12.
The request was an order in all but name, yet I was in no position to resent him.
For Lancelot’s sake, I had thought it imperative to set out on my own. But…
*I had been overlooking the point he raised.*
In the Kingdom of Montebio, the influence of the Edenbahir Duchy rivaled that of the royal family. Furthermore, because their roots traced back to the imperial family of the Atlante Empire, their lineage was among the most noble in the land.
*They did say the current Duke has been the subject of much talk.*
There was only one reason for that: he had accepted her father as a close friend and business partner.
Her father used to say that if he had a true benefactor, it was not his own relatives, but the Duke of Edenbahir.
However, if I were to reject Lancelot’s goodwill in a situation like this…
“Haa.”
As Lancelot had noted, it would cast a blemish upon the honor of the Edenbahir family.
Since they possessed as many enemies as they did allies, it was only right to avoid any path that would bring disgrace to the Duke’s reputation. Accepting his favor was the only logical choice.
*Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that Lancelot will be the one suffering the consequences.*
But recalling the expression on his face—firm to the point of being resolute—I began to view it differently.
*Lancelot detests taking a loss above all else. Would he really have come to fetch me without any preparation?*
Just as Lancelot knew her well, Anita prided herself on having a deep understanding of the man. Lancelot Edenbahir only acted based on thorough planning.
His temperament, as sensitive as it was prickly, was evident in his germophobia, which had only intensified over the years. He was a man who deemed pity and goodwill a waste of time, favoring thoroughly calculated considerations and human relationships divided strictly into the useful and the useless.
There were no exceptions to that standard. It was no different for Anita; a fact she had realized long ago.
That such a man had declared he would help her, no matter what…
*It must mean that I am still of use to him.*
The fear that I would only be a burden felt like a shallow judgment now.
My heart lightened. Yes, there was no way Lancelot would have come without a plan. To think I had forgotten such an essential point just because I hadn’t seen him for two years.
In that case, there was no reason to hesitate.
I nodded lightly at Jill, who had been waiting for my signal.
“Jill, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes. Please, do not worry.”
Moments later, the servants moved my luggage. Since it totaled only three or four bags, one of them walked away empty-handed.
When every trace of my presence had vanished, I stood at the window once more.
A large, square window where the summer sun poured in. This was the old bedroom where I used to read quietly, bathed in that golden light.
*I won’t be able to come back here again, will I?*
The space was soaked with too many memories for that.
I paced restlessly for a long while before finally stepping out. No matter how much I regretted leaving, I could no longer keep Lancelot waiting. The finality of it felt all the more heartbreaking for its loneliness.
***
The Edenbahir Duchy.
Descendants of the Atlante Empire and kin to the royal family of Montebio, the Edenbahirs were orthodox nobles possessing vast territories and wealth. They had stood at the pinnacle of high aristocratic society for generations, a distinguished family that had produced two kings over the course of nearly two centuries.
To put it bluntly, Edenbahir was a family of a different caliber than the Boellony line. Given that the current Duke ranked among the top five of the royal succession, further explanation of his status was unnecessary.
However, to me, the Edenbahir residence had felt like a dark graveyard in recent years, consumed by a damp silence.
*When will his health finally improve?*
It had been about three years since the Duke became bedridden. That was also when the time I spent with Lancelot had begun to vanish. Everyone said he was busy preparing to succeed the lineage—an expectation for any heir to the Edenbahir name.
*Whatever the reason, he came to see me in person amidst all that.*
I felt the need to live quietly so as not to cause him any unnecessary trouble.
The carriage traveled for four full hours before arriving at the ducal residence. Edenbahir remained as silent as it had been the year before, and the decade before that.
No sooner had I stepped down, holding Lancelot’s hand, than his butler approached. After a brief, hushed exchange, Lancelot clicked his tongue with a faintly irritable look.
“I have to go in first, so go and rest.”
He is indeed busy.
I nodded more emphatically than ever.
“Yes. I’ll stay quietly, as if I don’t exist. Don’t mind me; take care of your work.”
“There is no need to stay that quiet. No one expects that of you.”
Leaving those brief words behind, Lancelot disappeared like the wind.
Soon, Leonard, the butler I had known for as long as I had known Lancelot, welcomed me with a calm smile.
“I heard you will be spending this summer here. I will do my best to serve you.”
“Thank you.”
So Lancelot had told him as much. It was a consideration befitting him.
I had visited the residence almost every year, and as far as I knew, the rooms for outsiders were always on the third floor. Yet, Leonard led me to the second.
“The room you will be staying in is further inside. The third floor is usually reserved for other guests.”
Shouldn’t that mean I should be on the third floor?
*Are the guest rooms full?*
Ignoring the question, I followed Leonard. The bedroom I was shown was wide and bright, with a neat interior.
“It’s very spacious.”
“It is the second largest among the rooms on the second floor.”
The largest room on the second floor was Lancelot’s bedroom. The room given to me was one usually reserved for relatives of the ducal family.
*I am not in a position to receive such treatment.*
After Leonard left, I opened the wardrobe to check my belongings. Although the servant had already organized them, I wanted to rearrange them into a configuration I was used to, since I would be staying for the season.
Knock, knock.
A sharp rap sounded against the door. It was Lancelot.
“Is your business finished already?”
He leaned against the frame, having changed into a more comfortable vest.
“Do you have a moment?”
I glanced back at the bed. My luggage, still disorganized, was spread out messily. Anyone could see I was in the middle of unpacking. The fact that he asked anyway suggested this was urgent. I nodded without hesitation.
“Sure. What is it?”
“Follow me. There is something important I must tell you.”
Lancelot turned sharply and left. I had to abandon my chores and follow.
We didn’t have to go far. Our steps stopped at the reception room next door—a space Lancelot had likely claimed for his own use until I arrived.
“I will say this in advance.”
As soon as he sat on the sofa, he began. The atmosphere was so grave that I focused entirely on his voice.
“The proposal I am about to make is not some idle chatter for amusement. It is a conclusion reached after deep consideration, so do not think of laughing it off lightly.”
“I won’t.”
For him to demand I take him seriously, I wondered just how heavy this proposal could be.
*Is he going to introduce me to a job? Or perhaps help me scrub my identity? Or is he trying to marry me off to some old noble?*
“Marry me.”
“…What?”
“If possible, do not refuse. A marriage with me is the only way for your status to be guaranteed.”