Unexpected Hospitality

Somehow, it feels like I had a very deep sleep.

Even before the regression, and after the regression, I don’t think I’ve ever felt particularly at ease.

It felt as if someone pitied me throughout my sleep, and even sang a lullaby by my side.

“You’re awake.”

When I woke up, Sylvia had already finished tidying up the bed and had changed into the outdoor clothes she had worn when she arrived.

In the castle, the sound of sparrows chirping outside the window in the morning was so annoying, but somehow, hearing her voice made me feel at ease.

“Yes, I overslept a bit. I’m sorry, Princess.”

“It’s okay. It’s not even ten o’clock yet.”

When I apologized, she pointed to the clock and said it didn’t matter.

But just looking at her appearance, I could tell that a lot of time had passed since she had finished dressing up, so I didn’t bother taking back my apology and got up.

I should leave soon so I can return to the castle before it gets completely dark.

“Um, Princess Eleanor. About yesterday…”

Not like I’m some virgin who spent her first night, I opened my mouth with a rather timid tone, unable to continue my words, and looked at Sylvia.

She seemed to know what I was about to say, and nodded with her eyes shaped like crescent moons.

“Yes, don’t worry. I really won’t tell anyone.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Instead, Young Master Lyaird, please promise me a few things.”

“Promises, what…?”

Not like I’m a child, I approached the bed, a little dumbfounded by her appearance as she held out her pinky finger.

Sylvia’s eyes, which had been looking at me with a questioning gaze, changed subtly.

Just a moment ago, I felt the innocence of a child, but now, it felt like the solemnity of a warrior heading to the battlefield.

“First, please don’t do anything that could put you in danger.”

“That’s quite comprehensive.”

“The more comprehensive the rules, the more they can restrict.”

Well, that’s true. It’s not for nothing that laws contain somewhat vague expressions.

Even though she usually looks like an innocent young lady who doesn’t know the ways of the world, she must be quite intelligent at her core.

“Second, please meet with me often.”

“…What’s the meaning of that?”

Anyway, I can understand the reason for the first condition, but the second condition she presented was somewhat out of the blue.

No matter how much I rack my brain, I can’t interpret the meaning of the condition, so I asked her what she meant with a slightly dumbfounded expression. Sylvia blinked her eyes as if asking what’s so obvious and began to speak.

“Well, it’s surveillance. Isn’t Young Master Lyaird clearly trying to join the Empire’s group of rebels? As such a rebel, it’s only right that I keep a close watch on you with my own eyes.”

“It’s probably pointless to say it’s a misunderstanding now.”

“Of course. Young Master Lyaird, I’ve got a real weakness of yours.”

She looked at me with a sly smile that was unlike her, and I fell into 고민, wondering what to do.

Frankly, even if I inevitably break the first promise, I can at least get away with it as long as I don’t get caught by her.

But the latter doesn’t allow for that.

From the beginning, she deliberately added a comprehensive expression, as she said earlier. Due to the words ‘meet often,’ which don’t mention any specific period or frequency, I might have to meet her every three days.

Of course, if you ask if meeting Sylvia is a troublesome thing for me, it’s not, but it’s true that my movements will be restricted.

“I understand. I don’t have a choice anyway.”

“That’s a wise choice.”

However, even if I knew all of that, I couldn’t have a choice.

From the moment Sylvia overheard that conversation yesterday, it was practically the same as handing her my lifeline.

Of all people, I got caught by the most difficult person in some ways.

“Hehe, with this, we’re really in the same boat, Young Master Lyaird.”

“It twists my insides to see you laugh at someone else’s misfortune.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just a little happy.”

What’s she so happy about? She wouldn’t have the nasty hobby of grabbing someone else’s lifeline and shaking it.

I inadvertently said something sharp at her constantly beaming face, but Sylvia didn’t seem to care at all and had a flower blooming on her face until she left the 숙소.

＊＊＊

“Hiiiing-!”

“Whoa there, we’ve arrived. Calm down, you rascal.”

We had taken a nap in the 마차 on the way, and we groggily opened our eyes when we heard the horse’s loud cry, as if announcing that we had arrived at our destination.

Thankfully, the sun is just setting.

On the way there, we stopped by another village to eat, so it took a little longer, but on the way back, we bought simple snacks and ate them in the 마차, so it took less time.

Thanks to Sylvia’s foresight. Thanks to her, I can lie down earlier than expected.

“Princess Eleanor, it seems we’ve arrived. Let’s get off.”

“Yes, it was much faster than expected.”

Still sleepy, she replied with half-closed eyes and a hazy tone, and she was as beautiful as ever.

I once read in a book that women look more beautiful with a dreamy charm when they narrow their eyes slightly.

At the time, I thought it was just nonsense, but seeing it like this, it was a valid point.

After all, the wisdom of the 선인 cannot be easily ignored.

“It’s thanks to the Princess. I wouldn’t have thought of having a simple meal in the 마차.”

“Ah, then this is also something I owe you…”

“Just get off already.”

“Tch, I’m getting off. I’m getting off.”

Instead, some nonsense was about to come out of nowhere, but I lightly ignored her words and pointed to the exit as if pushing her back.

Sylvia got up while grumbling and left the 마차 first.

Soon after, Lyaird family’s Freeg Building came into view, and only then could we feel that we had returned and let out a sigh of relief.

In the past, I only wanted to escape from this building as soon as possible, but now, it’s a comedy that I only feel a sense of stability that I’ve returned home.

“So, you’ve returned, Kyle.”

“Ah, Father…?”

I was stretching my stiff back because I had been riding in the 마차 for too long, and I was surprised by the familiar voice that suddenly came from behind me, so I turned my head.

There was my father, who had come out to the 성문 even though it was quite late.

“Why so surprised? Why, does your father look like such a cold-blooded person that he can’t come out to greet his son?”

“Ah, no. I didn’t expect you to be out here in the cold…”

“Cold? A man shouldn’t be cooped up inside because of this little bit of late spring chill.”

I quickly corrected my posture and bowed my head. My father nodded and looked at me once, then turned his gaze to the side.

Sylvia, who had met his eyes, also lowered her back and greeted him politely.

“Nice to meet you, Lyaird-kyoung. I’m Sylvia from the Eleanor family.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. By the way, are you two coming back together?”

At first, my father received the greeting normally, but after checking our appearance, he noticed that we had gone to Ruben together and sent suspicious eyes.

To be exact, it was towards Sylvia, not me.

I had mentioned that I would be visiting the Eleanor family before I left, but it seems that he doesn’t like me being close to Sylvia because of the strange rumors surrounding her in the world.

The look was very unpleasant, so I appeared as if to intervene between the two and expressed affirmation instead.

“Yes, Father. Actually, when I met Princess Eleanor a while ago, she said she wanted to visit Ruben once. Since she visited the building and had time, we went together.”

“So that’s why you left without giving me any notice. Hmm, I understand.”

It was obvious that Sylvia’s personality would lead her to say honestly that she had forced her way in, and if that happened, my father’s mood might be upset, so I decided to take the blame here.

In fact, it is true that Sylvia said she wanted to visit Ruben, so it is not a complete lie.

After hearing my explanation, my father seemed to be a little convinced and casually spoke to Sylvia.

“Then it’s getting late, so how about Eleanor-yang stay here for a night?”

“Yes? Are you serious?”

“…Are you okay with that, Father?”

Sylvia’s face was filled with joy at the unexpected suggestion, and my face was filled with embarrassment.

What? Wasn’t my father uncomfortable with Sylvia?

Of course, I didn’t intend to send Sylvia back as she was.

Even if the distance to Caintreche Building wasn’t that far, I was worried about sending her back alone at a late hour.

But I was going to hide this fact from my parents as much as possible, just quietly let her sleep for one night and see her off tomorrow, but I didn’t expect it to turn out like this.

“What’s wrong with it? She’s a woman you’re dating, so it’s only natural to treat her well.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Superficially, that’s how it is, so it’s not wrong, but I was surprised that those words came out of my father’s mouth.

Because my father is not the type to say things he doesn’t mean, if he was reluctant to have Sylvia, he would never have said such a thing even out of courtesy.

I don’t know for what reason, but I could tell that he didn’t have a very bad perception of Sylvia.

“You must have had a simple meal on your busy way. I’ll tell the cooks, so have a warm dinner together and rest well. You guide her to her room.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Lyaird-kyoung.”

With those words, my father turned around and was about to go inside the building first, but he suddenly stopped.

I tilted my head, wondering if he had anything else to say, and my father, who had been staring at us, made another quite unexpected suggestion.

“Come to think of it, an invitation came for you today. It seems to be a meeting for the young heads of each family, what will you do?”

“A meeting for the young heads?”

“Yes, I heard that quite a few families are coming.”

“Then… I will attend.”

“Good idea. Then I’ll reply for you.”

Originally, I would have 당연히 not attended, but I remembered the rumors I heard from Nogu yesterday about the Drake family, so I accepted the invitation without any 고민.

If I’m lucky, I might get some clues there.

As far as I know, the Drake family also has an eldest son who is about my age.

Thump.

I was lost in thought for a moment, but I came to my senses when I felt something lightly pulling on my body.

When I turned my head, I saw Sylvia smiling with the end of my sleeve timidly held in her hand.

“Let’s go, Young Master Lyaird. I guided you through Caintreche Building before, so it’s your turn this time, right?”

“You must still be tired from the trip, are you sure you’re okay? It’s better to give you a tour tomorrow…”

“I’m okay. You know, you always forget about tiredness in the face of pleasure. Of course, if you’re tired, I can’t help it.”

“I’m okay too. Then, since we have some time before dinner, I’ll give you a tour.”

Come to think of it, I didn’t get to show her around the inside of Freeg Building when she first visited before the regression, so I thought it was a good opportunity and moved my feet together.

Looking at her 뒷모습 walking ahead with light steps as if it were her own house, I realized once again that that was what I wanted to protect.