Only then could I understand why Zachary had said such a thing.

‘If this huge figure looks quite… cute to me. Am I really the one who’s thoroughly infatuated?’

Strangely, the corners of my mouth kept trying to turn up, so I had to force myself to keep a straight face. As soon as we entered the room, he pounced on me like a large but gentle beast, exactly as I had expected.

He kept kissing my face. Though we had only been apart for a short while, he kissed me passionately as if we hadn’t met for a long time. Because of this, I didn’t have a chance to ask Zachary what he had done today.

“It’s such a shame, Oscar. If we had a little more time, I would have had custom-made clothes made for you instead of these ready-made ones.”

How did it come to this?

“…Mother.”

I muttered with a tired expression. I held my head as I watched my mother gracefully and naturally navigate through the piles of clothes. We were now in a clothing store. This all happened because my mother said she couldn’t bear to look at my outfit.

Since custom-made clothes take quite some time to make and might not be finished by the time we left the mansion, she suggested we go directly to the salon, so I followed along.

“This one, that one. And all those piled up over there too.”

“Yes, madam.”

My mother, with her keen eye, had stacked up various clothes even while I was trying them on.

“This much really isn’t neces-“

“Put them on. How can a guest of the Serpentine family go around dressed like this?”

Zachary was no exception. She started buying loads of clothes for Zachary too, before I could even try to stop her. However, perhaps because of his large build, the options for Zachary’s clothes were limited.

“Come on, put this on quickly too.”

My mother was skilled. She managed to find clothes somehow and eventually succeeded in dressing Zachary. Honestly, at first, I was surprised and bewildered by my mother’s attitude.

Fortunately, Zachary was as quiet as a gentle lamb in front of my mother, only occasionally giving me looks that seemed to plead for help. But I too secretly liked seeing Zachary’s elaborately dressed figure after such a long time.

Of course, we used magic to change his blue eyes to green, but that didn’t make his beautiful face disappear. Even now, it’s evident. Every time he came out after changing clothes, the store staff couldn’t take their eyes off Zachary.

“Hmm, not bad. Then that one too.”

“Yes, madam. Thank you.”

Even my mother, who disliked Zachary, seemed satisfied. It was truly thanks to his extraordinarily beautiful appearance.

“Well then, I’ll go settle the bill for a moment, so stay here. Oscar.”

And that hell only ended when we had tried on every suitable piece of clothing in the store.

While Zachary went to change clothes, my mother got up, saying she would go to pay. The staff carrying the clothes we had chosen followed closely behind her. My mouth fell open at the sight of that long procession. After my mother left, I could finally sink into the sofa.

‘I’m dying.’

While it was a bit fun at first, it became very tiring later on. As I was sprawled out on the sofa, I heard a commotion outside.

‘Other customers?’

Well, this was the largest store in the area. It was quite possible for customers to come.

‘But it’s quite noisy.’

Since the main clientele was nobility, they usually enter separate rooms and don’t encounter each other. But judging by the continuous commotion, it seems the rooms are full and people are waiting in the corridor for a while.

‘Since we’re in the middle of paying, if we could just quickly get up from our seats…’

I wondered when Zachary would come out. Just as I was getting up from the sofa, estimating the time it would take for him to come out.

“…we’re acquaintances, aren’t we? Didn’t I say it would only take a moment?”

“But according to the rules…”

“I wouldn’t normally do this, but I said it would only take a moment! And the madam gave permission too.”

I realized it was a voice I knew. When I opened the door, I immediately made eye contact with the person arguing with the staff in front of the door.

“Genevieve?”

“Good heavens, Oscar!”

Her obsidian-black eyes widened as soon as they saw me.

“May I come in for a moment? By the way, why are you so surprised? Did you plan not to even greet me after coming to the kingdom? Ha, truly, there’s no friend more cold-hearted than you.”

“How did you…”

“I just met the madam, and she told me you were here, didn’t she? My goodness, look at your face. Have you tanned a bit? And you’ve lost even more weight…”

Before I could properly utter a word, several sentences poured out. Genevieve, who naturally pushed her way in, felt oddly unfamiliar.

At first, our relationship started as a simple contract, but after going through various experiences together, we’ve grown quite close now. I couldn’t help but smile at Genevieve, who was rattling off words one after another.

“You haven’t changed.”

I hadn’t been able to contact Genevieve much. Although my mother occasionally sent me letters along with Genevieve’s correspondence, my location was so far away that even when I sent a reply, it took ages to reach Genevieve.

However, even with the infrequent communication, Genevieve always packed her letters with her stories. How her hair couldn’t possibly survive the sea breeze while living by the ocean. Interesting incidents that occurred whenever she visited the capital, all sorts of trivial stories.

“Oscar, you too… haven’t changed.”

Due to the circumstances, I couldn’t tell her much, which must have been quite disappointing from Genevieve’s perspective. Nevertheless, she welcomed me this warmly. When I smiled, Genevieve also broke into laughter with an expression that seemed to say she couldn’t help it.

After laughing together for a while, Genevieve made a small gesture.

“Oh, right. Could you come closer for a moment? I have something very important to tell you.”

“Something important?”

“Well, it’s not a complete secret. I just wanted to tell you like this. Actually, I already mentioned it in the letter I sent, but judging by how you’re talking now, Oscar, it seems you don’t know.”

Genevieve continued to ramble on in a somewhat incoherent manner.

Is it important enough to be whispered? As I leaned in slightly, Genevieve pressed close to me. Then, cupping her hands around my ear, Genevieve opened her mouth very quietly.

“Oscar, actually, I…”

What could she be trying to say that required such build-up? Worried that it might be something serious, I couldn’t help but look concerned. However, Genevieve ultimately couldn’t whisper to me. Just as she was about to continue, she froze with her eyes wide open.

“Genevieve?”

She suddenly looked as if she had seen a ghost. After a moment of confusion, I quickly understood the situation when I heard a voice behind me.

“…You.”

Zachary, who had somehow appeared behind me, called out to me in a low voice that sounded like a sigh.

“There are too many people around.”

He pulled my shoulder towards him. Although I couldn’t properly see Zachary’s face, his expression was probably quite displeased. Just looking at Genevieve was enough to tell. Her gaze, which had been staring at Zachary as if mesmerized, turned fearful, and then she turned pale.

“Zachary, wait…!”

Genevieve, who had directly faced Zachary before, had fainted. As I hurriedly tried to grab Zachary and speak out of anxiety.

“Th-This…!”

Genevieve’s voice burst out first. Her face, which had been frightened, suddenly turned bright red and she glared at Zachary as if deeply wronged.

“It’s not like that!”

However, Zachary continued to glare fiercely at Genevieve, who was speaking while trembling.

“Zachary, what’s wrong?”

Zachary knew well that Genevieve and I were bound by a contract.

“What do you mean by ‘not like that’?”

But it seems that no matter how much explanation he heard, some resentment remained. Well, he was even displeased when I occasionally sent replies to Genevieve.

However, no matter what, I couldn’t stand by and watch this rudeness any longer.

“She’s my friend. Such rudeness shouldn’t…”

“No!”

But the protest came from elsewhere.

“What on earth have I done for you to act like this?!”