I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 113

Silence.

Just one word was enough to describe the atmosphere in the office where three people were present.

“…Are you joking? Are you serious?”

“Would I joke about something like this?”

“True.”

Ariel knew better than anyone that even though he liked to joke around, he wouldn’t play with something this serious.

Of course, there might have been a bit of exaggeration, but the fact that Shuri felt disillusioned with her current task was undoubtedly true.

“…First, Ed, please handle the cleanup. I need to talk with Shuri in private.”

“Do as you wish. I’ll let them know to bring dinner here.”

“Please do that.”

Since the topic wasn’t likely to take long, Edgar took the lead, and Ariel nodded, grabbing Shuri’s hand as she sat.

“Ah, lady…”

“You know I really hate repeating myself, right? Stop whining and follow me.”

“…”

As Shuri stood up, she glanced at Edgar, seeing a flash of betrayal in his eyes.

She had believed he would keep this a secret and was now puzzled about why he had revealed it.

Feeling resentment toward Edgar was a first for Shuri, and it was shocking for her as well.

Still, Edgar merely nodded as if saying, “Go on,” with a strange smile, as if he already predicted what would happen next.

Clack. Clack.

On their way back from the office to Ariel’s room, the two women walked in silence, not uttering a word.

Shuri had never felt uncomfortable in silence with Ariel before, but today, for the first time, she thought it felt heavy.

I guess it’s like the thief feeling guilty, after all.

“Come in.”

“Um, lady. The tea…?”

Ariel gestured for the maid to go in first, as she opened the door.

Realizing that Ariel had wanted tea when she entered the office earlier, Shuri cautiously spoke, only to be met with a firm response.

“I don’t need it. Not in the mood to drink.”

“Yes….”

Thanks to Ariel, who didn’t even allow a moment’s rest, Shuri walked into the room and stood in her usual spot.

“Sit. This is going to be a long story, and I’d rather not have you standing.”

“Yes, lady.”

Although standing still would’ve felt more comfortable mentally, eventually, Shuri gave in to Ariel’s insistence and took a seat opposite her, placing her hands respectfully on her lap.

Ariel, who was watching her intently with her chin resting on her hand, let out a short sigh and started the conversation.

She never thought Shuri would speak up herself anyway.

“What’s the reason?”

“If you mean the reason…”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. If you want to quit, there must be a reason you want to.”

“Well, actually…”

Of course, if there were health issues or other valid reasons, it might be understandable.

Shuri felt guilty for jumping to conclusions about her master’s feelings and couldn’t bring herself to speak.

But silence often stirs the imagination.

It was the same for Ariel, and while pondering what could be Shuri’s reason for quitting, she came to one conclusion.

“Is it because of me?”

“W-What? That can’t be…”

Though it was a brief remark, the impact it had on Shuri was huge.

Even as she hurriedly shook her hands in denial, Ariel saw through her true feelings and allowed herself a wry smile.

“No way. You’re obviously right. Even if you’re timid, if it were a valid reason, you would have definitely said so. The very fact that you’re reluctant to speak means it’s probably an inappropriate reason.”

“…”

“And I know I’ve troubled you a lot in various ways. I know it even if I couldn’t fix it.”

Ariel picked up a piece of decoration that had rolled away on the table and fiddled with it between her fingers as she continued in an awkward tone.

“Really… it’s not your fault.”

“Eh?”

“You haven’t done anything wrong, lady… it’s just that my silly thoughts are to blame…”

Seeing her master like that, Shuri finally chose to confess the truth.

What was harder for her than her master’s mischievous pranks was seeing her master show a weak side.

“Actually, since His Highness went to Whitewood, I’ve been thinking more and more about what my role should be in the future that you and the young lord will build.”

“Role?”

“Well, I’m a maid. But since you’ve become accustomed to your current life, I rarely feel needed anymore. Honestly, I wondered if you might even find me a burden…”

What Shuri struggled with most was not the feeling of having less to do or occupying less space.

As long as she could be of help to her master, even in a small way, she would be satisfied. She truly thought so as a maid.

But the hardest thing for people is not being able to discern others’ feelings.

And since Shuri couldn’t fully understand her master’s feelings, she began to wonder if her presence was a nuisance.

“So, instead of disliking the job, you thought of quitting because you felt I wouldn’t need you anymore… Is that it?”

“Yes.”

“…Hah.”

Upon hearing her feelings, Ariel pressed her palm against her forehead, laughing incredulously.

Even though Shuri was a year older than her, Ariel had always thought she was a very delicate person.

But perhaps that was the reason she unnecessarily overthought things.

She realized they had to clarify their feelings to prevent this from happening again in the future.

Understanding that Edgar likely revealed this due to similar thoughts, Ariel spoke firmly.

“I understand the reason. But don’t ever think that way again.”

“Yes, lady. I’m sorry.”

Knowing that trying to judge her master’s feelings had been a great mistake, Shuri once again offered a sincere apology, but Ariel was only watching her with a mysterious smile.

“Are you apologizing for knowing what you did wrong?”

“It’s just… that I mistook your thoughts…”

“Wrong. In a way, a mistake is a person’s freedom. I have no intention of blaming you for that in the slightest.”

“Yes? Then…?”

What on earth was she supposed to apologize for?

Shuri couldn’t fathom her master’s feelings with her limited comprehension and sought her insights.

“Recently, something similar happened during my coming-of-age ceremony. Some ill-mannered woman spoke ill of my friends as she pleased. Right now, you’re just like that woman.”

“I’m sorry, lady. I… don’t understand what you mean….”

“Ugh. I don’t really want to say this as it feels cheesy, but listen closely.”

As Shuri fixed her gaze on her master with intent to absorb her words, Ariel, avoiding that gaze, finally spoke the sincere words she had been holding back.

“I’m not interested in others, but I intend to cherish my people. And by belittling ‘my people’ as if they are worthless, you’re doing just that. Do you understand?”

“Ah…”

“Moreover, you know it too, right? If I genuinely find someone a nuisance, I’ll say it without hesitation. I’d tell them to get lost right in front of me, even if it were Edgar.”

“Of course, that wouldn’t happen with him,” Ariel added with a somewhat deflated note of commentary, but that point felt genuine to Shuri.

“Anyway, as long as you’re in my sight, don’t think of disappearing without my permission. If you’re going to die, you better ask for permission first. Got it?”

“…Pff.”

Despite wanting to convey that she cared for her, today, the blunt princess merely tossed words around with annoyance.

This caused Shuri to inadvertently feel it was so typically Ariel that she let out a small laugh, turning her head away.

Though she had been caught by Ariel.

“Did you just… laugh?”

“N-no, lady. It’s not like that… pff!”

“Not like what!? You’re suddenly all chipper after I was a little lenient! D-do you really want to quit!?”

When she said not to disappear on her, she then immediately attempted to threaten with her newfound authority.

But Shuri realized it wasn’t genuine, and instead began teasing her in a playful tone.

“Even if you say that, you want me to stay next to you, don’t you?”

“Get lost! That smarmy tone of yours must have come from that rascal Edgar!”

Ariel had recently been told by her mother that Yulken was starting to resemble Edgar.

At first, she didn’t understand what that meant, but now hearing Shuri’s tone made her realize how she felt.

Could it be that not only her father but also Shuri had been influenced? It was truly a lamentable reality that caused her voice to rise.

“Lady, if you don’t mind, may I tell the young lord what you said today?”

“Oh, no way! You idiot! If you’re going to do that, then quit right now! I’ll just hire a new maid who listens better!”

“Hehe…”

“Stop laughing!”

Eventually, the little misadventure between master and maid came to a somewhat bland conclusion.

Afterward, Shuri wished to consider this as a personal matter between them, keeping it from Edgar and simply reporting that it was resolved well.

Edgar similarly didn’t press further on the matter and concluded it with a simple, “That’s good.”

Thanks to the stone that Edgar had cast, Shuri was finally able to truly connect her heart with her master, whom she would serve for life.