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Chapter 36
“Something urgent came up and we couldn’t rest, so I think the coachman became very exhausted. That’s my fault. I apologize.”
“……”
When she didn’t answer, Rakiel continued with an awkward expression.
“Well, I suppose that’s just an excuse anyway… If it’s not inappropriate, I’d like to speak separately and give you some compensation. Would that be alright?”
“Huh?”
I blankly asked back.
My mind was too busy wondering why Rakiel was here. Maybe because of that, I hadn’t properly processed anything he had said.
“You probably returned to the territory with the young lady, right? I was planning to visit the ducal estate anyway… and since you ended up in danger because of my mistake, I wanted to offer at least a small compensation.”
“Ah, yes……”
Did Rakiel even have a reason to come here?
In all the previous timelines, he had never once visited the Rosental territory.
Did my engagement with Rakiel really distort the future?
Or… could it be that he found out the source of the rumors was me…?
I clutched my hood tighter for no reason, pulling it down further. Anxiety seeped into the movement of my hands.
Perhaps because I wasn’t responding properly, Rakiel let out a sigh.
“So you won’t accept it after all?”
“…Huh?”
“You threw yourself out there to protect that child, and if you refuse compensation too… I won’t know what I should do.”
What was he talking about?
Just as I tilted my head in confusion, unable to understand the situation, the woman and child from earlier approached me.
The child looked gloomy, as though he had been thoroughly scolded.
“Thank you so much! Thanks to you, my child is safe. Miss Eve could have gotten seriously hurt too… Hurry and say thank you, Louis!”
“Thank you, big sister. This ball… you’re the one who made it, right? I accidentally let go of it……”
Hm?
Looking closely, it was the toy ball I had made for a quest a few days ago. Just a ball roughly tied together with scraps of cloth.
So he was one of the children from then.
“You should’ve just left it alone. I could’ve made you another one.”
Another quest window might’ve popped up.
As I smacked my lips regretfully, the child’s face brightened.
“Really?”
Soon the child smiled brightly, said a few words to the woman, and ran toward his friends waiting in the distance.
The woman watched his back worriedly before turning to me again.
“Will you come tomorrow too?”
I nodded.
Of course I would. Just how many quests were hidden around here?
But then she suddenly grabbed my hand.
“You have no idea how lively things have become lately thanks to Miss Eve. Because you’ve taken care of everyone and helped people without sparing yourself, everyone has started to feel hope again.”
“Y-Yes?”
“You’re Lady Rosental’s maid, right? If someone like you serves her, then your master must be such a kind person too… Thank you so much. Miss Eve, you’re the true hero here…!”
Dududung!
[Hidden success reward for Quest 「Save the Child」 has been granted.]
[Special Title has evolved into !]
[As a title reward, you have obtained .]
“……!”
I barely managed to stop a scream from escaping.
A title evolution?!
‘Well, that’s good and all, but… what the heck is an Unyielding Hood?’
Looking more closely at the system window, the recognition reduction effect seemed to have become a bit stronger. As for the newly acquired “Unyielding Hood”…
Hm, right.
I guess it meant the hood couldn’t be removed due to some overwhelming force of will.
It was exactly the kind of function I needed, but somehow I felt strangely conflicted.
Meanwhile, Rakiel was looking at me with a strange expression.
“So you’ve been doing this here too?”
“Huh? Doing what?”
“Helping people… I don’t think I’ve ever seen you sitting still.”
“Ah, well. I have something important to do.”
“Something important……”
He muttered as if deep in thought.
But then, as if he suddenly realized something, his expression abruptly darkened.
‘How does someone who’s a prince have so many facial expressions……?’
Rakiel looked at me with pity before shaking his head as though stopping himself.
“I understand what you mean now.”
“…Understand what exactly?”
“So that’s why earlier too……”
Mind sharing with me what exactly you understand?
I narrowed my eyes and glared at him before sighing.
“Come to think of it, weren’t you busy? What are you doing here? Is it really okay for you to keep staying around here?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
He nodded.
“Are you heading back to the ducal estate?”
“Yes, I’m heading back now.”
Originally I planned to finish a few more quests before leaving, but after receiving that reward just now, I felt like I could stop for today.
I was tired too.
“Then would you like to ride in the carriage with me? I happened to be heading to the ducal estate as well.”
“Huh?!”
What nonsense was this now?
How could a mere maid ride back together with a prince?
I frantically waved my hands.
“How could I possibly dare? It’s not far from here, so I’ll just go by myself.”
Damn it, as soon as we part ways I need to sprint back home.
If Rakiel visits the ducal estate, Killian will definitely call for me…!
I secretly glanced toward the shortcut home.
“…Is that so.”
“So see you later! I’m leaving now!”
I waved vigorously at him and immediately turned around before he could say anything else.
For a brief moment I saw Rakiel’s dumbfounded expression, but I pretended not to notice.
“…Hah.”
Rakiel let out an empty sigh.
The small figure hidden beneath the hood disappeared from sight in an instant without even a moment’s hesitation.
It was just like when she had rammed the top of her head into his chin before running away.
The memory made him chuckle quietly to himself as Hagen approached him.
“Was that the person?”
“What?”
“The one who dared to smash Your Highness the Second Prince’s chin and then run away.”
“…How did you know?”
He had never once told him who it was.
Rakiel looked at him incredulously. Hagen was still staring in the direction where she had disappeared.
“I could tell at a glance. That bold attitude toward Your Highness—she’s no ordinary woman.”
“You think so too?”
“Yes.”
Hagen nodded seriously.
“Well, I already knew from the moment she jumped in front of a speeding carriage without hesitation……”
“That’s the problem. If it’s to help others, she doesn’t care about herself at all.”
Rakiel added:
“I think it’s tied to war trauma somehow……”
Hagen turned toward him with widened eyes.
“War trauma?”
“Yes. I didn’t hear the exact details, but I think she lost her parents in the war. And her face too… judging by how desperately she hides it all the time, I think she was left with scars.”
“Ah……”
Hagen sighed sympathetically.
“So that’s why she can’t ignore people in situations similar to hers.”
“Exactly. Every time I see her, she’s helping people. And always this earnestly.”
Clicking his tongue, Rakiel slowly climbed into the carriage.
He really couldn’t delay any longer.
And so they headed straight for the ducal estate.
Although he had informed them of his visit just a day ago, it seemed there still hadn’t been enough time to prepare, as the young duke personally came out to receive him, unable to hide his urgency.
“You’ve arrived, Your Highness. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“My apologies, Young Duke. I didn’t expect my visit to be so sudden either……”
“Not at all! Please come whenever convenient.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
As far as Killian was concerned, there were very few people harder to deal with than the Second Prince.
Even the Crown Prince was easier.
The two had actually graduated from the same academic academy. Technically speaking, Rakiel had been his senior.
They had crossed paths several times during their academy days, but never had any meaningful conversations.
“Please make yourself comfortable during your stay. After all, you’ll have to return to the capital soon for His Majesty’s birthday banquet, won’t you?”
Killian spoke as they walked together.
Rakiel nodded with an amiable smile.
“Well… that’s true. This time even I can’t avoid attending, haha.”
“If Your Highness doesn’t attend, can it even be called a banquet? His Majesty surely wishes for your attendance. And if you’re there, I can attend with peace of mind as well.”
At the polite remark, Rakiel secretly smirked.
Last year he could use the excuse that the war had only recently ended, but this year he truly had no choice but to attend. Having spent the recent days visiting refugee camps near the border, the irony tasted bitter.
‘Tsk… people are still dying from the scars of war, and yet a banquet……’
He had absolutely no desire for it.
His brow furrowed slightly.
As they walked, they eventually reached the reception room.
Watching Killian grab the doorknob to lead the way, Rakiel spoke absentmindedly.
“Come to think of it… I heard the young lady is here as well.”
Freeze.
Killian stiffened, unable to hide his surprise.
“My sister… you mean?”
His mind rapidly started working.
He never imagined the Second Prince would ask first. In truth, he had no intention of letting the Second Prince meet Eveline.
The child had already fled to the territory because of that issue; he didn’t want to add fuel to the fire.
He had to think of some excuse—
But then, at that very moment—
“You were looking for me, Your Highness?”
