“Daughter of a fallen family?”
“Yes.
That’s why if the rumor spreads about me, I might die.
His Majesty the Emperor will capture me… like this, and cut off my head!”
“……!”
As I put my hand to my throat, Sophia's face turned pale.
She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.
“I won’t tell anyone, I promise.
Anne is my dear friend.
Not to anyone!
Never!
Even if the sky split in two, I won’t say a single word...”
Sofia swore with determined eyes.
She was soft-hearted but had a strong will.
I knew she wouldn't betray me.
Considering what happened with Adeline, it was clear what a good person Sophia was.
She smiled at Sophia.
“Then, since I received your help, I will offer you some help in return.”
“Really?
Could it be… Anne Will…!”
“Yes, that's right.
As a token of appreciation for your loyalty, I will teach you gentlemanly etiquette.”
"truly?!"
Sophia was thrilled.
She got up and hugged me tightly.
“I was invited to a dinner recently!
But it's hard to find an etiquette teacher here, and it might take a long time.
Can you help me...”?
Sophia asked, her eyes shining with anticipation.
“Oh!
And Anne too… Oh, no!
You can’t participate in banquets or social events, right?
I’m sorry.
I wasn’t thinking.”
Sophia understood the situation perfectly.
In Grunwald, I no longer had to make an effort.
"It's okay.
I hope Sofia is enjoying herself, right?"
“Anne… you really are an angel!”
"but."
She looked sternly at Sophia.
"My lessons are going to be difficult.
Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Yes, of course!"
***
Five hours later.
Sophia lay motionless on the ground for more than thirty minutes.
You taught her a lot.
After her initial joy, Sofia gradually became exhausted.
Although she intended to learn the art of walking with unwavering elegance, she eventually collapsed.
She fed the exhausted Sophia a cake.
"Sophia, get up.
Next, we'll practice dinner etiquette."
“I guess I'm not hungry...”
Sofia tried to stand with a pale face.
But her legs gave out and she fell.
“I'm sorry, can we stop today, Anne?”
"Okay.
I have to look for the ring anyway."
“Wait, Anne!”
At that moment, Sophia handed me an object.
“This is something I bought for you after I received a blessing from the priest during my visit to the temple.”
It was a brooch.
But for a simple brooch, it was unusually white, shiny and unique in shape resembling a newborn angel wrapped in a swaddle with wings.
However, the baby angel's smile was suspicious, with bulging eyes curved like crescent moons.
Sofia's taste, perhaps?
“It is said to be a magic brooch for giving birth to children.”
Whoosh!
I instinctively threw it away.
The gift disappeared behind the window.
"that?!"
"Ah!
It must really be an angel's brooch.
It flew away as if it had wings.
Sorry!
I'll keep your thoughts in my mind!"
"Ms?"
Yorta then entered the room.
He was rubbing the back of his head where a bruise had formed.
“I was hit hard on the back of the head while cleaning the garden.
Is this what Miss Sophia was for?”
"Yes!"
“Why was he there?”
Sophia laughed brightly and retrieved the brooch, placing it firmly in my hand.
"Kya!
Anne, your little angel has returned...!"
Stay away.
She stared at the pin that looked like a fallen angel of lust.
"Anne, I'm really looking forward to Anne's baby.
He'll be as sweet and adorable as you are."
“Are you going to have a baby?”
Yorta replied.
I threw the thing I shouldn't have in my bag and headed home.
***
It seemed like Dale hadn't come home yet.
'Not in his room either...?'
This might be an opportunity.
Chance to see Dale's room.
It's not that I wanted to snoop into Dale's room behind his back.
It's all about the ring.
Although it was unlikely that my ring would have rolled into Dale's room, if it had gotten stuck on something and been carried there, it might have been possible.
'Shall I come in?'
But there was a clause in the contract.
To respect each other's privacy
'But this is an emergency beyond anything, sorry, Dale.'
Cunningly, I grabbed the doorknob and turned it gently.
“Enya?”
“…!”
Then I heard Dale's voice.
He was standing behind me, having arrived at some point.
"You scared me!
Did you just come back?
You came early today, didn't you?"
“Yes, I felt bad about always being late, Enya.”
Dale looked at me with a warm smile.
“But why are you in my room...
Do you want something from me?”
"Eh?
What do you mean?
This?"
I smoothly let go of the door handle and hid my hands behind my back.
“I thought a bug had come into Dale's room, wondering if I should catch it or not.
The wasp flew in but it was gone!”
"It's dangerous.
I'll handle it."
"Ah...!
Would you?
Sounds like a good idea.
Right."
She turned away from the door, smiling.
"Ha-ha-ha, Dale, you're so mature.
That's impressive.
So, please take care of the wasp!"
Bump!
At that time, the brooch I had put in my pocket fell to the ground.
“Kya!”
I quickly picked up the brooch and hid it tightly in my arms.
“Enya?”
Dale looked at me with wide eyes.
“It looks like you dropped something.
Are you okay?”
"Ah!
Nothing!
It's just, it's just something.
Haha, look at me so distracted...!"
She quickly moved away from Dale.
He seemed to be looking at me strangely, but it was better than being caught with that hideous brooch.
“…These days.”
Dale's voice deepened.
“You seem to be hiding a lot from me, Enya.”
He said, unable to wipe the gloomy expression from his handsome face.
As if he noticed something, he approached me and frowned slightly.
“I smell perfume today.”
"Oh?
Really?
I usually wear it."
“You look like you're wearing makeup too.”
correct.
I made it for Sophia's lesson.
I realized I was looking for the ring as soon as I got home, and I hadn't showered yet.
Dale was staring at me intently, looking increasingly disturbed.
"What happened?"
“Nothing happened?”
Dale can be uncomfortably perceptive.
Did he realize that the reason I snuck into his room wasn't actually because of a bug?
His expression seemed to suggest so.
This is a look of suspicion.
“Really, I just came back and haven't done anything yet.”
“...Just now?”
Dale's expression worsened.
“…It's too late now.”
"Yes, this is correct."
“But you just walked in.”
Why are his facial expressions getting worse?
He looked upset enough for me to know why, or maybe sad.
"…Understood."
Dale nodded with a faint expression.
“No matter what Enya does outside, or how late she comes home, it is not my place to interfere.”
“Yes, yes, exactly that.”
I reflexively responded with whatever came to mind.
I had to leave quickly.
“But, Enya.”
Dale caught me again trying to sneak away.
“Why, what's wrong?”
I looked at him, his expression serious.
“Although it is just a contractual relationship, I would appreciate it if you could share with me if you have any problems.”
“I will.”
I nodded for a moment.
"Thank you for worrying about me!
I'll go up first and go to sleep.
Good night!"
I rushed upstairs.
So I didn't notice what thoughts he might have had as he watched me leave.