Kay asked a few more times about ‘what Reina needs’ or ‘difficulties Reina wants to avoid’.

At first, he asked if there were any uncomfortable maids, then if there were any financial difficulties or health issues.

As such considerate questions that didn’t pry too deeply were exchanged several times, Reina’s initial wariness about her weaknesses being probed gradually faded,

And she began to feel a bit more comfortable with Kay.

Being able to answer ‘It’s okay. That’s not uncomfortable’ made Reina feel at ease.

Rather, as topics veered away a few times when she thought he might ask, Reina gradually began to think to herself.

……Maybe it would be okay to tell him?

That Taylor is needed to care for grandmother.

……If given the chance to speak, how should I phrase it?

Kay never asked about the parts that made Reina nervous until the end.

And finally, thanking her for her cooperation and wrapping up the meeting, he said this:

“I heard you wanted to make a final decision after meeting ‘Taylor Lorenson’.”

“So today I only asked about urgent matters or things we need to know first. Thank you for cooperating so amicably.”

Kay said this with a smile.

“There’s still some waiting left, but I feel hopeful that we can be optimistic.”

“We hope to be good allies to you, lady.”

“Please take your time to think it over, and let us know whenever you feel ready.”

Kay’s voice continued.

“We hope your positive consideration of working with us remains unchanged even after meeting Taylor Lorenson, but please decide comfortably without feeling pressured.”

“Even if circumstances prevent us from working together, we will repay the goodwill you’ve shown us.”

[This is the timeline separator]

After the interview with Reina ended.

Kay escorted Reina back to Arthur’s office.

However, Arthur wasn’t in the office when they returned, and instead they encountered Lionel standing guard at the door.

Lionel, who had been waiting for them, said that Arthur had to step out for a while due to some circumstances and would be late today, so he would escort the lady to her bedroom first.

Reina returned to her bedroom accompanied by the two knights, Kay and Lionel.

At the bedroom door, the two knights kissed the back of Reina’s hand and

“Have a pleasant night, lady.”

“You’ve worked hard today, lady. Have a good night.”

They bid her farewell with gentle and polite greetings.

Reina, grateful yet embarrassed, expressed her thanks to the knights and returned to her bedroom.

[This is the timeline separator]

Afterwards, Lionel informed Kay about the reason Arthur, Tristan, and Lucan had to leave urgently and

The news from Dylan that had come in from outside while Kay was interviewing Reina.

Kay listened silently and then.

“I understand.”

He nodded calmly.

[This is the timeline separator]

Thud.

Left alone in the bedroom, Reina lay down on the bed without even taking off her dress.

“……”

She lay there blankly for a while, but sleep just wouldn’t come.

Today had been such a long day.

As always, the room suddenly felt spacious.

It felt strange to be alone on the wide bed in the bedroom.

Reina suddenly glanced at the clock on the wall.

The time was past midnight.

The busy general Arthur sometimes went out in the evenings or came home late like this, but it was the first time he hadn’t returned by this hour.

Today, for some reason, he seemed to be later than usual.

‘I wanted to talk with Sir Arthur……’

She hadn’t even thought about what to say…

But somehow she vaguely thought she’d end up talking with Sir Arthur about today’s events.

It was partly because of what he had said.

“If Kay scares you at all, call for me.”

“I’ll be nearby.”

Recalling Arthur who had encouraged her with a smiling face, Reina blankly stared at the canopy above the bed.

And without realizing it, she pressed both palms to her cheeks.

……I thought he’d come right after talking with Sir Kay.

When did he go out?

Sir Arthur spoke as if Sir Kay might be scary, but Sir Kay wasn’t scary at all.

All of Sir Arthur’s people seemed to be good people.

……I’m the worst one.

Just weighing which side would benefit me more.

“……”

It was all good.

But I don’t know why I feel this way.

……Was I anxious?

Even though the interview with Sir Kay hadn’t created any difficult feelings, Arthur’s absence bothered me and made my chest feel tight.

Something felt parched, and I felt impatient and worried.

That he pretended not to know in front of me to persuade me, but actually knew I had been a spy and now thought he should distance himself.

That he was so upset he didn’t want to be in the same room anymore.

That the guided questioning was over so he had no more use for me.

I wanted to prove it wasn’t like that by seeing his smiling face.

I want to talk about anything with Sir Arthur quickly.

That seemed to be the only way I could feel at ease.

……When will he come?

Reina rubbed her face while lying down.

She seemed worried that Sir Arthur hadn’t returned late into the night…

And it also didn’t feel believable that all of this had been peacefully accepted.

Reina waited for Arthur with a slightly anxious heart, trying to deny the reasons for his absence.

It’s not that.

It’s just my unnecessary feelings of guilt making me anxious.

It’s not for that reason.

He must have his circumstances.

Thinking it wasn’t a guided interrogation.

What could have happened?

Should I have asked the knights?

Would they have told me if I asked?

Reina curled up like a shrimp in her dress.

“……”

Her feelings were strange.

Everything… went too well.

It was all fortunate beyond imagination.

Why do I feel so empty?

I no longer have to pass notes with a guilty conscience.

Moreover, even though the knights knew I had been passing notes, they thanked me for not passing on important information despite my efforts.

Tomorrow I’m set to meet Taylor.

And I felt like… they would probably accept my request to protect grandmother.

They were good people.

“……”

Yet why do I feel so anxious and empty like this?

Just because Sir Arthur hasn’t returned.

“……”

Reina blankly stared at the ceiling of the bedroom she was in.

Though she was alone more often, somehow the scenery with him felt more familiar.

And she recalled hearing that the Marchioness was preparing a new bedroom for the young lady.

It was a fortunate thing.

It seemed the Marchioness had found a good solution.

So she didn’t have to worry so anxiously about this room anymore.

“……”

Somehow for the first time, feeling like ‘it’s okay now’,

Reina carefully rolled halfway on the bed.

The young lady is moving to a new bedroom.

So she won’t return to this room.

She probably won’t wear dresses I’ve worn once either.

It was good for Reina too.

Then will Sir Arthur stay there too?

What will happen to this room?

Will it be cleaned out?

“……”

She felt it was a shame for such a wonderful room.

If only this room could be taken to the seaside.

If they’re going to throw it away anyway…

Give it to me.

Reina turned her head slightly and buried her cheek in the sunlight-scented blanket.

……If this room remains, will Sir Arthur think of me occasionally?

“……”

Feeling a bit silly.

Reina smiled wryly like on that day when she bid a grateful farewell to Sir Arthur with the scrapbook in front of her.

“……”

Somehow it was hard to smile.

……It seemed I had grown attached.

[This is the timeline separator]

Excuse me, how long will I be staying here?

Are you talking with the Marquis, the Marchioness, or Lady Christina, Sir Arthur?

Is Lady Christina not angry?

Am I not being a burden to you by being here, Sir Arthur?

Am I perhaps, even a little bit, of help to you, Sir Arthur?

[This is the timeline separator]

Kay began writing the report he would give to Arthur at his desk, recalling his final conversation with her.

In the end, right after Kay said his closing remarks and stood up, Reina finally opened her mouth.

It was exactly the timing Kay had predicted.

“Um… if it’s alright, may I… ask a few questions as well?”

Kay gladly sat back down.

And with a smile that didn’t rush her, he waited for her next words.

Reina asked cautiously.

“Um… how long will I be staying in this position?”

From her, he sensed an underlying desire to quickly escape this uncertain situation.

As expected, it didn’t seem she had any brazen plans for social climbing by occupying Sir Arthur’s side.

Kay calmly offered the prepared answer.

“While it’s difficult to give you a definite answer, I don’t think you need to worry too much. As we benefit from your presence here, we plan to safely protect you even if the period becomes somewhat long, but we understand that would be troublesome for you, lady. You have a place to return to, and you’ll need to get married, so we’ll try not to let it drag on too long…”

It was meant to convey that they were aware of Reina’s difficulties and would be considerate of her as much as possible.

But at those words, Reina’s expression became a bit puzzled.

“Pardon? Marriage? I’m already… um…”

Reina trailed off mid-sentence and smiled sheepishly while pressing her nape.

“Wouldn’t it be difficult for me to marry again…?”

“…Pardon?”

Kay paused.

Was it because of her relationship with Arthur?

Her embarrassed demeanor seemed to imply she had no intention of blaming Sir Arthur.

But at the next words, Kay’s face went blank.

“And I don’t have a partner.”

“…Excuse me?”

What does that…

She is…

“…Aren’t you in a relationship with Taylor Lorenson, promising a future together?”

“…Pardon?”

This time, at the puzzled response from her lips,

Kay suddenly snapped to attention.

Hiding his momentary bewilderment, he apologized politely.

“…I apologize, lady. It seems I’ve made some misunderstanding… May I be so rude as to ask one personal question?”

“Ah, yes.”

Kay asked carefully with tension.

“Is Taylor Lorenson… not your lover?”

She smiled awkwardly.

As if well aware such rumors were circulating…

“We are not that kind of relationship.”

“The reason I said I wanted to meet Taylor first…”

“It’s not because he’s my lover… but because of my… family’s wellbeing.”

“When I said I wanted to decide after meeting Taylor tomorrow…”

“…It was for that reason.”