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I smiled at the memory of dancing with him, forcing him to practice, as he was rugged and only knew how to wield a sword.
“If you don’t mind, would you like to dance together?”
Suddenly, I became curious about how he had grown since the days when we used to dance together as children, and I extended my hand to him.
Alberto looked slightly surprised, but then his expression softened. He took my hand and placed his other hand on my waist, and we started dancing.
We went through the basic steps, keeping the turns simple and not overly exaggerated.
With our hands intertwined, he confidently guided me across the dance floor.
As the dance continued, I didn’t feel any discomfort due to the difference in height.
“You’re quite skilled. Even though Rosemary’s memory suggests that it was challenging for you.”
“I’ve been practicing. But I’m still not good at it.”
I can’t help but smile at Alberto’s straightforward opinion, indicating his lack of familiarity with the social scene.
“Marie, you’re good at dancing.”
“Really? I don’t really know myself since I’ve only danced with my brother and father.”
I sincerely felt happy and delighted when he praised me.
“I saw you dancing with Lord Reynaldo earlier. It was truly
”
“
?”
As I wait for him to continue his words, Alberto falls silent. In the meantime, the current song comes to an end, and another dance piece starts.
My feet, which had been dancing to the rhythm, come to a halt, and I found myself being pulled closer to Alberto, our gaze locked.
I could sense that he had something he wanted to say, but he remained silent.
I waited for a while, but still, no words came out.
“
 I’ll escort you to the main gate.”
He simply stated that and nothing more.
At the main gate, there were mostly carriages owned by the nobles, but there were also rental carriages available for the castle’s guests.
They were prepared for guests who arrived with their families but would depart separately, like my brother and me.
Given that there were other guests with similar arrangements, I gave my name to the coachman’s reception and stood at the corner of the main gate, waiting until I was called. During that time, Alberto also waited with me.
I asked him if everything was fine with his work, but he assured me that he entrusted all matters regarding security to the knights under his command, and he himself would only intervene in case of significant problems as the supervisor.
“Have you talked to any of the members of the Knights’ Corps?”
“Just a little. I greeted the ones I met at the venue.”
“Everyone is hoping for your return.”
Since Niki has also returned to her territory, there seems to be a shortage of maids again, and some members of the knights expressed their lamentations about the lack of maids and even voiced their desire for my return.
I find it truly heartwarming. Personally, returning to my own territory to work has its appeal, but if I am needed by the knights I’ve come to know like this, I also have the desire to work for them.
However, that sentiment applies not only to being a maid in the Knights’ Corps but also to being a maid in the Rose territory.
During my stay at my brother’s house, I received a meticulously written letter from Lieber, the head butler of the Rose territory.
Instead of being angry with me for suddenly disappearing, the letter conveyed his genuine concern about my well-being.
Reynaldo seemed to have explained the situation and covered up the circumstances, but I still sent a letter of apology in return. Since then, I have been exchanging letters with Lieber, almost like pen pals.
I feel a pang in my heart from Lieber’s considerate words, expressing his concern for Reynaldo’s prolonged absence and mentioning how lonely it feels without me being there.
I’ve been considering visiting Rose territory once to apologize. When I mentioned this to Reynaldo, he promised that after the coronation ceremony and once he finished his prioritized work, he would accompany me there. So, I’m considering going together with him at that time.
While Reynaldo sweetly tempts me by saying, “You can stay in Rose territory,” I can’t help but smile wryly and feel conflicted.
Should I go back to my own territory, continue serving as a maid of the Knights’ Corps in the palace, or remain as a maid in Rose territory?