Before meeting Senior Delphine, I had to be patient and wait for several days.
If it were up to me, I would want to see Senior Delphine immediately.
I was in a position where I had been entrusted by the Emperor with the disposition of the Yuridina Clan. Naturally, it was necessary to listen to the circumstances of the Yuridina Clan before that.
And who better knew this than Senior Delphine?
Moreover, I had heard about Ceria’s feelings as well, so it was only natural for my mind to be confused.
In either case, I was in desperate need of Senior Delphine’s advice.
However, Senior Delphine did not grant me a meeting.
The reason was simple.
“The Emperor’s trust is a precious asset. I can’t let a woman ruin her husband’s work.”
It was a statement that meant she wouldn’t give even the slightest reason for the Empire’s Intelligence Department to take action.
And the fact that this choice was indeed correct was soon proven.
By none other than Senior Neoris.
“I-an, it seems you have been in less contact with the next head of the Yuridina Clan lately.”
Though it was a subtle remark, the intent was clear.
It meant that the Empire’s Intelligence Department was paying attention to the relationship between Senior Delphine and me.
It felt more like advice than a warning.
She was deliberately informing me that it would be better to reduce contact with Senior Delphine.
I asked with a bitter smile.
“Is it really alright?”
A brief flicker of agitation passed through the eyes of Senior Neoris, who was standing politely as always.
To my knowledge, Senior Neoris did not particularly like me.
Even if I were to turn into Senior Neoris, it would likely be the same.
Who would like a superior who swings an axe at problems without any dialogue?
Nevertheless, Senior Neoris passed on the information I needed.
If it were not for the orders from above, it should be considered merely a kindness from Senior Neoris.
The woman showed signs of hesitation for a while after my question.
After a while, as if she had made up her mind, Senior Neoris raised her chin slightly and countered.
“Why did you save me?”
It was a question with many elements omitted.
So I waited in silence. Senior Neoris soon added her words in a heartfelt tone.
“On the day I was ambushed by the elves, there was no particular reason for you to save me. It would have been a more strategically sound decision for you to give up on me and continue living. Why…?”
It must have been a long-buried question.
As her voice grew hotter, it finally stopped short at the end.
Her emerald eyes were staring directly at me.
The realization dawned on Senior Neoris, and her complexion turned pale. She hastily lowered her head and began to offer excuses.
“I, I didn’t mean to question your decision. If it seemed that way, I apologize….”
“I wanted to save you.”
At my straightforward reply, Senior Neoris’s lips pressed tightly together.
It seemed she was trying not to show her surprise. However, the wavering in her eyes betrayed her.
Seeing that made me break into a light smile.
“And I’m glad I did, looking at you now.”
That remark was based on no solid evidence.
I had simply expressed an impression, but Senior Neoris’s feelings toward it seemed somewhat different.
Her cheeks turned slightly red.
Just like it did every time she received a compliment.
But today, the hue that colored Senior Neoris’s ears felt different from usual.
Where she used to look bewildered, today she looked—indeed, she appeared embarrassed.
It was only then that I realized Senior Neoris was also a woman.
There were many others I needed to meet.
Fortunately, the Imperial Princess’s desperate persuasion seemed to be somewhat effective. I could tell just by looking at the Imperial Princess’s delighted expression every time she saw me.
If there was one unsettling point, it was just one.
The Imperial Princess’s disconcertingly perceptive nature.
Could it be that the Imperial Princess was under the illusion that the negotiations were going well despite the stalemate?
I could only pray that such a result would not come to pass.
Reto had provided me with information that was somewhat persuasive as well.
Still, I couldn’t shake off a shred of unease, so I decided to go meet someone who came to mind.
Someone who was unaffected by any political influence and was like a healing spring to my heart.
My friend, Emma.
She looked quite gaunt when I saw her after such a long time.
Anyone could see that she looked drained of energy. In fact, she was even coughing lightly, making her appear almost like a patient.
As soon as I saw Emma’s woeful appearance, I jumped in shock.
“Emma, are you okay?!”
“Hello, I-an… cough, I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well…”
“If you’re not well, just say so!”
I was about to call a servant to look after Emma but stopped myself.
There must have been a reason Emma hadn’t called for help until she got to this point.
I was afraid that I might hurt her feelings by being so oblivious.
Instead, I gently supported Emma and led her to bed.
Seeing that I had to put firewood in the fireplace and boil water was also part of my responsibilities.
When I casually wrapped my arm around her shoulder, Emma’s face turned red.
“I’m alright! I’m not that sick! Look, see! I’m standing just fine!”
“Even so, resting is important when you’re ill. Just wait, I’ll bring you some warm tea.”
The situation had somehow turned around, with me, the guest, treating Emma, the host, but I didn’t care.
What mattered more was Emma.
In the end, Emma, despite her flushed face, had to endure my fussing as she sat on the bed.
It was during this period of excessive care that I heard her mumble.
“…You haven’t changed.”
The vague voice floated away like a breath.
My gaze flicked over my shoulder. I was pondering what to do next.
There was Emma, wearing a bitter smile.
The flickering light, the shadow of the fire, and the warmth from her illness.
Or maybe the redness in her cheeks brought on by certain emotions felt somewhat dreamlike.
Was it magic brought about by the night of the snowfield?
Emma looked exceptionally beautiful today.
She was always pretty, but even more so.
“I heard you’ve been busy lately? I’ve heard that the Yuridina people are very cautious around you.”
“It’s nothing special.”
I replied with a scoff.
In fact, it was a significant issue, but I didn’t want to share my burdens with Emma.
Decisions should always bear the weight of solitude.
It was a lesson I had heard repeatedly since childhood regarding the duties of nobility.
I did not want to whine to Emma.
But she was more perceptive than I was.
“It can’t be nothing… The whole Yuridina is keeping tabs on every little thing you do, you know?”
“I do tend to attract attention. Must be because I’m handsome.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
The response to my joke was immediate.
Though I thought it was a joke, I couldn’t help but stiffen slightly.
Emma merely tapped her lips with her finger, pretending not to notice.
She had the face of an alchemist who had encountered a difficult problem.
“I’m still a bit dazed. Though I ended up here, it’s strange to be served by people similar to me. And I don’t have to worry about firewood or meals every day.”
I stopped myself from speaking any further.
It finally dawned on me.
I understood why Emma had not called for a servant.
It was likely because the presence of a servant felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable. She wouldn’t want to burden herself further when she was ill.
So I decided to keep silent.
If it had been until recently, I might have insisted on calling for help.
That was my norm.
But not anymore.
Sometimes, remaining silent and listening is the most appropriate response.
“But you know what feels the weirdest to me? It’s you.”
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at that remark.
“Just now you said I haven’t changed?”
“Yes, so it’s confusing. You treat someone like me, just a commoner girl, so well… but it’s not like you’re actually doing that.”
As she spoke, the corners of Emma’s eyes trailed sorrowfully.
Her confession continued.
“How could I not have realized? I feel like this bedroom is a whole other world, yet you are a person who gets nervous around someone with hundreds of rooms like this.”
“Emma…”
Even if I voiced my sorrow, Emma did not halt.
Perhaps this was the problem that had plagued Emma all along.
One that couldn’t be erased, no matter how hard she tried—the limits of her social status.
In fact, I had known for a long time.
“Yeah, I know. You’re amazing. Unlike me… you’ve saved the world several times already.”
“I couldn’t have done it alone.”
“And I heard. I don’t know much, but apparently you received an important mission from his Majesty the Emperor? The Swordmaster personally came to see you… yes, that’s good…”
My hands suddenly rested on Emma’s shoulders.
Startled by the sudden contact, Emma held her breath and looked into my eyes.
Before I knew it, I had turned around and was kneeling in front of Emma.
The reason was simple.
To hold Emma’s hand and align our eye levels.
I confessed with a wry smile.
“Emma, I’m not as great as you think I am. I wouldn’t have been able to face the problems I’m dealing with now without friends.”
And I took the plunge, telling her everything.
Stories about how I lacked talent and trained late into the night.
How I survived a crisis thanks to Reto.
The luck I had that allowed my skills to improve, and the cost with which I had to fight for my life despite being terrified.
Finally, I even disclosed the recent circumstances.
All kinds of things about Senior Delphine, Ceria, and the Yuridina Clan.
This was a statement I could only make because I trusted Emma that much.
Yet, Emma’s reaction surpassed my wildest expectations.
“…I-an.”
It was just as I concluded my tale about Ceria.
Emma, who had been wearing a sullen expression until then, suddenly closed the distance between us.
The sweet breath tickled my nose.
Her light green eyes reflected my own.
“I like you.”
It was the third time I had ever received such a confession.
