Chapter 69
69. Consolation
2022.04.28.
“…….”
As Reina listened to his stories, she thought of the Arthur from the scrapbook she had collected.
In the gazette illustrations, he was depicted as a dashing knight over three meters tall, adorned with flowery phrases like radiant morning star and the century’s Triumphal General—a magnificent heroic tale spun with embellishments—but the reality was different from her imaginings.
For the first time, she felt like she was truly getting to know him, the hero beyond the gazette.
There, she felt a poignant, aching sense of fulfillment.
“…….”
After that, Reina kept her eyes fixed on him, concentrating on his calmly continuing tale.
Even as the night deepened.
Even when he asked if she wasn’t sleepy.
Reina shook her head.
I’m not sleepy.
Tell me more.
If you’re not tired….
Just a little longer.
Like someone who found the passing of this night’s time utterly regrettable.
After speaking at length about himself, Arthur gazed at her quietly, as if now wanting to hear her story.
Reina no longer had any reason to hide her family tales like some weakness, so she wanted to tell him anything and everything.
“…….”
But compared to his story, which felt fundamentally different from the start,
Her own utterly ordinary one made her feel a bit embarrassed.
Still, she wanted to tell him something, anything.
Because she hadn’t answered him properly before.
When he’d asked how she’d been, she hadn’t been honest, fumbling through the young lady’s daily routines instead—the lingering guilt from that old regret seemed to play a part.
“I don’t have much family either. It’s just my grandmother for me.”
Her story began like that.
Even in my earliest memories, I don’t remember ever having a mom or dad.
Instead, Grandma was always there.
I remember her piggybacking me home whenever I was sprawled out on Mom’s grave.
I just… somehow wanted to be carried by Grandma.
So I think I always pretended to be asleep there.
She didn’t carry me often except when I was very young,
But whenever I did that, she always carried me.
“…….”
Reina continued her words softly and steadily.
Arthur listened quietly all the while.
Just like she had for him.
I think I liked being carried by Grandma.
I wasn’t such a good child.
Sometimes I wanted to throw a tantrum and say I didn’t want to go home.
Or maybe I just hated walking.
Somehow… even trivial things felt terribly unfair.
Was going home what felt unfair?
“……It’s nothing much, is it.”
Reina laughed bashfully.
Arthur, who had been listening quietly, smiled too.
“I’m jealous. If I’d lain sprawled on Mother’s grave, would someone have carried me?”
Reina looked up at him steadily and said,
If we’d been neighbors, I could have lent you my grandma….
…If we lived next door, I’d carry you….
…You’re making me such an unfilial granddaughter so easily….
Arthur let out a small burst of laughter.
Then, a moment later, he stroked her hair and added,
“…I hope the doctor takes good care of your grandmother.”
Reina smiled warmly.
Then, gazing at him quietly, she ventured softly,
“Taylor’s just a friend. …I met him today wearing my wedding ring.”
Arthur pressed a hand to his forehead and burst into laughter.
The laughter lasted quite a while.
“……Is it that funny?”
Enough that even Reina ended up laughing along with a hint of reproach.
Arthur stroked the side of her head, his face still lit with amusement, and said,
“Yes. Wear the ring when you meet him. After all, I’m your husband right now.”
Reina answered with a wordless smile.
“…….”
Dark room.
Sound of the wind.
Autumn rain pattering against the window.
Chilly air and the scent of burning firewood.
Cozy blankets that smelled of sunlight.
The warm glow from the wood burning in the fireplace, tinting the room.
The hand stroking her hair.
Reina engraved every one of those things into her memory.
Reina’s gaze shifted to the book Arthur had set down on the bedside table beside them.
…Were you reading?
Arthur replied.
No. I was looking at you.
The book was just an excuse.
If I said I’d been watching you the whole time, would it scare you?
You seem a little afraid of me.
Reina smiled faintly, closed her eyes, and murmured back.
No….
If I were scared, would I be using you as a pillow like this?
He laughed.
The fact that my words had become such special consolation for him was overwhelmingly moving—and heartbreaking.
What was so special about such simple words?
What comfort could there be in telling him he didn’t have to come back?
How could no one have ever said anything more consoling to him than that?
It hurt that it wasn’t even anything profound.
Why hadn’t I said something better? Regret gnawed at her.
If I could turn back time, could I have said better words?
If I’d known it would come to this, then…
“…….”
Would I not have even said that much?
Knock knock.
The head butler announced the visitor’s arrival.
“Ma’am. Young Master Taylor has arrived.”
Even though it was late at night, since she had called for him herself and waited, the Marchioness paid no mind to the hour.
“Let him in.”
The Marchioness greeted Taylor, who entered through the door, with a smile.
“Taylor. Our young Doctor Lorenson.”
The Marchioness rose from her seat to welcome him.
“That name suits you quite well now.”
Taylor bowed politely and smiled.
“It’s been a while, Marchioness.”
“Yes. Sit.”
Taylor sat in the seat the Marchioness offered.
The Marchioness sat gracefully and folded her fan.
“Have you heard the rough outline? What did Doctor Lorenson tell you?”
Taylor replied.
“I didn’t hear the details, actually. Since it’s the first official task entrusted to me by House Julius, he told me not to disappoint you and explained what needed to be done, but Father just said there might be a need for improvisation and tested me without giving any context, saying he’d see what I was capable of.”
“…….”
He meant he’d carried out the task but hadn’t received a detailed explanation of the circumstances.
The Marchioness waited silently for the head butler to bring the tea, without replying.
Only after quietly lifting her teacup did she speak again.
“…I see. As expected, Alvin is a wise man. To have recognized someone like your father back then—your mother truly had exceptional judgment. Thanks to that, I got the chance to recognize you too.”
While reminding him of the close ties between them and House Lorenson, the Marchioness subtly probed Taylor.
“You’re too kind.”
The Marchioness offered tea to Taylor as well and asked,
“So, how was it? Did you pass your father’s test well?”
As if testing whether he felt any aversion to being entangled in House Julius’s deceptions and corruption,
At her indirect question, Taylor humbly lowered his gaze.
“It wouldn’t be for me to judge. I can only await your assessment, Marchioness.”
The Marchioness smiled, seemingly satisfied with Taylor’s response.
“Is that so?”
The Marchioness didn’t fully believe Taylor’s answer at face value, but she gave his attitude a moderately passing mark.
“…….”
In truth, the Marchioness was deeply curious about what Taylor had gleaned from meeting Reina.
She wanted to know if Reina’s loyalty remained unchanged,
And after hearing directly from Taylor that her grandmother was being well cared for, she wanted to confirm just how grateful and devoted the girl had become.
But if Taylor had gone in without fully understanding the situation, he would have focused most of his attention on grasping it, so he probably hadn’t brought back much information today.
It was regrettable, but as Alvin Lorenson had foreseen with his insight, she thought this was a necessary process too.
“…….”
After quietly sipping her tea, the Marchioness’s questioning began.
“You met the girl, right? How was she?”
Taylor replied.
“It seemed like she was under considerable pressure. Even outside the room, there were over ten knights guarding, so I wondered what was going on.”
With a hint of concern, hesitating slightly, Taylor continued.
“…I didn’t expect there to be two knights even inside the bedroom. I was quite surprised. It felt like she was under very strict guard.”
The Marchioness groaned softly and pressed her forehead.
…Strict guard?
“Two knights even inside the bedroom?”
“Yes…. After seeing it wasn’t the young lady, I understood the reason, but….”
“…….”
Taylor deliberately phrased it as if uncertain.
“…Was it always like that?”
The Marchioness pondered.
“…Arthur wasn’t there?”
“He came in partway through. …The atmosphere was quite tense. It wasn’t easy to talk. I got the feeling he was watching me pretty sharply.”
And then, Taylor cautiously hesitated before asking,
“Was it always like that even when Father visited…? Or was it because I’m a first-time visitor, unlike Father?”
“…….”
Pretending to dutifully report to the Marchioness, Taylor began reverse-gathering information about her stance on Reina.
