Volume 1 Chapter 66 Servant, The One Who Made The Decision
I had reached my limit.
No, perhaps I had long since surpassed my limit.
I realized it.
That I shouldn't be here.
I was supposed to be here as Lady's shield.
Yet, being here felt so comfortable that I had forgotten it.
I had mistaken Lady's side as my rightful place.
I had always believed I could stay by Lady's side forever.
It shouldn't be that way, yet.
Even though she thought of me as a troublesome young lady and called me Servant, she cared for me more than anyone else.
I had come to love everything about her, from playing games with me to sneaking into my bed after reading a scary novel.
Yes, I had fallen in love with the precious person I was meant to protect as a shield.
Even though Lady might be in danger because of that spell, I had come to see being a shield as a privilege.
A fool like me shouldn't be a shield.
Fortunately... fortunately, Sir Hans had returned to Lady's side, so while I still could, I had to step back as her shield.
"So cute..."
Lady, who always stayed up late and was weak in the morning, would definitely not wake up at this time before I called her.
No matter how I tried to speak or gently stroke her bangs.
Her beautiful eyes, more stunning than any jewel, her gentle voice calling my name, her warm, soft little hands, and the sweet floral scent wafting from her glossy hair──all of it I had to forget.
No matter how I struggled, she would never be mine.
Yes, because I am just a shield.
"...If only I had been born into a more decent family."
I murmured this and suddenly thought.
Even if I had been born into a more decent family and attended the academy as a noble child.
Given the age difference between Lady and me, we would have been in different grades, and we would never have met.
It's ironic, but thanks to that scum, I was able to meet Lady.
Perhaps I was happy just to have received the memories of spending time together.
"Goodbye, Lady. I loved you."
Please, please don't think of me...
Deciding to leave Lady, I resolved to speak to the mistress.
I asked to be relieved of my duties as an attendant.
I couldn't tell Lady.
If I saw her face, my resolve would surely waver.
I couldn't tell Sir Hans either.
If he asked why I wanted to quit, I wouldn't know how to answer.
I can't lie.
However, if I said I had fallen in love with Lady, it would be repaying kindness with betrayal.
Sir Hans would surely be displeased to know that a mere shield harbored such feelings for his precious Lady.
I could say it to the mistress, who probably thought of me as nonexistent, and she would likely let me go easily.
"You, leave this house."
As expected, the mistress let me go without hesitation.
Yet, the moment she said that, it felt as if my heart was pierced, as if I had been struck in the head.
I wished to leave, yet somewhere deep down, I probably didn't want to.
It's absurd for a shield to be so taken aback.
"But, since you're leaving suddenly, could you please listen to my request just a little?"
"Yes."
When I nodded, the mistress began to swiftly draw a map on a nearby piece of paper.
"Do you remember the marriage proposal that came for Elena the other day? You know, the best stone diviner in the country."
"Y-yes."
"You see, I had my fortune told by that person once, and I want to have it done again. But that person is very busy and it's hard to get an appointment."
"Yes."
"So, I was thinking if there was any way to get an appointment, and it seems that person is looking to hire more servants."
"...Pardon?"
"So, could you go to that person as a servant? You were the attendant of that wild Elena, so you could be a capable servant, right? If I introduce a capable servant, don't you think that might bring me closer to that person?"
"I see."
I see?
Was Lady's tendency to say outrageous things inherited from her mother?
"Well, I won't force you if you're looking for another job."
"...ah."
"Wait, were you trying to quit without having another job? Do you plan to be left on the streets?"
"..."
I hadn't thought about my future at all because I was only focused on Lady.
"Then it's perfect. You can live and work there."
"Is that really okay?"
"Of course, it's fine. In fact, it's better this way. I'm not a demon; I can't just throw out a child who seems to have no job or place to live. So, I'll take care of the arrangements, and you pack your things and head to this mansion."
"...yes."
Looking at the map I received, it seems a bit far from here.
It doesn't seem like I'll run into Lady by chance.
"Are you going to leave without saying anything to Elena?"
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