Chapter 54

Dean entered.

"Well... you just got here, and you're already leaving?"

"Yes. This time, I came out of my family home briefly to report to you, my lady."

"I see. ...I'm sorry to trouble you. So, Dean. What was the message you forgot to deliver?"

"...The children at the orphanage want to meet you. It seems they want to show you the results of the presentation they held at the school."

"Presentation! What did they do?"

Ah, that's right, I haven't visited the orphanage in a while. Before I went to the capital, I used to visit every ten days or so.

"Apparently, they did plays, drawings, and songs. They worked in several groups."

"Oh... I must go and see them. I'll go when things settle down."

I want to go and see them, but it's impossible right now. Surely, the guards wouldn't allow it. I can't put the children in danger just to see them.

"…When you say 'when things settle down,' it's not just about the administration and the chamber of commerce, is it?"

At Dean's casual words, my thoughts momentarily froze. ...Ah, if I leave such a strange pause, it's as good as admitting it, and I regret it.

"Why do you think that?"

I know it's futile, but I can't help but ask for his thoughts.

"Ryle and Dida entered this room with such serious faces; I could imagine. Besides, I heard that you were attacked by bandits."

"...That's true."

Dean is sharp. It might have been impossible to hide it from him, being so close.

"Moreover, your expression. You never show such fear and anxiety, even when you're deeply involved in the administration or the chamber of commerce."

...I'm done for. If he can read my emotions so accurately, I don't even have the energy to argue.

"Hey, Dean. If that's the case, why did you come all the way to tell me this?"

Even if he doesn't know I'm the queen, he can probably imagine that I'm in an unstable position. If he thinks about the future, it wouldn't make sense for him to come back just to tell me about the orphanage. Is this his way of saying goodbye?

"Of course, I thought that when things settle down, we could go together."

His unexpected words left me momentarily unable to grasp their meaning.

"...Dean, are you serious?"

"I'm serious. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come back to tell you."

"...I thought you would leave here quickly."

"Did you think I was so heartless?"

He opened his eyes wide, as if surprised by my words. Did I say something so strange?

"Before we talk about being heartless, there's no reason for me to stay. Our contract is always for a short period, so I have no obligation to stay. Besides, you can get a much higher reward by contracting elsewhere. There's no need for me to stay in a place that's becoming dangerous."

Of course, our contract includes a reward. The reward is slightly higher than that of a regular lord's official because he helps me manage the administration as my right-hand man. However, even if it's slightly higher, the income of a lord's official isn't particularly high. It would be higher to become a consultant for a chamber of commerce. The advantage of being a lord's official is that it's stable as long as the territory doesn't collapse. But since he doesn't reside here, he doesn't have that advantage.

I have no right to keep him here, and he is free outside of the contract period. So, it's just a matter of him not coming here until the dust settles.

"...I didn't know you thought so highly of me."

Dean laughed, as if teasing me. I was being serious.

"Otherwise, I wouldn't entrust you with so much work."

Dean smiled at my words, which I said with a sigh.

"Well... indeed, if I look at my work alone, I've never really faced any significant challenges."

It's typical of Dean to say such grand things. Rather, I can imagine that he might be capable of it.

"...But, that's very boring. Whether it's studies or sports, isn't it true that you only feel a sense of achievement after overcoming difficulties? There's no excitement or attachment in something that comes easily."

When I put myself in his shoes, I could see the truth in it. In my previous life, I felt a great sense of achievement when I accomplished something I thought was difficult, despite the hard work. ...I don't understand why he's bringing this up now, though.

"...But, I'm having a lot of fun here. Your innovative ideas, which I never would have thought of, and the excellent servants who work for you. The lively and reforming territory. Thinking about what to do next and what will come up is something I haven't done in a long time. It's very interesting."

He took a step closer to my desk from the door.

"That's why I'm here. I intended to come only once, but I keep coming back."

I looked up at his face, which was now above me. His expression was very joyful.

"It's understandable that you don't fully trust me. I can only sign short-term contracts, and you have trusted subordinates who have been with you since childhood."

Indeed, I trust them. No, rather, I thought they were the only people I could trust, except for my parents.

"I'm not asking you to treat me the same as them. The time and depth of our relationship can't compare. But, my lady, I genuinely enjoy and look forward to being your right-hand man. Even when our contract is not in effect."

"...Dean..."

"You don't need to be reserved with me. For now, I'm only by your side for a short time... but I'm already yours."

His words made my face heat up. I'm the one who usually does the recruiting, almost like a declaration of love. It feels awkward when the roles are reversed.

Dean said his piece and left the room.

I was left sitting there, dazed for a while.