Volume 4 Chapter 7 Part 2 (2/2)

「…… Filminna? Umm…… Are you alright……?」

「Oh, y-yes. I’m terribly sorry. It’s nothing, really. I’m fine.」

I tell the boy that I’m okay, even though I was more embarrassed than anything. But seeing how the boy seemed to be worried about me, I just couldn’t do it. So I just forced myself to smile instead. Worrying excessively would get me nowhere, and besides, the boy should know more about that situation than I. Any further worry would only cause me more and more misery.

At that time, I heard knocking on the door.

「Yes? Who is it?」

「Filmina-dono. It’s me.」

The voice answered without trying to knock on the door again. It was the voice of the person who was here just a moment ago.

「Leticiela-sama.」

「I’ve prepared the carriage in secret. As well as some spare clothes for “him”.」

She works fast, I’ll give her that. I thanked the Governess while she handed me the folded child’s clothes through the gap in the door, and then I handed them to the boy who was still sitting on the bed.

「Edi, for now, could you change into that?」

「… Understood.」

Even though he didn’t seem to understand the current situation, the boy heeded my words and change into clothes that I gave him. I smiled and went back towards the door, all the while feeling the gaze of his eyes upon myself.

「Could you go into the hallway for a moment?」

His words made me blink my eyes for a few moments in surprise. I never would have thought that this boy could be anxious and embarrassed over something as trivial as this. He was always so calm and collected, so when I looked back at him it was actually surprising to see his cute face all embarrassed. It was even more amazing knowing how the older Edi would behave, so I knew that this sight will stay in memory for a long time to come.

「Yes, Edi. Of course.」

That is why I should do everything in my power to ease his worries and needless anxiety. So I said that to him with a smile while also leaving the room for a moment. Before I left I could actually see the boy’s expression relaxing a bit.

I quietly close the door behind me and join the Governess in the corridor.

「Leticiela-sama. Once again, thank you very much.」

「No need to worry about it, Filmina-dono. I’m just doing whatever I can to help.」

The Governess shakes her head and smiles. She was making even such small gestures in such an attractive way. But it was a completely different charm from that of the members of the royal family. When I said thank you to her one more time, her smile turned into a rather bitter one.

「Do you really think it is wise the let that Juri-boy go back home like that?」

「Yes. I do believe that was the best course of action.」

「Good. But the real question is: whatever shall we do with “him”?」

「… The situation seems to be even more serious than we thought.」

Hearing my words, the smile disappeared from the Governess’s lips, replaced by the look of utter concern.

「What do you exactly mean by that?」

For a moment there I was wondering whether or not I should answer truthfully to that question, but after a moment of thought I decided to come clean. This was the territory of the Isle, and no matter how you look at it, this wasn’t something that I could possibly hope to solve all on my own. The Governess should know what is going on. So I tell her while keeping my voice down.

「It also appears that not only his body, but his mind has suffered a recession as well.」

「………!!!」

For a short while, the Governess was absolutely silent. But even in this state, when her forehead was cut with a deep wrinkle signalizing that she was deep in thought, she was still absolutely gorgeous. I wish I could have told her more, but sadly I didn’t know anything else besides that.

「I-II see. In that case, I think it would be wise to get in touch with the capital immediately.」

「Yes, that’s right.」

We both look at one another for a moment, apology visible in the eyes of the Governess and guilt visible in mine.

「Umm…… So it will be impossible to continue the investigation just like that?」

「Eh?」

「I’m sorry for saying something that may be out of bounds. I understand that Agedilus-dono’s well-being is the top priority to you and that you would like to return to the capital as soon as possible. However, this situation is something that only the Court Wizard can help us on. For the purpose of the investigation, I would like for Agedilus-dono to stay here.」

I look at the Governess who must have had a lot of trouble with saying all of those difficult words just now.

「That’s not something I can decide on my own. I’ll have to ask my husband what’s his take on the subject first.」