~Chapter 47~
The Reason I Was Able to Be Brave
The garden at night was quiet.
The leaves, soaked in darkness, cast deep shadows, and above our heads a round moon hung like a silver mirror.
From time to time, a gentle night breeze brushed softly against my cheeks.
Cecilia and I walked through the garden, sometimes side by side, sometimes one step apart.
“It’s not that dark because of the moonlight. That’s a relief.”
I spoke to Cecilia in a deliberately cheerful voice.
She glanced at me for a moment, then turned her head back toward the trees swaying in the wind.
“Yes.”
…Isn’t that a little too short of an answer?
Grumbling inwardly, I carefully studied her expression.
For some reason, she had looked a little gloomy since earlier. Was it just my imagination?
I wanted to ask her why she had to keep the tutor all to herself.
But—
There’s no way I can ask that…
I swallowed the sigh that was about to escape.
She had only just started to open her heart to me.
If things turned awkward over something like this tutor issue, that would be troublesome.
Honestly, it wasn’t like I absolutely had to learn from the same teacher.
Still, I wanted to know why she reacted that way.
“Milena.”
I flinched and slowly turned my head.
Before I knew it, Cecilia was looking straight at me.
“If you have something to say, you can say it.”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you ask me to take a walk because you had something to talk about?”
Gasp.
As expected of the heroine—her intuition is too sharp.
I quickly pretended otherwise.
“No? I just wanted to spend time with you, that’s all.”
“……”
At that moment, Cecilia’s eyes sank deeply.
She looked like she was thinking about many things.
But as if she had no intention of saying more, she turned her head away again.
Then she began walking ahead of me, almost as if she were running away.
…It feels like that day we went to the park was such a long time ago.
I watched Cecilia’s back as she walked ahead of me, my thoughts tangled.
I thought we had shared our hearts openly.
I believed we had grown closer in our own way…
Was I the only one who felt that way?
Just as I was biting my lower lip—
Suddenly, Cecilia staggered forward.
“Unni?”
Did she miss her step?!
I quickly reached out to support her.
At the same time, a sharp scream burst from her lips.
“Ahh!”
W-what?!
Startled, I let go of her arm.
Cecilia trembled and grabbed the forearm I had just touched.
Her face had turned completely pale, drained of all color, as if she were in terrible pain.
“Why? Are you hurt? Does it hurt somewhere?!”
Did she injure her arm?
I hurriedly rolled up her sleeve.
But her arm looked perfectly fine.
There wasn’t even a scratch, not even a small mark.
“…It’s fine.”
Cecilia quickly pulled her sleeve down.
It was clearly a motion to hide her arm.
“I just screamed because I was startled.”
Avoiding my eyes, she spoke quietly.
“Thank you for worrying, but I’m fine.”
“……”
I looked at her suspiciously.
If she had just been startled, her reaction was far too strong.
And that expression—
She was definitely holding back pain.
Something is strange.
The next day.
I packed some snacks and headed to the training ground set up behind the townhouse.
In the distance, I saw the young duke sparring with a knight.
Ohh.
I widened my eyes and watched his swift movements.
After taking a deep breath, he rushed toward the knight’s sword like a leopard.
Their wooden swords collided fiercely.
Crack!
…They’re just wooden swords. Why does it sound so powerful?
Scrrrk—Thud!
The blade that had slid down along the knight’s wooden sword fell back swiftly.
The young duke smoothly retrieved his weapon and took his stance again.
Then—
“Milena?”
Sensing my presence, he quickly turned around.
I smiled brightly.
“Young Du—”
Oh no, I almost called him “Young Duke.”
“Elias Oppa!”
I quickly corrected myself and walked toward him.
He looked surprised.
“What brings you here?”
“I heard you were training in swordsmanship, so I came to see you!”
“…Me?”
He looked at me with slightly teary eyes.
What? Why does he look so touched?
I felt a little embarrassed.
“Greetings, Lady Milena.”
The knight beside him bowed politely.
Hmm… I still can’t get used to people bowing to me like that.
“Nice to meet you, Sir.”
Living as a maid for so long must have left a habit—I keep speaking too politely.
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I handed a towel to Elias.
“Aren’t you hot? Here’s a towel.”
“Ah, thank you.”
He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
I also handed a towel to the knight, then carefully spoke.
“Actually, I came today because I wanted to ask you something.”
“Me?”
He tilted his head slightly, then gestured for the knight to step back.
After that, he turned his attention to me.
“What do you want to ask?”
“Well… is Cecilia perhaps not feeling well?”
“Hmm?”
He blinked a few times.
Then he slightly frowned.
“…I don’t think so?”
He muttered it so quietly it was almost like an ant crawling.
It didn’t seem like he was very sure of his own answer.
At the same time, he let out a deep sigh.
“Ha… I told myself I would pay more attention to Cecilia, but… I guess I’m lacking.”
Now he’s suddenly reflecting on himself…
Well, if he pays more attention to Cecilia, that’s a good thing.
“Please don’t blame yourself too much. I’m sure Unni knows how you feel.”
“…Still.”
His expression darkened for a moment, then he forced a brighter tone.
“Anyway, why are you asking?”
“Yesterday, during our walk, she almost fell.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I was worried that maybe she was feeling unwell and that’s why she stumbled. But maybe she was just startled.”
I smiled and handed him a bottle of cold water.
“It’s hot, right? Please drink some water.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Perhaps because he had been training nonstop, he must have been thirsty.
After drinking more than half the bottle, he suddenly spoke as if something had just come to mind.
“Oh right. Speaking of Cecilia, I don’t really understand why she wants to keep the tutor to herself.”
“Maybe it’s because the tutor is such a good person?”
I casually tested him.
“She has taught many ladies well, after all. Isn’t that right?”
“Well, that’s true.”
He answered without hesitation.
“Mother relies on the Countess Dowager a lot too. She’s kind by nature.”
“……”
It’s strange.
Everyone says she’s a good person.
So why does it make my spine feel cold?
Something about this feels off.
Am I being too sensitive?
But according to my instincts—
Isn’t this exactly like Madam Howard?
Back then, wasn’t Madam Howard also trusted by the family?
No, maybe I’m overthinking.
I shook my head inwardly.
After everything I’ve experienced, maybe I’ve become overly suspicious.
Today is the day Cecilia has her lesson with the Countess Dowager of Celes.
For now, I should observe the situation a little more.
