Chapter 35: Confusion — Part 1
“Ah, I must hurry.
They will leave me behind.”
“Maria-jou.”
Brian-sama called out and pulled my arm.
I was spun around like a dancer and suddenly found myself caught in his arms.
“I apologize for being rough.
But if I do not hold on to you, you slip away immediately.
Please give me your answer.
Whatever it is, I will accept it.”
His serious eyes were right above me, looking straight at me.
The answer left my mouth more honestly than I expected.
“I like you.”
Brian-sama’s eyes smiled with happiness.
Then he asked mischievously,
“More than Eric?”
“Of course.”
I laughed as well.
Laughing, Brian-sama asked me again.
“Then what about Chuck?”
“I like Chuck more.”
The words came out so naturally that even I was surprised.
Brian-sama’s smile froze.
It was exactly what I had been thinking while embroidering earlier, and it slipped out unchanged.
For a while, he buried his face against my shoulder.
Then he slowly raised his head and asked,
“Then among human men, I am the one you like the most?”
“Yes.
I like you the most.”
I said it firmly because I felt anxious.
“Then that is enough.
I will work hard to surpass Chuck.”
His face looked as though he were forcing himself slightly, and it pierced my heart.
I felt terribly sorry and did not know where to put myself.
Yet I also felt relieved and reassured, and tears began to gather in my eyes.
“It is hard to believe someone as wonderful as you would like someone like me.
Perhaps this is another convenient dream.”
It felt as if I were saying everything exactly as it came to mind.
“Um… perhaps the medicine is still affecting me?
I feel like I am saying strange things.”
Brian-sama said “Hmm?” and checked his ring.
He shook it slightly, tilted his head, and brought it close to his nose.
“No, it does not last that long.
The scent evaporates about ten minutes after it begins releasing.
Perhaps you are simply very susceptible to the drug.”
That would be troubling.
If I started speaking everything I thought, I might say something outrageous.
“I will put the ring away.
It will be fine.”
He said this and took my hand gently, as though to soothe me.
“Thank you.
After all, embroidery, sweets, and Brian-sama’s eyes are the best.”
“Yes?”
Oh no.
My thoughts were leaking out again.
I covered my mouth with my handkerchief and turned away.
“You do not need to worry.
You are only saying pleasant things.”
He laughed and escorted me forward.
It truly felt like a dream.
When we returned to the estate, Lloyd was waiting in the hall.
“Dinner has been prepared in Lord Eric’s room.
This way, please.”
When we entered the room, my brother glanced at us sideways as if probing, then grinned.
“Did something good happen?”
“Yes.
Maria-jou told me I am the one she likes most among human men.”
He burst out laughing.
Perhaps the medicine was still affecting me, because I laughed along with him.
My brother stared blankly for a moment.
“What exactly does that mean?” he muttered.
“My rival in love is Chuck.
A formidable opponent.”
Lloyd quickly slipped out of the room.
Apparently he had a cheerful disposition.
“You really… well, never mind.
Please sit here, Vice-Captain.”
My brother gestured toward the table, where many dishes were arranged.
Then he added somewhat carelessly,
“Now then, where should you sit?”
“If I am number one among humans, then beside Maria-jou.”
“Is that acceptable?
Very well, please take that seat.
Maria will sit next to you.”
And so the two of us ended up sitting side by side.
I thought I might feel nervous, but strangely it felt natural.
Sitting beside Brian-sama felt comfortable.
Without thinking, we looked at each other and smiled.
We were probably thinking the same thing.
“I am glad Maria has found someone who will help her.
Things will not be simple from here on.”
For a while, the three of us ate as if nothing had happened.
The two men ate diligently.
I had large slices of pudding and cake placed on my plate.
“Shall we finally address the serious matters?
Maria, how do you feel?”
The sweetness of the cake loosened the tension in my mind and left me feeling faintly relaxed.
When my brother asked, I could answer immediately.
“I am fine.”
“Lloyd, listen as well.
This concerns Grandmother.
If you know anything, please tell us.”
My brother placed the fan on the table and set the stone beside it.
“The thieves were after this stone.
It was apparently given to Grandmother long ago by the king of Belsia.
They assumed it had been turned into jewelry because it was a stone.
But it was hidden in the pivot ornament of the fan.”
“That is the fan the late madam always carried.
She brought it from her family home.”
Now that I thought about it, Grandmother had been betrayed by her lover’s promise.
How did she feel about that?
Why did she keep the item she received when that promise was made?
Was it because she knew it was precious?
Yet she treated it like an everyday object.
She even used it to smack Grandfather and Father with sharp flicks.
So many things did not make sense.
One mystery had been solved, but another had appeared.
“Did Grandmother love Grandfather?
She seemed happy.
Was that not true?”
Lloyd turned toward me.
“The lady I saw appeared happy.
She got along well with the late count and laughed often.”
Still, I did not understand.
Had Grandmother truly moved on from that past love?
She must have… probably.
“That past problem has resurfaced now.
The royal family of Belsia is trying to reclaim the stone.
They have already investigated enough to know Maria has it.
And it seems they also wish to take revenge on the descendants of their old rival in love.”
“Ah… that is…”
Lloyd fell silent.
“Maria-jou might be safer serving the Second Prince in the royal palace for a while.
The prince suggested it today.
He asked whether she would work as Chuck’s caretaker.”
Brian-sama said.
“Oh?
If she serves close to the prince in the palace, that would be safe.
That might be a good idea.
I could also check on her from time to time.”
My brother said.
I was surprised by the sudden proposal.
But if I remained in this estate, everyone here might be put in danger.
If I entered the royal palace, the enemy would not be able to act easily.
“That might indeed be best.
Perhaps I should accept.”
At that moment, there was a loud thud outside, and the window glass rattled.