Chapter 295 (2/2)

“Thank you, Tia.”

Ugh? I stood blankly on the spot for a while, and opened my eyes when I realized something belatedly. But he turned away without even giving me a chance to say something. He was fading away through the morning air. Feeling thrilled just to look at him, I put my hand on my pounding heart and smiled.

“Hi, Lady Monique. Looking at your uniform, it looks like you were on duty today.”

I smiled slightly at the man who bowed to me politely. The middle-aged man, who was wearing the mark of the Lord Chamberlain, was one of those who had been serving the emperor since his crown prince days.

“Yes. Is His Excellency in now?”

“No, he is not.”

“Um… Isn’t it time he was in the office?”

“Well, he is taking a nap now. He worked all night long …”

“Did he? I see. ” I was a little puzzled, but I nodded lightly and turned.

How come he is taking a nap at this time? As far as I know, he is not the type of person who takes a nap during business hours even if he worked all through the night.

I got out of the Central Palace, feeling sorry I could not see him. When I was heading to the outer palace, greeting royal knights who bumped into me sometimes, I saw a familiar man walking toward me, with his red hair fluttering away in the wind. When I saw him, I suddenly recalled something I forgot.

What an idiot! How could I forget it no matter how busy I was?

“Hi, Lady Monique! It looks like you’re going back home after work.”

“Yes, you’re right. I’m leaving now as I worked in the morning. ”

“I see. Good job. Oh, can you tell your father that I want to see him this evening for a moment?”

“Sure, Duke Lars. I’m sorry to ask, but how is Carsein doing these days?”

“Well, he’s almost recovered, but he’s stuck in the house, never coming out of his room.”

Carsein shutting in at home?

At that moment, I felt very sorry because I just naively believed him when he said he was okay.

I was too indifferent to him when he was injured severely enough to lose his life. No matter how well he was treated, he could not be healing well. Besides, he was wounded while trying to save me.

“…I see. I’m sorry because he was…”

“No, you don’t have to feel sorry. Well, it was his fate because he chose the path of fencing.”

Duke Lars patted my shoulder, saying I didn’t have to worry. He gladly accepted my request to see him and left. I turned, after looking at his red hair fluttering like flames for a minute.

“Hello, Lady Monique. It’s been a while.”

“It’s been a long time, butler. I’ve come here to see Sir Carsein. Can you ask him?”

“Sure, please wait a moment.”

The butler of the Las family politely bowed, then returned shortly afterwards and escorted me into his room.

I took a deep breath, looking at the wooden door with elegant decoration.

Oh, this is not his parlour. I hear he has almost recovered. Is he still sick?

“Hey, long time, no see!”

With his chin on hand, the young man with red hair was sitting on a round table in a spacious room surrounded by creamy wallpaper.

“It’s been a while, Carsein…I’m sorry for coming late. Are you feeling okay? Are you still sick?”

I just asked hesitantly as I didn’t have the heart to approach him out of guilty conscience.

Was it because he didn’t like my hesitant attitude? Tilting his head to the side, he gestured toward me. Then he hit me on my forehead gently when I approached him.

“Hey, how come you have come only now when your master is sick in bed like this? Ugh?”

“…Sorry.”

“Hmm. It seems like you know what you did wrong, given your hesitant look. Well, good. As you know, I’m generous, so let me give you a pass. I think you must have been busy, too, as you were up and running only recently.”

I felt some pain on my forehead, but I was more relieved to see him vibrant. What a relief!

I was worried about the aftereffects of his wounds because I heard that he got stuck at home.