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Maria and Cyrillus-sensei fell silent at my words.
Both of them have dark expressions, wondering what they're thinking.
After that, we reached the east corridor and arrived at my room without any particular conversation.
But for the sake of the two who still seemed to have something to say, I invited Maria and Cyrillus-sensei into the room.
There, Cyrillus-sensei, as if he had made up his mind, grabbed my arm and opened his mouth.
"Can't I become a shield to protect Your Highness?"
"A shield, you say..."
Honestly, that offer is very appreciated.
If Cyrillus-sensei, whom I trust more than anyone else, would become my absolute ally, there would be nothing more encouraging and pleasing than that.
But that's no good.
One of the reasons I thought it would be okay for me to live among the commoners is that I know Cyrillus-sensei's background.
Cyrillus-sensei is originally a commoner, a former adventurer.
He was indeed a world-class S-rank adventurer, with only a handful of people in the world. Now, he is using his swordsmanship for the royal family, so he is a noble with exceptional treatment, even though he is a one-generation noble, he has the power of a marquis or even a nominal duke's family.
But the story changes if he attaches himself to me personally.
"But, Cyrillus-sensei, you are an honorary noble of this country, right? You can't be on my side personally..."
"Yes. But I'm originally an adventurer. I was recognized for my swordsmanship by Ablamo-sama and became a noble of this country, and I serve in the royal palace, but I don't mind returning to being a commoner now. It was just convenient for me to live. If you were really trying to discredit His Highness Federico, it would be one thing, but I wouldn't hesitate to do it for His Highness Raimondo, whom I've been protecting since he was a child."
"So, will you become a traitor to the country? It's okay now because I'm a child. When I grow up, it won't be the Maya faction and the Karina faction with the names of my parents, but the Raimondo faction and the Federico faction. If the only one by my side at that time is Maria, who is just learning etiquette, it's still okay, but if Cyrillus-sensei is also there, even the absurd theory that I'm going to drag Federico-aniue down from the throne of crown prince will start to have truth. If you make a mistake, you'll be beheaded."
"You're acting so that that doesn't happen, right?"
"My plan is only to buy time at best. I'm not as smart as Bertrand-aniue or as good at maneuvering as Andrea-aniue."
"Then that's fine. I'll also improve myself in the time that Raimondo-denka buys. So that I can protect you and Maria-dono."
I pressed my temples with my hands as I got a headache from the endless exchange of words.
"I don't... I don't want to make Cyrillus-sensei my shield."
"Then how about a sword?"
I understood well in this short period of time that there was no intention of giving up no matter what I said.
But as for me, I don't want to do something like take responsibility for Cyrillus-sensei's life.
Think about it. How many opportunities are there to hold the rights to other people's lives in modern society?
At least I never had it. That's why I can't make up my mind.
Cyrillus-sensei's future is determined by my statements and actions. Even life and death are affected.
To hell with such rights.
"...I don't need a sword or a shield. If it means putting Cyrillus-sensei in danger with such things, I'd rather die alone. But if Cyrillus-sensei decides to live for my sake, not die for my sake, then I'll decide to make Cyrillus-sensei my secret weapon."
"Okay. But, since you call me a secret weapon, isn't it meaningless if I'm not by your side?"
"No way!"
A secret weapon isn't called a secret weapon just because it's always by your side.
It's the lifeline that's left when everything else to protect yourself is gone.
It protects not only life. At times, it even protects the honor of the owner.
"If I get caught in someone else's plan and can't do anything about it, then throw everything away and become my sword. At that time, let's be prepared to die with Cyrillus-sensei."
".........Yes. At that time, definitely."
If you say you won't give up, I'll just draw you in as you wish.
Instead, I'll have Sensei come to my side only when it's really hopeless.
"But, I'll cut off Cyrillus-sensei if you're going to throw your life away, okay? You're not my ally! I'll never let you die for my sake, no matter what."
"Hehe. Understood."
Anyway, Cyrillus-sensei is fine with this, but the problem is Maria.
Cyrillus-sensei, who has become my secret weapon lurking in the royal palace, has a clear expression, but Maria is even more depressed than before.
It's difficult for Maria, who is a woman and doesn't go to the academy, to stay by my side.
In that case, the only way to be together is to become my attendant, knowing that you'll be single for the rest of your life.
Finding an understanding husband may be a hand, but Maria is originally the daughter of a duke.
If it is detrimental to the Grimaldi duke family by attaching to me, Maria's father, Duke Grimaldi, will not allow it.
Even now that she is my caretaker after being Mother's side attendant, it is rumored that the Grimaldi family is attached to the Maya faction even though she didn't declare it herself.
Since she was originally raised on the premise of marrying for the sake of the family, it's almost a miracle that she hasn't married yet.
Therefore, there will definitely come a time when I have to separate from Maria when I grow up.
"Hey, Maria."
"H, yes. Raimondo-sama."
When I took Maria's hand, she knelt down so that she would meet my eyes.
"Maria is a mother, a sister, and a teacher to me. So, if I'm in a difficult situation in the future, don't think that you can't do anything. I've received everything from Maria so far."
If it weren't for Maria, I wouldn't have been given any options now.
Everyone except Maria who was my caretaker and Mother's side attendant would have disappeared within a year.
No one tries to talk to me more than necessary. Teaching me about the world is out of the question.
If I didn't leave my room, I wouldn't have met Cyrillus-sensei, and I wouldn't have met Jean-niisama or John-niisama.
Talking to the other Anis would have been a dream.
And, probably, a Maya faction noble would have become my guardian.
"Everything I am now is thanks to Maria."
People, knowledge, and even this life are thanks to Maria.
Maria, who distorted her face as if she was about to cry, clasped my still small hand and put it against her forehead.
"Maria is proud to have been able to take care of Raimondo-sama."
"Yeah."
"I can't protect Raimondo-sama like Cyrillus-sama. I can't even stand next to you or support you from behind. When you grow up someday, you will surely find a place to return to yourself. If that happens, I won't be needed there."
Maria, who had been holding her hands in front of her forehead as if praying, gently released her hands and looked straight at me.
"But, I will protect Raimondo-sama's honor. If you deviate from the path, I will stop you at the risk of my life. If you are falsely accused, I will raise my voice before anyone else, louder than anyone else, and until the end. This is the responsibility of me, who became Raimondo-sama's first educator. Even if my father blames me, I will fulfill my responsibility."
Straight eyes with a strong will.
Ah, really.
"What a wonderful woman."
I'm falling in love!
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