𝐄𝐢 𝐞𝐢 𝐨𝐡
A glass of citrus tea, its beautiful orange hue enriched with plenty of ice and honey, glistens. Roa-sama prefers coffee, so she had the convenient cooking machine, or as we like to call it, ‘Cooker-kun,’ brew some black coffee. I never knew Cooker-kun could make drinks as well. No wonder it’s expensive.
We sit side by side, enjoying our post-meal beverages, relishing this peaceful moment. The sweet and tangy citrus tea tastes so good; it’s genuinely comforting.
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“I hadn’t realized until you mentioned it, but this time after meals can also serve as a breather. Being with Miss Norchev somehow lifts my spirits.”
“I feel the same way. Perhaps it’s because neither of us feels the need to put on airs.”
ㅤ
I’ve watched Roa-sama get engrossed in draining water from a bowl for a good hour and also witnessed him tearing blue flowers. Meanwhile, he’s observed how my lady-like facade gradually erodes, all while enduring my awkwardness, evident from my inexperience as an escort.
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“It’s quite surprising. I could never imagine myself relaxing like this in a dining hall, given how tense I used to be.”
“I never thought there would come a day when I could sit beside a man and feel this comfortable.”
“That’s precisely why it concerns me when I see Miss Norchev troubled. While I might not be reliable, could you share what’s bothering you? I know I’m powerless, and wanting to know may be presumptuous of me. But I can’t ignore it when I see Miss Norchev is troubled.”
“Roa-sama. . .Thank you.”
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Joy surges through me, traveling from my heart to every part of my body. I was hesitant for a moment but, propelled by Roa-sama’s kindness, found it surprisingly easy to voice my concerns.
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“Although I’m a noble lady, I’ve always wanted to work for someone in the future. But after coming to the Order, I found out that owning my shop is also an option. Ever since, the dream of owning even a small shop has only expanded. While verbally keeping the option of owning a shop open, I’ve been researching flavors that commoners would love and creating unique sauces that can’t be easily replicated.”
“You want to own a shop aimed at commoners? As a noble lady?”
“I’ve realized that I’m not suited for making noble-oriented cuisine. It’s delicious, but it’s not the taste I aim for. I found that out recently.”
“I see.”
“If I express my wish to own a shop, my family will support me. They would be saddened and disappointed if I don’t say anything. To us, family is irreplaceable. We’d work together to make someone’s dream come true. That’s why I’m hesitant. If I say it, they will support me unconditionally. But being a working noble, especially a woman, could lead to scorn and contempt, right? My family wouldn’t disown me; they’ll think of me as precious even if they themselves are in a tough spot. If my dad becomes the manager of the shop, eventually someone will find out and ridicule us for being nobles yet working amongst commoners.”
“Hmm. . .Do you want your dad to be the manager, without a doubt?”
“Not necessarily. But I don’t have any commoner male acquaintances whom I could trust enough to ask them to be the manager. The only people in this world whom I trust implicitly, who I believe would never betray me, are my dad and brother.”
“Why not discuss this with your dad? See if he knows any reliable commoners. Just because you don’t have any acquaintances doesn’t mean he doesn’t.”
“You’re absolutely right!”
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Scales fall from my eyes like a waterfall.
ㅤ
“I had no idea at all. My perspective had become narrow.”
“It’s common to feel stuck or constrained when you’re troubled. Miss Norchev is someone you can consult with, right? When in trouble, people around you will help.”
“Thank you. Whenever I’m in a difficult situation, my family and friends have always listened to me. They probably notice when I maintain a poker face befitting a noble lady because they pay close attention to me.”
“Poker face. . .right.”
“Both the lord knights and Roa-sama are sharpening their insight to protect the kingdom, so they notice my worries like this. I’ve been relying on that and haven’t consulted them myself. Even if I were to talk to Roa-sama and the lord knights, I thought it might end in failure, so I didn’t say anything. They wouldn’t tell me to handle it on my own, would they? Roa-sama surely wouldn’t disregard my feelings. From now on, I’ll make an effort to consult with them on my own. It’s time for me to take a step forward.”
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I’ve been trapped in a past life for a long time. My wounded heart was healed over time by my family. They gave me the courage to take the next step. The lord knights reminded me to trust the opposite sex. I’m still afraid of unknown men, but I won’t run away just because they are men.
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“Indeed. . .I feel like I had given up on my own life. Surrounded by insurmountable problems, I thought I couldn’t do anything. But I have people who believe in me, who would risk their lives to protect me. Giving up would be incredibly disrespectful to them. Perhaps I was all talk, but now I will resist. Alongside Miss Norchev.”
“Roa-sama. . .”
“Even if it’s little by little, I’ll do what I can. I wanted to be of use to my older brother, and if I couldn’t, I at least didn’t want to be a burden. I thought waiting for the right moment without taking action was the best choice. But from now on, I’ll also think about my own happiness. I believe it’s possible to balance both.”
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After gazing into each other’s eyes, I extended my hand and Roa-sama looked puzzled.
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“This is not an escort gesture. It’s a handshake to commit to giving our best efforts.”
“This is the second time I’ve shaken hands with a lady. Miss Norchev, you always surprise me, show new possibilities, and treat even the me I can’t value as something precious.”
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Roa-sama’s large hand touches mine and grips it firmly yet gently.
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“Let’s both make an effort. I’ll support Miss Norchev as much as I can.”
“I have little to offer in return. Please take good care of your own future, Roa-sama.”
“I want to support you precisely because you say things like that, Miss Norchev.”
“Then, when I open a shop in the future, please come by.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
ㅤ
My hand is tightly gripped and then released. In the end, as I shout ‘Ei Ei Oh!’, Roa-sama, not fully understanding, raises his fist with me. Roa-sama is truly a good person.
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