“…… Lord Oscar. What is this, exactly?”
In my private room at the Valentin territory lord’s residence.
Just as I had opened the box that had arrived, Oscar came to visit. I answered and let him in, but I didn’t know how to bring it up.
Staring at the large clothing box spread open on the desk, I let out a voice of bewilderment.
What was inside was a beautiful dress and a thick overcoat, both tailored from fabric the deep indigo color of the sea.
The cuffs of the dress were modestly embroidered with gold thread. The inside of the overcoat was lined with soft fur, and it was heavy when I lifted it.
Oscar crossed his arms by the door, looking a little restless.
“You can see just by looking, can’t you. It’s clothing.”
“I understand that, but…… why give it to me? I already receive more than enough in wages, and there’s no reason for me to receive something this expensive.”
As I hurriedly tried to close the lid of the box, Oscar strode closer and pressed the lid down with his large hand.
“There’s a reason. …… Yesterday too, you looked cold on the way back, didn’t you.”
“Eh……?”
At his words, I looked down at the sleeves of the plain clothes I was wearing.
The old everyday clothes I had brought when I left the royal capital — I only had two sets. I had worn both for so long that the cuffs were worn thin. The outer garment I’d brought alone couldn’t fully block the sea wind.
But they weren’t torn. To me, they were more than sufficient clothing.
“This much is fine. I can still wear them, and besides, I’m used to the cold.”
“Being able to endure something and making someone endure it are different things.”
Oscar’s low, forceful voice cut off my excuse.
His gaze fell to my fingers, which were pinching at the worn old cuff.
“If it becomes known around here that my territory’s clerk is working while shivering from the cold, that would be a disgrace to the lord. …… Besides that,”
Oscar let his gaze wander slightly and cleared his throat.
“I had this made using the measurements the tailor took the other day. …… I found myself wanting to give you a dress as well. If you don’t like it, I’ll have the color changed.”
I remembered being told by the steward that winter work clothes would be provided, and having my measurements taken. Was that why they’d even asked me my favorite color at the time?
I had answered that I liked indigo.
It was a color I had never been able to choose for myself back home, since it didn’t suit my sister.
I gazed once more at the indigo inside the box.
Back when I was at the House of Cromwell, even dresses tailored for myself had to be handed over the moment my sister wanted them. What remained in my hands were always things my sister had grown tired of, or things she hadn’t liked.
Even choosing a color I personally preferred was something I wasn’t permitted to do — “Put your sister first,” I was told.
“…… For someone like me to receive something this fine, I have nothing I could give back in return.”
As I murmured this quietly, Oscar let out a small sigh, as if exasperated.
Then, taking the thick overcoat out of the clothing box, he draped it gently over my shoulders.
A solid, substantial weight, and a warmth that seemed to cling to me.
At the sensation of the soft fur touching my neck, the stiffness at my very core melted away.
“I’m not asking for anything in return. …… Ah, but, if you don’t mind — I’d like you to wear that and come out with me somewhere.”
Oscar’s hand adjusted the collar of the overcoat.
His large fingertips brushed my cheek, and at that faint warmth, my heart gave a small leap.
“It suits you.”
Even after he finished adjusting the overcoat, he was slow to look away from me.
“…… I’d like to keep the color as it is.”
“I see.”
“And also, about the promise of skewered grilled food. How about my next day off?”
Oscar’s reply came quickly.
“Yes. I’ll keep it open.”
I walked over to the mirror. By burying my face in the indigo collar, I managed to hide the loosening at the corners of my mouth.
There were three days left until my next day off.