Ian nodded slowly.
“Yes, I should go.”
He had finished confirming that the graduates left safely and already gave his farewells to the staff.
“I'll see you to the carriage.”
Louise spoke with a bright voice, but Ian shook his head slowly.
“Why not?”
“I—”
He reached out his hand and answered softly.
“I'll be the one to escort you.”
“But the dorm is just right there. You don't have to do that for me.”
She pointed with her chin to the dormitory building close by.
“I just want to.”
Ian reached out his hand again.
“Like usual.”
His voice contained a note of sadness, as if he were hanging on to one last moment of normal life. Louise offered a faint smile.
“Okay.”
She took his hand, then tilted her head up at him.
“As usual, right?”
“Yes.”
He intertwined their fingers together, one-by-one into a perfect fit. They began to walk down the familiar path together. A few students stared at them, but the pair didn't pay any heed.
“Did the dean say anything?”
Louise remembered how the dean's eyebrows twisted comically when he got up on the podium.
“Not really. I heard that thanks to Claire's excellent writing, the number of donation inquiries increased.”
“Wow. I liked Claire's speech too.”
“Claire Iris has a natural apt.i.tude. She's very astute and can get to the point quickly.”
“So you wanted to keep her as your worker after graduation?”
“It's very important to keep good talent. I learned this from you.”
“From me?”
Ian smiled and playfully tugged Louise's hand.
“No matter how much I like your work, you still belong to the Sweeney greenhouse.”
“That's true…I was raised to be the successor since I was little.”
“Right? The Sweeneys got to you first.”
Louise was the Sweeney's only daughter. Ian pouted in regret, and she chuckled.
“You also need to find someone you can rely on.”
What? To work in the Sweeney greenhouse? But most of the students were from n.o.ble families. They weren't going to learn how to labor over plants or dirt. Or maybe he meant…
“Is it because I accepted your marriage proposal?”
“Yes.”
"So you're saying…I need a n.o.ble by my side?"
Louise was probably not the ideal crown princess that many people wanted.
“Yes. It will be harder by yourself to juggle the greenhouse and sit by my side.”
“…It sounds daunting.”
Louise was worried about their future after their marriage.
“As I told you before, there will be obstacles.”
Ian stroked her chin with a hand.
“If the lady I want says she chooses me.”
Louise easily recalled the story he told between spring and summer. His own resolution.
“You said you'd stay by their side. No matter what you go up against.”
“Yes. No matter if it's the world.”
It was interesting. His vow and the seriousness of it had not changed at all. Unlike the days when the same remark gave her anxiety, this time it was rea.s.suring.
“I'll do my best to find someone I can trust.”
“I look forward to it.”
As they spoke, they found their way to the front door of the dormitory. Ian didn't part from her yet, so he probably intended to walk her to her room. As usual.
“Oh, right. About art history.”
Louise was about two or three steps ahead when she looked back at Ian. She had once said that she liked that their eyes were about level at this position.
“The cla.s.s only involved memorization, but it was still a good cla.s.s. It taught me about appreciation.”
“Right?”
“I think it will be a great help in selecting an artist to display their paintings at the party next semester.”
“Anything you learn can be useful. On that note, take another cla.s.s from Professor Hewitt next semester. It's really great.”
“Ugh.”
“What's wrong?”
“I have a history of destroying his 'principles.' He must hate me even more.”
Louise remembered the professor's small snowman. Ian let out a laugh as he remembered that day where they pelted each other with s...o...b..a.l.l.s.
“There's nothing to worry about. We set up ‘grand principles' to replace it.”
“The three of us.”
“And the professor's not the type to change your grades in revenge for a little snowman.”
“Well…true.”
Professor Hewitt may be scary, but he was fair.
“Of course, he might take a small revenge in cla.s.s.”
“His cla.s.s is still worth it.”
“And what other cla.s.ses did you like?”
Ian told her about the cla.s.ses he had taken. During their non-stop conversation, the pair climbed the stairs, pa.s.sed the darkened hallway, before finally arriving in front of Louise's room.
The two of them stood face-to-face in front of the door for a moment. Perhaps they were both thinking the same thing. They had arrived so quickly, but they knew the journey from outside to the room wasn't that far.
Louise recalled how she usually said goodbye to Ian. It would be something simple, like "Go and get some rest, too" or "Good night." The habits were deeply ingrained in her, and she had a strong desire to follow them through. Her mouth twitched in a smile and she looked up.
“…Then.”
Her voice trembled. She shut her mouth. They stared at each other for a long time, until Ian lifted his hand.
Tuk.
It touched her the crown of her head, before sliding down her soft golden locks, then turning around her ear until his fingertips reached her chin. After a moment's consideration, he gently lifted her chin to face him. Perhaps he thought it was better to look into each other's eyes when saying goodbye. Besides, he said they would do it as usual.
“Good night.”
“Be careful not to kick off your blanket in your sleep.”
“alright.”
Louise's expression was heavy.
“No matter how much of a hurry you're in, remember to wear your coat. Your gloves and scarf too. When removing snow, wear fur boots.”
“…I know.”
“I think Simon always says this to you, but don't eat too much cold food in the summer.”
“I know that.”
“It's not just about knowing. It's important to do it too.”
“I'll do it.”
“Good.”
He gently stroked Louise's cheek, and her expression softened.
“You've had a busy day. You should get some rest now.”
“Are…are you going now?”
“Yes. Every graduate's residence is terminated at midnight.”
There was still a long time before then, Louise wanted to say, but she remembered that his grandmother and Hesse were waiting for him.
She looked at their hands. Would it better to say goodbye while they were still holding them? If they gave their farewells and then let go, they might find it difficult because they wouldn't know what to say afterwards.
Louise loosened her grip between their intertwined hands, and the winter chill crept between the gaps. He didn't pull her back, and so their hands naturally fell away. She clasped the hand that was still holding on to her chin. In the future…would they remember this moment they were alone together?
Loneliness welled up inside of Louise, but she pushed it away. It was not the time to drag this out, not when there were people waiting outside for Ian. Louise paused when a few students pa.s.sed by, and when they were gone she looked into Ian's eyes.
“Thank you.”
She stepped back reluctantly.
“For bringing me here.”
“It was nothing.”
“And for all the work that you've done, and staying by my side.”
“It was my privilege.”
“You believed my weird story.”
“It wasn't weird. It was just upsetting that you went through it all alone.”
A soft smile spread on Louise's face at his compa.s.sionate answer.
“You favored me, Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
Ian nodded to her again.
“I favor you. Very much.”
Louise stored away his words and the sound of his voice in her memory. Perhaps in one lonely day, she could take it out secretly.
Once she committed it memory, she realized that their time together was about to end. He had thanked her, and she had given her answer. Now there was only one thing left for her to say.
…Go.
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