Volume 6 Chapter 50 Interlude - The Knight and the Young Lady IV
By the time Luke managed to purge all the alcohol from his system and returned to the others, the welcome party was already winding down.
It seemed they had disbanded early in anticipation of the joint training scheduled for the next day, but the scene that greeted him was one of utter chaos.
A man sprawled out on the floor.
Another man mumbling to himself against the wall.
A guy repeatedly lifting an empty cup as if it were the most important task in the world.
"Are you guys really going to be okay for tomorrow's training...?"
It was Robert, his expression bright despite everything, who casually reassured Luke. "We'll be fine."
Robert had no signs of drunkenness, and he explained that the ones sprawled across the room were all off duty tomorrow anyway.
"Off duty, huh..."
"Yep. Not that we'll be enjoying a break for a while."
Robert, beaming at Luke as he clapped a hand on his shoulder, wasn't discussing cleaning up from the party, but instead, the switch with Conrad.
He noted that Luke had been with Alfred and the others nonstop since arriving and probably hadn't even had a proper meal.
"I'm counting on you to take on that honorable role."
Robert's smirk seemed to proclaim, "I'll make sure you meet the lady."
Though it was somewhat meddlesome, this kind-hearted senior prompted Luke to nod.
"Got it," he replied, bowing his head as he hastily exited the makeshift party room.
After letting the guards at the mansion know of his arrival, Luke followed the maid who had been assigned to guide him.
He soon found himself in a dimly lit hallway, the lights already dimmed down.
At the end of the corridor stood Conrad, straightening in front of a door, which likely led to the guest room.
"Captain, it's time for the break swap."
Luke whispered his salute, earning a soft, "Sorry about that," from Conrad as he turned his shoulder.
The hallway was already shrouded in near darkness, and besides Conrad, there were no other figures──no maids or anyone else in sight──meaning Cecilia and the others in the guest room were likely enjoying their private time, or perhaps already asleep.
"I doubt there'll be any issues, but take care."
With a pat on Luke's shoulder, Conrad and the maid turned to walk further down the corridor.
As the two of them disappeared around the corner, Luke let out a small sigh.
This time, the Hartfield family didn't bring any servants with them.
So if the Gardner family has any requests, it comes down to involving a Knight like this.
In a way, Luke found himself in the midst of duties more akin to a butler than a guard.
"It's a shame to come all this way and already be told to rest," he muttered.
Luke sighed again as he glanced back at the door.
He had thought maybe he could at least exchange greetings with Cecilia...
But it couldn't be helped.
Just as he turned back to face the front, he sensed a slight distortion in the dim corridor.
"What's that?"
Just as Luke furrowed his brow and took a step forward to investigate, a familiar voice called out from beyond the door, "Conrad?"
"Captain Conrad is currently on break."
Luke replied in a hushed tone, keeping an eye on the corridor, and the other side of the door fell silent... then slowly began to open.
"Luke?"
"Yes. What is it, Lady Cecilia?"
Even though it had only been half a day, a wave of nostalgia washed over Luke.
It seemed Cecilia felt the same way, as her expression brightened visibly upon seeing him.
Cecilia glanced back into the room for just a moment before slipping out into the corridor.
Her loose curls cascaded gently.
A faint scent of soap lingered in the air.
And she wore her nightdress.
This was a familiar side of Cecilia for Luke.
So familiar.
Though he had seen her dressed like this countless times in their villa in the capital, in this unfamiliar place and the dim light of the corridor, she appeared oddly enchanting.
It seemed that Cecilia noticed it too, as both of them looked slightly down, their gazes wandering.
Without either of them saying a word, they stood straight in front of the door, peering down the long corridor.
The hallway looked completely ordinary.
"...I've grown thirsty."
Cecilia's quiet murmur made Luke respond, "Is that so?" He understood that must've been her reason for calling Conrad.
"Then, shall I get you something to drink──"
"No, it's fine."
"But..."
"Right now, it's not about a drink──"
Luke nodded slightly, his own cheeks flushed red in response to Cecilia's downward gaze.
"Isn't it hard for you?"
Cecilia muttered, keeping her gaze forward, and Luke shook his head, replying, "No," with a smile as he continued, "Conrad and the others are treating me well."
Conrad, the actual captain, Robert, his assistant, and the other seniors were all looking after Luke.
"Though the banquet was a bit much, you know?"
Cecilia, taken aback, looked at Luke and blurted out, "A banquet?"
"Yeah. Gardner threw a welcome party for me."
Luke began to tell the story of the banquet that had just ended.
He even playfully recounted how he'd been stuck in the bathroom after having Catherine's weird potion.
"Honestly, what are you doing?"
Luke returned Cecilia's usual exasperated smile and, with his usual carefree demeanor, said he planned to give Randy the same potion.
The two finally seemed back to their usual selves.
But as their conversation flowed, Luke briefly glanced at Cecilia.
No, he'd seen it.
Her downcast expression.
So, without thinking, he blurted out,
"How is Sir Fried?"
At Luke's words, Cecilia's shoulders jumped, and she slowly opened her mouth.
"He's doing well... it's hard to find anything bad about him."
Cecilia's weak words struck Luke like a giant hammer.
Of course, Luke knew Cecilia didn't love or have romantic feelings for Fried.
But they were nobles.
In a political marriage, having no downsides was the biggest plus.
Conversely, Luke had nothing but downsides.
He had no noble title.
His income was modest.
And he was sometimes absent-minded.
Compared to the Count's eldest son, a successful businessman, even if Luke was handsome and skilled with a sword, it wouldn't matter.
As if sensing Luke's feelings, Cecilia whispered,
"I don't want to be engaged."
Luke gasped.
He couldn't think of a good response.
"I'm sorry. Please forget what I just said──"
Luke's heart tightened at Cecilia's pained smile as he forced out, "I don't want you to get engaged, either."
There was no turning back now.
He knew this was a pathetic confession, but he couldn't hold back any longer.
Taking a deep breath, he turned to face Cecilia squarely.
"I really don't want Lady Cecilia to get engaged."
It was such a pitiful admission.
What good would saying it do?
Even knowing it would only confuse Cecilia, Luke found himself unable to keep the words to himself.
For a brief moment, Cecilia looked stunned by his words, but then she shook her head softly and said, "That's not possible."
"I appreciate it, but to make you say something like that──"
"I'm──!"
Her voice had risen slightly, causing Luke to abruptly fall silent.
Then, with a gentle yet steady voice, he continued speaking.
"I like Lady Cecilia. So, I don't want anyone else to take you away."
Cecilia froze for a moment at Luke's serious expression, her face turning a brilliant shade of red.
"L-L-L-L-Luce! Th-that... what you just said──"
She was flustered, her eyes darting all over the place.
The moonlight illuminated a side of Cecilia that was unlike her usual self, and it finally dawned on Luke that he might have overstepped his bounds.
But it was too late now.
Still, there was no need to backtrack, so he steadied himself and faced Cecilia directly.
"It's true. I really do care for Lady Cecilia──"
"I-I understand!"
Cecilia turned her gaze away, her face still bright red, and took a step back, saying, "Please, just let me calm down for a moment."
For a while, she stood there, taking deep breaths, "Inhale, exhale," but then suddenly, she let out a soft giggle.
It was an uncontainable smile from the depths of her heart, and despite her still-flushed cheeks, she finally managed to smile back at Luke.
"I'm really happy to hear your feelings. Because I, too──"
But as she said this and looked down, her ears turned even redder.
"However... even though our feelings have been conveyed... I may still be forced into an engagement."
"I'll talk to Count about it first thing tomorrow──"
"Hey, Luke. Wanna run away somewhere, just the two of us?"
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