"...?"
Startled by the sudden question, I looked up and momentarily flinched.
The distance between him and me was much closer than I had expected.
'When did we get so close?'
I was clearly walking far away.
'I was so lost in thought that I didn't even realize we were this close.'
First of all, because Ligrin was watching, I quickly calmed my surprised heart and answered.
"Yes. I really like it."
It wasn't just lip service.
I never imagined I would live in such a nice room in my life.
He quietly looked down at my brightly smiling face and asked again.
"Are the servants bothering you?"
No...
'Why does he keep asking me these things?'
He's definitely not suddenly asking how I am because he's worried about me now.
His questions, which were indistinguishable from an interrogation, made me uncomfortable, but I answered obediently.
"No, they're all treating me well."
To be exact, they don't bother me like they used to, and completely ignore me, but I find that the most comfortable.
"...I see. Your life here must have become much more comfortable."
As if it were a leading question, he naturally picked up the words.
Before I knew it, his steps stopped in front of the office.
"Then don't cause any unnecessary trouble."
"..."
"Stay quiet, don't go against my will, and live like a dead mouse. Then you will be able to continue enjoying the peaceful life you are currently enjoying."
"..."
"But if you keep stirring up Rodbel and making a fuss, you will lose everything you barely have in your hands."
"..."
"...All of this is advice for you. You'd better take it to heart."
Ligrin's attitude, as he said that, was very serious.
As if he was really saying it for my sake.
Pfft.
I almost burst out laughing.
'No way.'
It's not for me, he just doesn't want Rodbel to be noisy because of someone like me.
'To disguise that as if he's saying it for me.'
Hypocritical and fake.
Even if he's really saying it for me, it doesn't matter.
'Continue to lead a peaceful life?'
I think I finally know how Ligrin sees me.
It must be ridiculous to see an ignorant human babbling about things they don't know.
'He was annoyed.'
I wanted to retort right away.
If I stay quiet, I can live peacefully?
No, then I'll just be raised quietly and offered as a sacrifice.
I'll just be pushed into an endless abyss by humans who casually talk about my death!
"...Thank you."
But I couldn't vent that emotion.
Even if I told him, Ligrin wouldn't understand anyway.
He's just a puppet who doesn't know what Rodbel used as a foundation to grow.
So.
"I didn't know that Butler would think of me that way. I'll keep your advice in mind."
I smiled brightly and let it go in one ear.
"..."
Ligrin stared at me silently and then turned his head as if he didn't want to deal with me anymore.
Good for him. I didn't want to deal with him anymore either.
But the moment I saw the door, I had no choice but to call Ligrin again.
"Excuse me, Butler."
"...What is it?"
His tone seems to have gotten even colder.
Well, I don't care.
I stretched out my arms towards Ligrin.
And.
"Hug me."
I need his help to get inside.
"..."
Ligrin looked at me as if he couldn't believe it, and then.
"Haa..."
With a long sigh, he lifted me up in a flash.
As soon as he put his hand on the pattern.
─Whoosh!
The wind swirled around my body and engraved the pattern on the back of my hand.
I nodded after confirming that the pattern was properly engraved.
"Okay. You can put me down now."
"...Yes."
Ligrin put me down and knocked on the door.
"Lord, I have brought Lady Lucia."
"Come in."
The answer came back.
I was thinking that I've been coming to this room often lately, and was waiting for Ligrin to open the door for me, when.
"...It could be a difficult time."
I wondered what he was talking about and looked to the side.
He was stopped with his hand on the doorknob, and said with a serious expression.
"If you want to run away, just run away."
Ah.
I finally understood what Ligrin was saying.
"Is that advice for me too?"
When I asked with an innocent face, he stared at me quietly and shook his head.
"...It's just simple meddling."
"I see. Thank you. But..."
I smiled brightly.
"I won't run away."
"...Do as you please."
Thunk.
The door opened.
I followed Ligrin inside.
The first person I saw as soon as I entered was.
"Commander."
"Lady!"
Aen, who was sitting on the sofa with an anxious look, jumped up from his seat when he found me.
Looking at his expression, drawing me into this situation was still...
I turned my head and looked at the opposite side of Aen.
I bowed my head to him, who was staring at me with a blank expression.
"I greet you, Duke."
"...Sit."
He said, looking at me.
But...
'Where am I supposed to sit?'
The Duke and Aen were directly in front of me.
Both of them are looking at me.
The Duke coldly, and Aen anxiously.
"..."
I slowly moved my feet.
The person I chose was.
"I'm sorry, Lady. I got you involved in an uncomfortable situation."
Aen whispered.
"It's okay."
I smiled at Aen, who looked very sorry.
'I was expecting it anyway.'
It's not that I distrusted Aen.
I turned my head and looked at the Duke.
'I didn't trust that person.'
The Duke would definitely not easily approve of my swordsmanship lessons.
'And the opponent is the Commander.'
The Commander can only have one disciple.
So he must have been very unhappy that I was taking Aen's disciple position.
So I thought it might end up like this... but.
'It really turned out like this.'
I felt a coldness in my chest.
But.
'Why is the Duke in such a bad mood?'
He seems to have the same blank expression as usual, but.
'He's in a really foul mood?'
His eyes are cold and his mouth is stiff.
The moment his icy gaze was fixed on me, I knew.
The reason why he's in such a bad mood.
'It's because of me.'
Because I wanted to learn swordsmanship, because Aen wanted to take me as his disciple.
The reason for all of this is me.
That's why he's glaring at me like he's going to kill me.
If it had been before, I would have immediately cowered under his gaze and tried to read his mind. But it's different now.
I calmly faced him.
Soon he parted his lips.
"Lucia Rodbel."
His voice echoed heavily in the quiet office.
It felt like the weight was crushing me.
"Yes, Duke."
"...Commander Aen Rixus said he wants to take you as his disciple. So, I called you to hear what you think."
"..."
No way. He's not trying to hear what I think, he's planning to scare me into giving up swordsmanship.
'Who does he think will do as he wants?'
I answered with a soft smile.
"Yes, Duke. I also want to learn the sword from Commander Aen Rixus."
Unwavering and firmly.
Properly expressing my will.
But.
"You must think the sword is a joke."
As expected, it didn't work on the Duke at all.
"Commander Aen Rixus is an important strength of the family. His time is more precious than gold, and his lessons are even more valuable. Do you think it's right to spend that time on you, rather than on a knight with endless potential for development?"
"Wait-"
Aen tried to step forward, unable to listen to the Duke's harsh and almost lacerating words, but...
"Yes."
One step ahead of him, I nodded.
"..."
Perhaps because he didn't expect me to answer so immediately, the Duke seemed momentarily speechless.
Aen was the same.
"...Arrogant."
His voice became even lower.
The air became so cold that I felt a chill.
"You're saying you're worth that much?"
"No."
This time, I shook my head.
"I can't say that I'm worth that much. But..."
I turned my head and looked at Aen.
His face was full of worry and regret as he looked at me.
'I told you it's okay.'
I didn't want Aen to make such an expression, so I smiled to reassure him.
Aen's eyes trembled slightly.
I looked at the Duke again and said.
"I trust the Commander's choice."
"..."
"Because the Commander chose me, I trust the Commander who chose me."
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