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The Thing That Always Comes to Mind
A double knock sounded on the door of the Chancellor’s office.
Reynaldo, who had been gazing at me for a while, moved his face away and told whoever was behind the door to enter.
“I’m sorry to intrude
 Ah, it appears you have a guest here. My apologies.”
“It’s fine. It’s perfect timing, actually, I’ll introduce you. This is Miss Marie Edigma, who works for the Knights’ Corps. Marie, this is Lyle. He’s my secretary.”
The young man who visited had a youthful face. He seemed inexperienced, perhaps just graduated from the Military Academy.
With his droopy eyes and slightly elongated hair, which was neatly trimmed, Lyle-sama gave off a serious impression. I respectfully bowed my head to him.
“I am Marie Edigma.”
“I am Lyle Sizveil. If I may ask, are you the daughter of Baron Edigma?”
“Yes, that’s correct. When you say Sizveil
”
As I recall, there are quite a few members of his family who serve as secretaries.
“Ah, do you know that? My father serves as the chief secretary. I’m just an apprentice, so I’m still inexperienced, but please take care of me.”
He bowed politely. He reminded me of a young Reynaldo in some way.
“Lord Reynaldo. Duke Macael is requesting for a meeting and is currently in the guest room.”
“I understand.”
After giving an acknowledgment of Lyle’s words, Reynaldo turned his attention to me.
“I’m sorry for calling you here and then having to leave, but it seems I must attend to something. Let’s continue at dinner, shall we?”
“Y-Yes, understood.”
I realized that the promise to have dinner together was still valid, and I nodded. Satisfied with my response, Reynaldo smiled and then left the Chancellor’s office.
Left behind, I was unsure of what to do next, but Lyle started clearing the desk, so I quickly offered to help.
“You’re a guest, so there’s no need to worry about it.”
“But, Lyle-sama, it’s almost time for you to go to work, right?”
“Just Lyle is fine. Dealing with guests is also part of the job. Besides, it’s about time for you to leave too, isn’t it?”
I timidly thanked Lyle-sama, or rather Lyle, while he calmly cleared the desk.
Certainly, it’s almost time for me to work. I should head back to the Knights’ building before the bell rings.
As I stood up to leave, Lyle, who had been watching me, spoke up after a moment of thought.
“Excuse me, but is Miss Edigma Lord Reynaldo’s lover?”
“Marie is fine. And, I’m not his lover.”
“I see. Well then, Marie. I’ve heard some rumors about you. Some of them are not favorable, so please be careful.”
He offered the advice in a very plain, completely indifferent manner.
Looking at Lyle, I could tell that his words were devoid of any ill intentions; he genuinely cared and expressed his concern. Though his emotions were not easily visible, Lyle’s kindness was evident.
As for the rumors, I’ve heard them even within the Knights’ Corps. It was only natural that unfavorable rumors would arise if a baron’s daughter suddenly became close to the Knight Commander and the Chancellor, who was also a Duke.
“Thank you, Lyle.”
Even though Lyle might not be in a favorable position himself, I was simply happy that he was concerned about me.
Is it because he somehow resembles the young Reynaldo from my childhood that I feel a sense of familiarity with him, even though we just met?
After bowing to him, I left the Chancellor’s office.
As I exited, I made eye contact with a maid who was nearby. She looked at me suspiciously, but quickly averted her gaze.
The advice that Lyle gave me earlier, I was now experiencing it firsthand.
I also understand that Reynaldo is likely keeping an eye on this matter without explicitly mentioning it. Once, a curious servant approached me, saying, “I heard you’re related to Duke Rose,” and I couldn’t help but agree.
I replied with a vague smile to the incorrect information, knowing that it was not entirely wrong but also not entirely correct.
For some reason, in the Knights’ Corps, I don’t know why, but my relationship with Alberto is being supported and encouraged.
In the royal palace, I was viewed as a distant relative of Reynaldo.
Despite the strange situation, it didn’t make me want to return to the Edigma territory much.
It’s truly a mysterious feeling.
For someone like me, who had always put family first, this was an unprecedented emotion.
I still can’t figure out where these feelings come from.
What always came to mind was the image of Alberto and Reynaldo.