Chapter 71

In the end, when I hurriedly peeked down the corridor, there was no sign of Scarlett.

Ah... Because she shouted so loudly, I wonder who heard it...

Hmm, wait a moment.

If she was shouting something like "showing off" or something, it could be misunderstood that I was being intimate with someone in this room! No, it definitely will be misunderstood!!

What was she thinking, shouting in that loud, clear voice? If it wasn't my room, they might not have thought it was me, but that place is definitely my office. Oh, no!

"Scarlett is probably at the barracks, not the general barracks but our Royal Guard's barracks. A colleague who shared a room with her returned from the expedition yesterday."

"Is that so? How did Scarlett know about it? ...Anyway, she was saying something about a fait accompli or something. I have to stop her right away!"

"Then, I will guide you."

"Thank you for your kindness. ...This is partly due to Lord Aldar Saul, you know?!"

"Yes."

"Oh!"

"No, I am truly reflecting on my actions. I displayed an unseemly behavior during work hours."

"...Well, I was also flustered and couldn't stop you, so I am equally at fault."

It seems Lord Aldar Saul is also reflecting on his actions. He looks so serious.

He is usually a serious worker, so maybe something just clicked for him... However, what happened wasn't just a small chat during work hours. It was bad for my heart! I've heard of men who flirt as naturally as breathing, but I've never been close to such a person... Even in a country where love is open-minded, people have their strengths and weaknesses...

But what does Scarlett mean by a fait accompli? It's scary. Well, I've heard of people retiring from work this way, but I didn't think she would do something like that... Oh, right, she was originally a maid looking for a husband.

She's the type who, after being picky, ends up being left behind because she can't find a suitable man, but she doesn't seem to be experienced with men.

"Perhaps she learned about her colleague's return through a letter or something. I also received one. Besides, he is injured, so even Pigeot wouldn't go that far..."

"...Injured during the expedition?"

"Yes... But there is good news. A huge monster appeared in the borderlands, but the expedition team and local adventurers cooperated to defeat it. They say this marks the end of this particular mission."

"Oh! That's wonderful."

Oh... The flag worked!

So, the heroine will definitely appear, then.

"Of course, the adventurers will also receive commendations, right?"

"Yes, especially a father and daughter team who performed exceptionally well. My colleague said they were saved by this pair. Oh, the injury is a broken leg. Considering his status, he was allowed to return early, but it's not a serious injury."

"Ah."

Hmm, a father and daughter team. It must be the heroine and her father! But... I don't think the heroine was originally a fighter... In the character development part, choosing a fighter path would only slightly lead to an adventurer's career.

After all, it was a game centered around romance. If you didn't form a relationship with anyone by the end, you would get a normal ending based on the parameters that changed due to your experiences at school and the castle, leading to a job.

However, considering what Lord Aldar Saul said, she seems to have already become more adventurer-like?

Well, this is not a [game] but [reality].

I know from experience that things don't always go exactly as they do in the game, so some discrepancies are to be expected.

As long as Lady Primera is not unhappy and I can serve as a maid in peace, there's no problem!

"By the way, you are aware that an envoy from the Shagran Kingdom is coming, right?"

"Yes, I am."

"Understood, Lady Yuria. Please be on your guard during the garden party. Of course, I am not suggesting that you are negligent in your duties as a lady."

"Is there something you are concerned about?"

"From their perspective, you dealt the final blow in the matter of the Duchess."

"Wh-What?!"

I think it was just a coincidence!

...But from their perspective, it probably wasn't. Well, the Prime Minister said it was good that the issue was resolved before it escalated into a dangerous situation between the two countries. It would be nice if they also thought it was a good outcome.

However, seeing Lord Aldar Saul's serious expression, it doesn't seem like it will be that simple...

"Also, please be aware that the knight accompanying the minister from the other side is a womanizer and quick to fight."

"Huh?"

"Oh, you don't need to go to her room. Look, isn't that Pigeot over there, looking dejected?"

"Ah!"

Sure enough, there is Scarlett, crouched in a corner of the garden before we reach the barracks! What a classic way to look dejected... It's a misunderstanding. Yes, a misunderstanding. We weren't being intimate!

Well... It's true that we didn't dislike each other and the atmosphere was a bit sweet.

Hmm? Fact?

No, no, it was just Lord Aldar Saul who made it seem that way, not what I wanted.

"Then, I think it would be better for her to calm down without me. I will come back later to discuss the security arrangements for the garden party. I am truly sorry for the earlier incident."

"Ah, yes."

"If, by any chance, the rumors caused by Pigeot's scream have caused you any trouble, please let me know immediately. I will take care of it."

Lord Aldar Saul, already showing his knightly demeanor, left gracefully.

I watched him go, dazed.

He didn't even wait for my response. His impressive figure made me blink. I thought he was being a bit too self-assured, but we both have our jobs, so we can't stay together forever.

Indeed, the cause was Lord Aldar Saul's attitude. But I was also flustered and couldn't tell him not to talk about such things during work hours, so I was also at fault.

I've encountered men who greet me with a kiss on the back of the hand before, but I reacted so sensitively to Lord Aldar Saul's approach. I need to reflect on that.

If I had handled it properly, I wouldn't have been flustered or embarrassed, and this misunderstanding wouldn't have happened. But it all started with the important issue of Lord Aldar Saul showing his feelings...

In the midst of these jumbled thoughts, a small question popped up.

(But isn't the one causing trouble you?)

No, no.

Why is this person—...

I shouldn't fall for a handsome man.

Even if I like him, he's out of my league, and I'll just be laughed at. I might even fall into self-loathing if I'm mocked.

After all, that's how it was, right? How did people around me react when I was happy to receive a smile? Didn't he laugh in a way that seemed confused by my feelings?

But, no. The 'me' back then and the 'me' now are different.

And Lord Aldar Saul said he likes me.

He said I look beautiful when I work. When he approached me confidently, he blushed and smiled happily.

He suddenly acted impulsively, and when I thought he was more mature, he did something childish.

Oh, no.

Oh, no!

I didn't mind any of those things about him. In fact, they made my heart race.

More than that, my heightened sensitivity wasn't just because I was attracted to him; it was also because I was overly aware of him. When the Prince told me something similar, my heart raced, but this time it was incomparably stronger.

So, in the end, it means...

I must already be in love.

I had been blocking out my past memories, telling myself it wasn't romantic and that I should focus on work to avoid getting hurt.

But now, I can't deny it.

Oh, no! We weren't being intimate! I won't admit that.

Even if it becomes a rumor, I thought, 'If he doesn't mind, it's fine'!!

My feelings suddenly became clear.

But now is not the time for that.

As the head maid, I need to support and guide the maids under me. And most importantly...

Most importantly, it's work hours!

I can't let love distract me from my duties. That's unacceptable.

"Scarlett"

"...Sniff, what...?"

"What's wrong? Are you hurt? Didn't you go to see your love interest? No, I think forceful actions like a fait accompli are not good. I came to clear up the misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?"

"Yes. Lord Aldar Saul only came to greet you because he was assigned to guard the princess at the garden party."

"...Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Are you making fun of me?"

Scarlett, sobbing, didn't even stand up, looking like a little girl.

I thought, if she were this quiet, any man would fall for her easily, and I absentmindedly patted her head.

"I'm not making fun of you. You're just a bit clumsy, I think."

"...You are making fun of me."

"Let's go back to my room. We still have a lot to talk about."

In front of Scarlett, I felt a stronger urge to support her than to focus on my own feelings, which helped me calm down.

I need to think about Lord Aldar Saul properly.

If his feelings don't change, I just need to give him a proper response after the garden party.

...Wait.

How do I give a proper response...?

I can't suddenly say "I like you" now?!

I finally realized!!

...And yet, I'm still the protagonist.