chapter 18

　The scenery looked different, Chizuru realized it only when she was seated next to Luklov.

　Everybody else has his own eyes on their dish but as expected, Lukrov has a decent servant boy who serves his master as hard as he can.

“Mr. Lukrov, do want a meal for this lady too? Nice to meet you, I’m Nadal. Please tell me anything.”

　a boy of age of thirteen or fourteen, with brown curly-haired who called himself Nadal greeted Chizuru who was sitting next to Luklov.

　His big eyes have a honey-like color, his face has freckles scattered around the youthful skin. He is a slender and an intelligent boy with a very friendly face. A lovely little boy.

“Nice to meet you, Nadal. I’m Chizuru … but you don’t have to use honorifics.”

　With a smile, Chizuru replied, and Nadal’s cheeks became visibly red.

“Lukrov-sama!”

　Nadal whispers at Lukrov. But Chizuru could hear the whole conversation.

“Where did you find such a wonderful woman? I just thought you were just going to visit that lonely village.”

　Visiting a village?

　Is he referring to the village of Rodolgo? In other words, Lukrov was only visiting the village, he was not going to go find me?

“Nadal, keep your mouth down”

　Lukrov’s voice was rigorous, but somehow it sounded like he was enjoying the boy’s liveliness.

“She’s my guest. Treat her like that. Bring her food … but don’t give her anything to drink.”

“Don’t you drink?”

　Nadal was busy looking around Lukrov and Chizuru alternately.

“No sake”

　Luklov affirmed.

　Chizuru’s face turn red.

　Here, there is a custom of drinking low alcoholic sweet wine similar to wine instead of water. Most people have been drinking since they were very young, so they are immune. But Chizuru was different.

　’I can’t drink alcohol at all, but I tried to forcibly drink it several times because there was nothing else I could eat … I would get drunk and faint. Each time, it was Lukrov who took care of me.’

“… do you remember?”

　Chizuru murmured as Nadal left his seat to prepare for the meal.

　Sitting on the chair of the master of the castle, where dignified wooden decorations and dark velvet give off dignity, Luklov responded to Chizuru, keeping his calm look and slightly raising one eyebrow.

“I can’t forget even if I want to forget. Sometimes you were vomiting on my horse and sometimes you tried to undress in front of everyone. And I had to carry you who couldn’t walk because you had hangover all day long. I had to walk … It was such a cliff that I couldn’t ride a horse. Well, I wouldn’t say anymore. ”

“Lukrov”

　Chizuru shouted in shyness, but Luklov was calm.

　’I’m glad that he remembered it for 14 years, but I feel complicated because he could forget about it. However, I was happy when I saw Lukrov shinning of happiness under the mask of calmness when he spoke about his memories.’

　Lukruv always answerd the same thing when someone asked about Chizuru, that she was a guest and that she had to be treated as such.

　’What should I do with this?’

　Chizuru, who was released from the breakfast table, decided to return to her room with Arde who came to escort her.

　Lukrov seems to spend the day at the training ground and is not here.

　He said that I would not have the opportunity to see his face until lunch.

　The inhabitants of this castle, including the knights, were generally well-trained and polite. It seems that they accept Lukrov’s “guest” declaration without hesitating and without investigating Chizuru’s existence more than necessary.

　It was a mystery what kind of rumor was standing behind it.

“Lukrov said that you should take a good rest today.”

“Yeah … but I wasn’t told that I couldn’t go outside … Can I show you around the castle today?”

“Well. I don’t care, but is Chizuru-sama’s body okay?”

“No”

　’Granted, the woman’s part between my legs still complained of a light, sore sensation, but that doesn’t mean I have to lie in bed all day.’

“Yes, there are many places I want to show you.”

　Arde looked at the water in the vase next to the bed and looked up at the sun through the window.

“The weather seems to be fine, so let’s do that. Lukruv did told me that if you want to leave that castle it can’t be without his permission. But you can explore the castle without his permission.

“Is that so?”

　If you want to go out, you can go out, just like Lukrov said.

　I feel that there are some contradictions in his behavior towards me, and I still can’t grasp the standing position of my place is this castle. However, if he says I shouldn’t leave the castle without permission, I will follow that instruction.

　Maybe … Chizuru must first regain his trust.

　Love, or something like that has to be built on that trust.

“Of course I will only be in the permitted places. And if possible, I would like to see your husband and daughter.”

“Just that? My Husband aside, my daughter is a mess.”

　Fufu, Arde smirked and looked happy.

　They left the room and slowly began to walk through a large castle, where there seemed to be many places to see.

　Arde’s daughter is Noah, a cute girl with blue eyes that looks like her mother and black curly hair from her father.

All the children of the servants from baby to 12 years old all stay on one corner of the castle, its like a modern daycare. After turning 12, they start working at a daycare.

“Chizuru-sama! Play with Noah!”

　There are roughly 15 children. On the other hand, there were only two adults, one elderly woman, who was about 60 years old, and another teenage young girl. When Chizuru faced Arde, it became a great deal of fuss.

“No, play with me again! The guy called Dharmasan Colander!”

“Wait, wait, it’s more fun to play with everyone. Come here.”

“Hooray!”

　When she calls out to the children, a circle around Chizuru will be created in no time.

　Their eyes were shining brightly and their clothes wer simple, but they had a lovely plump, well-nourished look . Even if there are some individual differences, everyone is fine and carefree.

　Chizuru couldn’t stop feeling proud of herself.

　──Because this is proof of how good Luklov is as the castle’s owner. ‘I’ve seen some dukes and counts of this era that force these children to work and not even eat.’

“Let’s play new game now. Do you know tag?”

“Yup!”

“of course!”

“Chizuru-sama is a demon.

　Chizuru was completely transformed into a kindergarten teacher. However, being surrounded by and admired by the bright children was a heart-warming experience. Originally, Chizuru loved children, and she is happy to be able to do something useful.

　It’s a new life … Chizuru wanted to have a role or a job, rather than just waiting for Lukruv in bed just like a mistress.

“I’m sorry, Chizuru. You can stop if you don’t like it.”

　Arde and an elderly woman said together, but Chizuru shook her head, while being surrounded by children.

“No, don’t worry because it’s fun. I want to come here every day.”

　It was true.

　Chizuru enjoyed the innocence of the children, and the children were absorbed in the existence of their new big sister. Chizuru taught them some Japanese play, and on the contrary, they taught her about this nursery rhyme.

　Time passed quickly, and before she knew it, Chizuru spent most of the morning in these children’s gardens.

　When it was time for lunch, Chizuru and Arde left the children and were walking around the main tower.

“Next there will be a training ground for the knights. Did you see it when you entered the castle?”

　Pointing at the dusty square, Arde told Chizuru. At a distance, they could see men fighting with various weapons.

　Chizuru nodded.

“Yeah. It’s big and wide even from here.”

“Sometimes I invite customers and have jousts here. Luklov doesn’t seem to like it very much, but it’s rare.”

“I see……”

　It was true that young knights, especially, were often willing to take part in demonstrating their strength and getting ahead and winning prizes. Lukrov himself showed his strength in this way when he was young, and stood up to the sight of the king. But now there is no need to prove anything.

　’Lukrov was a warrior who would only fight because he had to fight.

　That’s why his sword was always cool and even beautiful.’

　Chizuru suddenly whispered:

“Look at it”

“What? Did you say anything?”

“Ah, yeah, I wonder … maybe I’ll be able to see Lukrov a little. It’s fine to look from a distance, I do not want to get in the way.”

“Oh, of course, I think it’s okay. It’s not forbidden to look at it. The young girls in the castle even come to see.”

“Is that so?”

　Chizuru listened to Arde’s explanation, feeling reassured and a little jealous.

　Since he is training with real weapons, she is forbidden to enter the hall, but she is happy even if she only sees him in the distance.

“Shall we go?”

　Arde herself said that it was dangerous, but guided Chizuru to a place where it was easy to watch.

　There wern’t that many people beacuse of the time, there was a corner where even chairs like a bench were prepared, and the two sat down there.

　’You can fully see the muscularly trained men fighting with horrifyingly shaped spears and axes whose names you don’t even know, and knights on horse fighting with a long sword. Even Hollywood movies will not have this power. After all, if you are not careful, the sand and pebbles rolled up by the knights will fly away.’

　It was interesting … Chizuru couldn’t find the person she wantedto look at, no matter how much she searched.

　Yes, there is no Lukrov.

“Chizuru-sama! Why did you come to a place like this?”

　Suddenly a voice was heard from behind, and Chizuru and Arde looked back at the same time.

　Nadal, the youth who served in the morning, was approaching them with his eyes openly exaggerated. The appearance was so dramatic that Chizuru bowed his head.

“What’s wrong, Nadal?”

“No, actually, Mr. Lukrov, but …”

　Nadal stopped wearing his leather sandals and scratched his head, making a rumble.

“I didn’t know that Chizuru-sama was here …”

“……? What do you mean?”

　Chizuru’s question made Nadal squeeze his words for a moment, but immediately began to explain, as if he was patient.

“Actually … A little while ago, I was leaving the training ground saying that I would pick up Chizuru-sama. You see, lunch is coming soon. I told you to call me instead, Mr. Luklov. Was told that he would go by himself … ”

　Chizuru and Arde look at each other quickly.

　That means … Does Luklov arrives at Chizuru’s empty room by now?

　Chizuru found herself bleeding from her face…..