The Conqueror from a Dying Kingdom: Volume 7, page 26
✧✧✧
Several days later, I was summoned to Lady Satsuki’s room. She told me to enter when I knocked, so I opened the door and stepped inside. There, I found not just Lady Satsuki, but also a woman dressed in an unusually fine maid outfit.
“I am at your service,” I greeted them. “My name is Riccie Rouen.”
“Good to see you,” Lady Satsuki said. “Now sit down.”
It was the first time I’d ever had permission to sit on a couch in the parlor—though I had secretly sat on it once before while cleaning it by myself. I’d been caught by another maid who’d scolded me for my disgraceful behavior.
I’d been ordered to sit on it this time, so I had no reason to refuse. As I nervously took my place on the black leather upholstery of the couch, my behind sank into the springy cushion.
The woman in the fancy maid outfit sat on the couch opposite.
“My name is Cafetti Lotti,” she said. “I would normally work alongside you, but I’ve been employed at the family residence in the royal capital as of late.”
Oh, now I see, I thought. That’s why she looks all refined, like a city person.
Maids working here at the head household tended to look up to the maids of the royal capital residence and considered them a rank above us. They got prettier outfits, for one thing, but more importantly, they got to live in the royal capital. Many maids wished they could work in the royal capital, but only those who performed their duties flawlessly ever got the chance. Unlike the head household, where we were almost always serving the residents, maids at the royal capital residence also had to serve other chieftains, people known as witches, and perhaps even royalty. The slightest show of rudeness before guests like those would make the Ho family look like country bumpkins. That’s why their manners had to be perfect and their uniforms incredibly smart.
The woman in front of me looked perfectly smart too. Her hair and uniform were both immaculate. There wasn’t a single flaw to point out.
“Nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you.” I bowed my head.
Cafetti must have escaped from the royal capital residence. I assumed that she’d be staying in the head household for some time. But why did she call for me? I wondered.
“She gets passing marks for etiquette,” Cafetti said.
“Oh, good,” Satsuki replied. “Do you think she’ll be useful?”
“Yes, though I’ll conduct a more thorough assessment—if I may borrow her for a while.”
“Take good care of her.”
Cafetti stood up straight and turned toward the door. “This way, Riccie.”
“Oh. Yes, ma’am.” I got up from the couch, bowed to Lady Satsuki, and followed after Cafetti.
I wasn’t sure what she meant by an assessment, but I imagined she’d be testing me on my manners and checking I did all my chores properly.
“We’re going to keep each other company today,” Cafetti said once we were in the corridor.
At first, I thought I’d misheard her. “Keep each other company...ma’am?”
I doubted that Cafetti had summoned me just because she wanted someone to spend her day off with. But then again, I was friends with some maids who often took me places, so it wouldn’t be unheard of.
“Yes. That’s going to be a very important aspect of your new job.”
“Keeping people company?”
“Yes, Riccie. Now change into your own clothes and wait for me by the entrance. I’ll be changing too.”
“V-Very well. I’ll see you shortly.”
I left Cafetti and returned to my room.
Soon after, I had lunch with Cafetti, met her parents at her home nearby, and went with her to a tailor to be measured for a new maid’s outfit. Finally, we parted ways.
It was a different maid who took me back to the tailor the next day so I could try on the clothes while temporary stitches were in place.
I was told to make sure I had all my luggage together by tomorrow.
After another day passed, I collected two new suits of maid clothing, and a lone knight armed with a spear took me away from the manor I’d known for so long.
II
I boarded a small carriage and switched to another one along the way. Finally, I arrived at a house deep in the mountains where Cafetti was waiting for me at the front entrance.
“You’ve had a long journey, Riccie Rouen. Welcome to your new place of work,” Cafetti told me after I’d climbed out of the carriage.
“Yes, Miss Cafetti.”
The house was a cozy little place. It was well looked after, with walls so white they looked like they’d been repainted just yesterday. A storage space next to a chopping block was piled high with logs ready for use as firewood. It was like something from a fairy tale. I’d spent my whole life in the city of Kalakumo, so remote places like this were completely new to me.
After Cafetti had said a few words to the knight, he left with the carriage.
“First, I’ll introduce you to the person you’ll be serving,” Cafetti said. “Follow me.”
She entered the house through a small door and left her shoes side by side at the entrance. To avoid being rude, I did my best to copy her as I followed behind.
Cafetti headed straight upstairs without so much as looking at the kitchen or anything else. Once she reached the top of the newly constructed staircase, she opened the door to a room.
It looked like everything in there had been recently replaced, and there was a faint smell of fresh wood. A woman lay in the bed. Her hair was the color of straw, and she was looking at me with beautiful blue eyes.
“Lady Carol, this is Riccie Rouen. She’ll be working here from today. Riccie, introduce yourself.”
I was so nervous that my voice came out sounding unusually high-pitched. “Um... I’m Riccie, a maid-in-training. I’m at your service.” I bowed my head.
When I looked up again, the blue-eyed woman was looking at me and smiling. “I’m Carol Flue Shaltl. Nice to meet you, Riccie.”
When she said my name, I felt my heart flutter. I’m going to be serving her? This feels like something out of a wonderful fairy tale.
“I would like to give Riccie a tour of the house,” Cafetti said.
“Sure,” Lady Carol agreed.
“Riccie? Come on.”
“Oh...? Ah. Yes, Miss Cafetti!” I replied, flustered.
After bowing to Lady Carol, I followed Cafetti out of the room.
We went back down to the first floor and to the rear of the house. By the back door, there were two pairs of wooden sandals—one large, one small.
“The small ones are yours. Put them on and follow me.”
Cafetti put on the other pair of sandals, opened the back door, and stepped outside. I saw a pole for drying laundry. It held sheets and clothing that were swaying in the chilly spring wind.
The room where I’d met Lady Carol a few moments ago was at the front of the house. That meant she wouldn’t be able to hear us while we talked here. I guessed that Cafetti had brought me here to say something in private. And sure enough, she had.
“Riccie, do you know anything about the person you just met?”
“Yes. Um...I believe she’s a princess.” Blonde hair and blue eyes were both signs of royal blood. Even I knew that much.
“Not quite. Our former queen was poisoned and is no longer with us. She passed away. You just met Her Majesty—the new queen of this kingdom.”
“Oh... R-Really?” This was too much to take in at once. That was Her Majesty the Queen? I never thought I’d meet anyone so important my whole life.
I had a feeling there was a special name for this sort of meeting—an “audience,” maybe. Though I’d always thought such events only involved important people like Lord Rook, and that they happened in magnificent castles with Her Majesty the Queen sitting on a throne. The meeting we’d just had didn’t fit with any of that, but it counted as an audience with the queen nonetheless.
“Lady Carol was present when our former queen, Lord Rook, and Lady Suzuya were poisoned. She only consumed a small amount of poison, but it was enough to leave her ill. What’s more, she’s with child. There’s a baby growing in her stomach. Do you know what that means?”
I responded with my honest thoughts. “It means she’s in a terrible way.”
Although I’d never cared for women who were pregnant or giving birth, I’d heard how difficult it could be. Lady Carol was unwell because of poison at the same time, so I knew that had to be really bad. It was a terrible combination.
“Well...essentially, yes. I think your impression is accurate. Her life will be at risk during the birth.”
“I see.”
“I’d like you to do whatever you can to help care for her.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. What an important task. Assisting Lady Satsuki had been enough to make me nervous, and now I’d be taking care of Her Majesty the Queen. I didn’t think I was cut out for it.
When Cafetti saw how scared I was, she knelt down and put her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. She won’t demand perfect etiquette. Just carry out the same tasks you did in the manor, and you’ll have no problems.”
“A-All right...”
Although I’d only spent one day with Cafetti in Kalakumo, I felt I could trust her. For all I knew, she might have been the sort of person who’d simply say kind things to make me relax, but yell at me later if I did anything even slightly impolite. But I didn’t think that would be the case.
I’ll just do things the way I always have, I reassured myself as I took a deep breath.
“But there is one thing that you absolutely must not do,” Cafetti warned.
“I mustn’t make any loud noises? I’m sorry. I’ll do my best from now on.”
Back when I’d gotten lost in thought in Lady Carol’s room, I’d replied to Cafetti’s beckoning a little too loudly. Giving loud and clear responses was a habit I’d developed while working in the manor. I knew I’d surprised Lady Carol from the way her face had twitched.
“Yes, do try to remember that. But that wasn’t what I was going to say.”
“Oh. If there’s something else, I’m not sure what it is.”
Cafetti looked me right in the eye. “Whatever happens, never act as though you pity her. You’ll smile as you talk to her. I’m sure you’ll feel sad when she tells you about what happened, and that’s fine, but don’t pity her. She’s the most important person in this entire kingdom. It’s fitting that she should face the most important struggle in this world.”
“All right...”
“Even if she loses the ability to walk, even if someday she needs help from others after emptying her bowels, it’s not your place to pity her. Always remember that.”
“I will, Miss Cafetti.”
Cafetti nodded and smiled. “Good. Now let me show you around the house. We’ll need to prepare a bed for you too.”
✧✧✧
About a week after my arrival, the young man I’d once seen from the manor’s window came to visit in a carriage.
When Cafetti greeted him with “Welcome home,” I wondered why. She later explained to me that he used to live here. That meant Lord Rook and Lady Suzuya had once lived here too.
So that’s what this place is, I realized. I’d only ever seen the couple in the manor, but I’d had a strange sense that this house would have suited them perfectly. When I imagined them living here as a married couple, it felt as though it was the most natural place for them to be.
Lord Yuri talked with Lady Carol, then—after staying the night—he left in the morning. I didn’t know what he’d told her, but I sensed that Lady Carol was more relaxed afterward.
For the past week, she’d been wearing a troubled frown and struggling to enjoy lighthearted conversation. She’d been so anxious to know what had become of the royal capital that I think she would have hurried there herself if it hadn’t been for her illness and her pregnancy. Now, however, Lord Yuri had swept all of her worries away.
In the days after he left, commonplace boredom appeared to replace Lady Carol’s concerns. I tried searching the drawers in the other bedroom and found a ball of yarn along with some knitting needles. With Cafetti’s permission, I took them to Lady Carol.
“Lady Carol, I found these. Perhaps they’ll help you pass the time.”
She looked at the yarn I’d brought. “What’s that? Some unraveled thread?”
It was as if she’d never seen yarn in her life. That surprised me, because I thought everyone knew about knitting. But then I reminded myself that she’d been raised in the royal castle. Maybe no one knitted there.
“W-Well, if you use these to weave the yarn, you can create all kinds of things. Sweaters, scarves...”
Lady Carol seemed to come to some sort of realization. “Oh, I get it. I’ve heard about people using needles to weave things by hand. So this is what it looks like. You could make things that a loom can’t.”
“That’s right. It’s so easy that many people do it for fun and a little extra income. Lady Suzuya often knitted in the manor. I suppose these were her knitting needles long ago.”
“Oh, really? They’re my mother’s...”
I was confused for a moment when she mentioned her mother. It took me a while to realize that she meant her mother-in-law.
“I’m not sure I should use them without asking,” Lady Carol said.
“I think it would be all right. Lord Yuri did say that you can use everything in this house as if it’s your own.”
“Then I’ll give it a shot. Will you teach me?”
“Of course.”
I took a pair of needles in my hands and began to show Lady Carol what to do. She soon grasped the basics and began producing a knitted strip as wide as her palm.
“This might not be a bad hobby. It’s like embroidery, except I don’t have to worry about pricking my finger.”
She used her fingertips to manipulate the needles. Her work was uneven at first, but it gradually got better as she got the hang of the process. It made me happy. The most respected and beautiful person in the kingdom was knitting in front of me. It was nice to have such an important woman all to myself for a while.
“It might be an ideal hobby for someone who’s expecting,” I said.
“Yeah. It takes my mind off things. I’ll try it for a while. Maybe I’ll even make something the little one can wear.”
“I think that would be wonderful.”
Some people found knitting tedious because it was delicate and time-consuming work, but that didn’t seem to put her off. She kept making precise little movements with her fingertips as she consumed the yarn—though her movements weren’t smooth enough to produce even stitches just yet.
After a while, I broke the cozy silence with a question that had been on my mind. “Um, Lady Carol, may I ask what sort of person he is?”
I had to wonder what sort of man a woman like her would choose to bear a child with.
“You mean Yuri? Hmm...” Lady Carol’s fingers came to a halt as she gave it some thought. “You might think he’s kind of scary if you’ve heard about the things he’s done. He’s accomplished unbelievable things, but he never makes a big deal out of them. Most people must think that he doesn’t care about anyone besides himself.”
“I see...” That does sound scary.
“Heh. Don’t look so frightened. I wouldn’t have fallen for him if that’s all there was to him, now would I?” Lady Carol said with a beautiful smile.
I had to accept that. Lord Yuri was the man Lady Carol had chosen.
“There are some really good things about him. He treasures the people close to him from the bottom of his heart. He wouldn’t think twice before giving his life for any of them. That’s why I’m bursting with happiness whenever I remember how much he cares about me.”
As she spoke, Lady Carol’s gaze grew distant, and happiness filled her eyes. I could tell just how much she loved him.
“The only reason he’s barbaric toward his enemies is because it’s necessary to protect those he loves. His friends rely on him, while his enemies fear him. Whatever scary stories you hear, you should remember one thing, Riccie—you have no reason to be afraid of him.” Lady Carol patted my head as she spoke. “He already considers you family. He’ll do whatever it takes to protect you, even if it’s terrible. So whatever happens, don’t fear him.”
I didn’t really get it, but I knew Lady Carol understood Lord Yuri well. I accepted what she said as the truth. These were Lady Carol’s opinions, after all.
“I see. That’s a relief.”
“Yep,” Lady Carol replied before going back to her knitting.
✧✧✧
About a week later, Lady Carol’s scarf was complete.
“All right. All done. Would you throw it away for me, Riccie?” Lady Carol snatched up her scarf and held it out to me.
“What?!” I was so shocked I couldn’t help but cry out.
Lady Carol was surprised in turn. “What’s wrong? It’s not like you to shout.”
“But weren’t you knitting this for your baby?”
“No, this was just practice. I doubt anyone would want this thing.”
It was true that the scarf she held used a lot of different types of stitching. The final fifth was plump with thick cable stitches—a difficult technique to get right. But that didn’t make it useless. It was a lovely scarf. I wondered whether her royal upbringing had made her picky when it came to clothing.
“But you put in all that effort...”
The real problem was that I’d have to be the one to take what Lady Carol had made and either throw it away or reduce it back to yarn. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“There’s no point keeping it if no one’s going to use it,” Lady Carol said.
“Could I have it, in that case?”
“You don’t have to use this. You’ve already made something much better.”
I’d been knitting along with Lady Carol. I’d actually made something like a cape, complete with button holes for attaching to the shoulders of an outfit.
“I was planning to give what I’d made to you, Lady Carol. Can’t I have yours?”
Several days later, I was summoned to Lady Satsuki’s room. She told me to enter when I knocked, so I opened the door and stepped inside. There, I found not just Lady Satsuki, but also a woman dressed in an unusually fine maid outfit.
“I am at your service,” I greeted them. “My name is Riccie Rouen.”
“Good to see you,” Lady Satsuki said. “Now sit down.”
It was the first time I’d ever had permission to sit on a couch in the parlor—though I had secretly sat on it once before while cleaning it by myself. I’d been caught by another maid who’d scolded me for my disgraceful behavior.
I’d been ordered to sit on it this time, so I had no reason to refuse. As I nervously took my place on the black leather upholstery of the couch, my behind sank into the springy cushion.
The woman in the fancy maid outfit sat on the couch opposite.
“My name is Cafetti Lotti,” she said. “I would normally work alongside you, but I’ve been employed at the family residence in the royal capital as of late.”
Oh, now I see, I thought. That’s why she looks all refined, like a city person.
Maids working here at the head household tended to look up to the maids of the royal capital residence and considered them a rank above us. They got prettier outfits, for one thing, but more importantly, they got to live in the royal capital. Many maids wished they could work in the royal capital, but only those who performed their duties flawlessly ever got the chance. Unlike the head household, where we were almost always serving the residents, maids at the royal capital residence also had to serve other chieftains, people known as witches, and perhaps even royalty. The slightest show of rudeness before guests like those would make the Ho family look like country bumpkins. That’s why their manners had to be perfect and their uniforms incredibly smart.
The woman in front of me looked perfectly smart too. Her hair and uniform were both immaculate. There wasn’t a single flaw to point out.
“Nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you.” I bowed my head.
Cafetti must have escaped from the royal capital residence. I assumed that she’d be staying in the head household for some time. But why did she call for me? I wondered.
“She gets passing marks for etiquette,” Cafetti said.
“Oh, good,” Satsuki replied. “Do you think she’ll be useful?”
“Yes, though I’ll conduct a more thorough assessment—if I may borrow her for a while.”
“Take good care of her.”
Cafetti stood up straight and turned toward the door. “This way, Riccie.”
“Oh. Yes, ma’am.” I got up from the couch, bowed to Lady Satsuki, and followed after Cafetti.
I wasn’t sure what she meant by an assessment, but I imagined she’d be testing me on my manners and checking I did all my chores properly.
“We’re going to keep each other company today,” Cafetti said once we were in the corridor.
At first, I thought I’d misheard her. “Keep each other company...ma’am?”
I doubted that Cafetti had summoned me just because she wanted someone to spend her day off with. But then again, I was friends with some maids who often took me places, so it wouldn’t be unheard of.
“Yes. That’s going to be a very important aspect of your new job.”
“Keeping people company?”
“Yes, Riccie. Now change into your own clothes and wait for me by the entrance. I’ll be changing too.”
“V-Very well. I’ll see you shortly.”
I left Cafetti and returned to my room.
Soon after, I had lunch with Cafetti, met her parents at her home nearby, and went with her to a tailor to be measured for a new maid’s outfit. Finally, we parted ways.
It was a different maid who took me back to the tailor the next day so I could try on the clothes while temporary stitches were in place.
I was told to make sure I had all my luggage together by tomorrow.
After another day passed, I collected two new suits of maid clothing, and a lone knight armed with a spear took me away from the manor I’d known for so long.
II
I boarded a small carriage and switched to another one along the way. Finally, I arrived at a house deep in the mountains where Cafetti was waiting for me at the front entrance.
“You’ve had a long journey, Riccie Rouen. Welcome to your new place of work,” Cafetti told me after I’d climbed out of the carriage.
“Yes, Miss Cafetti.”
The house was a cozy little place. It was well looked after, with walls so white they looked like they’d been repainted just yesterday. A storage space next to a chopping block was piled high with logs ready for use as firewood. It was like something from a fairy tale. I’d spent my whole life in the city of Kalakumo, so remote places like this were completely new to me.
After Cafetti had said a few words to the knight, he left with the carriage.
“First, I’ll introduce you to the person you’ll be serving,” Cafetti said. “Follow me.”
She entered the house through a small door and left her shoes side by side at the entrance. To avoid being rude, I did my best to copy her as I followed behind.
Cafetti headed straight upstairs without so much as looking at the kitchen or anything else. Once she reached the top of the newly constructed staircase, she opened the door to a room.
It looked like everything in there had been recently replaced, and there was a faint smell of fresh wood. A woman lay in the bed. Her hair was the color of straw, and she was looking at me with beautiful blue eyes.
“Lady Carol, this is Riccie Rouen. She’ll be working here from today. Riccie, introduce yourself.”
I was so nervous that my voice came out sounding unusually high-pitched. “Um... I’m Riccie, a maid-in-training. I’m at your service.” I bowed my head.
When I looked up again, the blue-eyed woman was looking at me and smiling. “I’m Carol Flue Shaltl. Nice to meet you, Riccie.”
When she said my name, I felt my heart flutter. I’m going to be serving her? This feels like something out of a wonderful fairy tale.
“I would like to give Riccie a tour of the house,” Cafetti said.
“Sure,” Lady Carol agreed.
“Riccie? Come on.”
“Oh...? Ah. Yes, Miss Cafetti!” I replied, flustered.
After bowing to Lady Carol, I followed Cafetti out of the room.
We went back down to the first floor and to the rear of the house. By the back door, there were two pairs of wooden sandals—one large, one small.
“The small ones are yours. Put them on and follow me.”
Cafetti put on the other pair of sandals, opened the back door, and stepped outside. I saw a pole for drying laundry. It held sheets and clothing that were swaying in the chilly spring wind.
The room where I’d met Lady Carol a few moments ago was at the front of the house. That meant she wouldn’t be able to hear us while we talked here. I guessed that Cafetti had brought me here to say something in private. And sure enough, she had.
“Riccie, do you know anything about the person you just met?”
“Yes. Um...I believe she’s a princess.” Blonde hair and blue eyes were both signs of royal blood. Even I knew that much.
“Not quite. Our former queen was poisoned and is no longer with us. She passed away. You just met Her Majesty—the new queen of this kingdom.”
“Oh... R-Really?” This was too much to take in at once. That was Her Majesty the Queen? I never thought I’d meet anyone so important my whole life.
I had a feeling there was a special name for this sort of meeting—an “audience,” maybe. Though I’d always thought such events only involved important people like Lord Rook, and that they happened in magnificent castles with Her Majesty the Queen sitting on a throne. The meeting we’d just had didn’t fit with any of that, but it counted as an audience with the queen nonetheless.
“Lady Carol was present when our former queen, Lord Rook, and Lady Suzuya were poisoned. She only consumed a small amount of poison, but it was enough to leave her ill. What’s more, she’s with child. There’s a baby growing in her stomach. Do you know what that means?”
I responded with my honest thoughts. “It means she’s in a terrible way.”
Although I’d never cared for women who were pregnant or giving birth, I’d heard how difficult it could be. Lady Carol was unwell because of poison at the same time, so I knew that had to be really bad. It was a terrible combination.
“Well...essentially, yes. I think your impression is accurate. Her life will be at risk during the birth.”
“I see.”
“I’d like you to do whatever you can to help care for her.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. What an important task. Assisting Lady Satsuki had been enough to make me nervous, and now I’d be taking care of Her Majesty the Queen. I didn’t think I was cut out for it.
When Cafetti saw how scared I was, she knelt down and put her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. She won’t demand perfect etiquette. Just carry out the same tasks you did in the manor, and you’ll have no problems.”
“A-All right...”
Although I’d only spent one day with Cafetti in Kalakumo, I felt I could trust her. For all I knew, she might have been the sort of person who’d simply say kind things to make me relax, but yell at me later if I did anything even slightly impolite. But I didn’t think that would be the case.
I’ll just do things the way I always have, I reassured myself as I took a deep breath.
“But there is one thing that you absolutely must not do,” Cafetti warned.
“I mustn’t make any loud noises? I’m sorry. I’ll do my best from now on.”
Back when I’d gotten lost in thought in Lady Carol’s room, I’d replied to Cafetti’s beckoning a little too loudly. Giving loud and clear responses was a habit I’d developed while working in the manor. I knew I’d surprised Lady Carol from the way her face had twitched.
“Yes, do try to remember that. But that wasn’t what I was going to say.”
“Oh. If there’s something else, I’m not sure what it is.”
Cafetti looked me right in the eye. “Whatever happens, never act as though you pity her. You’ll smile as you talk to her. I’m sure you’ll feel sad when she tells you about what happened, and that’s fine, but don’t pity her. She’s the most important person in this entire kingdom. It’s fitting that she should face the most important struggle in this world.”
“All right...”
“Even if she loses the ability to walk, even if someday she needs help from others after emptying her bowels, it’s not your place to pity her. Always remember that.”
“I will, Miss Cafetti.”
Cafetti nodded and smiled. “Good. Now let me show you around the house. We’ll need to prepare a bed for you too.”
✧✧✧
About a week after my arrival, the young man I’d once seen from the manor’s window came to visit in a carriage.
When Cafetti greeted him with “Welcome home,” I wondered why. She later explained to me that he used to live here. That meant Lord Rook and Lady Suzuya had once lived here too.
So that’s what this place is, I realized. I’d only ever seen the couple in the manor, but I’d had a strange sense that this house would have suited them perfectly. When I imagined them living here as a married couple, it felt as though it was the most natural place for them to be.
Lord Yuri talked with Lady Carol, then—after staying the night—he left in the morning. I didn’t know what he’d told her, but I sensed that Lady Carol was more relaxed afterward.
For the past week, she’d been wearing a troubled frown and struggling to enjoy lighthearted conversation. She’d been so anxious to know what had become of the royal capital that I think she would have hurried there herself if it hadn’t been for her illness and her pregnancy. Now, however, Lord Yuri had swept all of her worries away.
In the days after he left, commonplace boredom appeared to replace Lady Carol’s concerns. I tried searching the drawers in the other bedroom and found a ball of yarn along with some knitting needles. With Cafetti’s permission, I took them to Lady Carol.
“Lady Carol, I found these. Perhaps they’ll help you pass the time.”
She looked at the yarn I’d brought. “What’s that? Some unraveled thread?”
It was as if she’d never seen yarn in her life. That surprised me, because I thought everyone knew about knitting. But then I reminded myself that she’d been raised in the royal castle. Maybe no one knitted there.
“W-Well, if you use these to weave the yarn, you can create all kinds of things. Sweaters, scarves...”
Lady Carol seemed to come to some sort of realization. “Oh, I get it. I’ve heard about people using needles to weave things by hand. So this is what it looks like. You could make things that a loom can’t.”
“That’s right. It’s so easy that many people do it for fun and a little extra income. Lady Suzuya often knitted in the manor. I suppose these were her knitting needles long ago.”
“Oh, really? They’re my mother’s...”
I was confused for a moment when she mentioned her mother. It took me a while to realize that she meant her mother-in-law.
“I’m not sure I should use them without asking,” Lady Carol said.
“I think it would be all right. Lord Yuri did say that you can use everything in this house as if it’s your own.”
“Then I’ll give it a shot. Will you teach me?”
“Of course.”
I took a pair of needles in my hands and began to show Lady Carol what to do. She soon grasped the basics and began producing a knitted strip as wide as her palm.
“This might not be a bad hobby. It’s like embroidery, except I don’t have to worry about pricking my finger.”
She used her fingertips to manipulate the needles. Her work was uneven at first, but it gradually got better as she got the hang of the process. It made me happy. The most respected and beautiful person in the kingdom was knitting in front of me. It was nice to have such an important woman all to myself for a while.
“It might be an ideal hobby for someone who’s expecting,” I said.
“Yeah. It takes my mind off things. I’ll try it for a while. Maybe I’ll even make something the little one can wear.”
“I think that would be wonderful.”
Some people found knitting tedious because it was delicate and time-consuming work, but that didn’t seem to put her off. She kept making precise little movements with her fingertips as she consumed the yarn—though her movements weren’t smooth enough to produce even stitches just yet.
After a while, I broke the cozy silence with a question that had been on my mind. “Um, Lady Carol, may I ask what sort of person he is?”
I had to wonder what sort of man a woman like her would choose to bear a child with.
“You mean Yuri? Hmm...” Lady Carol’s fingers came to a halt as she gave it some thought. “You might think he’s kind of scary if you’ve heard about the things he’s done. He’s accomplished unbelievable things, but he never makes a big deal out of them. Most people must think that he doesn’t care about anyone besides himself.”
“I see...” That does sound scary.
“Heh. Don’t look so frightened. I wouldn’t have fallen for him if that’s all there was to him, now would I?” Lady Carol said with a beautiful smile.
I had to accept that. Lord Yuri was the man Lady Carol had chosen.
“There are some really good things about him. He treasures the people close to him from the bottom of his heart. He wouldn’t think twice before giving his life for any of them. That’s why I’m bursting with happiness whenever I remember how much he cares about me.”
As she spoke, Lady Carol’s gaze grew distant, and happiness filled her eyes. I could tell just how much she loved him.
“The only reason he’s barbaric toward his enemies is because it’s necessary to protect those he loves. His friends rely on him, while his enemies fear him. Whatever scary stories you hear, you should remember one thing, Riccie—you have no reason to be afraid of him.” Lady Carol patted my head as she spoke. “He already considers you family. He’ll do whatever it takes to protect you, even if it’s terrible. So whatever happens, don’t fear him.”
I didn’t really get it, but I knew Lady Carol understood Lord Yuri well. I accepted what she said as the truth. These were Lady Carol’s opinions, after all.
“I see. That’s a relief.”
“Yep,” Lady Carol replied before going back to her knitting.
✧✧✧
About a week later, Lady Carol’s scarf was complete.
“All right. All done. Would you throw it away for me, Riccie?” Lady Carol snatched up her scarf and held it out to me.
“What?!” I was so shocked I couldn’t help but cry out.
Lady Carol was surprised in turn. “What’s wrong? It’s not like you to shout.”
“But weren’t you knitting this for your baby?”
“No, this was just practice. I doubt anyone would want this thing.”
It was true that the scarf she held used a lot of different types of stitching. The final fifth was plump with thick cable stitches—a difficult technique to get right. But that didn’t make it useless. It was a lovely scarf. I wondered whether her royal upbringing had made her picky when it came to clothing.
“But you put in all that effort...”
The real problem was that I’d have to be the one to take what Lady Carol had made and either throw it away or reduce it back to yarn. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“There’s no point keeping it if no one’s going to use it,” Lady Carol said.
“Could I have it, in that case?”
“You don’t have to use this. You’ve already made something much better.”
I’d been knitting along with Lady Carol. I’d actually made something like a cape, complete with button holes for attaching to the shoulders of an outfit.
“I was planning to give what I’d made to you, Lady Carol. Can’t I have yours?”
