“What? What did you say?”
It was when Lucio’s voice was too low, and Allen raised his head in confusion.
“Lia, if you’re going to work here every day, you don’t have to run around everywhere.”
It was Jack, who had approached Lia at some point, speaking quietly.
“It seems a bit spacious to clean alone, but still… It should be fine. Now, instead of wandering around to find you, I can come straight here.”
“Yeah.”
Upon hearing Jack’s words, Lia, who had been taken aback, finally realized.
She didn’t know what tasks Lucio would assign her, but it seemed much better than the anticipation of daily torment.
“Moreover, he said it would continue even after Lucio returns to the academy.”
Since she had spoken directly to the librarian, the other maids wouldn’t be able to say anything.
But above all, the best thing was working in the library.
Whether it was cleaning or organizing books, she liked it a lot.
Feeling a sudden surge of gratitude, Lia giggled, causing Jack to blush.
“Who are you?”
Lucio, who had been silently observing their interaction, asked.
“I’m a trainee knight who recently joined the Lexion Knights.”
Allen hurriedly introduced. He also mentioned that Lia was Taze’s apprentice and his sparring mate, both of whom were from the orphanage.
As Jack felt the intense gaze of Lucio, who tapped his fingers on the sofa, he unknowingly tensed up.
It felt similar to when they met Duke Ellard while accompanied by Taze.
At the moment he felt like he was facing an adult, Lucio suddenly stood up.
As if to prove that his imposing presence was not just a feeling, Lucio was extremely tall, and Jack had to look up at him.
“I’ve changed my mind. I’ll watch your sparring now. Let’s go to the training hall.”
“Wow! Brother, that’s amazing!”
As Allen jumped up, Lucio lightly tidied up the table.
In response, Lia also set down her half-eaten sandwich on the plate and stood up.
Lucio noticed Lia’s hesitation and tilted his head.
“Why?”
“Miss doesn’t have classes this afternoon, so I thought we could continue playing after lunch…”
“Go ahead. I’ll let you know what to do tomorrow, so take your time after breakfast. And from now on, come to the library only when Diana is not around.”
Lia slowly nodded in response to Lucio’s words.
* * *
Knock, knock.
I pressed my sternum tightly, feeling like I was choking, even though I hadn’t taken a few bites.
Lucio went to change his clothes, and I followed Allen and Jack outside, as there was still time before Diana’s class ended.
Jack looked at me with concern as I continuously tapped my chest.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
As I reflexively answered, Jack’s expression showed that he wasn’t convinced.
“I think a short walk will help.”
When I changed the topic with a smile in response to the concerned gaze, he finally relaxed his expression.
He seems like a good guy.
Lost in my thoughts, I happily observed Jack.
“Today is full of strange things.”
From the moment I met Lucio while being assigned to clean the main library, until now when we parted ways.
Although it was a trap set up by the maids, the outcome turned out well.
“But there’s a slightly unsettling aspect….”
“Hehe, as expected, our brother can’t be stopped.”
Suddenly, Allen started laughing and shaking his shoulders. Then he spoke.
“Lia, you should be grateful to Diana.”
“I’m always grateful to her. But why all of a sudden?”
“Why? Because brother said yesterday that you’re ugly….”
“He said I’m not pretty, not that I’m ugly, right?”
As I listened to Allen’s words, my voice unconsciously raised.
Seeing me with surprised faces, both Jack and Allen, I realized that I was getting too excited.
“You call me ugly every day, Lord Allen.”
When I muttered in embarrassment and kicked the floor out of frustration, Allen wore a sheepish expression.
“That’s… I…”
“Did the esteemed Lord tell you that you’re not beautiful?”
In response to Jack’s question, I hesitantly nodded.
Despite his rough exterior, Jack’s deep emotions seemed to make me want to throw a tantrum for no reason.
“Did it hurt you?”
“Huh?”
But I was at a loss for words at the sudden question.
Even though Jack’s serious gaze didn’t seem like he was teasing me, I couldn’t speak up right away.
Normally, I would have easily said, “No, I’m fine.”
But as I hesitated to answer, Jack’s expression sank.
“What are you two talking about right now? That’s not important!”
At that moment, Allen, who had been listening, chimed in.
“Anyway, our brother was really considerate of you today. And it’s all thanks to Diana, so remember that!”
As I looked at him, as if asking what he meant, he continued.
“You’re clueless! Didn’t you see yesterday when Diana had dinner, and our brother didn’t even look at her and ignored her?”
“….”
Although it greatly bothered me to hear from Allen that I was clueless, I remained silent because I truly didn’t know.
In the dining room yesterday, I was so preoccupied with the dishes being passed back and forth between the Duke and Diana that I didn’t pay any attention to Lucio, who was sitting next to me.
“After you left, our brother even went to Diana’s room, but she didn’t respond when he called her.”
“Uh…”
Diana did that for me…!
Covering my mouth with both hands, I made a surprised expression, and Allen frowned.
“What are you so touched about in this situation? You’re acting like a fool.”
Now I’m being treated like a fool too?
Feeling perplexed, I could only make a bewildered sound, and Allen chuckled.
“If our brother had gotten angry, it would’ve been terrifying. If he had snapped, you would’ve been kicked out of the mansion without a chance to explain, but he put up with it because of Diana.”
I finally blinked my eyes as I glared at Allen.
Ever since I realized that the maids had set a trap, I had a rough idea of the situation, but Lucio’s attitude was strange.
“It’s because of Diana.”
While I nodded calmly, Jack trembled and asked with a trembling voice.
“Why was Lia chased away? You said there was a misunderstanding earlier. It’s not Lia’s fault.”
“If there was someone who would understand the circumstances, I wouldn’t even say such a thing. And it’s true that she disturbed and bothered my brother, isn’t it?”
“…”
I really had nothing to say about that part.
There was nothing I could do about it if they found out that I had stumbled right in front of Lucio while he was sleeping.
“So, you mean our lord was lenient towards Ria because of the young lady?”
Jack asked with a puzzled voice.
Allen nodded as if to ask if there was anything more to it.
“Our brother is something else. Saying that Diana is weak? Later, Diana shouldn’t forget about our brother’s feelings for her.”
Seeing Allen shaking his head as if whispering, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Now that the blocked feeling had finally been released.
I felt relieved after understanding why Lucio had been so lenient towards me.
“So now you know what to do when you go to Diana?”
“I just need to say that our lord treated me very well, right?”
“That’s right! Then Diana will feel better.”
Seeing Allen shaking his head as if grumbling, claiming to be the protector of the family’s peace, I burst into laughter.
“Huh? Brother! When did you come?”
I was startled when Allen suddenly shouted while looking behind me.
There stood Lucio, who had changed his clothes nearby. It was the first time I saw someone disguise themselves so well even when they were normally so noticeable.
It was time for me to be careful until Lucio returned to the academy.
“Lia, it seems like the young lady’s class is about to end.”
I opened my eyes wide at Jack’s whisper from the side.
I quickly said goodbye to Jack and turned around to give a slight bow to Allen and Lucio, passing by Lucio with light footsteps.
“Hey, you didn’t mention the most important thing!”
At that moment, Allen suddenly shouted and rushed towards me. Then he leaned slightly and whispered in my ear.
“So here’s the thing. Are you being resented by the other maids?”
* * *
“Sigh.”
I let out a deep sigh.
‘I thought he was an oblivious child.’
I really didn’t expect Allen to find out about my situation.
A few hours ago, when Allen whispered those words to me, my face was filled with shock.
<There’s nothing to worry about! Now I’ll mainly stay in the library, so it should be fine. So please don’t do anything.>
Allen remained silent for a moment, scratching his head. But still, it seemed like he wasn’t entirely convinced.
In a hurry, I grabbed his arm as he seemed like he might cause some trouble.
<No big deal! I’ll be mostly in the library, so it’ll be fine. Please don’t worry.>
After a brief silence, Allen scratched his head and left a message that if I needed any help, I should let him know before walking away.
I stared blankly at Allen’s back.
I was relieved that he probably wouldn’t tell anyone, but…
‘Thankfully, it seems like no one else knows… but…’
Still, the fact that more people were noticing my situation made me feel a little uneasy.
‘If Allen knows, then Lucio must have noticed too.’
That’s probably why he entrusted the library management to me. To protect the maid who his younger sister cherishes from harm.
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
This chapter was translated by Bree.
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