âCome to think of it, since the queen appeared he has become more difficult to find. Perhaps... the queen is hiding Lord Koshar?â
âHow rude!â
At Roseâs exclamation, Aprin knelt down again and apologized loudly.
He seemed increasingly strange, arousing my curiosity without realizing it.
This Aprin was the least knight-like knight I had ever seen.
His actions, his words, and even his looks.
âWas he really a Heinleyâs knight?â
It was questionable.
My brother didnât usually get along with âtypical knights.â Because he couldnât stand the way the nobles often quarreled.
Other nobles, even if they were angry, would keep smiling and talking sarcastically. But when my brother got angry, he would immediately explode. So he seemed to get along better with âatypical knights...â
What had to have happened for my brother to avoid him?
I looked at him bitterly, but decided to resolve this misunderstanding first.
âI also came here to look for my brother, but he was not there, so I was just about to leave.â
Aprin, as if he had been slow to understand my words, exclaimed, âOh, I see.â Then he naturally came over to my side.
As I walked out of the corridor where the rooms of the distinguished guests were and down the stairs, he was beside me talking about his family.
âSo I have a younger sister, she is very nice and lovely... She is good at everything she does, Your Highness.â
âYes...â
âBut she is too naive. Iâm a little worried because she doesnât even notice men.â
âYes...â
âOf course, although naive, sheâs still intelligent and brilliant. You know that, right?â
How could I know about his sister that Iâve never seen before?
I thought about it in my mind as I continued to respond affirmatively to his words.
However, I did not understand why this man kept walking in the same direction as me.
As a result, after about 30 minutes. I told him directly that I would go somewhere else.
âExcuse me, Sir Aprin.â
âYes, Your Highness.â
âI am thinking of going to the library now.â
âI understand. I can recommend a good book!â
â.... I donât need your recommendation.â
âThen can the queen recommend one for me?â
But it didnât work. The knight seemed to have no intention of leaving my side.
I suspected that Christa had sent him to spy on me, and that finding my brother was just an excuse. However, that was not the case either.
As we walked down a corridor, we encountered a lady-in-waiting, and at that moment Sir Aprin made a remark aloud.
âSheâs a lady-in-waiting for the former queen!â
â!â
âIs she still here?â
Had he been sent by Christa, he would not have said anything that would have embarrassed the lady-in-waiting aloud.
Christaâs lady-in-waiting looked at Aprin and me in turn, but not knowing what to say, she ran out with a flushed face.
Aprin acted as if he were my subordinate, so she seemed to have misinterpreted that remark as mine.
Aprin seemed unaware that he had embarrassed Christaâs lady-in-waiting.
âIâm very popular. Everyone flushes at the sight of me.â
â...Is he just a tactless person?â
Anyway, I couldnât go to the library with this noisy knight, so I decided to just go the way I had memorized yesterday.
Rose remained quiet with a sullen expression, as if she didnât particularly like Aprin, but since he had no intention of leaving, she had no choice but to ignore him and talk to me.
âBy the way, Your Highness, donât you intend to have more ladies-in-waiting?â
âTwo of my former ladies-in-waiting from the Eastern Empire will be coming soon.â
âThere will be three of us. But that is not enough, Your Highness.â
âI will increase the number gradually as I observe the situation.â
While we were talking about my lack of ladies-in-waiting. Sir Aprin, who seemed to be listening in silence for some reason, suddenly raised his hand and spoke.
âMy Queen! I recommend my sister as a lady-in-waiting!â
Rose, who had been tolerant of him, shook her head quickly and gently grabbed my arm as soon as those words came out of his mouth.
It was a sign that I should not do this at all.
âDoes Rose know her?â
Of course, when one is in high society, one knows the faces and names of many people, even if it is not someone they were close to...
I didnât respond immediately and turned to look at Rose, as Aprin begged me desperately.
âShe is a very nice, perspicacious and vigorous girl. She will be a great help to Your Highness. It would be an honor for our family if you would accept her. I would never forget Your Highnessâs kindness!â
â... Could you tell her to come see me tomorrow?â
He looked so sad that I couldnât help but make an appointment for tomorrow. Aprin nodded and finally walked away from me, running excitedly.
Looking at his back, Rose waited for him to disappear completely before speaking honestly.
âYour Highness, do not make Sir Aprinâs sister your lady-in-waiting.â
âDo you know her, Miss Rose?â
âNot personally, but she is very famous.â
Famous?
âDoes she cause a lot of problems?â
âSheâs like Sir Aprin. Unrestrained.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Oh...
âKeeping that girl by your side will cause you to lose your dignity, Your Highness.â
It makes me feel anxious up to a point.
But I already made an appointment with her for tomorrow, I couldnât take it back.
âFor the moment, Iâve decided to meet her tomorrow. I will see and judge.â
***
When I met her the next day, I immediately realized why Rose did not want Sir Aprinâs sister to become my lady-in-waiting.
âOh...â
âI am Mastas Violet, Your Highness.â
She greeted me with a loud voice and the atmosphere around her was... truly vicious.
It was frightening.
Rose said she looked like Aprin. For the moment, at least, she had the same aura about her.
Despite being a knight, Aprin seemed careless and rude. Violet gave the same impression.
Besides, what was that hanging on her back?
âA spear...?â
â... I am Mastas, Your Highness.â
The huge spear that peeked out from behind her light purple dress decorated with lace and pearls was too incongruous.
As I stared at the weapon, Mastas blushed and scratched her cheek.
âOh this... I learned that one must keep their weapon by close at all times and never let go.â
Roseâs face twisted.
âIt is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Mastas.â
I greeted her with a smile, trying not to show how surprised I was.
But as soon as she heard my words, she asked, âMiss Mastas?â so deeply moved that a surprised expression almost appeared on my face by reflection.
When I raised an eyebrow and stared at her, Mastas apologized by waving her hands.
âMy apologies, since I was knighted, everyone has called me only Sir Mastas.â
âHave you been knighted?â
For some reason, Mastas answered âYes,â with a gloomy look. Then, she looked into my eyes and asked hesitantly,
âUm... what does a lady-in-waiting do, Your Highness?â
Rose said behind her back, âLook at her. Absolutely not,â between her lips.
I hesitated and asked for tea first.
Despite hearing this, Mastas stood by and did nothing, Rose took her by the arm and dragged her out of the room.
After the distant footsteps of the two different young ladies disappeared completely, I leaned back on the armchair and thought about it.
âWhy did Sir Aprin push his young sister towards me, who did not even know what a lady-in-waiting was?â
Itâs as if he had... an ulterior motive.