CHAPTER 039
"Please help me to advance my relationship with Lady Yanils."
"Me?"
Is that even possible...? That was my first thought.
No matter how close we are, people's hearts can't be controlled at will.
If that were possible, I would have made Charlotte and Lewis close!
You're overestimating me.
I was about to say it seemed a bit too difficult, but Philip spoke again.
"I'm not asking for something grand."
"Then what is it...?"
"Please help me receive her handkerchief at the upcoming hunting competition."
"...You're asking me to do that?"
He could just stay still and people would try to give him handkerchiefs, yet he's asking for this?
"Wouldn't she give it to you without me saying anything?"
What a strange request. I tilted my head, and Philip showed a rare lack of confidence.
"No, it's not like that. Lady Yanils is kind to everyone."
"Didn’t you give her flowers last time?"
It was an episode where they started developing feelings for each other before falling in love!
"I wanted to gift Lady Yanils."
Right! So, there's no problem, right?
"She would have been pleased to receive flowers from anyone."
Gasp. I think I understood.
So... it's still a one-sided affection from Philip?
I suddenly recalled Charlotte's comment that she wasn't as close to Philip as she was to me and Lewis.
So she wasn't just being modest, it was true?
Ah, right. She also mentioned not knowing whom to give the handkerchief to at the hunting competition...
Philip's additional comment, spoken with embarrassment, confirmed my thoughts.
"I think to Lady Yanils, I am just one of the many men."
To think Philip could look so pitiful.
If Lewis saw him now, he'd probably laugh. Philip spoke in that state.
"Of course, I’m not asking for your help without offering something in return... If you help me..."
"If I help?"
"I will give you a pass to the library. Seeing as you came to the imperial library with Lady Yanils, you seem interested, right?"
"You'd give me that?"
How did he know exactly what I needed?
The imperial library had the fatal drawback that you couldn't take books out.
It was also a place Lewis, who had looked through various materials, hadn't been able to enter.
But I couldn't keep bothering Charlotte to go look at books every day.
I had been contemplating how to find books freely.
"But is it alright to give that to just anyone?"
"It's mainly a collection of professional books; it's still a library. There's no secret information that needs to be hidden, so you don't need to worry."
"Is it really just about getting the handkerchief from Lady Yanils?"
What Philip was asking wasn't a direct action to connect them.
Receiving and giving handkerchiefs at the hunting competition was so common. Was that really enough?
"It's an opportunity for me to leave an impression on her."
I somewhat understood Philip's reasoning.
From my perspective, it seemed like a trivial thing that wouldn't make a big difference, but he saw it as an opportunity.
I remembered Charlotte's voice, saying she wanted to give a handkerchief but didn't know to whom.
* * *
Charlotte contacted me.
She suggested that Bella, she, and I embroider handkerchiefs for the hunting competition.
Lewis came to see me after I sent a reply to Charlotte.
"Are you participating in the hunting competition, Marquis?"
"I'm not going. It's boring."
His response to my sudden question was indifferent.
Well, for someone like Lewis, it might indeed be boring. It wouldn't be fair either.
So I changed the subject to something more important.
"Marquis, you said you've found almost all the materials on sound disturbances, right?"
"Yes?"
"You haven't been to the imperial library, have you?"
"No. Why?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince asked me for a favor in exchange for a pass to the library."
Of course, I didn't immediately agree on the spot. I said, 'Give me a moment to think!' and put off the situation for now.
But as soon as I mentioned Philip, Lewis looked displeased.
"Why would you take a request from him? What does the Crown Prince want?"
Calling the Crown Prince "that guy"...
"He asked me to help him receive Lady Yanils's handkerchief."
"Really?"
Lewis's demeanor changed quickly.
Just a moment ago, he seemed sensitive, but now?
"So the Crown Prince has feelings for her?"
"It seems so. Oh, and this is a secret!"
"I don't care anyway."
Is that something a sub-male character in the original should say...?
As I tilted my head, Lewis spoke.
"If the Crown Prince says anything suspicious, tell me right away."
"Yes, of course!"
I needed to think more about Philip's request.
Our conversation ended as Bella and Michael entered the drawing room. They didn't know about this yet.
"Selina, you're preparing a handkerchief for the hunting competition?"
Michael asked as soon as he came in, so we couldn't continue our conversation anyway.
"Yes. Lady Yanils suggested we make one together."
"Have you decided who to give it to?"
Oh. I hadn't decided that yet.
Michael laughed when I widened my eyes.
"Then how about giving it to me? I might participate this time."
"Really? Then should I?"
I suddenly had someone to give the handkerchief to. At that moment, Lewis, who had been quietly listening, asked abruptly.
"What about me?"
"You said you weren't participating, Marquis."
Why would you want a handkerchief? It's meant to wish the participant safety in the competition.
But it seemed that wasn't the response he wanted.
"You're going to prepare a handkerchief for someone else over your friend?"
Lewis's eyes narrowed.
Michael is my friend too! It's not just you, Lewis.
I couldn't say it outright, so I said something else instead.
"Th-then you should participate too!"
"If I participate, will you give it to me?"
"Yes."
He seemed pleased with that answer.
Lewis glanced at Michael and then smiled at me.
"Then I'll participate too. Your handkerchief is mine."
"What? I want one too."
Even Bella?!
"Bella, why you?"
She answered as if there was no problem.
"Women can participate too, you know. It's just that not many do."
"That's true, but..."
But wouldn't it be dangerous? I wanted to dissuade Bella but stopped. Bella is also quite dangerous herself.
I'll worry about embroidering three handkerchiefs instead of Bella's safety!
In this unexpected situation, Michael laughed brightly.
"Huh? I thought I'd be the only one participating?"
Indeed... because of a mere handkerchief, these three are going to join the hunting competition.
This year's hunting competition is going to be fiercely competitive. Lewis will probably win.
But wouldn't that make it hard for Philip to win easily?
Philip said he'd definitely win to dedicate his victory to Charlotte...
I gave up on thinking further.
A few days later, Bella and I arrived at the Yanils estate.
It was the day we promised to embroider handkerchiefs with Charlotte.
When we arrived, I had a dilemma.
I hadn't decided whether to help Philip yet. Should I bring it up today?
While I was pondering, Charlotte spoke.
"My brother is busy with a project, so he’ll be home late today as well."
The Yanils Viscount, who had lived in the capital even before Charlotte settled here, was indeed very busy.
So busy that in the original story, he rarely appeared while Charlotte spent time with Philip and Lewis.
He was away from the estate even now.
In the viscount's absence, we took seats at a garden table.
"By the way, have you two decided who to give your handkerchiefs to?"
"I'm not planning to embroider one."
Bella answered confidently to Charlotte's question.
"I'm going to participate this time. Selina is giving hers to Michael."
"Somehow, I ended up making three handkerchiefs."
I smiled at Charlotte.
It feels like more work, but it's for my friends!
"Oh, that's impressive! Participating in the competition yourself."
Charlotte looked genuinely surprised at Bella. Then she hesitated and continued.
"I'm still undecided about whom to give mine to."
"Still?"
Charlotte responded to my question.
"Actually, I was considering the Crown Prince. He has been kind to me, and there isn't anyone else. But..."
But?
"I think many others want to give their handkerchiefs to him too."
She looked uncertain.
She strangely reminded me of Philip. He looked the same way when he said he might not receive Charlotte's handkerchief!
If she was already considering him... Maybe I could recommend Philip?
Knowing Charlotte's thoughts made me lean towards helping Philip.
"Is there any need to give it to His Highness? He'll receive many handkerchiefs from others even without yours."
No, Bella, now isn't the time to say that!
"His Highness is the most distinguished person in the empire."
I quickly interrupted Bella.
"He will be the next emperor and has excellent looks."
Alright, I'll recommend Philip.
Once I made up my mind, I began promoting Philip.
"The most outstanding person in the empire is participating in the hunting competition. If not him, then to whom would you give your handkerchief?"
"Aren't you not giving yours to the Crown Prince?"
"If I were to give one to him, I'd have to prepare four handkerchiefs. Four is too much."
Using Bella's comment as an excuse, I turned back to Charlotte.
"Many ladies will gift their handkerchiefs to the Crown Prince, but I assure you, he would be most pleased to receive yours, Lady Yanils."
"Do you think so? There will be many others besides me."
Charlotte asked, still unsure.
You don't need to worry about that! Philip said he wanted it directly! Though it was to me only.
I nodded with confidence.
"He will definitely appreciate it. His Highness was especially kind to you."
"Ah...!"
I could feel Charlotte's interest piqued with my last comment.
It seemed she had firmly decided.
That day, Charlotte and I embroidered handkerchiefs together.
Even after Bella and I returned to the Duke's residence, Charlotte continued to work on the handkerchief for Philip with great enthusiasm.
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