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"So, why did you go to help Maria-san and even bring Hofre-sama back with you?!"
When we headed outside the mansion where Bossa was waiting with Hofre and Sergio, he shouted that as soon as we met.
"Well. I didn't know the name Hofre, but I knew this person himself."
I hadn't had any direct involvement with the Maya faction until now, so there were too few friendly relationships to probe the Maya faction and the Carina faction against each other for five years.
It can't be denied that it's somewhat, or rather quite forced, but it can't be helped.
The Carina faction is now being suspected by the Maya faction due to General Baltzar sending Bossa and other factors, so I want Hofre to become a factor for the Carina faction to suspect the relationship between me and the Maya faction in the future.
If you force it through, it becomes reason.
Let's force it through even if we have to.
"Eh, eeeeh? You kidnapped someone you knew?"
"That's right. The dog's training was insufficient. I'm sorry."
Saying that, I pulled the side hair that extends from around Hofre's sideburns and forced him to lower his head, and Hofre himself bowed to Bossa with a really nice smile.
However, it's clear that he has no intention of apologizing from the beginning because he's facing Bossa straight with his face.
"Sorry for my untrained dog."
"A seven-year-old... Calling a full-grown adult a dog..."
"I didn't intend to do that. This child's name is Pochi. Hey, say hello to Bossa."
"Hofre Cassinelli, also known as Raymond-sama's loyal dog."
"A loyal dog kidnaps an attendant..."
"I couldn't help it because you weren't paying attention to me."
"That's because you sent a letter in Hofre's name. From now on, please write Pochi properly, okay?"
"Yes!"
Bossa showed a clearly repulsed expression to Hofre, who was looking at me with a rapturous expression.
It's okay, I'm repulsed too. I don't know how to feel rapturous being told this by a seven-year-old.
"So Maria-san is okay with this?"
"Yes, well. It's up to Lord Raymond to decide."
I talked to Maria properly about this.
I made a promise to have her apologize to Maria individually later, so Maria will decide about the compensation.
Honestly, I'm indebted to Maria for accepting it even though it would be a disgrace for me.
"Hmph. So, are you going to marry into Hofre-sama's family as it is? If there are no repercussions, your reputation will be damaged even if you're from the Grimaldi Duke family."
Maria's expression froze and Master Cyrillos' smile disappeared at Bossa, who was wearing a nice smile.
I'm annoyed that Hofre and Sergio don't seem to think anything of it.
They have an expression that says "Is that a problem?"
It's originally your fault, you know?
"Because it's like that, right? Whatever the purpose of the kidnapping, she spent a night at the Cassinelli residence. Hofre-sama and Maria-san were fiancé candidates before Maria-san became Lord Raymond's attendant. It wouldn't be strange if it was said that Hofre-sama, who is the head of Maya-sama, injured Maria-san in order to get Lord Raymond into his hands, right?"
Maria lowered her head and bit her lip.
In response, Hofre contorted his expression with displeasure for the first time here.
"Aren't you being too rude to the duke family?"
Hofre, who had been frowning, had a presence, since I had only seen rapturous expressions until now.
Bossa's face stiffened at that unpleasant face that Hofre showed for the first time.
Maria had a surprised face, but a slightly happy one.
"It's presumptuous for me to get Lord Raymond into my hands. Lord Raymond has taken me into his hands. Rather, I went to be taken in by him!"
Maria and I had our expressions disappear at Hofre, who said that with a smug face.
"That's not it. That's not what I wanted you to cover for."
"Eh!? I, I'm sorry!!"
Even a sigh came out at Hofre, who started to panic.
Bossa himself also had a "there?" face.
But, well, it was wrong to expect that from Hofre in the first place.
"If necessary, I'll also look for a marriage partner for Maria, and if anything, I'll take care of her until the end."
"So you're giving up on a happy marriage? The only ones who will propose to Maria-san in the future will be those who are aiming for Lord Raymond. Other men will hate the trouble and run away."
I'm getting more and more irritated by Bossa's remarks from earlier.
However, that's also because I can't argue back.
The situation was overwhelmingly unfavorable for Maria.
I'm the one who's forcing Maria to endure, so why am I acting like a victim?
Maria is the one who wants to be the most angry and wants to cry.
Both me and Maria were speechless, Maria lowered her head and I glared at Bossa.
Suddenly, Master Cyrillos stepped out between Bossa and us, and protected us with his back.
"You don't have to worry, Lord Cosimo."
"Heeh? Are you going to marry her, Cyrillos-san?"
"Yes."
Master Cyrillos answered Bossa's question immediately, even though it was a malicious question, and immediately turned to face Maria.
"Maria-dono. I heard that you were kidnapped this time, and I have been regretting it all along. As long as I'm by Lord Raymond's side, I thought I could protect you until you found a partner, even if I couldn't become a partner with you. But I was wrong."
Master Cyrillos, who knelt on the spot, put one hand on his chest.
"This is not sympathy, let alone pity. I love you. I'm originally a commoner, so I'm of humble status from your point of view. But, if there's even a slight possibility, would you consider it?"
Maria, whose face was dyed red with a melting gaze, was reflected in his eyes.
He didn't press Maria, who couldn't hide her confusion at the sudden confession, any further and stood up with a smile on his face once.
"You don't have to answer right now. I don't want to do anything that doesn't suit your heart."
Then he turned to face Bossa and erased the warm smile from earlier.
"So, if you make a fuss about this matter more than necessary, I will also talk to you, so be prepared."
Is there a stronger deterrent than Master Cyrillos?
The strongest in the Chentro Kingdom in terms of swordsmanship alone.
No one would want to anger such an opponent.
"I'm not a gentleman who can remain silent when the woman I love is insulted either."
Even Bossa, who had been listing words to Maria until just now, raised both hands to indicate that he had no intention of saying anything more.
I thought it would be good if that really happened, but I didn't think Master Cyrillos would confess to Maria.
If this wasn't outside, I'd want to shout "Endaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!" to the point that I'm excited.
What's Maria's answer!? Peeping Tom? Shut up! Can I not convey this excitement!?
"Now, it's no use being like this here. Hofre-dono himself has to explain it to Baltzar-dono."
Master Cyrillos changed the atmosphere by clapping his hands once.
"Then, Your Highness Raymond, this way."
Did he intend to carry me and ride as he did when we came? Master Cyrillos reached out to me, and after staring at Master Cyrillos' hand for a few seconds, I looked at Maria next.
"Maria, Maria."
"What is it, Lord Raymond?"
"Want to ride with Master Cyrillos?"
"Eh!? N-no. That's, eh!?"
Maria, who always has a gentle smile on her face, is blushing red to her ears and panicking.
I felt an urge to meddle at Maria's maiden appearance, which I was seeing for the first time.
"Then that means the human guards and Lord Raymond, the beastman and Maria will ride the horses. Sergio and I will ride one horse each. That should be fine."
Hofre said that and got on the horse quickly.
"Eh. I don't mind, but does Lord Raymond not like it?"
"Honestly, it's mentally several times better for me to ride with Maria than to leave it to Bossa."
"Wow, honest. Cyrillos-san and Maria-san?"
Well, he seems to understand what kind of impression his previous words gave to the other party.
"It's honestly uneasy to leave Lord Raymond to Cosimo-dono."
"It's better than leaving it to Hofre-sama."
"I shouldn't be allowed to touch Lord Raymond's silky smooth and delicate skin, right?"
Wow... (Pulling back)
Everyone except Sergio recoiled at Hofre's words.
"Then, Maria-dono, would you mind riding with me? If anything happens, I'll be the rearguard to let Lord Raymond and Hofre-dono escape, though."
Perhaps that word was the deciding factor, Maria held out her hand to Master Cyrillos.
"Y-yes. Th-thank you, please."
"Yes. I'm sure you'll be asked."
Master Cyrillos, who gently grasped her hand, lightly kissed the back of Maria's hand.
Maria blushed even more at that.
"That's terrible. Lord Raymond isn't breathing."
"I can't die until I see Maria and Master Cyrillos' children. But I'm suffocating from their happiness."
"It was normal operation. Let's go back to the royal palace quickly?"
Bossa should remember that I'm royalty.
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