Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

I was troubled.

“...Hmm...”

I muttered as I paced back and forth in front of the door of Button Shop Norman’s workshop in the Artisan District. In my hand was a small paper bag—the almond butter that Lady Marie Shadelan had given me when I left Granado Castle this morning.

“What should I do... It’s really too much to come every day, isn’t it?”

...I only took some for myself because it was delicious... but it’s the taste of her hometown. It’s on the way to the knights order’s office as well.

Giving her a little gift or stopping by wouldn’t be unnatural—no, not stopping by would probably be the strange thing.

But today is the day after yesterday. No matter how you look at it, I feel like I’ve come too often.

...She’s probably angry.

No, actually, she’s always angry whenever I visit, so it’s nothing new, but coming twice in one day, morning and night two days in a row—that really crosses the line. This time, she might seriously reject me. In fact, the coffee she makes for me might be the last time.

Maybe I should just pass by today. But she must want to eat this almond butter too. So, should I just hang it on the doorknob? No, even though it’s past the peak, it’s still summer; it would spoil if left out. At least I should say something...

“Hmm...”

As I was at a loss, turning my head around—Anastasia’s face was right there.

She stuck her head out of the waist-high window, resting her chin on her hand, watching me.

We stared at each other silently for a moment—I put on a cheerful smile and said,

“Hey Anastasia! How have you been?”

“Of course nothing’s changed, it’s the day after yesterday. What do you want, foolish prince?”

“Yeah, I brought you a souvenir today! From Marie at Granado Castle.”

“Oh, thanks for going out of your way.”

She said that, then pulled her face back and closed the window.

I returned my neck to its original angle and stood there for a moment... um, so what should I do with this paper bag now...?

Just as I was about to place it by the window, the door opened.

“What are you doing? Come inside quickly.”

“Ah, no, today I really only brought a souvenir.”

“Then why were you wandering around in front of someone else’s house for so long? Honestly, you don’t seem to understand personal boundaries.”

...I quietly followed her inside.

Button Shop Norman’s workshop was already filled with the aroma of coffee. I thought it must be break time, but she didn’t sit at the table and instead took a seat on a work stool.

“Sorry, I’m a bit busy right now. Feel free to relax.”

Looking around, there was a full cup of coffee on the table. I took a sip—it was just the right sweetness I liked. It was a bit cooled. I wondered how long she had noticed my visit.

—Clack, clack, clack—the sound of hard things being struck together; it seemed she was carving some work. From where I was standing, I mostly saw her back. She was concentrating on her work... Would I be in the way if I stayed here?

“So, what’s the souvenir from Marie?”

Suddenly Anastasia spoke without stopping her work or turning to look at me. I lifted the paper bag toward her back to show.

“Almond butter, she said. It’s often eaten in the Chadelan Territory.”

“Oh, that one. Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen it in the royal capital. Nostalgic. Thanks.”

...That was all I needed to do. I thought I should leave immediately.

But my legs wouldn’t move.

If possible, I wanted to stay a little longer.

—No, she’ll probably say something like, “How long do you plan to stay? Go away quickly,” eventually. I’ll leave then, chatting lightheartedly again.

The carving sound continued steadily. Eventually, it turned into a soft scraping noise as she filed the piece. Anastasia never told me to leave, so I stayed.

Anastasia continued her focused work. Every time her slender shoulders shook, her short blonde hair fluttered softly. I mostly saw the back of her head, but occasionally she’d pause and stare intently at her fingertips—for those moments, I could see her profile.