Chapter 38

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Chapter 38

“Then, um, so, have you decided to invite that person to your home?”

“……”

“…What if you just say now that you don’t want them to come?”

“I can’t. It’s a little… hard to go back on those words. Haaa.”

“Then how about… What if you leave the house only when they come, Kyren?”

It’ll give off the message that, no matter where you came from, since the master of the house isn’t here, he doesn’t want you to stay that long.

As I suggested this, Kyren’s eyes glistened again, as if he had never thought of it.

“Lily, you’re a genius! How did you come up with that?”

“That’s something anyone can think of…”

“But no one but Lily told me that.”

Kyren replied with a bit of a bitter tone.

I just thought that it’s natural that no one would say this, not on purpose, but I just shut up since he was excited now.

While twirling his long hair around one finger he suddenly said,

“Where are you going? Do you mind if I stay with you, Lily?”

“Huh? Ah, that’s alright, but… No, wait a minute. By the way, Kyren, how did you get in here?”

I forgot because he struck a conversation so casually, but the Knights’ Complex was closed to outsiders, so only officials could enter it. That’s also why I had to carry my pass with me all the time.

Is he a knight?

“Are you worried about me? It’s all right. Here, ta-da.”

Kyren rummaged around the inside of his coat through his neckline a little and pulled something out of his chest.

It was a necklace with a blue jewel hanging on it. It was different from the square flat pass I had, but this was also considered a pass.

Of the highest grade.

No matter how many people worked in the castle, the accessible and non-accessible areas were fairly strictly organized.

There were places where anyone could freely come and go, but only authorized people could enter such places as the Wind Palace where the maids lived, the Knights’ Complex, and the Emperor’s Palace.

When a person without a pass would try to go there, they’d be blocked off by an invisible wall.

In my case during the night, there was no problem since I was coming and going while passing through the mirror, but it would be impossible if I were to pass through doors.

As the number of areas to travel increased, there were more pass classifications, so if the level of the pass reached more than the fourth level, it was changed to a necklace.

I know about it since Maria had a necklace like that.

She also told me that not all necklaces were the same, but the blue crystal necklace was a class of its own since the wearer could freely go anywhere in the palace.

Not just anyone could have it.

I mean, this person is really high up there then, but…

“Why do you look at me like that? Oh, Lily wants it, too. This neckla…”

“No, I don’t need it.”

I shook my head from side to side as I waved my hands around. I was indifferent to it, and I couldn’t care less about that.

In fact, I wasn’t in such a relaxed situation that I should be very interested in others.

“That, well, as I said earlier, it’s fine for you to be here,” I said.

“Can’t you go anywhere else…?”

“No, I can’t.”

The unsaid, ‘together with me’ at the end of his question paired with my firm answer of ‘no’ made Kyren droop.

“Okay…”

“Um… but you can come here whenever you’re bored or if you need someone to talk to.”

“Really? Is it okay to come anytime?”

“Yes. I don’t think I’ll be very busy.”

I didn’t just say it outright, but I really wondered if I’d actually be busy in a place like this.

I already wasn’t very busy when I was working at the general library in the Central Palace, but here, I practically didn’t have to do anything.

Regulus said he’d come often, but somehow, I thought that he might get along well with Kyren.

When Regulus had just entered the castle, and when he was promoted to the post of a commander, Regulus had many difficulties because of the people around him, too.

There seemed to have been many people who were jealous of him because of his young age and his background as a commoner.

Since Kyren was comfortable with a maid like me, it would be great if he could be a good friend to Regulus.

“Ah, time flew by fast.”

“I’ll treat you to a cup of tea next time.”

“Thank you, but I don’t eat or drink anything while I’m outside.”

“Then just bring some water with you and I’ll serve it to you when you come by again. What do you think?”

If I had worked as a maid in charge of balls and banquets, I would have been good at making tea, but honestly, I couldn’t even guess how much tea leaves I should put in. The only kitchen I worked in was in the restaurant my parents used to run, and I only helped out a little.

I thought it was a good enough idea, but suddenly, Kyren burst into laughter.

“Did I say such a funny thing?”

“No, no. It’s not that, but people just usually feel offended when I say that. It’s not that I don’t trust you.”

“…….”

I didn’t think about it at all, so I was more embarrassed this time.

When I looked back at him without saying another word, Kyren smiled with flushed cheeks and gave a positive answer.

“I’ll do that next time. I want to stay here longer, but I’m afraid I’ll be in trouble if I stay more, so I’ll have to go now.”

I don’t know what’s troubling him, but I just nodded and saw him off.

His steps were as gentle as fluttering leaves, and as he smiled beautifully, he suddenly realized something. Oh. He returned Damien’s handkerchief, which I had lent him before.

“Is this someone else’s handkerchief?”

“Hm? Ah, yes, that’s right. How did you know?”

Kyren said nothing again, and smiled as if he knew nothing.

“I’ll return the handkerchief you gave me before another time. I’ll see you again.”

And as soon as he left the room, it felt like the atmosphere that had spread around him disappeared completely.

If I try to ask Sir Endymion or Sir Ares about him, maybe I might find out who he was, but I don’t really feel the need to exert the effort to investigate.

I don’t know why, but I thought I shouldn’t.

Folding the handkerchief again and putting it back in my pocket, I approached the window and looked outside.

A little later, I saw Kyren walking down the path. He was being followed by some men clad in black from head to toe.

I knew it—he’s being escorted.

As I blinked, Kyren looked back and waved to me. How did he know I was watching?

I shrugged and waved awkwardly.

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