CH 47

“…….”

The man’s movements abruptly halted. Sein’s mouth fell open in response to my words and he looked at me.

What… What’s going on? What’s with that reaction?

I straightened my posture instantly, feeling a strange vibe in the air.

“Me?”

“Huh?”

“You mean me? Are you asking if I am currently scheming something in the territory using Mr. Hisch’s abilities?”

He pointed at himself with his eyes widened, a reaction of someone who feels wronged and wants to leave.

As I flinched at his momentum, Sein let out a deep sigh.

“Didn’t the Lord herself command not to use Mr. Hisch’s abilities in the first place? Are you saying that I am directly violating that order?”

“No… rather than that.”

It was a conclusion I had reached after some thought.

What I knew of the situation indicated that Hisch was contributing to the peace of the territory.

But there was no way a man who had never encountered monsters in his life would voluntarily participate in such a task. So, I had been thinking about who was pushing him into it.

But I never expected this kind of reaction…

“It is inconceivable that you would view me as someone disloyal. No, how could I possibly blame you, my Lord? This is all due to my lack of capabilities, and my inability to gain your trust.”

Wow, he sure took it to heart.

Sein pretended to wipe away tears from his eyes with his sleeves and muttered sadly.

Feeling like it was the right moment, I quickly spoke up to prevent Sein from continuing his self-deprecation and turning on me.

“No, sorry. Really sorry. I think I misunderstood something… As you know, Hisch has been going out a lot lately.”

“Phew….”

“And because Ensis is more peaceful than the other territories. That’s why. And you… suddenly became interested in Hisch. So…”

“I only accompanied Mr. Hisch because he asked me to teach him how to use various artifacts, to prevent others seeing him use his ability.”

“Oh… I see. To prevent others from seeing him….”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“…you bastard, you knew something, didn’t you?”

Sein, who had a forlorn expression until just now, quickly turned expressionless and lowered his head.

“I apologize for not reporting it earlier.”

“Hey! What’s with this change of attitude! How is this different from lying!”

“I never lied to the Lord.”

“Anyway, you deceived me!”

As loyal as Sein Borter was to me, he was also overprotective, and when he thought it was in my best interest, he often acted on his own and let it slip by without reporting it.

Although he had never blatantly disobeyed an order, it was still absurdly ridiculous.

“If you felt that way, I deeply apologize. However, to be precise, I only offered help.”

Sein spoke shamelessly. Look at him, retorting back like that.

“…. So, you’re saying that Hisch acted of his own volition?”

That was surprising on its own. Just as I thought that, Sein spoke up.

“Above all, I thought you were aware of it and were just turning a blind eye, my Lord.”

“…….”

When experts such as wizards and magic engineers were asked why Ensis was more peaceful than the other territories, or what made it special, they all shrugged their shoulders.

It occurred to me that perhaps Hisch and my vassal might be involved in this matter.

Still, despite what Sein said, I obviously did not know what exactly they were up to.

I ruffled my hair and said in disbelief.

“I… How could I know all of that? Even if I vaguely sensed something. And do I look like someone who has a delusion of infidelity to know all of Hisch’s schedule inside out?”

“That’s not what I meant… You always observe your situation carefully and act accordingly, so I thought…”

“…Sein. As much as you think I am… I’m not such… a competent person.”

I sighed.

“I’m just doing the best I can.”

If the female protagonists of the transmigration novels I read in the old days were real, would they have seen through my vassal’s and husband’s deceitful behavior right away and confidently laughed at it?

Well… maybe.

But I was just a simple ordinary person struggling to adapt to this world where my common sense and knowledge were completely useless.

However, true to the nature of a Borter family, Sein, as always, looked at me with a face that seemed unable to understand or accept.

Fantasy is fantasy, and reality is reality.

“Eh, whatever… That’s not what we’re talking about.”

I said, burying myself on the sofa.

“What you’re saying is……. I should ask Hisch about this, right?”

“Yes, since I don’t know all the details either.”

As I wondered why that timid man had taken such a dangerous action, my heart trembled with anxiety.

“… Did Hisch specifically tell you not to say anything to me?”

At my words, Sein pursed his lips as if he had heard something similar before.

Seeing his reaction, I could roughly guess the situation.

Perhaps the man in front of me didn’t report to me because he considered various possibilities.

A calculation of what Hisch was doing would ultimately help me.

And that if he was ever called to account, he could use the excuse that Hisch asked him to keep it a secret.

“… If the same situation arises in the future, should I make reporting to you the top priority, my Lord?”

If I said yes, Sein would definitely obey my order.

But I shook my head.

“…I don’t want to blame you for not telling me. Of course, Hisch’s orders should be followed. But…”

I ran my hand over my face and continued to speak.

“Don’t try to use Hisch for my sake. …He has become too important to me for that.”

Even if I said this, I knew that Sein would always lean towards me when weighing Hisch and me.

At my words, Sein simply bowed his head in silence.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Despite the lack of any objections, this remark may not be entirely meaningless, because it is already better for Sein to reconsider his judgment at least once.

I sprang to my feet. Now that I have a grasp of it, it became clear what I needed to do.

Sein, who had finished clearing the teacups, stood beside me and asked.

“Shall I cancel tomorrow’s schedule?”

“Yeah. We couple should have a deep conversation tomorrow. For doing such a dangerous thing without telling me.”

I spoke as if I were pronouncing a serious matter.

“And since the weather is hot… we should go on the water.”

Once, when I was talking with Sein about Hisch’s ability, I said something like this:

“I’m not going to tell Hisch to do this. If Hisch wants to use it, he can. If not, he doesn’t have to.”

Looking back now, I feel like I talked as if it were someone else’s business.

In fact, my thoughts hadn’t changed that much even now. Just as I couldn’t change the trajectory of my life in one moment, it was difficult to change my attitude towards life that I had maintained until now.

I was originally the type to maintain a minimum distance from others in any relationship. Because I needed my personal space that no one would intrude upon.

So, thinking that other people would be like me and out of consideration for Hisch, I said that.

“…….”

I often recalled the scene from that night.

The small garden that was still growing secretly in one corner of the garden. The small secret between Hisch and me that was brought by my unbelievable past. And the exhilarating realization, emotions, and heartbeat that he gave me that day.

Sensations I would never have experienced if I had been as distant as I was.

“Hisch.”

Quietly, I said to the man as we moved across the lake, leaving only ripples in our wake.

“Your biceps look great.”

Hisch was rowing the boat with his sleeves rolled up.

I already thought he had muscles just from his everyday life, but his arms looked particularly cool as his tendons stood out in his forearm when he rowed with force.

I’m not blinded by love. If Sein was next to me, he would look at me in disgust again.

Today, both Hisch and I left the affairs of the territory to my loyal adjutant and went out for a walk.

Not far away, a group of servants were waiting quietly, and a knight with brown hair stood near the edge of the water, watching us with hawk eyes.

If we were to be attacked by a monster in the middle of this lake, would Sir Ted be able to fly this far in one jump?

I’ve read my fair share of fantasy novels, but I have to admit I’ve wondered if a real person could do that.

Anyway, Hisch blushed at my praise and mumbled a thank you. What is there to be thankful for? I chuckled and turned my head.

“Shall we go further?”

“Won’t it be hard on the way back?”

At my words, Hisch replied with a determined expression.

“I can do it.”

Even though there was no need to make an effort in this place, I thought it was a cute bluff, so I answered with a smile, “Let’s go on an adventure then.”