Thump—The strong heartbeat made my sternum ache. I pressed my chest and groaned.
—Three months ago, the apprentice who was found?
The two men discussing the topic didn’t seem to have any particularly strong reactions. Lord Cyrus took a sip of tea and nodded in acknowledgment.
"An abandoned child... These days, with the economy improving, such cases have decreased. If you found him outside the capital, he might be from a rural area. The disparity between regions is a challenge for the kingdom, Prince Rui Feng."
"If you say so, it's your job, Lord Cyrus Granado. The eastern part of the capital is the Granado Dukedom, and the management of the craftsmen's district is under the Granado Chamber of Commerce, isn’t it?"
"I can’t keep track of everything. I need Norman to file an application for the orphan. ...Right, Rui Feng, you’re going to take the ring to Norman, right? Then I’ll go directly—"
As Lord Cyrus was about to stand up, I grabbed his arm to stop him.
"Don’t go—"
To my own surprise, a loud voice came out. Both Lord Cyrus and Lord Rui Feng turned to look at me, startled.
"Marie? What’s wrong?"
After being asked, I thought about the reason. I had caught him reflexively. ...Why? I don’t know, but... I didn’t want him to go.
"Lord Cyrus... is a very busy person. There are only two weeks left until the engagement ceremony. ...I think you should entrust the ring to Lord Rui Feng..."
"I’m not exactly free either, you know."
Saying that, he put the ring back in the case and started to get ready to leave.
"Well, the craftsmen's district is on the way to the knights' fortress, so I don’t mind entrusting it to you. I’ll talk to Norman about the application for the orphan."
"...Thank you."
"You’re welcome, my friend. After all, the knights are also responsible for the kingdom’s security. We can move around under the pretext of a patrol."
"Thank you very much, Lord Rui Feng."
I stood up before anyone else and opened the door to see Lord Rui Feng off. His eyebrows furrowed. —He seemed to sense something odd about my attitude. I was frightened.
Lord Cyrus’s hand enveloped my stiff shoulders, pulling me close. He looked into my eyes and whispered.
"Marie, are you okay?"
"W-What do you mean...?"
I really didn’t understand and asked back. Lord Cyrus, still holding me,
"Rui Feng, did you meet that apprentice?"
He asked. Lord Rui Feng nodded.
"I didn’t really meet him, just saw him briefly. He was working nearby when I was talking to Norman."
"...What kind of child was he?"
Thump—This time, my heart leaped with a clear pain.
"What kind of child? He seemed aloof and cheeky, but he seemed to be fond of Norman. He made me coffee, but it was terrible."
"Name, age, and gender?"
Thump, thump—Shaking in Lord Cyrus’s arms, I waited for Lord Rui Feng’s answer.
I was scared.
I wanted to cover my ears.
Lord Rui Feng answered, shrugging his shoulders.
"His name is Arthur. He said he was thirteen, and of course, he’s a boy."
Swoosh—A strange sound reached my ears. I realized it was my own breathing. I almost collapsed, but Lord Cyrus supported me.
Lord Cyrus smiled slightly at my state.
"Anastasia is a beautiful twenty-year-old, right?"
"...Y-Yes..."
"I had posters put up all over the capital when Anastasia went missing. Norman must have seen them."
"Ah... That’s right..."
"Besides, the craftsmen's district is a man’s world. A sheltered young lady wouldn’t be able to work there, and she would stand out terribly just by walking around. There’s no way I wouldn’t have heard about it."
Gently reassured, I finally regained my strength. I exhaled and straightened up, then smiled.
"Ah—Sorry, I just got surprised because the timing was right. Haha—"
"What, did you think that boy was your sister?"
Lord Rui Feng was surprised and laughed heartily.
"That’s a bit far-fetched! I haven’t seen Miss Anastasia, but she’s your sister, right? No way. That boy is younger than you, much shorter, and still a child! His face doesn’t even resemble yours at all."
"Y-Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry for the trouble..."
I bowed, and Lord Rui Feng, still smiling,
"Right, Miss Anastasia is gone. So, Marie, you can relax."
—Huh?
Something felt very off, and I looked up. He was still smiling.
"If it really was your sister, it would be a big problem. Smith Norman would be accused of kidnapping and imprisoning a missing baroness. As the head of the knights, I would have to take action against Norman."
Ah... Ah, right. Indeed... That would be a big problem.
Knights are different from the police, but maintaining the kingdom’s security is part of their job. If there are any noble troubles, injustices, or signs of internal strife, they can rush to the scene and, under the name of the kingdom’s knights, arrest and punish nobles.
Thinking about it, Lord Rui Feng is indeed in a very powerful position.
Lord Rui Feng left the castle and got into his carriage. Of course, it was the famous war carriage. As Lord Rui Feng approached the driver’s seat, Lord Cyrus approached him.
"Rui Feng, I need your help with something."
"What? That’s unusual. Are you going to use our war carriage to run someone over in the city?"
"No! Well, not exactly—no, I’d rather not if I can avoid it..."
He started whispering something. He didn’t want me to hear. I bowed to Lord Rui Feng and quickly left the scene.
I rushed back to my room and immediately opened the closet. I searched for a dress to wear today. Mio came in halfway through.
"Since the weather is nice and warm today, how about a daring dress with a low neckline?"
A calm lavender and white chiffon lace, with a lot of exposure and a flexible, beautiful design.
But... I chose something else. A princess dress in pink fabric, filled with yellow and marine blue ribbons and frills, with a skirt that flared out in a large cone shape.
Mio frowned visibly.
"Excuse me, but Lady Marie is tall, and her face and figure exude a mature charm. I don’t think this kind of dress suits you."
A lady-in-waiting is different from a servant. Her job is not to blindly follow her master’s orders but to understand her true intentions and make suggestions that truly benefit her.
Mio’s words were probably correct.
Still... I put on the pink dress.
After I finished putting on the dress, Tunic came in. She wasn’t a hairdresser but was in charge of my hair. She nodded in satisfaction as she combed through it.
"The damaged parts are all gone. It’s fluffy and shiny. Truly beautiful hair... I’m so envious."
Her fingers tangled in my red hair. I looked at Tunic in the mirror more than the hair.
"Envious? Why would you be envious of red hair?"
When I asked, she tilted her head in confusion.
"Why? Just because. Simply comparing, I thought you looked more beautiful than me."
"That’s a lie. Because Tunic isn’t blonde."
I said. Tunic tilted her head even more deeply, looking genuinely puzzled.
"Being blonde doesn’t make you more popular. My hair is a bit dull and closer to chestnut. It’s more about shine and texture. Lady Marie’s hair is fine and strong, and I could stroke it forever."
She said, in a good mood, as she played with my hair, then left the room.
Mio, who was left behind, made tea for me. During that time, I stayed in front of the mirror. The beautifully styled red hair... I groaned.
"Hey, Mio... You were picked up by a traveling troupe when you were a child, right?"
"Yes. What about it?"
"I’ve never met such performers... In the picture books I’ve seen, their hair was purple or green. Is that dyed—can my red hair... be dyed blonde?"
Mio didn’t answer my question. She said, since she was a baby at the time, she couldn’t remember.
Instead, she said this.
"Blonde hair wouldn’t suit Lady Marie. And even if you dyed it, you would still be you."