Chapter 54

──The princess has taken a liking to Einhardt and keeps him by her side.──

The news spread quickly.

It was bound to spread, considering that Noah was always by her side, much closer than a bodyguard would typically be.

"Alicia, how about taking a week off from work?"

"Eh?"

It was after dinner, while we were enjoying tea in the living room at home.

When I looked up at my brother's worried voice, I saw that my father and mother were also looking at me with similar expressions. I immediately understood what they were worried about, and my eyebrows furrowed.

"How about visiting Grandfather? Of course, I'll go with you."

Mother, who was sitting next to me, picked up the teapot and poured tea into my cup. The teapot and matching tea set were adorned with illustrations of Canterbury bells.

I hadn't even noticed that I had finished my tea. I must have been quite absent-minded, and a wry smile escaped me.

"…I'll be fine, it's just a few more days."

Yes, just five more days.

The diplomatic tour will soon be over, and Noah's bodyguard duties will end. So… I only have to deal with this gnawing jealousy for a little longer.

"You've heard about it, haven't you, brothers?"

"Yeah… well, yeah."

"What kind of stories have you heard?"

As I voiced the question that came to mind, everyone's faces darkened. …Perhaps there were some terrible rumors spreading that I didn't know about, regardless of their truth.

"Yesterday, a royal banquet was held, and it seems that Einhardt escorted the princess."

"You!"

Father spoke in a low voice. Mother's reproachful voice made Father shake his head and sigh deeply.

"There's no point in hiding it. It will reach your ears eventually."

"But…"

Escorting at the banquet. Is that… part of his bodyguard duties?

I felt like crying and averted my gaze to the tea cup. I cradled the cup, filled with beautiful amber liquid, in both hands and blew on it to cool it down, even though I knew it wasn't that hot anymore.

"…The princess cried, saying she wanted memories. So, once this diplomatic tour is over, everything will be fine."

Yes, it's about making memories.

So, it will be fine. Noah won't go to the princess. It will be fine. …It will be fine.

As I repeated these words, they sounded like I was trying to convince myself, which was rather absurd.

"What kind of memories? Besides, that princess is so capricious."

"Claus"

"But it's true. How much trouble have we had because of her?"

Brother sighed bitterly. Father, who had reprimanded him, also sighed deeply in agreement.

I remember that for the reception of the delegation, our trading company had to deliver various items… and there were many orders, right?

"We deliver as ordered, but the princess changes her mind and demands something else. This keeps happening… I don't want to be involved anymore!"

"Don't say that to others."

"I won't. But it's also strange that everyone around her tolerates her caprices."

If the princess is like that, Noah must be having a hard time being by her side.

The gnawing feeling in my chest doesn't go away, but I worry about him working from early morning until late at night.

"Alicia, as you said, it's just a few more days. After enduring this, your usual routine will return, but… these few days might be difficult. So, leaving the noisy capital might be a good option. Please consider it."

Mother, with her graceful movements, placed the cup back on the saucer and smiled gently at me. Her voice made something well up inside me, so I took a sip of tea to hide it.

At work, Wendy will be considerate.

She will be there for me. But this feeling I have, which I can't shake, is something I have to keep inside.

Talking about it won't solve anything, and it will pass if I wait. I knew that Wendy's eyes would cloud over every time I said I was fine, but I couldn't find any other words.

"Alicia-chan"

Just as I was about to be consumed by these gnawing feelings, a bright voice called my name.

I turned around from where I was returning books to their original places. There stood Emma, with a cheerful smile.

"Emma-san. Are you here to borrow a book?"

"Yes, I've been curious about the sequel to the book you recommended before."

"That's a romance novel. There are other series by the same author."

"No, I have to finish this story first. There's never enough time."

I smiled at her shrugging shoulders and raised hands.

Emma is always bright, even when we meet outside the store. She responds with my favorite smile, and her presence brightens the room.

But, I feel a bit sad now.

Seeing Emma reminds me of the time I spent with Noah at the teahouse.

I blinked to hold back the heat in my eyes, and Emma's eyebrows furrowed.

She patted my shoulder and checked her watch.

"Hey, do you have any plans for lunch today?"

"Eh? Not really…"

"Then let's have lunch together. Can you go out?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"Great. Let's meet at the gate at lunchtime. See you later~"

Emma, holding a book in one hand, waved with the other and left.

Her liveliness was a relief, and I smiled again.

It's been a while since I went out for lunch.

It might be for the best, as I might hear things I don't want to at the cafeteria.

Wiping the corner of my eye with my fingertips, I returned to the task of putting books back. There were still many books on the cart. After finishing this, I'll…

As I pushed the cart towards the bookshelf near the window, I heard a lively voice. Curious, I looked outside and saw a vibrant group walking on the path in front of the library.

The princess, with her beautiful golden hair shining in the sun, was smiling. She was walking next to… Noah.

Seeing the two of them, who looked like a beautiful painting, made my chest ache.

I couldn't bear to look anymore.