Chapter 567
"Um... once we come back, we should all share a cup of tea." — I said, telling this to the three of them, counting Paige. — "We are always together but we barely sit to converse. Before it was a given... yet I would like it if we could do it from here on."
I saw from my spot how Paige raised to smile at me, probably happy to hear me say such. We had grown closer quickly and naturally now that we could communicate more easily and so, she knew there was sincerity in my invitation.
Nonetheless, my two knights were a different matter, for both remained silent for a moment. One in which they shared a glance before one stepped up to speak.
"... However, My Lady Marianne, w-we are solely your guards and servants. Siting with you w-would not be proper... W-Why do you wish to do this so suddenly?" — Theodore said in the end as Vitor was as usual a quiet man, maintaining such characteristic while Theodore did not hide the curiosity I became aware of from our very first meeting and had been missing lately. — "W-What is there for us to converse about s-since simply your knights w-we are??"
"... Well... I would like to get to know you further. Even though it is because of your duty, I appreciate your company and consider you as my friend therefore you are not simple knights."
"... G-get to know us? H-how-"
"We are not friends, Lady Marianne." — Suddenly, Sir Vitor said. Shutting Theodore down while also leaving all of us speechless at the roughness his voice appeared to have. — "Our master you are. That is all."
It surprised me deeply to hear this from him even as I remained seemingly calm. The words he would let out would always be those he believed were enough to convey his position in matters. Being short and concise... respectful, precise and seemingly cold... just like he did right now.
But even though it surprised me, we had shared enough time for me to know it was not because he disliked myself. For many times, even if they were small interactions and little jokes I wrote him in my post-it notes, he would reply gently even if he did not understand it and although he probably doesn’t know, I’ve already learned how much he cares from Paige’s and Dad’s mouth.
"Is that so?" — I asked peeking at Theodore and Paige who lowered their gaze, gaining a bit of a pale hue since the nature of Vítor was merciless without wish for it. Making me a tad entertained since he was not going to convince myself this time. For there was no way his words would be accepted when born from his sense of duty alone. — "If that is how it is, then there is no need to ask."