Reyna fell asleep on the way back in the carriage.

Perhaps because she had cried a lot, or because she had expended a lot of energy.

Her wet face under the moonlight was pale.

Arthur lent his shoulder to the sleeping Reyna.

“…….”

Arthur’s gaze lingered on Tristan’s handkerchief clenched in Reyna’s hand.

He tried to gently pull it out, but it did not easily slip out as it was clenched tightly in her sleep.

Her face, seemingly uncomfortable, looked desolate.

…Is she not feeling well or tired?

Looking at Reyna’s pale face, Arthur let out a light sigh.

“I wonder if she is a bit frail. She did faint suddenly on the day of the amendment ceremony.”

Tristan spoke with an attitude that was neither negative nor sympathetic.

Although his dislike for Reyna was obvious, he seemed to be keeping his manners in accordance with Arthur’s orders, and did not seem to complain or believe she was acting frail.

“… Shall we move on our own tomorrow?”

It was a thought that Arthur had been considering as well.

Leaving Reyna alone, creating opportunities for her to interact with the countess would not be good for Arthur…

“Ask for her opinion.”

“Yes.”

Tristan responded blandly and withdrew.

“…….”

As for the approach from the count’s side, since they had started to leave the security to the knights, they would be able to block it to some extent.

However, the knights have not yet fully settled into their positions.

To ensure safety, they would need to have some friction at least once.

They need to give a clear impression that ‘it would be a problem if they meddle’.

“…….”

Still, they won’t be able to completely block it if they approach cleverly, or if there is voluntary contact from ‘Reyna’s’ side.

Nonetheless, it was safest when Arthur was by her side.

He could also handle situations.

And he could know what conversations she had.

“…….”

Reyna did not wake up until Arthur picked her up upon arriving at the mansion.

Arthur lightly touched Reyna’s waist to check if she had tied her corset too tightly.

On the way up to the new room, Arthur encountered a woman waiting in front of the knights.

The knights who started guarding the floor where Arthur stayed did not allow her to pass, so the woman who couldn’t get permission to enter was quietly standing with a blank expression on her face, holding her bag in front of the knights’ swords.

When the knights saw Arthur, their gaze shifted, and the woman turned to look behind her.

“…….”

And with a face covered by her bonnet, she smiled.

“Hello.”

A beautiful woman in a blonde hair and a glamorous dress.

And there was such a woman sleeping with a shawl over her face in her arms.

In response to the woman’s greeting, Arthur just smirked and, instead of answering, ignored her and passed by.

A knight who glanced at the woman with a bonnet asked Arthur.

“Your Highness, she has been waiting for you. Do you know this lady?”

Arthur said.

“No.”

The woman laughed from behind.

“We’re not strangers. We met once a few days ago.”

“That seems insufficient to consider us acquaintances.”

Arthur responded, looking back a step later.

“You seem ambitious. I can’t afford to make the mistake of graciously welcoming a visit from a dignified lady who is merely an acquaintance at such a time.”

“…….”

The woman laughed without surprise.

“I see.”

It was a calm and leisurely face.

“I will formally visit again. At a less ambitious time.”

Today, I just came to say hello.

Adding that,

The woman slightly bent her knees in a curtsey with her skirt lifted by one hand, turned her body lightly and left.

Arthur did not even look at the woman he was holding in his arms.

The next morning.

When Arthur left the bedroom, Reyna could not get up.

She was slightly awake from sleep, but her mind was not clear and she had a fever, as if she was feeling sick.

Arthur, who had been waiting with his knights to go through the day’s schedule together, discussed briefly at the door with Tristan, Lucan, and Kay, then pulled the servant’s bell to call a maid.

He ordered the maid to call the doctor, gave her a few more orders, and decided to leave one of his most trusted subordinates, who could be absent from today’s schedule but was suitable for the task, there.

And Arthur mentioned a few things about her that the knights needed to know.

For a short while, there was some commotion.

Arthur just smiled lightly, entrusted the aftermath to Tristan, and went back to the room.

As he waited for the maid to bring the doctor, Arthur, dressed in his uniform, sat by the bed until he left, stroking Reyna’s wet forehead.

A doctor will come soon.

I’ll leave my maidens and knight behind.

Arthur gently cooled her burning cheeks with his chilly palm and softly spoke.

In a daze, Reina looked up at Arthur and murmured faintly.

Come with me.

Arthur silently stroked her hair, looking down at her.

Leaning over, as if to soothe her, he lightly pressed his lips to her hair.

…I’ll be back shortly. I won’t be late.