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“SO, that’s the decision you’ve made?”
When I told Reynaldo my plans to return to work tomorrow, those were the first words out of his mouth.
“Yes, it is,” I answered.
Once I’d agreed to work for the knights, Sir Eva quickly ran through the formalities. Shortly after, he visited Stanley’s house and explained the details.
“So long as the high commander gives his permission, there shouldn’t be any problems with me hiring a handmaid,” Sir Eva said. “Also, you’ve been given leave to start working tomorrow. No one’s ever been hired so quickly.”
“I can start working tomorrow, then,” I replied. “I don’t have any other plans.”
Sir Eva’s face broke into a wide grin. “Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow!”
I watched him race home, feeling like I’d weathered a hurricane. A little later, Reynaldo visited, leading to the present.
“Hmm,” Reynaldo mused. “I see.”
I handed him a bowl of warm soup, unable to guess what he was thinking. Tonight’s dinner was vegetable soup, herb-grilled chicken, and homemade bread.
“Did something happen between you and Albert?” Reynaldo asked.
I dropped the bread. Flustered, I picked it up, dusted it off, and took it as my portion.
Oh, look—my face is on fire again.
“What do you mean by something?” I asked. I feigned composure, but someone as clever as Reynaldo probably saw right through me. Nevertheless, I continued my futile struggle.
Reynaldo studied me with a malicious gleam in his eyes. “What, indeed? Did he profess his love to you, for instance?”
“…No, he didn’t do anything like that.”
That was the truth. Sure, Albert had proposed to me, but he hadn’t professed a single word of love. We were talking about Rosemary’s childhood friend here. When I expressed my worries about outgrowing marriageable age, he probably proposed to me out of kindness. At least, that was the conclusion I came to after cooling down. I couldn’t imagine him popping the question right then and there for any other reason.
“Looks like I’m right on the mark,” Reynaldo said.
I frowned. “Why are you so sure something happened?”
After pouring Reynaldo a glass of the same wine I’d served a few days ago, I began preparing my own meal. Albert being absent due to working late was my one saving grace.
Reynaldo held up the wineglass, swirling the liquid inside. “I can only assume that Albert must have done something for Sir Eva to act like this. In all likelihood, Albert failed in his attempt to court you. Thus, Sir Eva lent a hand, feeling sorry for his boss. Albert has admirable subordinates, indeed. Thanks to Sir Eva, I’ve lost you to the chivalric order.”
My face flushed as I observed Reynaldo, whose expression was simultaneously bored and amused.
“And since this was your choice, I can’t object,” Reynaldo added.
“…Thank you for that.”
As the prime minister, Reynaldo could do whatever he wanted with a single handmaid. His willingness to respect my wishes in spite of this brought a smile to my lips. That’s why I expressed my gratitude.
“On another note, have you found Queen Tia yet?” I asked.
“Not a single trace of her. It’s sickening how elusive she’s been. Our search for her has been exhaustive, but we’ve run into unexpected trouble. She seems to have far more allies than we expected. Still, I hope to catch her as soon as possible.”
Reynaldo’s eyes darkened with a faint desire for revenge. Yes, Rosemary might have quelled the flames of vengeance burning within Reynaldo and Albert, but I understood their desire to settle past grudges all too well. I also wanted Queen Tia to make amends for her wrongdoings. Likewise, I wanted her to apologize and confess the truth, as King Grey had done. However, because Reynaldo had repeatedly criticized me for being too soft, we didn’t discuss this often. I didn’t ask many questions about King Grey, either. The events inside the audience chamber were more than enough to satisfy me.
Conversely, nothing had ended concerning Queen Tia. If I came face-to-face with her as I had with King Grey, would my feelings change? Based on my memories of Tia from my past life, she always hid in King Grey’s shadow, grinning sinisterly at Rosemary. Remembering that smile frightened me.
As these worries crossed my mind, Reynaldo gripped my hand. “Mary.”
When I looked up at Reynaldo, his young features from Rosemary’s memories overlapped with his current ones. As he stared directly at me, I saw myself reflected in his jade eyes, which possessed a clarity capable of seeing through anything. Slowly, he lifted my hand and clasped it with both his palms. Then he laced his fingers with mine, holding my hand in a tight grip.
“Just as Rosemary’s wish is for me to be happy, my wish is for her to be happy as well.” Reynaldo kissed the back of my hand as if offering a prayer. “Even now that you’ve reincarnated as Mary, my wish hasn’t changed. Your happiness is my happiness.”
“…I feel the same way.”
Though we were no longer related, I treasured Reynaldo as family. Rosemary had loved him with all her heart, and those feelings would never change.
“Mary—my beloved sister,” Reynaldo said. “Please do whatever makes you the happiest. Always follow your heart.”
“Follow my heart…?” I repeated.
“Indeed. Never hold back, as you did in your past life. Should an insurmountable wall stand in your path, I will tear it down. Should someone bring you sorrow, I will do everything in my power to eliminate them.”
Reynaldo’s violent proclamations caused me to shiver with fright. I knew he was serious. Yet, as he spoke these words, he took on a divine cast.
“So please, act according to your heart from here on out,” he continued. “Unlike your previous life, there shouldn’t be anything hindering you anymore.”
Reynaldo’s morose smile bothered me. I extended my free hand towards him, touching his golden, slightly lengthy bangs, and nodded in response to his prayer-like request.
Based on my memories of Rosemary’s life, she’d always followed her father’s orders. Not only had she gotten engaged to Prince Grey at his behest, but, per the instructions of everyone around her, she’d also studied academia and courtly manners. She’d never followed her heart.
All the while, Reynaldo worried for her, watched over her, and loved her. Almost as if he’d known he was Rosemary’s only support.
“Thank you,” I said.
Tears threatened to well up in my eyes. My emotions felt unstable due to the joy and tenderness pouring out of my heart. Once again, I thanked God for allowing me to reconnect with Reynaldo even after my reincarnation.
While Reynaldo and I silently held hands, we heard a visitor arrive through the front door. When we looked in the direction of the door, Albert was standing there, his expression unreadable. His cheeks were red as if he’d raced over here.
“Albert,” I said.
“Mary,” he responded in a firm voice. “I’d like to speak with you. Just the two of us.”
His serious gaze caused my nerves to spike.
“Do you mind if I stay here?” Reynaldo asked, tipping back his wineglass and taking a sip.
“No, I don’t mind,” Albert replied. “But right now, I’d like to speak with Mary alone. Is that okay with you, Mary?”
“Y-Yes… That’s quite all right.”
Still nervous, I grabbed a scarf and went outside with Albert. When I glimpsed Reynaldo’s expression, he had a bemused smile.
While I wrapped the scarf around my neck, Albert and I walked beside each other under the somewhat chilly night sky. I wanted to help him relax since he’d just gotten off work, but since he’d asked to speak with me, I couldn’t refuse. Due to the city’s illumination, the stars were less visible in the capital than in Edigma. As we strolled beneath the black expanse, Albert led me to a small garden.
“I heard the news from Phil,” Albert said. “Thanks for accepting the offer.”
“No, it’s my pleasure.”
Our inability to meet each other’s eyes was frustrating. Unable to hide our nervousness, we were both acting like complete strangers.
“Also…” Albert lifted his head, finally looking at me. His cheeks were red for reasons other than the cold. “About what I said last night…”
Upon recalling the previous night, I bowed my head in shame. I hadn’t known how to respond to his sudden proposal.
“Th-Thank you for worrying about me,” I said. “You were thinking about me growing past marriageable age, weren’t you? But, um, if you make these kinds of decisions on the spur of the moment, you’ll wind up regretting them.”
I prattled a mile a minute due to my nerves. Countless times, I’d considered what to say when we saw each other, but now I could hardly string my words together.
“So, um…” I hedged. “Thank you for worrying about me.”
“That’s not why I proposed to you.”
The seriousness and weight of Albert’s words forced me to raise my head. Under the brilliant moonlight, he looked at me head-on, his eyes ensnaring me. Time slowed as Albert’s lips parted and he formed his next words.
“I simply spoke from my heart because I love you, Mary.”
This time, he’d genuinely professed his love. For the second night in a row, he shook me to my core.