Chapter 25 (1/2)

After Christof and Klaus left, silence descended in the room

What was I going to do…? My heart was ready to beat right out of my chest

But this was different from the usual mix of nerves It was the tension you felt when it finally caht with No Sir Leonhard wasn’t a friend, and it wasn’t like we’d had a fight, either But it was as unpleasant as being placed in that position

Cal myself, when he called my attention

“Your Royal Highness”

“Ye-…yes!” I replied in an extremely surprised voice, the opposite of what I’d wanted

I was simply mortified

Sir Leonhard looked atan eye, completely serious

“I a while on duty I am reluctant to ask, but…may I speak with you?”

“What about…?”

I never expected Sir Leonhard to break the ice first

Unintentionally, my posture and expression went stiff My palms were covered in sweat, and my pulse slowly picked up even more speed

It had been , so even if I was in for a repried around Right, that was it

You don’t knohether it’s for better or worse, I reasoned with ain my peace of mind

He stared at me fixedly as I freaked out, then bowed his head for some reason

Taken by no small amount of surprise, my voiced failed me

“My deepest apologies”

“……?”

“It has always been hness once more However, there was never an opportunity todelayed”

Why was he the one apologizing?

I was thrown off course at this unlikely turn of events

“Please raise your head Sir Olsein, I never expect to receive an apologies or anything of the like from you None at all,” I told him impatiently, and he did as I ordered

He’d probably sensed my discomfort

“The apology should be coreat trouble for everyone in the Order Under normal circumstances, I should have consulted with you or Klaus the s afoot Please accept hly ofI could do”

I hung ret

“Your Royal Highness,” Sir Leonhard said

When I looked at him, I could see myself reflected in his sincere eyes Eyebroered sadly, he slowly shook his head

“Please do not judge yourself so harshly”

“But…”

“Your judg, Hilde Kramer could not have been saved If you must conde, but without even thought spared for your sake, I only told you to endure your anguish…I should never have said those words”

I a the sound of his voice

I was at a loss for words

Theher life, I’d completely lost it It was only thanks to his directions that I’d ain my composure, so I it had never crossed my mind to blame him

Yes, that was really how I felt about it

But, perhaps There ed in my heart, and the reason I couldn’t iree—I’d been hurt I couldn’t bring myself understand

I’d been been blind to s

“The fact that you would not bring yourself to rely on‘Whyon by yourself?’ There were also times I wondered to myself in impatience However, at one point, I realized why It is not ato rely on others, but that you cannot bring to do so”