Chapter 5: A Decision That Cannot Be Refused

“What is it?”

“…………”

Unlike Walter, who turned over his shoulder in response to being called, Duke Michel wore a troubled expression, as if unsure of what to say.

A few seconds of silence passed between them.

“Why… her?”

That single question, likely the result of careful deliberation, summed up his thoughts perfectly.

“Are you asking why I, who never allowed even a single attendant by my side after becoming king, would suddenly do so now?”

“…Yes.”

“It’s simple. Why would I place someone I cannot trust by my side in the first place?”

In other words, everyone who had been recommended to serve Walter until now had been rejected because he could not trust them.

The moment those words were spoken, the lines on Duke Michel’s face deepened further.

“…Do you believe that person is worthy of your trust, Your Majesty?”

“Who knows. I wouldn’t go that far.”

…Hearing that, I nearly stumbled.

Then what was that earlier preamble supposed to mean?

I couldn’t help but cast him a slightly exasperated look.

“But… she resembles someone I once placed my trust in.”

—The one and only person I ever truly trusted.

That alone is more than enough reason to keep her by my side.

At those words, I blinked in surprise.

What had sounded like nothing more than a tyrannical declaration was, in truth, filled with his own feelings.

That said, I had no intention of arrogantly assuming that the person he had trusted was me.

Even if I had bound him with contract magic back then, I doubted that forced trust could truly be called “trust” in the way Walter meant it.

At best, it had been something temporary.

Besides, my appearance was completely different now.

So the only conclusion I could draw was that I just happened to resemble someone else he once knew.

“Trust, you say.”

“What, do you object?”

“…No. It was simply… an unexpected thing to hear.”

With that, Duke Michel withdrew without pressing further.

No, no, no.

I never said I’d accept this!

Seriously, can’t you try a little harder, Duke Michel?!

My silent plea went completely unheard.

Because I had once served as a knight in the royal palace, I knew all too well—

That place was nothing more than a nest of writhing, ugly human emotions.

Knowing that, there was no way I wanted to become an attendant to King Walter.

That said, at this point, my opinion carried less weight than a stone on the roadside.

Even if I tried to refuse politely, I could only imagine a future where I would be forced into the role anyway.

“To be honest, even I am surprised.”

While I desperately searched for a way out of this situation, Walter continued speaking casually.

“Your Majesty?”

“Yes. I can hardly believe that I so easily declared I would take on an attendant like this.”

“That is…”

“But—… no, this isn’t something to say now. In any case, I have no intention of taking it back. Flora Waybeia will serve as my attendant starting today. This is final.”

He seemed about to say something more, but cut himself off, then turned his gaze back to me.

“However, if you truly refuse, I won’t force you…”

Even as he said that, he clearly knew I couldn’t refuse in this situation.

It seemed that in the time we hadn’t seen each other, not only his speech but his very nature had grown rotten.

Time truly was cruel.

“…N-No, it would be my utmost honor. I humbly accept the position of your attendant.”

“I see! In that case, I look forward to working with you.”

Beside me, Feel looked at me with concern, clearly seeing through my forced smile.

But there was nothing that could be done.

No matter how thick-skinned one might be, it was painfully obvious that this was not a situation where refusal was possible.

“After the party, I’ll send someone to fetch you. Until then, enjoy yourself.”

With those words, Walter disappeared back into the depths of the hall like a passing storm.

I had sworn to protect him, yet failed to do so, dying before even reaching our destination.

That was who I had been in my previous life—a disloyal retainer.

And yet, somehow, I had ended up serving him once more.

Even though I had avoided him because I had no face to show, fate had arranged for me to take on the role of his attendant.

Still, no matter how much I might resist, there was nothing I could do now.

Perhaps this was my atonement.

A chance to atone for the sin of failing to protect even a single boy.

Thinking that way, my heart felt strangely lighter.

At the very least, I would fulfill my duties as his attendant, striving to become a worthy substitute for the one person he had truly trusted.

That, I decided, would be the best atonement I could offer.