𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓𝟐: 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭
Lord Montyver bears a strangely refreshing expression, saying that he has a little something to discuss.
ㅤ
“Let’s head to that gazebo over there instead of talking here.”
“Alright.”
ㅤ
He extends his hand, but hesitation takes over.
For some reason, I can’t shake off the feeling that if I were to take his hand, I would never be able to escape.
ㅤ
“Lara, is something wrong?”
“Lord Montyver――.”
“Hey, I told you to call me Leon before, right? Lara, you’ve forgotten already!”
“No, I didn’t mean to forget.”
ㅤ
At that time, he was weakened, so I just went along with it.
I was hoping he might have forgotten, but he clearly remembered.
Feeling awkward, I end up looking away.
ㅤ
“You probably thought I’d forget because I seemed out of it, didn’t you?”
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Unable to deny it, I fall silent. By now, it’s as if I’m admitting it.
ㅤ
“Lord Montyver.”
“Leon!”
“That is, Leon-sama.”
ㅤ
With an air of approval, Lord Montyver nods.
Even though I planned to firmly reject calling him just ‘Leon’, he seemed satisfied with the honorific today.
Somehow, I feel completely deflated.
ㅤ
“So, Lara, what was it?”
“Well, I was thinking how well you seem to understand what I’m thinking.”
“I had to be good at reading others’ thoughts to survive. That’s what I want to talk about now.”
ㅤ
The conversation may end up being long. If so, it would probably be more comfortable to speak in the cottage than in the gazebo.
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“Leon-sama, I would like to listen to your story in the cottage.”
“What?! Lara, you’re bold! Bringing a man like me into your home in broad daylight.”
ㅤ
The moment I make the suggestion, Lord Montyver’s eyes sparkle brightly.
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“I won’t be inviting you into my house, so don’t get your hopes up.”
ㅤ
Just when I thought he was feeling better, this happened. With a sigh, I start walking.
Upon reaching the cottage, I recommend he take a seat at the garden table.
This is something I got from the gardener a few days ago, as it was getting old.
It’s been around for about ten years, but it’s been repainted, so it looks brand new.
ㅤ
“I’ll go make some tea, please relax here.”
“Do you need help?”
“No, thank you.”
ㅤ
Perhaps he planned to sneak into the house in the confusion. I politely declined his offer to help.
I’ll prepare some tea and serve it with crumbly cookies made from lard and almond powder.
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Lord Montyver, seemingly lost in thought while looking at the garden, stands up to hold the tray as soon as I approach.
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“Lara, it feels great to sit here and feel the breeze.”
“Yes, it’s quite pleasant. Ren, Ga-chan, and I love it here. We often have tea parties together.”
“That sounds wonderful. A happy family.”
ㅤ
I never dreamed that our life would be the subject of envy.
It’s probably thanks to the Marchioness that we have this lifestyle.
ㅤ
“Did you bake these cookies, Lara?”
“Yes.”
ㅤ
These cookies, dusted with a generous amount of powdered sugar like snow, are Florenci’s favorite.
Since Florenci once said, “I want Lord Montyver to try them too!” I specially reserved some for him.
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Lord Montyver picks up a crumbly cookie, checks it out, and then promptly takes a bite.
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“Ah, this is delicious! And it has a nice citrus scent.”
“I added chopped dried orange peel.”
“Oh, I see. It’s excellent.”
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I’m relieved that he seems to enjoy it.
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“I hadn’t eaten anything today, so this is a real treat.”
“T, That’s. . .not good for your health. . . . . .”
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Knights are supposed to be in top physical condition. He won’t last long if he doesn’t eat properly.
But he often has to worry about poison in his food, so I can’t be too harsh.
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The usually smiling Lord Montyver suddenly becomes serious when a strong wind blows through.
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“Hey, Lara. Do you want to know why I’m always in such mortal danger?”
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The moment the question was asked, my heart pounded heavily.
I guess it’s a problem he has been dealing with alone for many years.
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“May I ask why?”
“Yes, I want you to know.”
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Honestly, I didn’t have confidence that I could bear the darkness he carries.
But if I refused here, I felt like Lord Montyver would have to bear it alone for the rest of his life.
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I had already involved myself enough in Lord Montyver’s problems.
I wouldn’t be allowed to back out now.
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“May I hear it if you will not regret sharing, Leon-sama?”
“I won’t regret it, absolutely. Anyway, I wasn’t planning on telling this to anyone. I was ready to take it to my grave.”
ㅤ
What kind of secret was he carrying?
I couldn’t imagine it at all.
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“Lara, you see, I’m the prince of this country.”
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I heard the incredible words and couldn’t help but ask back, “What did you just say?”
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“Leon・Von・Montyver is a pseudonym.”
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I had heard about this from the concubine.
To think it was really a pseudonym. . . . . .I was at a loss for words.
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“My real name is Marion・Von・Kirill Reinigen.”
ㅤ
Upon hearing Marion, I realized.
“Leon-sama, isn’t the name Marion. . . . . .that of the princess?”
“Yes, that’s right. Until my mother died, I was raised as a princess.”
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