Translator: Missme
Editor: Aru
Is that what she really thinks?
I stared at the count.
It was rather on my side that has fallen for him.
Not Caleb.
Fortunately, Count Van Der quickly shrugged, perhaps because I sincerely thought she really meant it.
“It was a ridiculous joke. So, what does it mean?”
“I have a guardian, but it’s weird to be escorted by a knight from the Duke.”
“I thought that strangeness was a good example of the Duke’s interest.”
Well, Caleb is not interested in me rationally.
“I can’t help it if you refuse. But wasn’t the duke taking Miss Lena home recently? I think it’s better to keep asking him to take you home.”
“There’s a condition for that. He’ll only take me home until the Count assigns an escort for me. Wouldn’t it be weird if there were no escort knights over time? Maybe he’ll notice that I approached him on purpose.”
The latter word was an urgent excuse, but it seemed enough to persuade the Count.
“Hmm…”
I saw her touching her chin and enchanting a muffled low groan.
“I didn’t know he offered such conditions. All right. I’ll assign an escort for you next weekday.”
At the willing answer, I was able to leave the Count’s mansion with a peaceful mind.
* * * * *
“……Elena?”
I suddenly became alert to the voice calling me.
When I raised my head, I saw Caleb standing in front of the door.
Why is Caleb here?
It’s still time to finish the training…… That’s right.
After casually checking the time, I was embarrassed to realize that it was already time for the training to be over.
When did the time pass so fast?
“I guess you still have work left.”
“Oh, no! I was just organizing it. It only takes a moment!”
I hurriedly organized my desk.
As my hands became busy, Caleb added.
“You can take your time.”
“No, I’m done! Let’s get going now!”
Thud! Caleb smiled lightly when I stepped out of my desk with a hard sound.
What? Why is he laughing? Did I shout too powerfully?
I was wondering why, but I missed the time to ask because Caleb reached out to me, saying, “I’ll help you.”
As usual, I was staring out the window in the Duke’s carriage, and I remembered something to say to Caleb.
“Well, I have something to tell you. Count Van Der said she would send me an escort knight tomorrow.”
I said, recalling Count Van Der’s letter delivered by the maid last evening.
“So I owe you by today and I think I can ask the escort knight tomorrow. Thank you so much. Thanks to you taking me home, I was able to return home with peace of mind every day.”
No matter how close our house is, it’s never easy to pick up others and return home together every day. So I was even more grateful for his favour.
“You don’t have to keep thanking me for what I did.”
“How can I do that? This is something I am grateful for, so I should thank you.”
People sure have shame.
After a short silence, Caleb opened his mouth.
“I have something to tell you, too.”
“To me?”
“Yes.”
Caleb nodded and said.
“I’m going to be dispatched next week.”
“You’re going to additional dispatch, right?”
“Did you know that?”
“I heard it from Lord Vessel before. You’re going to take care of the residual and double-check it. Is that right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then I won’t be able to see you for about two weeks again.”
“I think that’s probably the case.”
I wasn’t particularly surprised.
We haven’t seen each other for weeks when Caleb was dispatched before.
However, if anything was bothering me, it was the time when he returned.
I counted the contract period with my hands. The period during which I decided to be in the Royal Knights temporarily through a contract with the Crown Prince.
‘It’s until before the birthday banquet…… There’s about a month left.’
If Caleb returned in two weeks, there would have been a little time for me to see him.
But if he comes back later than scheduled…… Otherwise, in the worst case, we will probably break up without seeing each other even once.
‘Maybe this will be the last time.’
As we have been close with each other for a while, I should never forget that Caleb is a Duke and the Commander of the Royal Knights.
A person who is difficult to meet so easily that even a young lady from a noble family can barely see him only when they come to the Imperial Castle and snoop on purpose under the pretext of horseback riding.
So if I go back to the theatre, I won’t be able to see him.
Of course, there will be times when we meet by chance on the street. Just like the first time, I met Caleb on the street, and often after that.
But can I pretend to know Caleb first and say hello?
I don’t have any connection with him anymore.
And the answer came out quickly.
‘That can’t be possible.’
I glanced at Caleb.
Thinking that this might be the last time for us to talk face-to-face like this, I felt a tingle in my chest and throbbed.
“Do you have anything else to say to me”?
“What?”
“You’ve been staring at me since a while ago.”
Oh my! Was it too obvious that I stared at him?
Embarrassed, I bowed my head.
“I’m sorry. Thinking that this might be the last time I’m seeing you, Lord, I didn’t know……”
“It’s the last time? Why did you think that way?”
“…the period will be over soon.”
I tried to speak in a calm tone as much as I could.
“I’m thinking of going back to the theatre after this. If the Lord comes back late, it will be difficult for me to see you afterwards.”
“Are you trying to become an actor again? Aren’t you supposed to be the Count’s successor?”
Ah.
At that moment, my mind turned white with embarrassment.
As Caleb said, I was nominally the only supported child of Count Van Der and candidate for her successor.
I thought I made a mistake, but soon when I remembered what I had done around him before, the nervousness stopped a little.
Let’s be calm.
Don’t be flustered.
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about it a lot……. I thought it would be better to do what I like and want to do than follow my adoptive parents’ wishes.”
“So you’re going to go back to the theatre?”
I nodded silently. And I took a gentle look at Caleb’s eyes.
I was afraid that he would find something strange in my words and doubt it.
“I believe you will do well.”
However, there was no doubt in his words that came back.
Rather, my heart stings and hurts as if I were stabbed by a thorn when I heard that he trusted me.
Unable to see Caleb straight, I eventually said thank you and looked away.
“Also, you don’t have to worry that it will be the last time we meet.”
I don’t have to worry?
It was the time when I looked at Caleb with the gaze I turned to the sudden surge of wonder.
Caleb’s voice was heard at the same time as I met his black eyes as if I’m sinking into darkness.
“I’ll come back before the birthday banquet. Even if I can’t say goodbye to you because I’m behind schedule, wouldn’t it be okay if I went to the theatre?”
“To the theatre? You mean you’ll be going to the theatre, Lord?”
“Even if it’s not often, I’m sure I’ll find time to pay you a visit there.”
“That…… I see.”
My voice trembled when I spoke out of embarrassment.
I never thought that Caleb would say something like that.
“Really, if you do that way, this won’t be the last time.”
I’m not sure what I’m saying.
My heart was beating so hard that it was terrifying.
At the familiar beat of thumping and frantic ringing, I bowed my head, biting my lower lip hard.
My face was blushing so much.
It was not difficult for me to guess because it was so hot that I could tell without having to touch my face.
That my face is heated up right now.
Why am I excited alone like this when I know that Caleb is simply talking about a way to say goodbye?
After returning home that night, I had a hard time sleeping for quite a while, and I bowed my head, biting my lower lip hard.
* * * * *
The Unbearable Things
“Elena eonni!”
“Mila!”
Mila rushed in and hugged me fiercely when I spread my arms.
Her soft wheat-coloured hair tickled her cheeks, making me smile.
I asked while stroking Mila’s little round head and hair.
“How are you doing? Are your eyes all right?”
“Yes! After being treated by the Great High Priest, I can see everything clearly. And these days, I’m concentrating on my studies in the temple. It’s all thanks to you, eonni.”
Mila said with a smile.
Wow, she’s a human vitamin, as I expected!
Mila is just too cute!
It was the time when I felt healed to the fullest while watching Mila.
“I’m sorry for often asking you for this kind of favour, Lady Oreu.”
Natalie had an apologetic expression on her face as she glanced at me.
I was currently in Natalie’s house, escorted by an escort knight assigned by the Count.
It was to look after Mila for Natalie, who had to leave the house today on patrol.
“No, I’m simply delighted to meet Mila. Don’t be concerned and just go.”
“Natalie eonni, have a safe trip.”
“Okay. See you later. Then, please take good care of Mila, Lady Oreu. I’ll buy something delicious when I come back.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Mila tugged my skirt when I returned to Natalie’s house after seeing Natalie off.
“Elena eonni.”
“Huh?”
“Who is the person next to you?”
“Oh, Mila hasn’t met her yet, right? This is the knight who this time escorted me.”
“Nice to meet you, miss, I’m Astri Rutger.”
“Wow… You’re a female knight just like my sister!”
Mila’s eyes glistened, and she said, “cool,” to Dame Rutger.
Mila was overjoyed, so I went into the child’s room and tried to calm her down.
Dame Rutger declined my invitation to join us for rest, saying she would wait at the door.
In that tough demeanour, we decided to respect Dame Rutger’s will.
Mila entered the room and climbed into bed to read a book.
When I inquired about the book she was reading, she said it was about divine power.
It’s a book she’s studying in the temple. Is it that fun to study?
I sat down in a chair and took out the script I had brought with me when I left the house, as I did not need to play with Mila together.
‘I brought it just in case, but I’m glad I brought it.’
As I flipped the page of the script, I remembered the one I had to throw away on the street the last time I was chased by those men.
It’s such a waste, now that I think about it.
I wouldn’t have tossed it away like that if it hadn’t been for them.
I concentrated on reading the script, even though I was grieving inside.
It happened as I was flipping the paper over.
When I looked up at the presence I felt from the side, I saw Mila.
What time did she arrive?
“Eonni, what are you reading right now?”
“It’s a script. A script for a play.”
“Can I read it too?”
“…… This?”
“Yes, I thought it would be amusing because I’d noticed you humming while reading before. Eonni, I’d like to read it as well.”
Did I hum?
I covered my mouth, surprised.
That doesn’t mean that nothing has already happened.
“I’m sorry. It seems that I have been bothering you.”
“No! It was good to hear!”
Mila was adamant in her denial.
Mila covered her lips with both hands as I blinked in amazement.
Ahhh, that’s so cute.
“Thank you for saying that. Okay, then, take a look at this.”
“Thank you.”
Mila smiled as she accepted the script from me and immediately began reading it.
And suddenly, Mila paused.
Translator: Missme
Editor: Aru
Is that what she really thinks?
I stared at the count.
It was rather on my side that has fallen for him.
Not Caleb.
Fortunately, Count Van Der quickly shrugged, perhaps because I sincerely thought she really meant it.
“It was a ridiculous joke. So, what does it mean?”
“I have a guardian, but it’s weird to be escorted by a knight from the Duke.”
“I thought that strangeness was a good example of the Duke’s interest.”
Well, Caleb is not interested in me rationally.
“I can’t help it if you refuse. But wasn’t the duke taking Miss Lena home recently? I think it’s better to keep asking him to take you home.”
“There’s a condition for that. He’ll only take me home until the Count assigns an escort for me. Wouldn’t it be weird if there were no escort knights over time? Maybe he’ll notice that I approached him on purpose.”
The latter word was an urgent excuse, but it seemed enough to persuade the Count.
“Hmm…”
I saw her touching her chin and enchanting a muffled low groan.
“I didn’t know he offered such conditions. All right. I’ll assign an escort for you next weekday.”
At the willing answer, I was able to leave the Count’s mansion with a peaceful mind.
* * * * *
“……Elena?”
I suddenly became alert to the voice calling me.
When I raised my head, I saw Caleb standing in front of the door.
Why is Caleb here?
It’s still time to finish the training…… That’s right.
After casually checking the time, I was embarrassed to realize that it was already time for the training to be over.
When did the time pass so fast?
“I guess you still have work left.”
“Oh, no! I was just organizing it. It only takes a moment!”
I hurriedly organized my desk.
As my hands became busy, Caleb added.
“You can take your time.”
“No, I’m done! Let’s get going now!”
Thud! Caleb smiled lightly when I stepped out of my desk with a hard sound.
What? Why is he laughing? Did I shout too powerfully?
I was wondering why, but I missed the time to ask because Caleb reached out to me, saying, “I’ll help you.”
As usual, I was staring out the window in the Duke’s carriage, and I remembered something to say to Caleb.
“Well, I have something to tell you. Count Van Der said she would send me an escort knight tomorrow.”
I said, recalling Count Van Der’s letter delivered by the maid last evening.
“So I owe you by today and I think I can ask the escort knight tomorrow. Thank you so much. Thanks to you taking me home, I was able to return home with peace of mind every day.”
No matter how close our house is, it’s never easy to pick up others and return home together every day. So I was even more grateful for his favour.
“You don’t have to keep thanking me for what I did.”
“How can I do that? This is something I am grateful for, so I should thank you.”
People sure have shame.
After a short silence, Caleb opened his mouth.
“I have something to tell you, too.”
“To me?”
“Yes.”
Caleb nodded and said.
“I’m going to be dispatched next week.”
“You’re going to additional dispatch, right?”
“Did you know that?”
“I heard it from Lord Vessel before. You’re going to take care of the residual and double-check it. Is that right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then I won’t be able to see you for about two weeks again.”
“I think that’s probably the case.”
I wasn’t particularly surprised.
We haven’t seen each other for weeks when Caleb was dispatched before.
However, if anything was bothering me, it was the time when he returned.
I counted the contract period with my hands. The period during which I decided to be in the Royal Knights temporarily through a contract with the Crown Prince.
‘It’s until before the birthday banquet…… There’s about a month left.’
If Caleb returned in two weeks, there would have been a little time for me to see him.
But if he comes back later than scheduled…… Otherwise, in the worst case, we will probably break up without seeing each other even once.
‘Maybe this will be the last time.’
As we have been close with each other for a while, I should never forget that Caleb is a Duke and the Commander of the Royal Knights.
A person who is difficult to meet so easily that even a young lady from a noble family can barely see him only when they come to the Imperial Castle and snoop on purpose under the pretext of horseback riding.
So if I go back to the theatre, I won’t be able to see him.
Of course, there will be times when we meet by chance on the street. Just like the first time, I met Caleb on the street, and often after that.
But can I pretend to know Caleb first and say hello?
I don’t have any connection with him anymore.
And the answer came out quickly.
‘That can’t be possible.’
I glanced at Caleb.
Thinking that this might be the last time for us to talk face-to-face like this, I felt a tingle in my chest and throbbed.
“Do you have anything else to say to me”?
“What?”
“You’ve been staring at me since a while ago.”
Oh my! Was it too obvious that I stared at him?
Embarrassed, I bowed my head.
“I’m sorry. Thinking that this might be the last time I’m seeing you, Lord, I didn’t know……”
“It’s the last time? Why did you think that way?”
“…the period will be over soon.”
I tried to speak in a calm tone as much as I could.
“I’m thinking of going back to the theatre after this. If the Lord comes back late, it will be difficult for me to see you afterwards.”
“Are you trying to become an actor again? Aren’t you supposed to be the Count’s successor?”
Ah.
At that moment, my mind turned white with embarrassment.
As Caleb said, I was nominally the only supported child of Count Van Der and candidate for her successor.
I thought I made a mistake, but soon when I remembered what I had done around him before, the nervousness stopped a little.
Let’s be calm.
Don’t be flustered.
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about it a lot……. I thought it would be better to do what I like and want to do than follow my adoptive parents’ wishes.”
“So you’re going to go back to the theatre?”
I nodded silently. And I took a gentle look at Caleb’s eyes.
I was afraid that he would find something strange in my words and doubt it.
“I believe you will do well.”
However, there was no doubt in his words that came back.
Rather, my heart stings and hurts as if I were stabbed by a thorn when I heard that he trusted me.
Unable to see Caleb straight, I eventually said thank you and looked away.
“Also, you don’t have to worry that it will be the last time we meet.”
I don’t have to worry?
It was the time when I looked at Caleb with the gaze I turned to the sudden surge of wonder.
Caleb’s voice was heard at the same time as I met his black eyes as if I’m sinking into darkness.
“I’ll come back before the birthday banquet. Even if I can’t say goodbye to you because I’m behind schedule, wouldn’t it be okay if I went to the theatre?”
“To the theatre? You mean you’ll be going to the theatre, Lord?”
“Even if it’s not often, I’m sure I’ll find time to pay you a visit there.”
“That…… I see.”
My voice trembled when I spoke out of embarrassment.
I never thought that Caleb would say something like that.
“Really, if you do that way, this won’t be the last time.”
I’m not sure what I’m saying.
My heart was beating so hard that it was terrifying.
At the familiar beat of thumping and frantic ringing, I bowed my head, biting my lower lip hard.
My face was blushing so much.
It was not difficult for me to guess because it was so hot that I could tell without having to touch my face.
That my face is heated up right now.
Why am I excited alone like this when I know that Caleb is simply talking about a way to say goodbye?
After returning home that night, I had a hard time sleeping for quite a while, and I bowed my head, biting my lower lip hard.
* * * * *
The Unbearable Things
“Elena eonni!”
“Mila!”
Mila rushed in and hugged me fiercely when I spread my arms.
Her soft wheat-coloured hair tickled her cheeks, making me smile.
I asked while stroking Mila’s little round head and hair.
“How are you doing? Are your eyes all right?”
“Yes! After being treated by the Great High Priest, I can see everything clearly. And these days, I’m concentrating on my studies in the temple. It’s all thanks to you, eonni.”
Mila said with a smile.
Wow, she’s a human vitamin, as I expected!
Mila is just too cute!
It was the time when I felt healed to the fullest while watching Mila.
“I’m sorry for often asking you for this kind of favour, Lady Oreu.”
Natalie had an apologetic expression on her face as she glanced at me.
I was currently in Natalie’s house, escorted by an escort knight assigned by the Count.
It was to look after Mila for Natalie, who had to leave the house today on patrol.
“No, I’m simply delighted to meet Mila. Don’t be concerned and just go.”
“Natalie eonni, have a safe trip.”
“Okay. See you later. Then, please take good care of Mila, Lady Oreu. I’ll buy something delicious when I come back.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Mila tugged my skirt when I returned to Natalie’s house after seeing Natalie off.
“Elena eonni.”
“Huh?”
“Who is the person next to you?”
“Oh, Mila hasn’t met her yet, right? This is the knight who this time escorted me.”
“Nice to meet you, miss, I’m Astri Rutger.”
“Wow… You’re a female knight just like my sister!”
Mila’s eyes glistened, and she said, “cool,” to Dame Rutger.
Mila was overjoyed, so I went into the child’s room and tried to calm her down.
Dame Rutger declined my invitation to join us for rest, saying she would wait at the door.
In that tough demeanour, we decided to respect Dame Rutger’s will.
Mila entered the room and climbed into bed to read a book.
When I inquired about the book she was reading, she said it was about divine power.
It’s a book she’s studying in the temple. Is it that fun to study?
I sat down in a chair and took out the script I had brought with me when I left the house, as I did not need to play with Mila together.
‘I brought it just in case, but I’m glad I brought it.’
As I flipped the page of the script, I remembered the one I had to throw away on the street the last time I was chased by those men.
It’s such a waste, now that I think about it.
I wouldn’t have tossed it away like that if it hadn’t been for them.
I concentrated on reading the script, even though I was grieving inside.
It happened as I was flipping the paper over.
When I looked up at the presence I felt from the side, I saw Mila.
What time did she arrive?
“Eonni, what are you reading right now?”
“It’s a script. A script for a play.”
“Can I read it too?”
“…… This?”
“Yes, I thought it would be amusing because I’d noticed you humming while reading before. Eonni, I’d like to read it as well.”
Did I hum?
I covered my mouth, surprised.
That doesn’t mean that nothing has already happened.
“I’m sorry. It seems that I have been bothering you.”
“No! It was good to hear!”
Mila was adamant in her denial.
Mila covered her lips with both hands as I blinked in amazement.
Ahhh, that’s so cute.
“Thank you for saying that. Okay, then, take a look at this.”
“Thank you.”
Mila smiled as she accepted the script from me and immediately began reading it.
And suddenly, Mila paused.
