not to embarrass my hard-working future husband.”

His narrowed eyes returned to normal, but I’m sure he didn’t trust me half as much as he thought he did. I’m sure he didn’t trust me half the time.

“Excuse me. I’ll be back.”

Stanley bowed and left with the maid.

As I picked up my cup to enjoy a moment of peace, I suddenly noticed the basket of sewing items that had been left on the bench beside me.

That’s why Stanley said he would accept a shirt from me, which was unusual. It was because he knew that he would soon be my fiancé.

I picked up the basket and went back to the table.

I couldn’t give my next fiancé a hand-me-down from my ex-fiancee, after all.

When he comes back, I’ll have him strip off his clothes and measure me for size before the lecture begins again.

Still tugging at my anxiety, I pulled my lips together and cut the thread that sewed the shirt together and pulled it out with all my might.