Chapter 217 (2/2)

“Thank you, my lady.”

“By the way, do you have any further information on Countess Dias’s volunteer work?”

“Oh, I’ve been paying special attention to that matter, but I put it on hold because I was not sure yet. Let me report to you as soon as I get more specific information.”

“Got it. Good. Shall we wrap it up now? I think I should go out to practice. ”

“Oh, I was told that they put up an official announcement about the knight selection. Cheer up! ”

“Thank you, Baron.”

After letting him out, I immediately headed to the training field with a sword.

I had only one month to go before the test.

I was determined to do my best to improve my fencing skills until that day because this was one of the few precious opportunities I had.

The next day I headed straight to the training center of the 2nd Knights Division as soon as I was done with my morning assignment. When I was about to go back home after hard training, I saw a woman in a dress pacing up and down at the entrance of my house.

The woman with blonde hair, who I saw somewhere a lot, was Grace, the daughter of the Whir family. She greeted me gladly, “Hello, Lady Monique, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, it’s been a long time, Lady Whir.”

When I nodded slightly, she paused a moment before saying, with an embarrassed look, “I’m here to tell you something. Could you please spare me some time? ”

“Sure. Can you wait for a minute in the break room? ”

“Will do.”

After politely bowing to Grace, I headed to the building of the 2nd Knights Division.

‘I wish she visited my house if she had something to say. Why is she here?’

I giggled when I thought about it. I didn’t think she came to the Imperial Palace just to see me. As the candidate for the empress’s concubine, she might have visited me after returning from the palace to see the emperor.

When I entered the break room after taking a shower, Grace, who was waiting for me there, hurriedly stood up. I said, looking around the lounge which was empty because of the upcoming reorganization of the knights division.

“As you can see, this place is a knight building, so I don’t have any refreshments to treat you. Do you want tea?”

“Oh, no thanks. I’m fine.’

“Okay, then.” When I sat down, slightly nodding at her, Grace sat down, tidying up the hem of her dress.

“I visited you to apologize because I didn’t say hello to you at your coming-of-age ceremony. Please accept my late congratulations on your coming of age.”

“Thank you. In fact, I received your letter that you wouldn’t be able to attend it because you were in bad shape. Are you okay now? ”

“Yeah. I’m alright now thanks to your concern. ”

“What a relief!”

Was she really sick? It was definitely her best and most plausible excuse, but she looked too good for a person who was in bed.

In fact, it was rumored that the Whir family was openly challenging the Monique family because Grace didn’t attend my coming-of-age ceremony. Some of my family vassals were very upset, asking how a mere earl’s family could compare to my family, even though I withdrew my name as the candidate for the empress.

At first, the banquet was intended to filter out those who were friendly to my family, but I didn’t feel good when I actually went through it. It was me who initially promoted her for that position.

Did she appreciate my efforts? She hesitantly presented me with a little box, with an awkward smile and said, “I’ve brought it to you to express my apologies. Please accept it as a small sign of my appreciation.”

“Oh thank you… I appreciate it.”

After exchanging formal greetings, silence fell again. I sat down with her for a while in awkward silence and let out a sigh, feeling pitable about myself.

Come to think of it, I didn’t have to feel bad. As the saying goes, as one sows, so one reaps.

“Oh, it was a long time ago, but I don’t think I appreciated your help at last year’s National Founding Day festival. You helped me a lot at that time. Thank you for your help back then, Lady Whir.”