Chapter 59
59. We’re Not Lovers2022.03.24.
Kay asked a few more times about ‘what Reina needed’ or ‘the troubles she wanted to avoid’. At first, he inquired whether there was an uncomfortable maid, and then about any financial difficulties or health problems. As these non-intrusive questions and considerations went back and forth several times without excessive prying, the initial wariness that he might be trying to uncover her weaknesses gradually faded, and Reina began to feel a little more at ease with Kay. The fact that she could respond with ‘It’s fine. That’s not uncomfortable’ put her mind at rest. Rather, whenever he skipped over moments when she thought he might probe further and the conversation veered off several times, Reina started pondering on her own. …Would it be okay to tell him? That she needed Taylor to take care of her grandmother. …If given the chance to speak, how should she put it? Kay never asked about the aspects that made Reina anxious until the very end. And finally, as he thanked her for her cooperation and concluded the meeting, he said,
「I heard that you’d like to make your final decision after meeting ‘Taylor Lorenson’.」
「That’s why today I only asked about anything urgent or what we need from you first. Thank you for cooperating so amicably.」
With those words, Kay gave her a smile.
「Though there’s still waiting to be done, I can’t help but feel a hopeful anticipation that it might turn out well.」
「I hope we can become good allies to you, Lady.」
「Take your time to think it over, and let us know whenever you’re ready.」
Kay’s voice continued.
「Even after meeting Taylor Lorenson, I hope you’ll continue to view working with us positively without changing your mind, but please decide comfortably without any pressure.」
「Even if circumstances prevent us from being together, we will repay the goodwill you’ve shown us.」
* * * After the meeting with Reina ended. Kay escorted her back to Arthur’s office. But Arthur was not there when they returned, and instead, they encountered Lionel standing guard at the door. Lionel, who had been waiting for them, said that Arthur had to step out for a moment due to some business and might be late tonight, so he would escort the Lady to her bedroom first. Reina returned to the bridal chamber accompanied by both Kay and Lionel. In front of the bridal chamber, the two knights pressed kisses to the backs of her hands and said,
“Sleep well, Lady.”
“You’ve had a long day, Lady. Have a good night.”
With such kind and courteous farewells. Feeling grateful yet embarrassed, Reina thanked the knights and returned to the bridal chamber. * * * Afterward, Lionel informed Kay of the reason Arthur, Tristan, and Lukan had gone out urgently, and the news about Dillon who had arrived from outside while Kay was meeting with Reina. Kay listened silently and then.
“I understand.”
Nodded calmly. * * * Thud. Left alone in the bridal chamber, Reina flopped onto the bed without even taking off her dress.
“……”
She lay there blankly for a long while, but sleep wouldn’t come. The day had been far too long. As always, the room felt vast anew. Being alone in the bridal chamber’s spacious bed felt unfamiliar. Reina suddenly glanced at the clock on the wall. It was past midnight. The busy Triumphal General, Sir Arthur, often went out in the evenings or returned late like this, but it was the first time he hadn’t come back by this hour. Something must have come up today; he seemed even later than usual.
‘I wanted to talk to Sir Arthur……’
She hadn’t even thought about what to say…… But for some reason, she’d vaguely assumed they’d discuss today’s events. It was partly because of what he’d said.
「If Kay scares you at all, just call for me.」
「I’ll be nearby.」
Recalling Arthur encouraging her with that smiling face, Reina stared blankly up at the bed’s canopy ceiling. And without realizing it, she pressed both palms to her cheeks.
……I’d thought he’d come right after my talk with Sir Kay ended.
When did he go out?
Sir Arthur had said Kay might be scary, but Sir Kay wasn’t scary at all. Everyone around Sir Arthur seemed like good people. ……I’m the worst. Weighing which side benefits me more.
“……”
Everything was fine. Yet she couldn’t understand why she felt this way.
……Am I anxious?
The meeting with Sir Kay hadn’t stirred up any difficult emotions, but Sir Arthur not coming back was nagging at her, making her chest feel tight. Her throat felt parched, and she felt an impatient fretfulness gnawing at her. Maybe in front of her, he’d pretended to persuade her for her sake, but actually he knew she’d been passing notes and now thought he should keep his distance. Or perhaps he was actually offended enough not to want to share a room anymore. Or maybe now that the interrogation was over, he had no more business with her— she wanted proof that none of that was true by seeing his smiling face. She wanted to talk to Sir Arthur about anything soon. Only then would she feel at ease.
……When will he come?
Reina rubbed her face dryly while lying down. She felt worried since Sir Arthur hadn’t returned even late at night…… And it still didn’t feel real that everything had been accepted so peacefully. With a slightly uneasy heart, Reina waited for Arthur while trying to deny the reasons for his absence. It can’t be that. It’s just my inferiority complex making me anxious. It won’t be for those reasons. He must have some business. It wasn’t an interrogation. Wondering if something happened, she regretted not asking the knights. Would they have told her if she’d asked? Reina curled up like a shrimp in her dress.
“……”
She felt strange. Everything…… had gone too well. All of it was fortunate beyond imagination. She no longer had to sneak past notes in guilt. Even more, the knights knew she’d been passing notes but thanked her for her efforts in not passing important information, praising her instead. Tomorrow she would meet Taylor. And she had a feeling…… they’d accept her request to protect her grandmother too. They were good people.
“……”
Yet why did she feel this anxious and empty? Just because Sir Arthur hadn’t returned.
“……”
Reina gazed up at the ceiling of the bridal chamber. The room felt more familiar with him in it, even though she was alone more often. And she recalled the Marchioness saying she was preparing a new bridal chamber for the young lady. It was fortunate. The Marchioness seemed to have found a good solution. About this room, she no longer had to worry so anxiously.
“……”
For the first time, a tentative feeling of ‘it’s okay’ crept in, and Reina cautiously rolled halfway over on the bed. The young lady is moving to a new bridal chamber. So she won’t come back here. She probably won’t wear this dress again after I’ve worn it once. It was good for Reina too. Then Sir Arthur would stay there too? What would happen to this room? Would it be cleared out?
“……”
It was such a beautiful room; it felt like a shame. If she could just take this room and move it to the seaside. If they’re going to discard it anyway…… give it to me. Reina turned her head slightly and buried her cheek in the sun-scented bedding. ……If this room remains, would Sir Arthur think of me sometimes?
“……”
She felt a bit ridiculous herself. Like that day she’d placed the scrapbook in front of her and given Sir Arthur a grateful farewell, Reina let out a small chuckle.
“……”
But somehow, it was hard to laugh. ……She’d grown attached.
* * * How long will I be here? Is Sir Arthur talking with the Marquis, the Marchioness, or Lady Christina? Is Lady Christina angry? Am I causing trouble for Sir Arthur by being here? Am I even a little helpful to Sir Arthur? * * * Kay began drafting the report to give to Arthur from his seat, recalling their final exchange. Right after Kay had said he was wrapping up and stood to leave, Reina had finally spoken up. It was exactly the timing Kay had anticipated.
「Um…… if it’s alright, could I…… ask a few things too?」
Kay gladly sat back down. And with a smile that didn’t rush her, he waited for her next words. Reina asked cautiously.
「Um…… how long will I be in this position?」
He could read her inner desire to escape this uncertain situation quickly. As expected, she didn’t seem to have any audacious plans like taking Sir Arthur’s side. Kay gave his prepared answer calmly.
「It’s hard to give a definite answer, but you don’t need to worry too much. Since we gain benefits from you staying here, we’ll protect you safely even if it drags on a bit, but we understand that would trouble you. You have a place to return to, and you need to marry, so we won’t let it go on too long……」
It was meant to convey that they anticipated her difficulties and would consider her situation as much as possible. But at those words, Reina’s expression turned a bit puzzled.
「Pardon? Marriage? But I’ve already…… um……」
Reina trailed off, giving an awkward smile as she rubbed her nape.
「It wouldn’t be easy for me to marry again……」
「……Pardon?」
Kay faltered. Because of her relationship with Arthur? Her embarrassed demeanor hinted that she had no intention of blaming Sir Arthur. But at her next words, Kay’s face went blank.
「There’s no partner either.」
「……What?」
What did that…… mean? She……
「……Aren’t you promised a future with Taylor Lorenson?」
「……Pardon?」
This time, at her puzzled retort, Kay suddenly snapped to attention. Hiding his momentary fluster, he apologized politely.
「……I’m sorry, Lady. It seems I’ve misunderstood something……. May I be so rude as to ask one personal question?」
「Ah, yes.」
With tension, Kay asked carefully.
「Taylor Lorenson…… isn’t your lover, Lady?」
She smiled awkwardly. As if she was well aware such rumors circulated……
「We’re not in that kind of relationship.」
「The reason I said I wanted to meet Taylor first……」
「Wasn’t because he’s my lover…… it was for my…… family’s safety.」
「And saying I’d decide after meeting Taylor tomorrow……」
「……That was the reason too.」
