Episode 62

"Are you both serious? Swear to God?"

"It'll remain the same no matter how many times you ask."

The carriage Lapis borrowed moved steadily across the boulevard.

The luxurious carriage was filled with the youngest's appeals.

"Are you stopping by my house? Straight away? Even though we just got discharged?"

"Why does it matter?"

"You mean you'll start working at the mansion right after your discharge?"

"Yes."

"Our mansion isn't suitable for that."

The head shake was resolute.

Lapis, cupping his chin in discontent, muttered grumpily.

"We could at least rest elsewhere—"

"Lapis, youngest one."

"Yes, Sonnet."

"We have no home."

There was no place for us to stay in the capital.

There might have been two years ago, but that was a past that had vanished like a midsummer night's dream.

"What about your family?"

"I sent a letter from the train station."

Even before enlistment, I didn't share much detail of my daily life.

'If mom found out I was fired so many times, she would've told me to quit everything and come back home.'

Knowing I had safely arrived in the capital after discharge was sufficient information.

As I concluded my answer, his golden eyes shifted slightly towards Ute.

'He used to say he didn't care about guy's opinions.'

Ute, noticing the gaze, responded calmly.

"They probably don't even know I enlisted?"

"Your family doesn't care much either, huh."

"It's not that they don't care; we're just not close."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

Ute shrugged without a word. Lapis, not really curious anymore, didn't inquire further.

'Lapis mentioned he wasn't close with his family either.'

Despite being a nobleman's son, no one arrived to greet him.

The carriage left the main road and entered the forest.

"It'll take a bit longer to get there. We are located in a remote place."

"Townhouses are usually built in urban areas."

"There's one near the royal palace as well. We only utilize it for banquets though."

"Why?"

"If my sister were let loose in the capital, her temper would become the talk of the town."

Let loose, like a dog on a leash?

Lapis shuddered, rubbing his shoulders.

"Well, it's already widely rumored in the capital anyway. You've heard about our family too, right, Sonnet?"

"I've heard some things."

The Marquis of Zephyrite.

Even in the army, where names were rarely used, most knew Lapis' identity.

It was that prestigious. At the same time...

'It was blacklisted among household staff.'

People who joined for the high salary infamously ran away, claiming they'd rather work on a deep-sea fishing boat.

I stared at the youngest son of such a family.

"It seems I had better use formal speech from now on."

"What?"

"I'm an employee now. Should I begin immediately?"

"Please don't."

Lapis' sharp gaze softened like melted cream.

He moved closer to me, his chubby cheek resting against my shoulder.

"I feel a sense of distance."

"You always use formal speech."

"It's out of affection and respect. Don't you like it?"

"If you're comfortable, it's fine, but... you might want to be careful at the mansion."

"It's okay, it's okay. Who would care?"

Everyone except for you?

If one employee seemed very close to their employer...

'Well, having the young master's favor isn't a bad thing.'

His hair brushed against my neck and tickled me.

"Father is probably in the estate. My brother works at the royal palace."

"And your sister?"

"She's probably drinking somewhere."

His bright eyes dimmed again.

'Lady Zephyrite's rumors have flourished in the gossip papers a few times.'

If only it was just the gossip papers.

A few times, she appeared in the society section of reputable newspapers, and whenever that happened, it was the main topic among the employees for a while.

'He always gets like this when it comes to his sister.'

It didn't feel good seeing this already skinny kid become dejected.

"Hmm, you didn't style your hair today."

"No. Should I have?"

His downcast gaze suddenly brightened.

The still boyish man smiled broadly and blinked.

"Can you pat it? Please?"

"Your hair?"

"Yes. I didn't put wax on for once."

His unstylish blond hair fell straight down.

Unless it was for grooming, I hadn't touched someone else's hair before.

"Soft, right?"

"Yes."

"I like your hair too."

Ute, who had been quietly sitting across, suddenly lowered his head. His dense crown filled my vision.

"Touch it."

"Oh, okay? Huh?"

"Hmm?"

What's with him?

But my hand moved smoothly despite my complicated thoughts.

Slightly curled, flawless silver hair.

I remembered the time this soft hair showed its true color before concealing itself once more.

A pale brown that captured the autumn sunlight. A brilliant color close to wheat...

"How is it?"

His lowered eyelids lifted slightly.

His bright green eyes were full of innocent affection.

'How is it?'

Every time you do this I really... feel the urge to cry.

---

The Zephyrite residence was a mansion that came straight out of a story.

'Even Edwell wasn't this grand.'

It was quite a walk from the gate to the entrance.

Once inside, a line of people greeted us with bowed heads.

"Welcome back, young master."

"Welcome back, young master!"

'There's hardly any female staff.'

An older-looking man stepped forward. His indifferent golden eyes flickered briefly.

"I've been waiting for you, young master."

"Sage."

"I knew you'd come today, but since you were unable to specify when and where I was unable to come to greet you. Please forgive me."

"I didn't tell you because it was a hassle."

It didn't seem like the family had completely cast him out.

After the brief reunion, the middle-aged man's gaze turned towards us.

"Oh, right."

Lapis slightly stepped aside.

"He's the head butler managing the residence. He is also a distant relative."

"I am Sage Wedon. Young lady, young lord."

"These are my comrades from the army. This is—"

"I am Sonnet Posa."

"I am Ute Velvet."

"They'll be staying here. Let's talk in detail inside."

"Certainly. But first, I have a question..."

"Ask."

The butler's blue eyes wavered intensely for a moment.

It was an excessive vigilance for merely welcoming strangers.

"Forgive my boldness, but are these truly your guests?"

"Why?"

"Even this gentleman?"

"Yeah, well. That's how it came to be."

"My goodness."

The sigh came from elsewhere.

The surroundings were very quiet beforehand, so the voices of the staff were easily heard.

"Wow..."

"The military must've been tough..."

Even the seasoned butler was unable to conceal his confusion.

"Are you being sincere? They are not a porter or a cross-dressing woman, are they?"

"I told you, no! Really, am I that untrustworthy?"

"Yes."

The butler kept sneaking glances at Ute and me as we headed toward the parlor.

This... was Lapis' fault.

A few days after expressing my intent to work.

Ute and I were leisurely treated as guests. To the extent that...

"I'll escort you to the dining room, miss."

Each time we moved, a staff member would accompany us.

Today, it was even the head butler.

'This has never happened before.'

The head butler usually conducted most decisions in the absence of the Marquis.

At most, they'd hire junior servants, but why?

"Is your stay comfortable?"

"Very much so. I'm always grateful for the consideration."

It wasn't the treatment a worker should receive.

"I heard you spent a year with the young master in the army. How was it there?"

"I got along well with people, both men and women..."

"It seems the young master is very fond of you."

"Ah."

"He's not one to easily open up, so... I'm a bit surprised."

The butler kept observing me as he continued.

"You didn't visit your hometown. It's in the south, but you could've taken a train directly there."

"My schedule didn't allow it."

"Your mother must be disappointed."

"..."

"I've reviewed the resume and recommendation letter you sent."

Finally, the main topic.

"You have a lot of experience. Your academic performance is excellent as well. The recommendation letter was impressive. It's difficult to receive one directly from your employer, not the head maid..."

"..."

"I could see you've lived diligently."

"Thank you."

In front of the dining room.

The man met my eyes seriously.

"For someone like you, no, Miss Posa, I—"

---

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