The commotion caused by Letia’s misunderstanding brought Sherry, who had gone outside, back.
I hastily dived to the bottom of the bathhouse and somehow managed to get through the situation.
However, having become completely soaked, I could no longer roam outside.
The daring escape plan I had undertaken ended in futility.
“You can change into these clothes.”
“Thank you.”
After leaving the bathhouse, I didn’t return to the prison but ended up in Letia’s room.
Concerned that wandering around while wet might give me away, Letia had forcibly dragged me here.
Thus, I was now under the care of her personal maid.
“Are you cold? Drinking this tea should warm you up.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Would you like a blanket as well?”
“A blanket isn’t necessary. You don’t need to worry that much about me.”
Excessive kindness can feel burdensome.
Accepting everything might cause the goodwill to grow out of control, like my grandmother’s endless hospitality.
“Zenith, I’d like to have a private conversation with him, so could you step out for a moment?”
“Of course. If it’s about my lady’s love life, how could I refuse?”
“Zenith!!”
“Hoho! Then, please enjoy your time together.”
As Letia slammed her desk and yelled angrily, Zenith smirked and left.
There were often such instances—though the relationship was that of employer and servant, the employer would often lose in arguments.
Letia and Zenith seemed to have that kind of relationship.
“Ahem! I raised my voice without meaning to. I apologize for showing such an unsightly side of myself.”
“It’s fine.”
I wasn’t surprised anymore, having seen worse sides of her before.
Taking a sip of tea to moisten my throat, I finally spoke.
“There are a lot of things I want to ask you.”
“Staying silent any longer would be meaningless. Fine, ask whatever you want. I promise to answer everything I know here and now.”
“This might sound a bit embarrassing if I’m wrong, but was it 10 years ago when we first met?”
“So, you finally remember who I am.”
Letia’s words confirmed it.
The girl I had barely saved from the fire at the Benar mansion 10 years ago was indeed her.
I had been harboring doubts but had internally denied the possibility.
Now, it turned out to be true.
If this fact reached the Empire’s ears, I would never be able to set foot in its lands again.
“So, it was you after all. Phew… How does one go from being a maid to a hero in 10 years…?”
“Well, that’s because I wasn’t actually a maid.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It was a disguise to survive. When news of an assassin infiltrating the mansion spread, my mother dressed me in a servant’s clothes.”
“So, in other words…”
“My real name is Letia Benar. I am the only daughter of the Benar family.”
I was now faced with an entirely unexpected truth.
I never would have imagined that the person I saved was not a servant but a member of the Benar family.
This was an inescapable death sentence.
The Emperor had ordered the annihilation of the Benar family, decreeing even the killing of passing ants.
Yet, not only had I disobeyed that command, but I had also laid the groundwork for disrupting the balance of the war.
Being called a traitor, a rebel, or scum of the Empire wouldn’t even begin to excuse my actions.
“You must be quite shocked.”
“It would be stranger if I weren’t.”
“I had no intention of deceiving you, but thanks to your mercy, I survived. That’s why I resolved to repay your kindness, and now I’ve finally been able to fulfill that resolution.”
Letia pulled something from her pocket.
A charred black pendant. It was unmistakably the one I had handed to the girl ten years ago.
I had bought it at a jewelry shop in the capital when I received my first knight’s salary, intending to gift it to my first lover.
Instead, I had given it to a girl from the kingdom I had rescued, completely unaware of its significance, and then parted ways.
Now, ten years later, having had no romantic relationships,
I thought it had been a good thing to give it away.
Seeing that piece of jewelry again brought back vivid memories.
“You still have something I gave you to sell for survival?”
“How could I sell something given to me by the one who saved my life? I’ve kept it close to my heart every day.”
“You’re really something else.”
“Well, I’ve grown up safely without selling it, so doesn’t that make it all worthwhile?”
“That’s true.”
Of course, I had no intention of asking for it back.
The moment it left my hands, it had become Letia’s.
Whether she kept it or sold it, it was her decision to make.
I handed the pendant back to Letia, and she held it close to her chest, her cheeks flushing.
“Just holding the pendant again brings back memories of that time.”
She hadn’t smiled as brightly back then, but the girl had treasured the pendant as she left.
If the Empire and the kingdom hadn’t been at war, would she have smiled more radiantly at that time?
Facing reality made my chest ache.
Though I had saved Letia’s younger self, I had also inflicted an indelible wound on her.
It was only that Letia didn’t know she bore the scars I had caused.
Now that she had revealed her secret to me, I had no choice but to tell her the truth.
Even if it meant being killed by Letia’s blade.
“I have something I need to tell you, too.”
“What is it?”
“…I am the one who killed your father, Count Benar.”
In the end, I said it out loud.
A bombshell revelation that would turn a lifesaver into a sworn enemy.
I could have taken this secret to the grave, but it was better to unburden myself and face the consequences rather than be haunted by guilt.
Letia’s cold blade at her waist could aim for my neck at any moment, and I closed my eyes, ready to accept whatever outcome awaited me.
“I already know.”
Her response was far beyond anything I had expected.
When I opened my eyes and lifted my head,
I saw Letia’s gentle expression as she gazed at me.
There was no trace of resentment or anger—only a look filled with affection.
“H-How did you know?”
“Actually, saying I knew was a lie.”
“What?”
“I’ve just always thought about it since the day you told me my father had died. What if the person who saved me was also the one who killed my father?”
It was true that I had been the first to inform Letia of Count Benar’s death.
I had delivered the news amidst the chaos of rising flames.
How could she not have suspected me?
It was short-sighted of me to think otherwise, and I marveled at Letia’s ability to refrain from harboring resentment despite knowing the truth.
Hatred is said to linger to the grave, but Letia had let hers go.
“At first, I resented you deeply. If it weren’t for that event, I could have lived a happy life with my family. But as time passed, the hatred gradually faded.”
“Why?”
“The smile you showed me to comfort me. I couldn’t forget it, no matter how hard I tried.”
As soon as she confessed her feelings, Letia bowed her head deeply.
Her fingers, resting on her lap, fidgeted nervously, unable to stay still.
She must have been embarrassed by what she said, and her honesty made my face flush as well.
“I-I see!”
“Yes…”
The previously tense atmosphere had suddenly turned pink and awkward.
I felt happy—embarrassed, but happy—knowing that someone thought so highly of me.
And at this point, anyone with even a shred of awareness could tell.
The feelings Letia harbored for me weren’t just simple kindness…
“It’s a little late, but I have something I resolved to say if we ever met again.”
“What is it?”
Letia stood up abruptly.
With graceful steps, she slowly approached me.
Standing before me, she climbed onto my lap, her face close to mine.
“You are the person who took everything from me. So if I were to take revenge, wouldn’t it only be fair for me to take everything from you as well?”
“W-Wait!”
Letia’s face drew closer, her shimmering lips coming into view, making my heart race uncontrollably.
Her faintly blushing cheeks and the longing in her eyes made it impossible to refuse.
“Step by step, like this, I’ll claim everything that’s yours.”
Just as our lips were about to meet, Letia pulled back, a playful smile on her face.
It had been the perfect moment for a kiss, but her retreat left me feeling like I had just been struck over the head.
My chest felt both empty and yet still pounding furiously—I wasn’t sure my heart could handle much more of this.
She seemed innocent at first, but this… she was a complete pro!
She knew exactly how to toy with someone’s emotions.
“Are you feeling disappointed, by any chance?”
“Not at all.”
Yes, I’m incredibly disappointed.
That’s what I wanted to say, but my fragile pride wouldn’t let me.
I wasn’t even sure if the feelings Letia held for me were truly love.
“Well then, for now, let’s leave it at this…”
Smack!
A soft sensation brushed against my cheek.
Letia had diverted her lips to plant a kiss on my cheek instead.
It wasn’t the kiss I had hoped for, but it was more than enough to drive me insane.
“Since you’ve stolen my most precious feelings, prepare yourself!”
Letia smiled brightly at me.
Spring had finally arrived in my life.