The Maid's Contract Marriage - Chapter 69

“…….”

Reina listened to his story, thinking of Arthur in the scrapbook she had collected.

Though the reality differed from the magnificent heroic tales adorned with flowery phrases like “brilliant morning star” or “the victorious general of the century”, portraying him as a tall, handsome knight of at least three meters in the newsletter illustrations.

It felt like she was finally getting to know the real him, not the hero beyond the newsletter.

Reina felt a painful and agonizing sense of fulfillment there.

“…….”

Reina focused on his story that continued calmly afterwards, unable to take her eyes off him.

Even as the night deepened.

Even when asked if she was sleepy.

Reina shook her head.

I’m not sleepy.

Please tell me more.

If you’re not tired…….

Just a little more.

Like someone who found it terribly regretful that this night’s time was passing.

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Arthur, who had been telling his story for quite some time, looked at her intently, seeming to want to hear Reina’s story this time.

Reina also wanted to tell him anything, as there was no longer any reason to be cautious about her family story as if it were a weakness.

“…….”

However, it was somewhat embarrassing that her story was fundamentally different from his,

And rather unremarkable.

Still, she wanted to tell him anything.

Because she hadn’t been able to answer before.

It also seemed to be due to the lingering guilt of not being able to answer honestly when asked how she had been, stuttering through the young lady’s daily routine instead.

“I don’t have many family members either. I only have my grandmother.”

Her story began like that.

Even in my earliest memories, I never had a mom or dad.

Instead, my grandmother was always there for me.

I remember that whenever I lay down on my mother’s grave, my grandmother would always come and carry me back on her back.

I just…… For some reason, I wanted to be carried by my grandmother.

I think I always pretended to be asleep there.

Except when I was very young, my grandmother didn’t carry me often

But when I did that, she always carried me.

“…….”

Reina continued speaking softly.

Arthur listened during that time.

Just as Reina had done.

I think I liked being carried by my grandmother.

I wasn’t such a good child.

Sometimes I think I wanted to be stubborn and say I didn’t want to go home.

I think I just didn’t want to walk.

Somehow…… I felt terribly wronged over something trivial.

Was I upset about going home?

“……It’s really nothing special.”

Reina smiled sheepishly.

Arthur, who had been quietly listening, also smiled.

“I’m envious. I wonder if someone would have carried me if I had lain on my mother’s grave.”

Reina looked up at him intently and said.

If we had lived next door, I could have lent you my grandmother’s back…….

……If we live next door, I’ll carry you…….

……You’re making me a very easy unfilial daughter…….

Arthur let out a small laugh.

And a moment later, he added while stroking her hair.

“……I hope the doctor takes good care of your grandmother.”

Reina smiled warmly.

And after quietly looking at him, she cautiously spoke up.

“Taylor is just a friend. ……I even wore my wedding ring when I met him today.”

Arthur touched his forehead and burst into laughter.

That laughter continued for quite a while.

“……Is it that funny?”

To the point where Reina eventually followed along, laughing resentfully.

Arthur touched the side of her hair and said with a lingering smile.

“Yes. Keep wearing the ring when you meet him. After all, I’m your husband now.”

Reina answered with a silent smile.

“…….”

A dark room.

The sound of wind.

Autumn rain hitting the window.

Cool air and the smell of burning firewood.

A cozy blanket that smells of sunshine.

The warm color of wood burning in the fireplace

Coloring the room.

A hand stroking her hair.

Reina etched each and every one of those things into her memory.

Reina turned her gaze to the book Arthur had put down on the side table.

……Were you reading?

Arthur answered.

No. I was looking at you.

The book was just an excuse.

I was looking at you the whole time, but I was afraid you’d be scared if I said so.

You seem to be a bit afraid of me.

Reina closed her eyes slightly smiling and replied.

That’s not true…….

If I were scared, would I be lying on you like this?

He laughed.

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It was an overwhelmingly touching and sad thing that the words I had left behind had been such a special comfort to him.

How could those mere words.

Those words saying he didn’t have to return, how could they.

Perhaps no one had ever given him words more comforting than that.

It was heartbreaking that it wasn’t even anything extraordinary.

Why couldn’t I have said better words, I regretted.

If I could turn back time, could I have said better words?

If I had known it would be like this, then.

“…….”

Or would I not have been able to say even those words?

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Knock knock.

The butler announced the presence of a visitor.

“My lady. Taylor has arrived.”

Despite the late hour, the Marchioness didn’t mind the time as it was a meeting she had personally called for and was waiting for.

“Let him in.”

The Marchioness greeted Taylor with a smile as he opened the door and entered.

“Taylor. Our young Dr. Lorenson.”

The Marchioness rose from her seat to welcome him.

“That name suits you quite well now.”

Taylor smiled as he paid his respects.

“It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Marchioness.”

“Yes. Have a seat.”

Taylor sat in the seat offered by the Marchioness.

The Marchioness gracefully sat down and folded her fan.

“Have you heard all about it? How much did Dr. Lorenson tell you?”

Taylor replied.

“Actually, I didn’t hear much in detail. He told me not to disappoint you as it’s the first official task entrusted to me by the Marquis household, and he informed me of what needs to be done, but my father simply said there would be situations requiring improvisation, and that he wanted to test my capabilities, so he didn’t explain the circumstances and tested me.”

“…….”

It meant he had carried out the assigned task but hadn’t received a detailed explanation of the context.

The Marchioness waited silently for the butler to serve the tea without responding.

Only after quietly picking up her teacup did she speak again.

“……I see. Indeed, I think Alvin is a wise person. To have recognized someone like your father back then, my mother-in-law truly had an exceptional eye. Thanks to that, I also got the chance to recognize you.”

The Marchioness subtly probed Taylor while reminding him of the close relationship between them and the Lorenson family.

“You flatter me.”

The Marchioness offered Taylor tea as well and asked.

“So, how was it? Do you think you passed your father’s test well?”

As if exploring whether he had any aversion to being involved in the Marquis household’s lies and misconduct,

Taylor humbly lowered his gaze at the casually posed question.

“It’s not for me to judge. I’m simply waiting for the Marchioness to make her assessment.”

The Marchioness smiled, seemingly satisfied with Taylor’s answer.

“Is that so?”

The Marchioness didn’t fully believe Taylor’s answer at once, but gave a moderately passing grade to his attitude.

“…….”

In truth, the Marchioness was very curious about what Taylor had discerned from meeting Reina.

She wanted to know if Reina’s loyalty remained unchanged,

And she wanted to hear directly from Taylor how much more moved and loyal that child had become after hearing that they were taking good care of her grandmother.

But if Taylor had gone in without fully understanding the situation, he would have spent most of his attention trying to grasp the circumstances, so she thought he probably hadn’t brought much information today.

It was disappointing, but she thought that this too was a necessary process, just as Alvin Lorenson had foreseen.

“…….”

After quietly taking a sip of tea, the Marchioness began her questioning.

“You met her, didn’t you? How was she doing?”

Taylor answered.

“She seemed to be under quite a bit of pressure. I was wondering what was going on, as even outside the room there were over a dozen knights guarding.”

Taylor’s words continued with a slightly worried, hesitant tone.

“……I didn’t expect there to be two knights guarding even inside the bedroom. I was quite surprised. It felt like she was under strict surveillance.”

The Marchioness groaned and touched her forehead.

……Strict surveillance?

“There were two knights guarding even inside the bedroom?”

“Yes……. When I saw it was a different young lady, I understood the reason, but…….”

“…….”

Taylor deliberately spoke as if he lacked certainty.

“……Has it always been like this?”

The Marchioness pondered.

“……Arthur wasn’t there?”

“He came in during the middle. ……The atmosphere was quite intense. It wasn’t easy to have a conversation. I got the feeling that he was quite wary of me.”

And Taylor cautiously showed signs of hesitation as he asked.

“I wonder if it was always like this when my father visited……. Or was it because I was a first-time visitor unlike my father?”

“…….”

Taylor began to gather information about Reina from the Marchioness in reverse, while pretending to obediently report to her.