Chapter 78: Flora’s courage
Chapter 78: Flora’s courage
“Good night, Your Majesty.”
“You’re here.”
Cecilia greeted me while sitting in the armchair.
“Please step back for a while. Call me again if necessary.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At Cecilia’s banquet order, the maid quickly left her room.
Therefore, it was just me and Cecilia here.
“Before studying Sergel Kingdom, I have something to tell you.”
“Which one?”
After Cecilia let out her low sigh, she hardened her expression.
Are you trying to tell me what Ilayna said?
“Recently, it seems that a suspicious person has infiltrated the palace.”
Perhaps I was like that.
“Anyway, I too heard the news from Elaina.”
“I see… ….”
Cecilia gently closed her eyes and put her left hand on her forehead.
It deserves it.
To think someone would do such a bold thing against the imperial palace…….
It’s not going to be stressful at all.
“It seems clear that there is someone behind it.”
“I agree. It’s just that it’s hard to guess who it might be.”
“Yes… ….”
Could it be someone from the aristocracy?
If you think about it that way, there are people who are suspicious.
The problem is that at this stage, there is no evidence other than heartbreak.
‘If Cecilia had already been nothing short of a tyrant… ….’
I assumed and imagined this.
If it were Cecilia who had transformed into a tyrant, she would probably have summoned all members of the aristocratic faction to the imperial palace. Even so, if there was even the slightest suspicion, she would have punished her mercilessly.
And the Eckhart Empire will fall into chaos…….
‘Hmm. It must have collapsed from the inside before I had time to escape.’
I should be thankful that the current Cecilia is not a tyrant.
“May I ask what you plan to do?”
“I told Lucia to keep an eye on her. She said she had no disturbing movements yet. But she said she didn’t think it would be easy for her either.”
“Is it because of disguise?”
“It is said that he is good at disguise, as well as hiding his presence.”
Cecilia’s voice contained a hint of embarrassment.
Seeing that my direct superior, not anyone else, felt that way too.
“I’ll leave it to Lucia and Ilayna for now. I also gave instructions to capture them alive and bring them back if necessary.”
“Yes.”
Cecilia concluded the story with that.
Then he slowly rose from his armchair.
“Luke. Let’s start studying the Kingdom language now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
We sat side by side in front of her desk, as we have always done.
…… In fact, her arm was a little sore from holding her book by her side all the while.
“What did you learn from the Count today?”
With my quick hands, I unfolded what I learned today.
“I learned how to pronounce these example sentences properly.”
From noble mtl dot com
“I see. Where should I listen to it?”
Cecilia turned her head this way.
The ruby-colored eyes were sparkling with anticipation.
We were having a serious conversation just a minute ago…….
Well, it’s much better than continuing to drag on the heavy atmosphere like before.
I took a deep breath, briefly possessed (?) Count Clusio, and read the example sentence.
“Ooh… ….”
“Would you like to follow along?”
“I do.”
With Cecilia covering her mouth with her fist, she hmmmh cleared her throat.
Soon after, she copied her pronunciation pretty much like I did, with her pleasing off-white color.
“Does it sound similar to you?”
“It seems that you studied abroad in Sergel Kingdom, not to the same extent.”
“Whoops. Good luck then.”
The corner of Cecilia’s mouth went up at once when I praised her slightly exaggeratedly.
“Your Majesty. Would you like to try another example this time?”
“Yes. Teach me as much as you can about what you have learned.”
I taught her everything she learned today. Thanks to Cecilia’s bright ears, she was able to slow her pace without hindrance.
Thanks to that, I was able to enjoy teaching too.
“Your Majesty is a very quick learner.”
“Whoops. Don’t you think that you teach so well?”
“How could that be? These are all Your Majesty’s abilities.”
I was always humbled.
Cecilia smiled softly, as if seeing me like that was fun.
“Oh no, it’s almost 11 o’clock already.”
She really did when I followed her and checked her grandfather clock.
“I had a lot of trouble today too. Just go in and get some rest.”
I grabbed my book and got up from my chair.
“Have a good night, Your Majesty.”
“Yes. I hope you have a good night too.”
Now I have to go to my room and finish my studies.
With that in mind, I stepped into my room.
* * *
The next day, the office was different from usual.
Cecilia, her ladies-in-waiting, and myself struggling to deal with the piles of paperwork.
It’s a peaceful day like X, X feet…….
Besides, I was more tired than before because I had been studying late at night.
‘I might collapse from overwork… ….’
I should go to bed a little earlier, at least for today.
After diligently handling the paperwork, it was time for lunch.
“Let’s have lunch soon.”
At Cecilia’s one word, the three of us got up almost simultaneously.
“Were you still hungry?”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Flora replied with a lively expression.
Thanks to her, we were able to laugh.
“Flora. You sometimes have a problem with being too honest.”
“But this is also my charm.”
As expected, it’s a Flora-like counterattack.
“Yes. I knew you would answer that.”
A smile also appeared on Cecilia’s lips.
We moved to the dining room.
As soon as everyone sat down in their chairs, Cecilia lightly waved her bell on her table. Soon after, the lunch menu was set on the table.
“Let everyone eat deliciously.”
“Your Majesty, I hope you enjoy your meal too.”
After lunch, I got up straight away.
“Your Majesty. I will be resting in my room.”
“Yes. Be careful.”
Be careful because of what we talked about yesterday.
“Yes. Your majesty.”
I bowed my head, said hello, and left the dining room.
Well, even if Cecilia didn’t mention it, I thought I’d take care of myself.
Last night before I went to sleep, I pondered over why a suspicious person had infiltrated. And I was able to draw a conclusion of my own.
‘Perhaps they’re trying to dig up information.’
For example, about Cecilia’s recent trends.
Or maybe I could be the target…… Ah, this is so self-conscious that I have to move on.
Anyway, I think I’ll have to watch my mouth for a while.
While walking down the hallway on the second floor to my room,
“Mr. Luke.”
At the same time I heard Flora’s voice from behind, a slender hand came up on my shoulder.
I immediately stopped and looked back.
“Flora Young… ….”
The reason I couldn’t finish talking was because her index finger stabbed my cheek.
“Whoops. You’re caught.”
Flora smiled like a victor, showing white teeth.
Oh, I didn’t expect this…….
“I will never forget this disgrace, Lady Flora.”
“Oh, it’s a disgrace. The exaggeration is too much.”
Flora’s eyes were still playful, so I quickly relaxed and smiled.
This is so strange.
Because I can forget my worries and anxieties by playing silly pranks like this with her.
It was like that even now.
The worries that had been filling her head a while ago disappeared in an instant. It was so clean that I wondered if she might be using magic.
“Anyway, you can look forward to the next one, Lady Flora.”
“Oh my God. What kind of prank are you trying to play on me?”
“No, why are you looking at me with such expectant eyes… ….”
I feel a sense of immorality that I shouldn’t do it for some reason as the opponent rather actively comes out. I don’t know why.
“Well, by any chance, what is your schedule this weekend?”
“Weekend?”
Why are you suddenly asking about my schedule?
I raised my head in doubt, but I replied that I was going to rest for now.
Then Flora’s expression brightened even more. As if it were a small sun that brightens the surroundings.
“Then…… Would you like to go out together?”
“Oh… …. Could this be a date request?”
I asked a question in a playful way.
But isn’t there a slight blush on Flora’s cheeks!
“You can take it that way, Mr. Luke.”
“Uh, uh… ….”
“Is it time?”
Her subtle smile hit my heart.
Could there be a man who could say no in a situation like this?
“Of course it is possible. It’s a chance to date Lady Flora, not anyone else.”
“Oh my God.”
Flora covered her mouth with her hands. The emerald eyes staring at me were wet.
Did my answer inspire that much?
“Actually, it’s not because it’s a date, it’s because there’s something I want you to help me with.”
“Ah. It was like that. But what can I help you with?”
“I’ll tell you about that later.”
Flora winked in one of her eyes.
She was so lovely that a smile came to her lips without realizing it.
“Then let’s submit the pass together.”
“Good.”
I nodded once.
“Whew. I’ve been chasing Mr. Luke to say this. Now I have to go to Mulia. See you later!”
“Yes. See you later, Lady Flora.”
We waved at each other.
Anyway, it’s a weekend date…….
“Sounds like fun.”
I’ll have to take a look to see if there’s anything I can wear in plain clothes.
* * *
Flora sprinted to the corner of the hallway.
Then she leaned her body against the wall and she put her hand on her chest.
Thumping.
“I told you… ….”
Flora said she wanted to talk to Luke a few days ago.
Let’s go out with yourself for just one day on the weekend.
But as Luke got busy, she seldom seized the opportunity. Also, her own mind was unprepared.
But she felt like she would never be able to speak if she put it off.
So she screamed.
Based on a slightly unfounded belief that if it were Luke, he wouldn’t refuse his invitation.
If she had been rejected, she would have been a little bit heartbroken. She probably grabbed her pillow and sniffed a little of her tears.
Fortunately, Luke accepted her offer.
‘And, she told me it was a date… ….’
Actually, her purpose was a kind of date.
She wants to help. Things like what she does are just an excuse.
But she seemed to believe that way, judging from Luke’s reaction.
“I can’t wait for the weekend already. What do we do… ….”
Her face was full of happiness as she murmured.
-Continued