episode_0084

In fact, the ending in the novel where Amelia and Adele end up together cannot be called a happy ending.

There is no way that homosexuality could be completely accepted in this era. In order to prevent the story from becoming overly depressing, the church forces that openly oppress homosexuality did not appear directly, and although she received congratulations in her own way from those around her, in the end, in reality, Amelia It was an ending where Adele and I left everything we had.

The story goes that the two lived happily, so it can be said to be a happy ending from the two people’s perspective, but it cannot be said to be a completely happy ending in that they ultimately gave up everything they had.

Even if Amelia chooses me, a similar ending will be waiting for me.

Seeing as how Amelia hasn’t shown any such feelings when looking at me up until now, it’s almost like I’m just delusional.

What if I am included in all the rights that Amelia gives up by becoming involved with Adele?

Amelia doesn’t use me for free. She always pays me a certain amount. Even though Delkisi is a vassal family of Grattenmount, that doesn’t mean she can buy loyalty for free.

Although it was not a very large amount based on the Gratton Mount price, it was a very large amount to pay as an individual.

Of course, I don’t care about things like money as long as I can be by Amelia’s side, but what will Amelia think?

Wouldn’t he think of me hovering next to him as an obstacle as he leaves alone with his loved one?

Wouldn’t he seem like a person trying to deny his own choice?

That feeling of anxiety rose up in my mind little by little every time Amelia and Adele showed signs of becoming closer.

If the person I like likes someone else, and if that feeling is bigger than liking or liking someone and they are willing to give up on our relationship, then I will have to let Amelia go, because it is the right thing to do.

But even though I thought that way, I wasn’t happy about Amelia getting closer to Adele, even though I knew that Adele was a good person and wouldn’t hurt Amelia.

“I have better horseback riding skills, so I think it’s right for me to take Adele.”

That’s why I said that.

“… … It is true that you are better at riding horses, but I was the one who invited Adele. So, as the representative, I should bring Adele.”

“Even so, I am your escort. It is also my job to take charge of that task so that the owner is not uncomfortable.”

At my answer, Amelia opened her mouth blankly for a moment, then frowned.

“No, this is the pride that the eldest daughter of the Great Duke of Grattenmount should have. Because as northerners, our family is also the one who protects the border. Of course, the most dangerous area is guarded by the people of Delkisi, but where the border exists It’s not just there, right?”

“You are the eldest daughter of that family.”

“But he is also here as the representative of the family.”

“Since you are the representative of each family, it is natural that there must be someone to assist you with the task. Nobles have a thing called face, and in such cases, it is natural for a guard to step in and take charge of the task.”

“I am the CEO and you are employed by me, so you are saying that you will take care of all the dirty work?”

It wasn’t until I saw the look on Amelia’s face when she said that that I knew something was wrong.

But even when I saw Amelia frowning, I couldn’t remember what was wrong.

I only felt a vague fear.

And that vague fear was so intertwined with my thoughts about the relationship between Amelia and Adele that it made me unable to comply with Amelia’s claims.

“Well, that’s natural. I… … Because I received the money, I just want to make sure that I receive as much as I received.”

“… … .”

Amelia pursed her lips after hearing what I said.

The way Amelia looked at me was a little sharper than usual.

*

“Even so, I am your escort. It is also my job to take charge of that task so that the owner is not uncomfortable.”

When Elsie said that, I was speechless for a moment.

I am… … I never thought that Elsie was just my escort. Of course, it was a formal relationship where money was exchanged. Although Elsie was my friend, that doesn’t mean she can do all that for free.

The two of us are close, and we must be clear about money-related issues. Even if it is between friends.

But then, to what extent does Elsie consider the time she spends next to me as ‘work’?

I, Elsie, are my friends, so, irreplaceable… … I thought he was a friend.

The phrase irreplaceable is a literal one.

In fact, I had very few people in this world that I could call friends. The maids who followed me were friends, and there were a few children I talked to in my hometown, but they were not all ‘friends’ on equal terms with me. It was.

Moreover, even if you made friends in the royal capital… … When I think back to the original work I read, the only kids who would come up to me and ask to be my friend would be the ones who, like Diane, aspire to create a ‘power group’.

For them, the biggest reason to date me is because I have power and status. Secondly, it’s probably because I have money.

If you call such a relationship friendship, you can call it that.

However, the weight is different from the friendship I have had with Elsie so far.

It would have been different.

“Since you are the representative of each family, it is natural that there must be someone to assist you with the task. Nobles have a thing called face, and in such cases, it is natural for a guard to step in and take charge of the task.”

Know.

I knew it.

In the end, the relationship between Elsie and me started out as the Grand Duchess and the Baroness. Even after she met me, Elsie called me Archduchess for a long time, and even now, she still calls me the Grand Duchess in front of others.

But, I—

—Since when did I treat Elsie ‘sincerely’?

From the moment I saw Elsie, who was in the same noble position but looked happy at simple things?

What was the secret? When you suggested the strangely familiar method of eating steamed potatoes dipped in sugar?

Even when I saw Elsie twisting a rope with rice straw in a dark room, even when she said that the power she had was not of much help to her, or when she tried to protect me when an unidentified threat approached me. The enemy appeared in the air. When you came out, you stood proudly in front of me, even at that young age, when you held a sword and fought—

There was a thumping sound that struck my ears.

Maybe it’s the sound of my heart beating.

Elsie can’t hear.

“I am the CEO and you are employed by me, so you are saying that you will take care of all the dirty work?”

What kind of expression was I making when I said that?

Was he blushing as if he was angry, frowning as if he didn’t like the story, or making an angry expression as if he was right?

Just in case, didn’t that expression seem like pressure to Elsie?

“Well, that’s natural. I… … Because I received the money, I just want to make sure that I receive as much as I received.”

In the end, Elsie responded that way to what I said.

And I kept my mouth shut.

Yes, that was Elsie’s job.

And I also knew that receiving that money did not mean that he became my best friend.

What Elsie is talking about is ‘her own work’, that is, her work that is visible to others. It is not something a bodyguard would do to go with the master and postpone his work to the master.

The issue is not the thoughts of the article’s author. It’s about the article’s attitude as seen by others.

And such stories directly lead to the reputation of the article.

Elsie, who failed to become the family’s warrior, would not have wanted her reputation to be ruined like that. Even if the person she was protecting was a close friend.

It’s definitely a story that can be easily understood if you think about it a little… … Why do I not like Elsie getting closer to Adele so much?

Even though I was the one who actually brought Adele in.

… … .

… … No, I actually know.

I think Elsie might be taken away by Adele.

If Adele becomes friends with Elsie—

Of course, Elsie won’t become Adele’s escort or leave the seat next to me, but won’t she end up talking more passionately about Adele than me when she’s out there?

Wouldn’t it be nice to give Adele that bright, pure smile that she shows while talking to me?

So little by little, little by little, we naturally grow apart, and eventually, when we have to part ways,

Wouldn’t this be the kind of relationship where people smile, wave, and break up without a care in the world as if it’s natural?

… … I didn’t like that.

Even after we broke up, I wanted Elsie to miss me as much as I missed her.

… … And, I also knew that it was a selfish and bad idea.

“… … So, if I tell you to do that, you will obey that order?”

I said that right after I thought of myself as a ‘bad person’.

After saying those words, I was so shocked that I kept my mouth shut.

That wasn’t something you would say to a friend.