Clop-clop. Clop-clop.
The sound of hooves, gently echoing through the silence, seeped into Sylvia’s ears at regular intervals.
She tilted her head, using it as white noise, and glanced across.
There, sitting on the plush seat of the carriage with his eyes gently closed, was Kyle.
‘What on earth is Kyle thinking?’
Perhaps it was because his tightly shut eyelids hid his pupils.
Today, Sylvia found it especially difficult to read his thoughts and gave a bitter smile.
She still hadn’t asked why he had suddenly decided to head towards Kaintreche Castle.
No, even if she had asked, she thought he probably wouldn’t answer.
She could easily guess that any response would be a vague excuse at best.
What was truly amusing in this situation was that, despite knowing he often lied through his excuses, Sylvia blindly trusted him.
Of course, it wasn’t just because he was the man she loved.
There was simply an unusual atmosphere about Kyle that gave her a sense of trust unlike anyone else.
Even if the world abandoned her, she felt that somehow, this man would stay by her side.
‘How ridiculous.’
Sylvia knew better than anyone that it was nonsense.
Unlike her, who blindly loved him based on memories from before the regression and the bond that had built over time, Kyle probably had no such thoughts.
If she said that, wouldn’t it sound like he secretly harbored feelings for her?
By this point, it wasn’t just a misunderstanding but a delusion, Sylvia thought, giving herself a self-deprecating smile.
“Lord Lyard, it’s a bit too quiet between us, don’t you think? It’s rather rude to stay silent in front of a lady.”
In an attempt to break the silence, she playfully spoke to Kyle in the usual teasing tone of a young lady.
Kyle, who had been keeping his eyes closed, opened them and looked at her with a surprised expression, blinking his eyes a few times.
The reason he had been silent wasn’t because he was tired or trying to act like a serious man.
It was simply because Sylvia had been unusually quiet today, her face seeming lost in thought, and he didn’t want to disturb her, so he kept silent.
“…I’m sorry. I thought you were tired since you didn’t speak, so I kept quiet.”
“Eh? Ah…”
When he honestly explained and apologized, Sylvia was left stunned.
In that instant, the events that had taken place since getting into the carriage rushed through her mind like a flash.
It was only then that Sylvia realized she had been unusually quiet since boarding the carriage.
In fact, it was Kyle who had tried to break the silence a few times with unrelated topics, which was surprising for him.
‘You fool!’
Realizing all of this, Sylvia hit her head, scolding herself.
It seemed that the sentimental mood had come over her after talking about family before the carriage started.
Well, that part was fine.
People can’t always be chattering like a waterfall from their mouths.
But the fact that she had kept silent and then blamed Kyle for it was the problem.
Even though he had made efforts to break the silence, Sylvia felt immense shame.
“Sorry, sorry, Lord Lyard. Thinking about it, I’ve been too quiet. And here I am scolding you…”
“It’s alright. I was actually worried that I might have upset you by asking.”
Had the carriage not been moving, she would have immediately gotten up and bowed deeply, and Kyle, seeing her, gave a faint smile.
That small comment wasn’t anything new.
He had always considered Sylvia’s little jokes and complaints as nothing more than typical behavior.
“I see, don’t worry. I didn’t think that at all.”
However, feeling guilty, Sylvia waved her hand and vigorously shook her head.
While it was true she had been feeling sentimental, she wasn’t upset.
In fact, if she had to choose, she was happy that she could share her thoughts with him.
“I’m relieved. What’s most important is that I didn’t upset you.”
Upon hearing her response, Kyle relaxed and nodded with a soft smile, not his usual stoic self.
Seeing his smile, which was more powerful than she expected, Sylvia blinked as though struck by a wave of emotion.
Then, as if drained, she slumped back into her seat.
“…You’re really unfair.”
“Huh?”
“Anyway, just so you know.”
She began to sulk, hiding her flushed cheeks.
Despite his usual indifferent gaze, why did he carefully consider her feelings?
That gap made it feel like he was treating her as someone special, which made Sylvia’s heart flutter.
‘If you’re going to be prickly, be prickly. If you’re going to be kind, then be kind. Make up your mind.’
What good would it do to make a woman who is already head over heels fall even more in love?
Grumbling inwardly about something she couldn’t quite pinpoint, Sylvia kept her eyes fixed on the window.
She didn’t want him to see the expression on her face right now.
For some reason, Sylvia hadn’t looked over here at all during the entire ride.
Wondering if something had upset her, I carefully tried to talk to her, but she quickly changed the topic, pointing out the window as if saying, ‘Look, a squirrel!’
The funny thing was, there was no way there was a squirrel, since we were in the heart of the Count’s territory, right in the middle of the city.
Well, maybe a squirrel or two could pass through the city.
But acorns wouldn’t fill its stomach, so it had to be a squirrel coming down from somewhere else, I thought, deciding to let it go.
Anyway, after the small commotion, when we arrived at Kaintreche Castle, an unexpected person was waiting at the gate.
“Mom…!?”
“Sylvia, how was your trip? Hehe, it looks like you’ve gained a little weight.”
Indeed, it was none other than Sylvia’s mother, Lady Eleonore, the head of the Eleonore family, dressed in an elegant gown, waiting for her.
Her mannerisms, her appearance—everything about her looked just like Sylvia, and even though she seemed to be in her 40s, she looked far younger. Sylvia briefly wondered if she had a hidden older sister.
The only real difference was that, compared to Sylvia’s silvery hair, her hair was a slightly weaker shade, closer to pale white, adding to a frail appearance.
“Y-You shouldn’t have come all the way here, especially when you’re not feeling well…”
“I heard we have a guest. How could I just stay locked up inside? Since he happens to be away, I should act as the host.”
I see. Creed Eleonore must be away from the castle for a while.
Thinking that this was a stroke of luck, I inwardly rejoiced and stepped forward cautiously to greet her.
“My apologies for the late introduction, Lady Eleonore. I am Kyle Lyard.”
“Nice to meet you, Lord Lyard. I hear you’re courting my daughter?”
“Yes, though I may be lacking, that is the case.”
Since that was the truth of our outward relationship, I nodded indifferently. She looked me up and down before smiling.
“Hehe, you seem colder than I expected. I never knew my daughter had such a taste.”
“Mo–Mother…! Please don’t say such things.”
Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen Sylvia so flustered.
No matter how mischievous she is, perhaps she can’t stand up to her own mother.
As I watched with amusement while Sylvia floundered to stop Lady Eleonore, she caught my gaze and huffed, turning away as if sulking.
She must find my passive stance quite irritating.
“Please, do come inside. It’s been a while since I’ve had a visitor, and it makes me a little excited—makes me forget my age.”
Though, hearing her mention age while looking like that feels quite strange.
To exaggerate a little, she could easily walk around with Sylvia and me, arm in arm, and no one would question it.
At the same time, I thought it was truly a blessing that Sylvia took after her mother so strongly, and I followed Lady Eleonore inside.
Usually, people with frail bodies find it difficult to hold themselves up properly, leading to a natural stoop.
Yet, there was no sign of that in Lady Eleonore.
Perhaps Sylvia’s habit of keeping her back perfectly straight and maintaining an elegant posture was something she had learned from her mother.
“Your mother is a very beautiful woman.”
“Isn’t she? She’s my pride and joy.”
I wasn’t sure if it was rude to comment on her mother’s looks, but I decided to be honest.
Hearing my words, Sylvia proudly shrugged her shoulders.
She acts quite differently when talking about her father, Creed Eleonore.
Perhaps, to Sylvia, her parents hold very different meanings.
Squeeze.
“…Lady Sylvia?”
As I was walking, lost in thought, I suddenly felt something press firmly against my back.
When I glanced behind me, I saw Sylvia pouting, pressing her thumbs alternately into my back like a cat kneading its paws.
“…Thinking about it, I find this rather unfair. You’ve never said anything like that to me.”
“…?”
By “that,” does she mean calling Lady Eleanor beautiful?
Now that I think about it, she did scold me at a social gathering for not saying something similar.
I suppose I should make an effort this time.
“I called Lady Eleonore beautiful because she resembles you. I should have explained it better.”
“Wh—What…!? Then that means I…”
“Yes, of course, I think you’re beautiful. I do have eyes, after all.”
At my response, Sylvia’s eyes widened in shock.
Then, as if fleeing, she abandoned pressing into my back and ran ahead to Lady Eleonore’s side.
“Sylvia, what’s wrong? Running over so suddenly.”
“Oh, n–nothing, Mother. I just… wanted to walk beside you.”
“Hehe, you may have grown up, but you’re still a little child.”
And just like that, she gave a flimsy excuse and never returned to my side for the rest of the walk.
Did I compliment her in the wrong way?