Late awakening (7)
That night, after tossing and turning past midnight, I finally fell asleep.
Knock.
There was a knock on the window.
Was it a fallen leaf? I tossed and turned in my sleep, thinking that it was that when I heard the sound again.
Knock, knock.
A regular sound, not a coincidence.
Sleep fled in an instant. I opened my eyes wide and sat up.
The sun was starting to rise, and I could see someone dimly.
I was the only one in the bedroom. Then where is this sound coming from? As soon as I thought that, a third noise was heard.
Knock knock knock.
It's on the terrace side, I couldn't see outside because it was covered with curtains, but someone was luring me there.
Is It Baba? But there's no pungent smell of Baba at all?
I slowly approached, wrapping myself in the blanket. As soon as I reached the terrace, I pulled the curtains open.
"Ian?"
My eyes widened at the unexpected situation.
Why is the person who should be in Antiete Square here?
I just blinked blankly and then hurriedly opened the terrace door.
"What's going on? Did you miss anything?"
"Please promise me."
"Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden..."
"Promise me that you won't forget me this time. No matter what happens, you'll remember me."
Even though he didn't show it, I guess it was shocking that I couldn't remember him in the past.
Enough to rush here at dawn, leaving behind 70.000 soldiers waiting for his command in the Antiete Square.
I felt sorry and sad, so I hugged him without realizing it. The blanket that had been covering my body fell to my feet, but it didn't matter.
lan, who had been frozen in surprise, belatedly hugged me.
Thick arms wrap around my back and large hands grasp my chemise desperately.
"I won't forget. Never."
"...Do you promise?"
"Yes, I promise."
Ian buried his face in the crook of my neck and took a deep breath, his hot breath spreading across my skin.
lan stood me up properly as I stumbled due to a loss of strength in my legs. He then picked up the blanket that was lying on the floor and covered me with it.
"I will come back victorious."
After speaking briefly, he went out.
He stood on the terrace railing and jumped to the tree. Even though It was three stories high, he didn't hesitate at all.
"OMG!"
I covered my mouth with my hand because I felt like I was going to scream.
I was watching and feeling so nervous that my heart almost burst.
lan reached the floor in an instant and shook his hands. Then he looked up at me and calmly waved his hand.
'Have you climbed many trees? You've done it a few times.'
Ah... I tilted my head in thought, it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't checked whether he had received the handkerchief.
“Ah!”
But that time has already passed.
I wrinkled my nose and waved at Ian.
***
The sound of footsteps hurriedly moving around could be heard in my sleepy ears.
"You have to get up now, Miss."
Nadia shook my shoulder gently.
The dazzling morning sunlight poured into my heavy eyelids that I forced open.
"Why can't our young lady get up today? Didn't she sleep well last night?"
"Yes..."
"I've been feeling that way lately, too. I feel anxious and nervous because I think the real big rift is about to begin. My heart feels like it's going to explode."
Unlike Nadia, the reason I couldn't sleep was because of a man.
Since Ian came and went at dawn, my heart has been pounding so hard that I haven't been able to sleep for a while.
"But you should get up. If you want to attend the inauguration ceremony, you'll have to prepare from now."
"Yeah, I came to my senses."
I had to arrive early since I was to give a speech at the inauguration ceremony today. I patted my cheek once and went into the bathroom.
Thanks to having finished bathing and getting ready in a hurry, I was able to come out not too late.
Outside, all the servants, including the butler, were there to see off the master.
And before them stood the knights of the family lined up in ranks.
300 knights wearing black armor and black helmets. The intimidating force they gave off was truly tremendous.
As I took Nadia's hand and went out, the servants gave way. Only then did my father and Kjer, who had discovered us, approach us on horseback.
"Are you out now?"
"I'm sorry. I overslept..."
"Don't worry, it's not too late."
My father tapped me on the shoulder.
"Once the ceremony is over, the entire army will begin marching at the same time. I may not even have time to talk to you."
"...I thought so."
"So I guess I should tell you now."
"Speak, Father."
"I love you, my daughter."
"..."
It took me quite a while to understand what my father was saying.
My father was so stingy with expressing his feelings that he never even told my mother that he loved her throughout his life.
Our father, who treated us with strictness rather than praise, and with harsh discipline rather than soothing...
Did you just tell me you love me?
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
What should I say in this situation? Me too?
My father, who had been glancing at me, coughed for no reason. His cheeks were also flushed like mine.
"Then. Dad go first."
"Huh? Oh, Dad, just a minute..."
Before I could catch him, my father turned his horse's head and ran towards the knights.
Kjer grabbed my outstretched hand. His voice, full of laughter, continued.
"It's because he's embarrassed."
"I had something to say too..."
"Did your brother tell Father for you?"
"No, I have to do it myself."
"Then tell him when you get back."
"...That's right."
In the end, I couldn't tell my father
I should have told him the truth when I said I loved you earlier. I foolishly blew my last chance.
"Rahon left first."
"What? Why?"
"I feel like I'm going to desert when I see you."
"What is that..."
"What the hell, an idiot saying something stupid. See you at the square."
When Kjer joined the Knights, my father gave a command in a loud voice.
"Depart!"
The knights quickly left, escorted by their servants. The already large mansion felt empty.
"Nadia, let's go too."
"Yes, there comes a carriage."
As I was waiting for the carriage, closing my shawl, the butler spoke to me politely.
"Miss, I hired a new coachman this time."
"Has the team quit?"
"His back pain is getting worse. It's a shame, he was such a loyal friend. Hey, come down for a minute."
As the butler waved his hand, the carriage that had been slowly approaching stopped. The butler continued his introduction with a confident expression.
"He has quite a long history of working as a servant in the palace. He is a friend who excels at every task. so I am sure the young lady will be satisfied."
"I'm looking forward to it."
At that moment, the coachman got out of the carriage and approached us. At that moment, Nadia covered her mouth with a gasp.
The butler, who had not noticed anything, motioned to the coachman.
"Now, this is the person you must serve next. Introduce yourself."
The coachman took off his beanie and bowed to me.
"Please take care of me, young lady."
Ironically, the newly hired coachman was none other than Lionel, aka Baba.
I told Baba to stay by my side, but I didn't mean for him to come work undercover at my house.
I was so flustered that I answered awkwardly after a while.
"Oh, yes, I, I also need you to take good care of me. But if you have experience working in the palace, wouldn't you be able to get an easier job?"
"I love horses. Very much."
"Oh, yes... I, I see."
"Get in. I'll help you get on."
The butler smiled happily at the restrained attitude and words that were not typical of a coachman.
I followed Baba to the carriage. Then I glanced around and whispered softly.
"Why the coachman?"
"If I'm not a dedicated coachman, I won't have a chance to meet my master."
Well, male employees don't have any reason to meet me...
Baba arrived at the front of the carriage and opened the door.
"Vivi is dead. The master is safe now."
"..."
I had expected it since he first appeared, but hearing it from his own mouth was bittersweet.
"Sorry."
Baba, who had been bowing his head politely, glanced up.
"What?"
By making someone you've been with for a long time die with your own hands.
"No."
But I got on the carriage without saying a word. No matter how much I explained, Baba wouldn't understand these feelings.
After a while, the carriage departed.
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