Chapter 42
~Chapter 42~
Baizel and I had just left the inn and arrived at a nearby restaurant.
We had stayed in the inn long enough, and Sertien’s condition seemed to have improved, so I felt it was okay to leave.
Baizel had taken really good care of Sertien.
Although Sertien wasn’t usually the type to disobey, it seemed that he listened to Baizel more than anyone else.
“You’re still as adorable as ever, young master. You’ve always had a way of winning over adults,” Baizel said.
“Sertien is well-liked by many people,” I replied.
That was certainly true. Just look at Count Cloud, for example.
It seemed that Sertien had a special ability to make people fond of him, no matter who they were.
Baizel, as if used to it, fed Sertien, who accepted the food calmly and ate it. I stared at them for a moment before I realized my own food was getting cold, and I quickly put some in my mouth.
Baizel stopped feeding Sertien and watched me eat.
Could it be that she was reminded of Erias by how I ate?
Sure enough, Baizel spoke up.
“Really… it’s so strange… Erias-sama used to eat the same way, with her head lowered, just like the Commander.”
I smiled slightly and replied.
“There are probably a lot of people like that. I don’t think I’m anything special.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“By the way, Baizel, what kind of person was Erias?”
“It seems you’re really curious about her.”
“…Well, I’ve had to deal with a lot of things involving the Duke lately. I hear about Erias whether I want to or not.”
I was worried that Baizel might get upset, but she didn’t show any sign of it.
“Well… if you ask about Erias-sama… she was very similar to the Commander.”
“Really? I mean, not just in appearance, right?”
“Yes, not only in appearance, but also in behavior and presence… There was something about her that was very much like the Commander. Of course, Erias-sama was physically weaker than the Commander.”
Baizel’s gaze was serious.
So, I resembled Erias that much?
The thought made me feel uneasy, as if there was a strange connection between Erias and me. And maybe because of that, I felt like my meeting with Latrin was some kind of twist of fate.
“If I resemble her… then Erias must have really not cared at all about what others in the family said.”
“That’s right. Though I did think she should have cared a bit more. Still, it was better than overthinking things. Sometimes, she seemed to forget that she was physically weak.”
“…I met a maid from the Frisilea family not long ago. As soon as she saw me, she mistook me for Eriaas and started saying harsh things.”
“I can already guess who it was. Was she short-haired with a fierce gaze?”
“Yes, that’s her.”
“That must have been Karen. She’s completely out of her mind. She’s obsessive about the family. She’s like a devotee when it comes to the story of the Great Lady. That maid was a disgrace. How dare she speak like that to the Commander?”
“In the end, I had to send her away.”
“You did the right thing. People like that need to be taught a lesson.”
Baizel seemed satisfied, probably because of all the trouble Karen had caused her before.
“I never really understood why Erias was treated so poorly. But later, I found out it was because she came from a slave background.”
I recalled what Latryne had told me and shared it with Baizel.
Baizel continued feeding Serthien while talking.
“Yes… she was often looked down upon because of her background. But…”
Baizel trailed off, as though she had something else to say, then fell silent.
“Was there another reason?” I asked.
“It’s just my opinion, but I don’t think her poor treatment was only because of her origins. It seemed like… the Great Lady wanted to erase Erias’s existence.”
That sounded a bit frightening.
“She wanted to erase Erias’s existence?”
Baizel added.
“When the head of the family, the Great Lady, acts that way, naturally, the other servants will follow her lead and treat Erias the same.”
“…”
I wondered if Latryne knew about this. I thought I should ask him. At the same time, a thought occurred to me.
“Baizel, don’t you want to meet Latryne?”
“You mean my master? Of course, I want to see him. But he’s always so busy… I’m not sure if I’ll get the chance…”
“Well, since he’s in the country right now, it wouldn’t hurt to meet him. How about we go together? The meeting should be over soon.”
“Really? If you could make that happen, I would be very grateful…”
“Let’s finish this meal and go after that.”
After we finished eating, I took Baizel to the royal palace of Sylvia.
I was able to get inside without any issues by claiming I was there on an errand.
If this were the imperial palace, the entrance procedures would have been so complicated that it would have taken a long time to get in, but fortunately, it was much easier here.
I headed to the room where Sertien and I had been staying. Just as we arrived, I noticed the embassy delegation approaching from afar.
I wanted to greet them with a smile, but I couldn’t because Princess Phyllia was standing so close to Latryne.
Even though I had confirmed Latryne’s feelings, I couldn’t help but feel bothered.
After all, I had already rejected my engagement, and yet the engagement with the princess was still ongoing.
If I didn’t feel nervous about it, I guess I wouldn’t be human.
Phyllia kept chatting with Latryne, and as usual, Latryne listened politely but remained expressionless.
Eventually, Latryne seemed to notice me and gave me a glance. He smiled faintly before walking toward me.
“Litya, are you just now arriving?”
I felt a little satisfied seeing Latryne smile faintly when he looked at me, unlike how he was with the princess.
Meanwhile, Phyllia, standing behind Latryne, seemed to notice the smile, and her expression turned slightly sad.
“Am I late? Actually, I met someone unexpected at the inn…”
At the mention of “someone unexpected,” Latryne tried to look behind me.
Up until then, Baizel, who had been almost hiding behind me due to the grandeur of the palace, peeked his head out slightly.
As soon as Latryne saw Baizel’s face, he seemed to recognize her immediately.
Sertien, who had been standing next to Baizel, ran toward Latryne and said,
“Isn’t it amazing, Dad! I met Mom at the inn!”
“My master… I’m glad to see you’re well.”
“Baizel…”
Latryne’s emotions seemed to shift.
It looked like Baizel had been a maid that Latryne was quite fond of.
Latryne approached Baizel and said,
“I’m glad to see you’re well. How have you been?”
“I’ve been doing well, of course.”
“I’ve been quite worried after sending you off.”
“How about we talk in a quiet room instead of standing here?”
It seemed like they had a lot to catch up on, so I led them, including Sertien, into a private room.
Latryne seemed excited to meet an old acquaintance.
Seeing Latryne like that, I felt like I didn’t really belong in the conversation, but I thought to myself that it didn’t matter. What was important was not that.
“Excuse me… Hello… I realize we haven’t properly introduced ourselves.”
While I was waiting outside, watching Latryne, Sertien, and Baizel talking, Phyllia suddenly approached me.
It seemed that green-colored clothes suited Phyllia well.
Today, she was wearing a different type of green dress compared to the last time I saw her.
When Phyllia suddenly spoke to me, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Although I felt jealous of her, I didn’t really have any bad feelings toward her.
But it seemed like she was conscious of me too, and with her suddenly approaching, I wasn’t sure what she was going to say, which made me feel uneasy.
I decided to respond calmly.
“Yes, it seems like this is the first time we’re talking.”
“I heard you weren’t originally part of the delegation. What brought you here?”
From her tone, it seemed like she genuinely wanted to have a conversation with me.
I couldn’t exactly say, “I secretly followed here to break off the princess’s engagement,” so I gave a vague answer.
“It was really just a coincidence… I was coming to Sylvia anyway.”
“Oh, your routes overlapped then.”
“Ha ha, I guess so.”
“Um…”
Phyllia suddenly trailed off and then, with a gleam in her eyes, grabbed my right hand with both of hers.
What is happening right now?
Caught off guard by the sudden physical contact, I tried to pull my hand back slightly, but the princess had a surprisingly strong grip, and I couldn’t easily pull my hand away.
“Well… actually, I’ve heard a lot about Count Alpress. I heard you are the strongest combat force in the Empire?”
It seemed that my reputation had spread in this country as well. It looked like I had really become quite famous.
