Somehow, it feels like I had a very deep sleep.
Even before my regression and after, I don’t think I ever felt truly at ease.
It was as if someone took pity on me while I slept and sang me a lullaby by my side.
“You’re awake.”
When I woke up, Sylvia had already finished tidying the bed and changed into the outing clothes she wore when she arrived.
Back at the castle, the sound of sparrows chirping outside my window in the morning used to feel so irritating, but for some reason, hearing her voice made me feel at peace.
“Yes, I seem to have overslept a little. My apologies, Lady.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s not even ten o’clock yet.”
As I apologized, she pointed to the clock and spoke as if it didn’t bother her.
However, just by looking at how she had already finished getting ready, I could tell quite some time had passed, so I didn’t take back my apology and instead got up.
It was about time to leave if we wanted to return to the castle before nightfall.
“Um, Lady Eleonore. About yesterday…”
I wasn’t some bashful maiden after her first night, yet I hesitated and couldn’t bring myself to finish my words, looking at Sylvia instead.
As if she already knew what I was about to say, she nodded with a crescent-moon smile in her eyes.
“Yes, don’t worry. I really won’t tell anyone.”
“Really?”
“Of course. But in return, Lord Lyard, you must also promise me a few things.”
“Promise? What exactly…?”
I was taken aback as she extended her pinky finger toward me like a child making a vow, and I unconsciously stepped closer to the bed.
Her eyes, which had been looking at me with curiosity, took on a strange glint.
A moment ago, she seemed as innocent as a child, but now she carried the solemnity of a warrior heading to the battlefield.
“First, please don’t engage in any reckless behavior.”
“That’s quite a broad condition.”
“The broader a rule is, the more things it can restrict.”
Well, that’s true. There’s a reason laws are often phrased in vague terms.
Even though she usually seemed like an innocent noblewoman ignorant of the world, she was quite sharp when it mattered.
“Second, please meet with me frequently.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
While I could understand the reasoning behind her first request, the second one seemed rather random.
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure out its meaning, so I asked, feeling a bit puzzled.
Sylvia blinked, as if wondering why I was asking something so obvious, before answering matter-of-factly.
“It’s for surveillance. Lord Lyard, aren’t you planning to infiltrate the rebel faction against the Empire? If you’re a rebel, it’s only right that I personally keep an eye on you.”
“At this point, I suppose denying it would be meaningless.”
“Of course. Lord Lyard, I’ve caught you red-handed.”
She gave me an uncharacteristically sly smile, making me wonder how I should deal with this situation.
Honestly, even if I broke the first promise, as long as she didn’t catch me, I could probably get away with it.
But the second one wasn’t so easy to escape from.
As she had deliberately phrased it vaguely, “meet frequently” didn’t specify a time or schedule, meaning I might end up seeing her every three days.
If I were asked whether meeting Sylvia was a hassle, I’d say no, but it was still a restriction on my movements.
“Understood. It’s not like I have a choice anyway.”
“A wise decision.”
Even though I saw through her intentions, I had no choice in the matter.
Ever since Sylvia overheard that conversation yesterday, she essentially held my life in her hands.
Of all people, I had to get caught by the most troublesome one.
“Fufu, now we’re truly in the same boat, Lord Lyard.”
“You sound awfully amused for someone talking about my predicament.”
“Sorry, I just find it a little exciting.”
What exactly was so exciting?
She wasn’t the type to enjoy playing with someone’s life, yet she kept smiling from ear to ear.
I let out a blunt remark without thinking, but Sylvia didn’t seem to mind at all, grinning brightly until we left the lodging.
“Hiiiiing!”
“Whoa, whoa, we’re here. Calm down, boy.”
Still half-asleep from dozing off in the carriage, we were jolted awake by the loud neighing of the horse, as if announcing our arrival.
Thankfully, the sun was just beginning to set.
The journey here took longer because we stopped in a village for a meal, but on the way back, we ate light snacks in the carriage, saving time.
That was thanks to Sylvia’s quick thinking. Thanks to her, I could get some rest earlier than expected.
“Lady Eleonore, I believe we’ve arrived. Let’s get off.”
“Yes, it’s much earlier than I expected.”
Still groggy, she replied in a dreamy voice, yet she looked breathtaking as ever.
I once read in a book that women appear more beautiful when their eyes are slightly narrowed, adding a dreamy allure.
Back then, I thought it was nonsense, but seeing it now, it seemed to make sense.
The wisdom of the ancients should not be dismissed so easily.
“It’s all thanks to you, Lady. I wouldn’t have thought of eating in the carriage.”
“Oh? Then I’ll count this as another debt you owe me…”
“Just get off already.”
“Jeez, fine! I’m getting off.”
I almost let slip another ridiculous comment, but I simply ignored her words and lightly pushed her towards the exit.
Grumbling, she got up and stepped out of the carriage first.
As soon as the grand silhouette of Freich Castle of House Lyard came into view, we both let out a sigh of relief, realizing we were finally home.
There was a time when I wanted nothing more than to escape from this castle, but now, I felt nothing but the comfort of returning home.
“How was your trip, Kyle?”
“…Father?”
While stretching my stiff back from the long carriage ride, I suddenly heard a familiar voice and turned around in shock.
Despite the late hour, my father stood outside the castle gates, waiting for me.
“Surprised? What, do I seem like such a cold-hearted man that I wouldn’t even come to welcome my own son home?”
“Ah, no. I just didn’t expect you to be outside in this cold weather….”
“Cold? A man shouldn’t cower indoors just because of a little spring chill.”
As I hurriedly corrected my posture and bowed my head, my father nodded and looked at me briefly before shifting his gaze to the side.
Sylvia, whose eyes met his, followed my lead and lowered her waist in a respectful greeting.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Lyard. I am Sylvia of House Eleonore.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you. By the way, did you two travel back together?”
At first, my father accepted her greeting normally, but when he noticed our appearance and realized we had returned from Reuben together, he gave us a skeptical look.
Or rather, he directed that look at Sylvia, not at me.
I had mentioned beforehand that I would be visiting House Eleonore, but given the strange rumors surrounding Sylvia, my father seemed less than pleased about my closeness with her.
That look of his was irritating, so I stepped between them and spoke on her behalf.
“Yes, Father. When I met Lady Eleonore recently, she mentioned wanting to visit Reuben at least once. Since she happened to visit the castle, we had some free time and decided to go together.”
“So that’s why you left without informing me. Hmm, I see.”
Knowing Sylvia’s personality, she would likely have admitted she insisted on coming along, which could have displeased my father.
To prevent that, I decided to take the blame instead.
It was true that Sylvia had expressed interest in visiting Reuben, so it wasn’t a complete lie.
After hearing my explanation, my father seemed somewhat convinced and casually addressed Sylvia.
“Well, since it’s already late, why don’t you stay here for the night, Lady Eleonore?”
“…Excuse me? Are you serious?”
“…Father, are you sure about this?”
Sylvia’s face lit up with delight at the unexpected suggestion, while mine was filled with confusion.
What was this? Wasn’t my father not particularly fond of Sylvia?
Of course, I had no intention of sending her back tonight anyway.
Even if the distance to Kaintreche Castle wasn’t too far, letting her travel alone at this hour would be worrisome in many ways.
But I had planned to keep this from my parents, quietly letting her stay the night and seeing her off in the morning—who knew it would turn out like this?
“What’s there to be unsure about? She’s the lady you’re courting. It’s only proper that we treat her with hospitality.”
“Well… that’s true, but…”
Technically, it was correct since we were publicly pretending to be in a relationship, but hearing my father say it still caught me off guard.
He was not one to say things he didn’t mean, so if he truly disliked Sylvia, he wouldn’t have extended such an invitation, even out of politeness.
For whatever reason, he didn’t seem to have a particularly bad impression of her.
“You both must have had a tiring trip and only had a light meal. I’ll inform the cooks, so have a warm dinner together and get some rest. Kyle, show her to a room.”
“…Yes, Father.”
“I appreciate your kindness, Lord Lyard.”
Just as my father was about to turn and head inside, he suddenly stopped.
I tilted my head, wondering if he had something else to say.
Then, after observing us quietly for a moment, he brought up another unexpected topic.
“Now that I think about it, you received an invitation today. It seems to be a gathering for the heirs of noble families. What do you plan to do?”
“A gathering of heirs?”
“Yes, from what I hear, quite a few noble families will be attending.”
“In that case… I will attend.”
“A wise choice. I’ll send the reply on your behalf.”
Normally, I would have declined without a second thought.
But recalling the rumors I heard from Nogu about House Drake, I accepted the invitation without hesitation.
With some luck, I might be able to gather some clues there.
From what I knew, House Drake had a firstborn son around my age.
—Tug.
As I was lost in thought, I felt a light pull on my sleeve and snapped back to reality.
When I turned my head, I saw Sylvia smiling as she shyly held the end of my sleeve.
“Let’s go, Lord Lyard. Last time, I showed you around Kaintreche Castle, so this time, it’s your turn.”
“You must still be tired from the trip. Wouldn’t it be better if I showed you around tomorrow…?”
“I’m fine. When you’re having fun, you forget about fatigue. Unless, of course, you’re the one who’s too tired.”
“I’m fine as well. We still have some time before dinner, so I’ll show you around now.”
Now that I thought about it, even before my regression, when she first visited Freich Castle, I never properly showed her around.
So this was the perfect chance.
As I watched her walk ahead with light, effortless steps, as if this were her own home, I was reminded once again—this was what I wanted to protect.