Turning two corners and opening the large door at the end, I found a staircase that led down to the main hall. Beyond that, it would soon lead to the courtyard.
However, in the corner of the spacious hall, in front of the door leading to the main gate, there was a familiar figure.
—It was Thomas, the gatekeeper of Granado Castle.
When he noticed me, he spread his arms in front of the door.
"You can't pass here!"
"Thomas?"
I didn't intend to go through, but I approached him anyway.
"In the name of the gatekeeper of Granado Castle, I will defend this place to the death. Even though Lord and Mio said to leave it to Lady Marie's choice and not to interfere... I can't let you through!"
"Thomas, I... I'm sorry, I..."
"Why are you leaving? What are you going to do back in that village? No matter how you think about it, Granado Castle is more comfortable, and there isn't a single man in that village better than Lord."
Every time I tried to say I wasn't planning to leave, I was interrupted. As I was wondering what to do, Thomas finally started to tear up. Tears rolled down his brown eyes, and he groaned.
"Every day, Lady coming to the main gate and greeting me was my greatest comfort. I don't want you to go. If Lord doesn't like it, I'll... I'll fight him! He's big, so I probably won't win, but I'll definitely try to punch him and make him apologize to you. So..."
Thomas shouted with his eyes tightly shut. I took his trembling hands. He whispered,
"Don't say goodbye... Just say 'I'm back'..."
"Okay. ...I'm back."
"Huh?" Thomas looked up with tears on his face. Oh no, his snot is dripping down to his chin... I don't have a handkerchief. I tried to wipe it with the hem of my dress, but Thomas quickly refused.
"Lady? What did you just say..."
I smiled and explained the situation briefly. The engagement was not broken, and I would continue living in this castle.
His eyes widened as he listened. The moment he exhaled, he slumped to the floor.
"Oh... That's good. ...I'm sleepy."
"I'm sorry for worrying you. It's okay now, so take a good rest..."
Before I finished speaking, a snore like a balloon deflating came from him. Oh dear.
What should I do? It's summer, so he won't freeze, but I can't just leave him...
I left him there and went out through a small door nearby. I don't go there often, but I'm sure it leads to the servants' quarters.
I found a room with a light on without much searching. I knocked and entered. To my surprise, Lady Ryu-Ryu was there.
"Lady Ryu-Ryu. Why are you here?"
"Hmm?" The duchess turned around, her brown skin flushed, and her eyes glazed over. She was almost completely leaning on a simple chair, and the table was lined with wine bottles.
The room was modest. It was smaller than the temporary bedroom used by Lord Cyrus and had only a bed and a table.
"Because this is my room. I can't go back to the duchy every night for various work, so I stay here."
She poured wine into a goblet. I quickly took it when it was about to spill.
"Lady, aren't you drinking too much? It's late, or rather, early morning. You should go to bed."
"I can't sleep! My dear son is heartbroken and devastated!"
She struggled to take the goblet back. I found a water pitcher on the corner of the table and handed it to her instead. Lady Ryu-Ryu drank the water in one go and sighed deeply.
"Ah... I'm so sad... So sad. Poor him, he loved that boy so much, took such good care of him. My son is pitiful..."
It seemed she didn't recognize who I was.
"Poor son... He must have hated the arranged marriage so much. ...To prevent me, a former concubine, and Mio from losing our place, he said he would succeed the duke.
...He wasn't that good at studies, but he worked hard and made the business so big. He's a hard worker, my son is."
I nodded. She drank more water and hiccuped loudly.
"Even in the social circles and arranged meetings, poor him, he looked like a barbarian or a demon. He was whispered about by those empty-headed girls. He became completely distrustful of women—yet, he never said he didn't want to get married.
...Poor him. I understood that... but I didn't say it was okay. I thought maybe someone would really love him..."
She scratched her black hair and groaned, hiccuping several times.
"I was so happy. When I heard that he finally fell in love seriously. ...And the person he loved liked our country. She wasn't afraid of my eyes. He was so happy like a child... I was so happy."
"...I see..."
"Yes, and he was such a good boy. ...But, poor him, he was rejected. Why, Marie? Didn't you work hard to become his wife? You studied and practiced until late at night, asking me for advice. For what? For what—"
I hugged her. The proud and noble, small woman from Ipsandros sobbed in my chest.
"I'm sorry. I hurt you because I was so indecisive."
"Marie. Marie... don't go..."
"I won't. I will serve as a proper wife of the Granado family."
I repeated the same words several times. Gradually, Lady Ryu-Ryu became quiet. She fell asleep, snoring softly. Oh dear, this is a problem. I have another person to take care of.
Feeling at a loss, I left the room. There were no other lights visible.
I decided to go back to the salon. Just as I thought I would go to Mio's place, I saw another figure.
It was the old gentleman, Wolfgang, in his impeccable butler's uniform, standing straight.
"Wolfgang... and Tsery too."
Wolfgang was holding a silver-haired girl in his arms. She was fast asleep, clutching her grandfather's clothes. I noticed her cheeks were slightly wet and stroked Tsery's back.
"She was awake until just now. It seems she exceeded the limits of a six-year-old."
"Was she looking for me?"
Wolfgang nodded.
"I was informed about the engagement being broken. Tsery cried and screamed then, but she eventually understood and fell asleep.
However, every time a nightingale sang or a bat flew by the window, she woke up, thinking it was Marie's voice, that Marie had come back..."
I stroked her swollen, red eyelids. She must have been exhausted. She didn't move at all.
"Just now, when she heard Marie's voice again, she rushed here. I had to pull her away from Thomas, who was kicking him out of frustration, and comfort her. She fell asleep just a moment ago."
"...I'm sorry. ...Wolfgang, I've caused so much worry and trouble..."
Wolfgang just smiled gently.
After putting Tsery to bed, he offered to take care of Thomas and Lady Ryu-Ryu. I suggested helping, especially with Thomas, but he smiled again.
"Please leave it to me. This Wolfgang Stroheim was once the leader of the knights' assault team in his youth. Despite my appearance, I'm quite strong."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. The enemy soldiers even called me the 'Silver Demon,' a rather dishonorable nickname."
The old gentleman, with his soft brows and charming wrinkles, chuckled. I couldn't help but laugh along.
"Then, I'll take you up on your offer."
"Yes, please do. Anytime, from now on."
Wolfgang spoke slowly, as if trying to convince me.
"Even nobles are human. No one can live alone. ...No one can be perfect or invincible. It's normal to be kind to oneself and those one loves, to make mistakes, to cry and regret..."
"...I see."
"To support such masters, there are servants. And we, too, are supported by you. ...Lord is not perfect, but he is a great person. He protects this castle with his greatness and is loved and embraced by the residents.
I call this 'family.'"
Wolfgang hugged Tsery and nuzzled her. The old gentleman's eyes spoke of his deep love for his granddaughter.
Holding Tsery, he gave me a deep bow.
"Welcome to Granado Castle, Lady Marie. Please let me know if you need anything."
There will be a big announcement when the next chapter is updated!