Chapter 164
Chapter 164. Sincerity Calls Forth Resolve
“Shall we get up soon?”
“Yes.”
Arwen had already set down her fork and knife. She had left more than half of her food behind.
It seemed what I had said was on her mind.
She must also have been curious.
However, wisely enough, she did not question me on the spot about what kind of work it was.
She possessed the virtues of a Maid. She knew how to wait for the right time.
I planned to recruit her into Metis as well.
The Arwen who remained in my memories was, quite literally, an angel.
Whenever I went through difficulties, she helped me and encouraged me. From childhood until now, she had remained unchanged.
Of course, I was not the real Dilen now, but as long as those memories remained, it felt like my own matter, and I thought I should take good care of her.
In particular, I had felt many things during this trip to the Royal Capital.
She liked traveling. She liked seeing new scenery and civilization, and she seemed to feel happiness from it.
Maid work did not suit someone like her.
It was true that it was work where she could demonstrate professionalism, but life was meant to be enjoyed. If I gave her a suitable position at Metis and let her look around here and there, she would certainly enjoy it.
“I have a feeling the Young Lady may have woken up.”
“It is fine.”
After a meal, we would usually enjoy After-Dinner Tea, but we did not do so today. For some reason, I felt that Young Lady Sapiela would wake up.
Thus, we left the dining room and headed to the Young Lady’s quarters.
The door was firmly closed, but seeing people moving busily, it seemed my intuition had been correct.
“Sir Dilen, I will go in first.”
Arwen quickly entered the Young Lady’s quarters. Since there was a high chance she was bathing or changing clothes, I waited outside the door.
A short while later, a voice from inside called me.
When I entered, Young Lady Sapiela, looking tired, was sitting on the sofa to drink tea. Seeing her pale face did not make me feel good.
“You must have been very tired. Did you sleep well?”
“I tossed and turned a little.”
“I will prepare warm tea. It should help with your recovery from fatigue.”
I gave instructions to the Maids, and their hands moved busily as they handled the tea set. I approached the Young Lady a little more closely.
Seeing her frown and hold her head, it seemed another migraine had started. I really need to make Tylenol as soon as possible.
“Shall I call the House Physician?”
“It is fine. I should feel better if I rest a little. What about you, Sir Dilen? It seemed you drank quite a lot yesterday.”
“I am fine. I already had breakfast and was on my way up.”
“How diligent.”
I smiled broadly, lowered my head, and began reporting.
“I have not scheduled anything in particular today. I believe you should rest fully and recover your stability. The weather is extremely hot today, so it would be best to refrain from going out. Unless it is an important Messenger, I will handle matters at my level.”
“I heard an invitation letter came from the Bahamut Ducal House. They said there is an event today.”
“Do you mean Lord Suhyeon’s Title-Conferral Ceremony?”
“That is today, is it not?”
“That is correct.”
Tonight, a Title-Conferral Ceremony would be held at the Duke’s Mansion. I had to disguise myself as Suhyeon and receive the title there. That was why I had not mentioned it in particular to the Young Lady.
If I disguised myself as Suhyeon, I could not attend to the Young Lady.
It was not as though there was absolutely no way, but it would simply be better for her to stay at the Mansion.
“Young Master Hamel will attend today, so if possible, I believe you may rest, Young Lady. You have no particular Point of Contact with Lord Suhyeon.”
“Even so, I heard he has been working hard for our House Adeline. It seems my brother is also receiving a great deal of help from him.”
After saying that, Sapiela gave an order as if she had made up her mind.
“I will attend today’s Title-Conferral Ceremony. Sir Dilen, prepare immediately.”
“Understood. I will prepare so that I may escort you comfortably.”
I will prepare, but I cannot go with you.
I picked up the prepared Teapot and poured tea into the Young Lady’s teacup while pondering what excuse I should give. The best excuse she could accept.
I finished pouring the tea, and the Young Lady began drinking it.
Starleaf Tea from Port Bellium was especially effective for calming the mind and body and relieving fatigue. It was a tea similar to herbal tea, and its refreshing aroma seemed to offer pleasant stimulation.
Silence continued for a moment, and the Young Lady placed her teacup on the table, gazing at me intently.
“What did you talk about with Ophelia at yesterday’s party? It looked like the two of you went out separately…….”
“It was nothing special. I asked her to look favorably upon our House.”
“Ophelia was the one who asked you to go out first.”
I fell silent for a moment. It seemed it would be best to speak honestly.
“In truth, we spoke about you, Young Lady.”
“About me?”
“Her Highness said so. She said she wanted to become closer to you, Young Lady. She asked what she should do, so I told her to approach you calmly.”
I recalled what the Princess had said, such as her sincere words that she knew she was a wicked woman, but was there any law saying that even a bad person could not make friends?
However, I could not convey those words exactly as they were.
I added suitable embellishments and conveyed the Princess’s sincerity to the Young Lady. The Young Lady seemed to sink into thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.
“I understand. I think that could be true. Making friends is not an easy thing. Especially in my position and Ophelia’s…….”
“So what do you intend to do?”
Sapiela seemed to have a little lingering attachment. In any case, finding someone with whom one’s heart connected was not easy. This was not a world where the internet had developed, either.
The Young Lady lifted her teacup again and drank the tea. Arwen, who had been watching beside her, also swallowed and waited for the Young Lady’s words.
“If Ophelia is making an effort, I cannot keep pushing her away. I think that would not be proper courtesy toward a person.”
A smile came to me on its own. It seemed the Young Lady had made a wise choice.
“If Ophelia’s feelings are sincere, I think I should respond to them as well. If we are to become true friends, that much courage must be necessary. You once said it, did you not, Sir Dilen?
During class. You said we must constantly think about how a person should live as a person. Is this not also something like that? It may be somewhat difficult, but if the other party is sincere.”
“It is an honor that you remember.”
“I should find out what kind of tea and desserts Ophelia likes.”
At that moment, Arwen stepped forward.
“I will find that out, Young Lady.”
“You?”
“In truth…… I have grown somewhat close with Dame Cassiopeia. Our hobbies match. We have been doing Quilting. I also taught her various things. So I can ask her.”
Sapiela nodded. I had not imagined that Quilting, a small Trait I had seen in the Status Window, would shine here.
“Then prepare it that way.”
“Yes, Young Lady.”
I changed the topic again.
“Have you fully decided on returning to the Adeline Territory?”
“I am returning. Please prepare immediately.”
The Young Lady spoke without the slightest hesitation. I bent at the waist and received her command.
***
The person most surprised by the news that Young Lady Sapiela was returning to her hometown was none other than Chief Butler Brituang. He came rushing to my office in one breath.
“What on earth is going on? The Young Lady is returning to the Territory! The Academy program is not even over yet.”
It was understandable that he would be flustered.
No matter that I was her Attending Secretary, the Supervising Butler of this Mansion was Brituang. Since the Young Lady had suddenly said she was returning, he must have wondered whether he had made some mistake.
I greeted him with a smile.
“It is not because she dislikes the Branch Residence. There are several reasons.”
“If it is not something I should not know, tell me.”
“There are two main reasons. First, the Young Lady’s health is not very good. So we judged that it would be better for her to return and recuperate.”
“And the second?”
“In truth, this is the most important reason…….”
I set down the book I had been organizing and turned toward him. Then I spoke seriously.
“The Young Lady, as a legitimate member of House Adeline, feels deep regret over what is currently happening in the Territory. It is the Young Lady’s will to return as soon as possible and embrace the People of the Territory.”
“Ah…….”
His flustered expression changed into one of emotion. Soon, a smile appeared on his face.
“I never imagined the Young Lady had grown this much. I had not thought of that at all. Hahaha!”
“She is someone who receives the love of the People of the Territory. It seems she has now decided to give a little of it back. Personally, I would like to support her.”
“That is a good thought. Truly timely. If the Young Lady steps forward at this time, the chaotic Territory will calm down at least somewhat. Master will be pleased as well.”
“That is correct. The Academy program can always be resumed later when the opportunity arises, after all.”
“If that is the case, I will also lend a hand.”
“I will be counting on you.”
His expression when he came in and when he left were complete opposites. Now, it seemed I could entrust a certain amount of the preparations for the return to Brituang.
I moved to Young Master Hamel’s quarters.
Since Young Lady Sapiela would also be attending today’s Title-Conferral Ceremony, I needed to roughly coordinate our words with him. When I knocked and entered, Young Master Hamel was lying on his bed and blankly staring at the ceiling.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“Do I look that way?”
“It is the first time I have seen you make such a dazed expression.”
I spoke honestly, and Young Master Hamel, who let out a deep sigh, raised himself. Seeing his tousled hair, it seemed he had been lying down for a long time.
“The Young Lady said she would attend the Bahamut Ducal House’s Title-Conferral Ceremony today. It seems you will have to accompany her.”
“Is that not your job?”
“As you know, I intend to attend as Suhyeon today.”
“Ha. A Butler who pushes work onto the Young Master he is supposed to serve. How extraordinarily disloyal.”
I smiled and lowered my head. The Young Master waved his hand dismissively.
“I will take care of that. You prepare a suitable excuse.”
“I have already prepared one. Please take good care of the Young Lady.”
“But you have not seen Ella while disguised as Suhyeon, have you?”
“No.”
“I wonder if my sister might notice. She has surprisingly good intuition. When do you plan to tell her?”
“I intend to tell her after the Astria problem has all been resolved. I feel it would only cause her needless worry.”
“You thought that through well.”
Silence flowed for a moment, and I changed the subject as I asked.
“By the way, did you speak with Young Master Joaquin?”
Joaquin was the person from the Count Astria House who had attended yesterday’s Birthday Party.
“We only exchanged a great deal of useless talk. It was fortunate we did not grab each other by the collar. Tsk.”
“So there is no turning back.”
“Still, fortunately, His Majesty the King seems willing to mediate. I do not think those Astria bastards will listen, but we should wait for now.”
“I have a good idea.”
Young Master Hamel’s eyes flashed. He glared at me and slowly approached. When he came within one step of me, I quietly spoke.
“If we draw Princess Ophelia in…… perhaps we may be able to resolve this dispute easily.”
“Are we not already drawing her in?”
“What about a slightly different method?”
I smiled with confidence.
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