Chapter 25

"Hey, Aldar Saul!!"

"What is it, you're being so noisy."

"There's a letter for you."

"Thank you. ...What is it, you could have just given it to me."

Hans, who stood in front of him, grinned. He was a fellow guard, and despite their seemingly incompatible personalities, they were good friends. Hans came from a marquis family and was the third son, so he couldn't inherit the family estate, which was why he ended up joining the guard, just like Aldar.

When Aldar took the letter, Hans didn't let go.

"You're still as popular, huh? This one is from Anna, who brings supplies to the guard quarters, and this one is from a maid at the outer palace, right? And this one—"

"Please stop reading the sender's names out loud, it's a violation of privacy."

"Come on, share at least one with me!"

"Didn't you just hit on a new maid at the outer palace?"

"Ah, she has a guy waiting for her back home."

"That's a shame."

Hans's grip loosened, and Aldar snatched the letters. Indeed, a few were from women, along with a letter from Dean Dain, a bill from the Rizil Trading Company, and one from Lord Yuria.

He sorted them, putting aside the ones that made Hans envious, and started with his brother's letter. It seemed his brother's beloved princess was having a positive influence on him, and he was now focusing more on his studies. His stepmother had recently sent a joyful letter about it.

The content of the letter was unremarkable, probably because they had just met at a party. It thanked Aldar for his protection during the party and for the gift, which the princess had quietly given him, making him very happy. The princess also mentioned that she would be hosting a tea party soon and wanted Aldar to accompany her. She had read the latest adventure novel and was eagerly waiting for the next one, asking if he had any recommendations.

Oh, he has grown. Smiling, Aldar picked up the next letter and noticed Hans looking at him with an odd expression.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing, nothing. It's just that the ladies are buzzing about how the stern Aldar Saul von Baum has been showing a softer side lately. Could it be that you're really smitten with that stern and perfectionist maid, as the rumors suggest?"

"Huh? ...Ah, you mean Lord Yuria?"

"Yeah, we have proof. Didn't you go on a date and give her a gift at the Rizil Trading Company the other day?"

"Oh, you're well-informed. It wasn't a date, just an escort for my brother. I gave her a gift as a thank you for her help."

"Ah, I see."

Hans just grinned and didn't say anything more, so Aldar turned his attention back to the letters. The next one was on lily of the valley stationery. It looked simple but had a subtle elegance, with small lilies of the valley drawn at the edge, which he found very feminine.

The content was a typical seasonal greeting and a polite thank-you note. However, she also gently reminded him to stop playing around.

Well, I didn't intend to go that far, either.

Aldar reflected that he had overdone it a bit, but he didn't regret it. He hadn't expected her to transform so much into a proper young lady. He didn't think she was as unattractive as she believed, and her height did make it difficult for her to fit into fashionable dresses.

But on that day, she had worn a dress that accentuated her height in a smart style. After seeing her in that dress, the other young ladies in frilly, ill-fitting dresses looked dowdy in comparison. Of course, she had chosen a dress that suited her, and that was the key.

The dress she wore that day was truly shocking, and the fact that she was the subject of much discussion only added to the impact. If all of this was due to the Empress Dowager's careful planning, then she was indeed a formidable person.

"...But, that's impossible."

Muttering to himself, Aldar didn't realize that Hans had heard him and was now pestering him. Of course, he had no obligation to respond, so he quickly put the letters in a locked drawer and pretended to start working.

Hans looked disappointed but didn't press further.

(But it feels like a waste not to say it, doesn't it?)

In truth, he didn't need to dance with her so much that day. He was just so delighted to see her flustered and out of her usual maid persona. He didn't need to hold her and teach her so much; he could have contacted her later in a different way.

It wasn't the dress that captivated him. When she shed her maid's mask and looked vulnerable, trying to face forward despite her fears, he wanted to see more of that side of her. She was a woman, not just a perfect head maid, thrown into an unfamiliar social scene.

(When I held her, she smelled so good, and she was so soft.)

Aldar wasn't a naive child and had some romantic experience. Of course, there were women who were interested in his position as a guard and his family's status, and some who wanted a casual relationship. He was currently single, but he had been cautious.

Ah, no, I can't fool myself anymore.

He had been a partner in his brother's romance, and he had a bit of interest in her, hoping to become good friends.

The interest from that day had certainly led to this, and it was her vulnerable expression that made him want to be by her side and hold her hand.

(If she was so embarrassed by just that, and she said she hadn't danced with anyone else, and I had her all to myself that day, she probably didn't catch the eye of other men.)

Still, she was the head maid to Princess Primera and had the Empress Dowager's support, making her a favorite of the royal family. And if there were rumors that the prince was close to her, the Fandited Viscount family might already be receiving marriage proposals.

Of course, due to the recent issues, the Prime Minister had ordered the Fandited family not to take any action. He had also instructed Aldar not to reveal anything and to stay in the city until things settled down, to appear as if he was protecting her as a guard.

While he had no obligation to follow the Prime Minister's orders, he did have to follow the Empress Dowager's.

...Well, it's not a bad thing for me.

It seems he hadn't fully grasped his own feelings until now.

He needed to turn things around from here!

"Hey, Lord Aldar Saul, you look pretty serious."

"I don't need that from you."

Chapter: Lord Aldar Saul, Realizing His Feelings

Hans is a pitiful roommate.