Understanding

“Young Miss! I have a very important question to ask you!”

Without even stopping to catch my breath, I questioned the Young Miss the moment I saw her.

…Perhaps knowing that the topic was not for others to hear, Knight Captain Eric quickly excused himself after seeing me, returning to the training grounds to instruct the other knights.

At the same time, for some reason, the Young Miss seemed a bit out of it, stammering, her gaze darting all over the place.

Could it be… that she really fell into Vladimir’s trap?

“Young Miss! You must answer me truthfully!”

I subconsciously grabbed her by the shoulders.

The moment she looked at me, the Young Miss’s face instantly turned bright red.

“Young Miss, have you been feeling unwell or uncomfortable recently? No matter what kind of feeling it is, you must tell me if you feel anything is wrong!”

“I’m sorry, Ailena, last night I snuck into your… huh?”

The Young Miss’s voice and my voice rang out at the same time.

But after hearing my words, the Young Miss was clearly stunned, and the words on the tip of her tongue failed to come out.

‘…By the way, why is the Young Miss apologizing?’

“This is what you wanted to ask?”

After a long moment, the Young Miss finally spoke.

“Not about last night?”

As if testing the waters, the Young Miss raised her eyes, observing my expression.

“Last night? Did something happen last night?”

Hearing this, the Young Miss seemed to relax, letting out a long sigh of relief.

“Oh, is that all~ If you’re just worried, then there’s absolutely nothing wrong with me. Under your meticulous care, my body is in tip-top shape.”

“This is more than just a matter of being worried!”

Seeing the Young Miss being so careless, I grew anxious, and my voice rose a few decibels.

“Your attitude has been very strange recently! I’m afraid Vladimir has put some kind of curse on you, that you’ve been bewitched! If something were to happen to you…”

I didn’t even dare to imagine that scenario.

“…My attitude is strange? Me?”

“Yes! It’s precisely because you’re acting normal that it seems strange!”

I clenched one fist, my expression complicated.

“The Young Miss in my memory is supposed to be… cute… soft… but also kind, a clingy little animal!”

“Hey, what’s with that impression?”

The Young Miss heaved a long sigh.

“Alright, I understand. You probably think that in this situation, I should be sticking to Mother’s side every day, right?”

Shrugging her shoulders, the Young Miss continued:

“In truth, I also want to stay by her side all the time… but Mother needs to rest quietly. It wouldn’t be good for me to constantly disturb her.

Besides, just being weak and crying is meaningless.

I told you, didn’t I? I will become strong. Strong enough to protect you, to protect all the people who are important to me.

So… I killed my weaker self.”

Gazing at the palm of her own hand, the Young Miss’s eyes were resolute.

But she quickly returned to her usual expression and offered me a smile.

“But if there ever comes a day when I can’t hold on anymore, I will come to you for comfort without any hesitation. When that time comes, you’d better not be stingy with your hugs, Ailena~”

“…Of course. My arms will always be open for you, Young Miss.”

I felt my heart settle.

The Young Miss was still that same kind and lovely little girl, just with an added touch of strength.

The Young Miss has grown up…

But this melancholy feeling in my chest… is this the mix of joy and sadness a parent feels seeing their own child grow up?

“By the way, Ailena, you were worried about me, weren’t you?”

Suddenly, the Young Miss spoke.

“Ah… yes…”

Because it was so sudden, I subconsciously blurted out my feelings.

“You finally understand how I feel.”

Smiling, the Young Miss approached me step by step.

For some reason, I felt a strange pressure and couldn’t help but retreat step by step, until my back was against a wall with no way out.

“Thud!“

The Young Miss slammed her right hand on the wall beside me, preventing me from escaping.

‘…Is this the legendary kabedon?’

The first kabedon in my two lifetimes, and I was the one being cornered, and by a girl younger than me at that… My heart was a jumble of mixed feelings.

“Hey, Ailena, when you were worried about me, how did you feel?”

The Young Miss pressed her index finger against the right side of my chest, as if to help me recall the feeling from that time.

“It was a bit… hard to breathe, and my chest felt very tight… and my mind was filled with thoughts of you, Young Miss. I couldn’t think of anything else.”

Hearing this, the Young Miss smiled.

“It’s the same for me, Ailena.”

I don’t know if it was because she had been practicing with the sword, but the Young Miss’s gaze had become much sharper.

“Mother’s condition is not good. If something were to happen to you too, I would literally die of a broken heart…”

She moved in closer, whispering to me from a breath away:

“So… next time, don’t make me worry again, okay?”

‘…Why do I feel a strange flutter in my heart?’

Even though we’re both girls, I’m thinking that the Young Miss is so cool… No matter how you think about it, that’s strange, right?

“Yes…”

My head went fuzzy, and I answered without thinking.

‘…Why do I feel like the Young Miss has been leading me by the nose all day?’

“Oh, right, Ailena. Since you’re already at the Knightly Order, you can practice with me for a while.”

“But Young Miss… I still have my duties…”

“Put your duties aside for now.”

“…The Head Maid will be angry.”

“I’ll talk to Shirolin. You will listen to me now!”

“But Young Miss…”

“There are no ‘buts.’ You are my exclusive maid, so you should obey my orders… I’m not letting you escape today.”

As she spoke, the Young Miss grinned, revealing a wicked smile.

“You’re going to tease me like that and then try to run away? I won’t allow it.”

‘…How exactly did I tease you? If anyone was doing the teasing, it was you, Young Miss!’

I had wanted to make that retort, but in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

Ultimately, I could only sigh and accept the wooden sword the Young Miss tossed to me.

I’m sorry, everyone working back at the mansion! I’m sorry, Senior Aina! I’ve increased your workload!

“Come on, Ailena. Today, I’m going to properly discipline you!”

‘…Alright, it seems I won’t have an easy time of it either.’

The final result, naturally, was me being utterly defeated.

The Young Miss’s swordsmanship was already far superior to mine, and on top of that, I hadn’t practiced for a considerable time due to my maid duties.

This outcome was only to be expected.

But in turn, I could also feel the Young Miss’s effort and determination.

Her sword, though sharp, did not sting. It was a sword that existed to protect.

During our break, I thought about this silently as I brewed some black tea.

…Whether it’s the Young Miss who loves to be doted on, or the Young Miss who has become strong for the sake of others, both are the Young Miss I know.

Just knowing that is enough.

“By the way, Young Miss, what was it you were trying to say before? About what happened last night?”

“Oh-hohoho~ Nothing happened at all~”

“Young Miss?”

“Nothing happened at all~”