LIGHTNOVELWORLD Episode 44
Chapter 44
Side: Vivan
“…Rios-sama.”
“Suu… suu…”
“Has he fallen asleep?”
Even when I spoke to Rios-sama, who was sleeping on the bed, all I got in response were his peaceful breaths.
Convinced that he was sound asleep, I rose quietly from the chair beside the bed so as not to wake him and left the room.
Beside the room’s door, Lady Alshade sat in a chair, and as a guard, Lord Orto stood nearby. They both cast a glance at me as I exited the room.
…Lady Alshade, my dear lord, whom I betrayed.
Although she wore the same smile as always on the surface, her eyes, as they rested on me, no longer held the affection they once did. Instead, a cold gaze pierced through me.
“…Lady Alshade, Rios-sama has fallen asleep.”
I bowed to Lady Alshade and reported.
“I understand. Well done.”
“Your kind words are too much; thank you.”
I believe it’s excessive for Lady Alshade to praise me for such a minor matter, but Rios-sama must be that important to her.
“Now, please report about Rios.”
“Understood.”
When I say ‘report,’ I don’t mean I’ll report everything Rios-sama did today to Lady Alshade.
She’s interested in specific details, like Rios sama’s personality and upbringing, which might provide clues.
That’s my role, to report such things at the end of the day.
“…His learning ability and thinking capacity are both high, and I believe he possesses great talent. One thing that piqued my interest is that Rios-sama’s mother had a single book.”
“Oh, really, a pauper from the slums with a book.”
“Yes, she received it as a gift from a friend.”
Regarding the book that Rios-sama’s mother had, it seemed that Lady Alshade was also curious, as she had a contemplative expression and touched her lips.
“Is there anything else you know about the book?” she asked.
“Among the recommended books from Lady Alshade, I found the same book. Here it is,” I said, taking the book in question from my maid uniform’s pocket and handing it to Lady Alshade.
“Oh, this one. It’s a famous heroic tale from the northwest, right? About knights defeating powerful monsters and the king of that time rewarding his daughter as a bride?” she inquired.
“Yes, that’s how I remember it.”
The story of a knight and a kingdom’s princess, while they achieved great feats, their social statuses didn’t naturally align. However, such classic methods were often used to bind powerful individuals to the country.
This heroic tale was about the founder of the Belford Marquisate, well-known in the northwest, and the Marquisate actively circulated it to strengthen its rule. So, it could be said to be the most famous story in the northwest.
But this was a common practice among other noble houses as well. Since we were from the same western region, our recognition might be slightly higher, but it wasn’t popular enough for someone to buy the book intentionally.
It’s safe to assume that either Rios-sama’s mother or father was definitely involved in the northwest.
“…Why do you think Rio’s mother didn’t sell the book? Did Rio say anything about it?” Lady Alshade pondered.
“I asked Rios-sama, but he said he had no idea why she didn’t sell it. I apologize,” I replied.
“No need to apologize. We might need to visit where Rio used to live eventually to find out…”
Afterward, Lady Alshade seemed lost in thought for a while, but then, as if deciding that she didn’t have enough information, she removed her hand from her mouth and stood up from her chair.
“Now, I’m going to bed.”
“Goodnight.”
“Yes, goodnight… Oh, by the way, Vivian, I wanted to ask you, why did you stop me at that moment?”
As Lady Alshade reached for the door handle, she turned and asked.
“It seemed that Rios-sama felt uncomfortable being seen naked by the opposite sex. I thought it would be unwise to provoke such a reaction before he became accustomed to the training albeit, it might create a complex for Lady Alshade.”
“I see. So, was your anger at that time an act?”
“About half of it, yes. I hoped to gain some trust from Rios-sama by offering counsel, but…”
Of course, there was also the aspect of advising against indecent behavior, just as I had done before.
However, Lady Alshade would likely understand, and there was no need to bring it up here.
“I see… I hadn’t thought of that. You saved me. But, please don’t bully Rio too much.”
“I understand.”
The words spoken in a nonchalant tone carried the same pressure I had felt in the changing room, and the light had disappeared from Lady Alshade’s eyes.
As I looked into the depths of those dark, murky eyes, I felt like my very soul was being laid bare. I quickly lowered my head and averted my gaze.
After that, Lady Alshade entered the room without saying anything.
“Vivian-dono, did Rios-sama not meet your expectations?” came a voice from Lord Orto, causing my heart to skip a beat.
“Lord Orto, for someone like me to have expectations from Rios-sama… “
“But you did test him, didn’t you?”
“Well, that…” I stumbled over my words. Lord Orto’s tone carried a certain conviction.
He was quite perceptive. Although he wasn’t present at that moment, he must have sensed what had transpired from Lady Alshade’s words.
“How was it, Rios-sama? There’s no one here besides you, me, and Lady Vivian.No one is eavesdropping.”
“He has talent but is still inexperienced. Nevertheless, he’s remarkably skilled for his age,” I replied.
If he had chosen Lady Alshade at that moment, I would have been disappointed in Rios-sama.
Not choosing her was more in line with someone who caught Lord Alshade’s interest, as expected.
…Though I do wonder if it’s a bit of an overreaction to be shaken up by something like that.
“Sigh… It wasn’t the wisest decision for a traitor like me. I ended up doing something so absurd and arrogant. Given this pitiful state of affairs, regaining Lord Alshade’s trust is nothing more than a pipe dream.”
“You did it for Lady Alshade, didn’t you? I’m sure she understands that. There’s no need to be so downcast. Besides, it was you, Vivian-dono, who intentionally tied Lord Alshade’s hands in front of her, wasn’t it? I don’t think she’s unaware of that.”
With those words, Lord Ortho lowered his shoulders and disappeared.
“…If that’s the case, it’s fine…”
My muttered words went unheard by anyone and dissolved into the dim air of the nighttime corridor.
◆
Side: Alshade
“Sigh, letting jealousy show at such a minor thing is no good.”
Making Vivian Rio’s educator and caretaker was also motivated by the hidden goal—to train my own patience.
If I let my emotions show over Rios’s minor provocations, it could become a vulnerability.
To be the kind of lady suitable for him, I needed to at least perfect the art of controlling my emotions on the surface.
I may have gone a bit too far with that last bit.
This isn’t looking good for the future.
…To ease my gloomy mood, I slipped into the bed I shared with Rios, lying down beside him.
Cuddling up to him, I inhaled.
“Suu… Haa, it’s calming after all… Huh?”
There’s a different scent from Rios… a familiar scent, too.
“Vivan’s scent is lingering here… haha, hehehe, I didn’t expect this, I didn’t think it’d be this unpleasant.”
Well, it doesn’t matter. If we spend the night together, I can overwrite it.
“Goodnight, Rio.”
…I held Rio’s body tightly and fell asleep.
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