Chapter Twenty-Six: Outside the Window

To gain entry to the royal castle, where the royal family lived, one was required to go through various paperwork, inspections, and other formalities. Several buildings that spread across the moat and the garden inside the royal castle were laxer, but only to aristocrats who could prove their identity. Some of them were buildings and towers where civil officials worked, while the rest appeared to be the headquarters of the Royal Guards.

William ordered the female and male Royal Guards to escort us, before hurrying to the meeting with Frederick.

We were led to a lovely guest room with a pale blue color scheme on the third floor. Meanwhile, William would be attending the meeting at the conference room on the second floor.

The guest room had a large bed and sofa set, allowing the guests to take a nap.

I sat on the sofa, letting Cedric rest his head on my lap as I stroked his hair. After staring listlessly outside the window, he’d fallen asleep.

The clear and boundless autumn sky spread outside the window. For security reasons, the window couldn’t be opened. However, I could still see two small birds nestling together on the branches of a large tree planted nearby.

“Milady, which do you prefer? Herbal tea or milk tea? Or should I prepare something else?”

I shook my head at Elsa’s words.

“No, it’s all right. Elsa and Ariana have both been tired since this morning, right? Please sit on the sofa over there and rest for a bit… This is an order.”

Elsa and Ariana were hesitant, but they meekly sat down on the sofa across from me after hearing my words.

This room was much quieter than the one in the mansion. The marquis family was full of hardworking people, so I could always hear someone’s voice or see someone’s presence in every corner of the mansion. If I left the window of the mansion open, I could hear Grandpa Jamal arguing with his grandson about how to prune the tree.

I slowly caressed Cedric’s pale golden hair as he slept peacefully.

The corners of my eyes were red and slightly puffy from my tears. Cedric fell asleep as soon as he got here.

“Milady.”

I looked up when Elsa called me.

Her dark blue eyes looked at me with concern. Ariana was also staring at me, her expression more or less the same as Elsa’s.

“Don’t pay those two any heed. As a noble lady, you came from a wonderful lineage. So don’t you dare say that you are not worthy, otherwise, the lord will get angry at you.”

“I agree. Milady is gorgeous, kind, smells nice, has big breasts, is skilled at embroidery, and perfect as a lady!”

Even Ariana was doing her best to encourage me.

Realizing that the two of them were trying to comfort me, a smile broke out in my face.

“Thank you.”

When I smiled at them, they stared pitifully at me for some reason.

“…Don’t worry. I won’t go to the monastery without telling you two.”

Their shoulders twitched as they stared at each other awkwardly. I laughed and leaned back on the sofa. When I turned to look outside the window again, there was one more bird. A smaller bird stepped in between the two birds. Since the pattern and the color were similar, it may be a chick that just hatched this summer.

“…Back when I still lived at my parents’ house, I’d always stare outside the window like this. Through the gap in the slightly opened curtain.”

I turned around and saw that both my maids were staring at me with an amazed look on their faces. I smiled as my gaze returned to the window.

“I always wondered how nice the roses blooming in the garden would smell. How nice it’d feel to have the wind ruffling my hair. All of the sudden, I was told that I’d be engaged and was led outside.

“When I saw him from my father’s shadow, I was relieved to see that my future husband was younger than I expected. Honestly, as I signed the engagement document, I couldn’t even muster the courage to look at his face, let alone talk to him…

“After that, I kept wondering about my husband. One thing I was sure about was his kindness. After all, even though my father insisted that my husband married my sister, he said that I’d suffice. Because of that, I kept looking forward to our meeting.”

I smiled, dropping my gaze to my lap. The sight of Cedric’s innocent sleeping face reassured me.

“A lot has happened, but… Not only did Lord William start to smile, Ceddie is also here with us. I couldn’t be happier.”

Cedric’s flaxen hair was much thinner and silkier than William’s hair.

If only I could put my happiness into words and convey it to him.

That was what I always thought as I caressed William’s hair while he slept on my lap.

“…I’m sure Lord William has already regained most of his memories.”

Lately, William rarely asked Frederick or Elsa to supplement his memory during conversations. Furthermore, he’d talk about his family, including his childhood memories and recollections about his parents, without a hitch.

“…The lord will never despise Milady. He’ll never forget the memories he has created since he lost his memory.”

Elsa looked straight at me.

As our gazes collided, Elsa stood up and kneel before me. Her delicate, warm hands clasped mine.

“Milady, it may be scary for you to believe, even more so after the lord broke your trust and hurt you in the past. But please… Please believe in my current lord’s words and feelings. As I’ve stated many times, the current version of himself is the one that His Highness, Lady Marietta, Frederick, and I have known for most of our lives.”

“Elsa…”

“Didn’t the lord also say that if Lady Liliana were to abandon him, he’ll cry, cling to you, and even prostrate himself on the ground?”

“H-he was exaggerating.”

When I hurriedly denied it, Elsa smiled kindly.

“It’s all right. No matter what happens, the lord won’t let go of Lady Liliana. If by any chance, Milady’s fear comes true, I’ll take responsibility and re-educate the lord. Don’t worry, I’ll make him behave.”

“Y-you aren’t thinking of hitting him, right? You shouldn’t hurt him.”

“If I hit those muscles, my hands would be injured instead. If that happens, I wouldn’t be able to do Milady’s hair.”

“Kicking him or using a weapon are also prohibited, all right?”

“…Understood. But Milady, in most cases, hitting someone in the head will help them regain their memories.”

Even I was aware that Elsa was someone who was quick to resort to violence. Despite how talented she was, she always tried to solve the issue with her fists. Even now, when Elsa was showing her clear intent, I could understand Frederick’s desire to run.

“Having you by my side is more than enough, Elsa. Don’t go to my husband. Stay by my side.”

When I smiled, Elsa smiled back and nodded gleefully.

“Okay.”

Ariana quietly said, “Well done, Milady.” And applauded me.

I was relieved that we were able to reach a peaceful solution. Before I knew it, I had become thirsty, but when I was about to ask for tea, I heard a knock. Ariana immediately went to the door. William had stationed some knights outside, so I didn’t think any suspicious fellow would come in, but I was a bit worried.

“It’s okay. Considering their status, it’s highly unlikely for your stepmother and stepsister to be allowed in here.”

Elsa noticed my anxiety and gently caressed my hand, which was still in her grasp.

Then, Ariana returned, looking somewhat panicked, and whispered something to Elsa. Surprised, Elsa excused herself and stood up. Ariana took my hand in her place. Ariana, who was petite, had small, cute, and soothing hands.

I could hear the voice of an unknown man mixed in with the voices of Elsa, the female knight, Julia, and the male knight, Eric.

“The female knight, Julia, sure is nice.”

“Yes, Lady Julia may be the daughter of an earl, but she’s an amazing person who became a knight and rose to the elite position of a royal guard!”

Ariana explained to me, her eyes beaming with excitement.

Julia, who was taller than Elsa, had a slender but well-trained body. She was a beauty with characteristic emerald eyes and lustrous blonde hair tied into a ponytail. Instead of black, her royal guard uniform had a deep green color scheme that accentuated her eyes.

“…I understand. Give me a moment.”

Elsa came back the next moment, and the two of us turned to look at her. Elsa seemed baffled.

“Who was it? Is it Al?”

“No… The gentleman Milady helped the other day wanted to thank you in person.”

“The gentleman… I helped the other day? I’m assuming the Duke of Fuchsberger?”

Elsa awkwardly nodded at my question.

“Apparently, he’d been given permission by the lord, but as the lord is currently in a meeting, I can’t confirm it. He’s not someone you can deal with recklessly.”

“But… Lord William isn’t here…”

“If you are feeling unwell, you may refuse… Milady, you don’t look very good.”

Elsa asked, placing a hand on my cheek. I might be tired because a lot had happened since the morning.

However, I didn’t have a fever, nor was I about to collapse.

“…No, I’ll meet him. The duke took time out of his busy schedule to come and see me. I’ll do my best.”

“Alright. Ariana and I will be by your side. Now, I shall accompany you. Ariana, please move Lord Cedric to bed.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll go first.” Elsa said and went back towards the door.

“Excuse me—huh?”

Cedric was heavy, so I thought I’d help Ariana carry him to bed, but Cedric clung tightly to my dress.

“N-noo…!”

But when I tried to pry it off, Cedric tightly wrapped his arms around my waist, refusing to let go—and he was supposed to be asleep.

This is troubling.  

Ariana and I didn’t know how he could be so powerful at such a young age.

Suspecting that he was awake, I called out to him, but it turned out that he was hugging me in his sleep.

“C, Ceddie, I need to go, Ceddie…”

I patted Cedric on the back, attempting to wake him up, feeling guilty the entire time. However, he showed no signs of waking up.

While Ariana and I were panicking, the door finally opened and two men entered the room, led by Elsa. One of them was the duke, while the other was the butler I met the other day.

“I-I’m sorry…! My little brother won’t wake up, so please wait a bit longer!”

“Is this your younger brother? It seems that the two of you inherited the hair color of the former Countess Eighton.”

Upon hearing that, I looked up at the duke in shock. The duke smiled softly, tenderly patting Cedric on the head, before sitting on the seat across from me.

“It’s fine. Your brother seems reluctant to leave your side.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Letting out a sigh, I patted my chest in relief.

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