It began, as it often did, with our customary morning routine.

I knocked lightly upon Lady Carine’s door, and she received me with her usual grace. I briefed her on the day’s itinerary before escorting her to the dining room.

Following breakfast, I would accompany her to her scheduled lessons.

Some of her usual classes hadn’t yet been scheduled, as the instructors were, at the time, out of reach. I assumed that they were still recuperating after the attack on the capital. It was, understandably, a time of caution for all.

The absence Lord Kyrat himself lamented as most unfortunate was the private tutoring session with Professor Karvin. Given his close association with the Third Prince, I could only assume he was among those most deeply affected by the incident.

Returning to the matter at hand, the classes Lady Carine attended as of late had grown, for the lack of a better word, monotonous. Day after day, she performed each practice and demonstration as perfectly as she always does. But day by day, I began to notice the boredom in her eyes even more.

Today proved no exception.

And yet, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was for the best. After all, a dull day was, more often than not, a peaceful one.

Following two consecutive lessons, I escorted Lady Carine to her chambers for a brief break before her next lesson.

“Thank you, Leila,” she said elegantly, before her door closed with a click.

Left alone in the corridor, I found myself wondering if there might be some way to alleviate her boredom. I let my thoughts wander, sifting through things and activities she might find enjoyable.

Swordplay.

Drinking fine tea.

Reading literature.

Many things came to light, but none seemed particularly effective in my mind.

Then, something came to me… No, a name.

Sir Feyt.

He was the young man Lord Kyrat had taken under his wing as a personal protégé. While the Duke had occasionally selected students of his own volition, some even of common birth, this particular instance was… different.

This time, the Duke was particularly warm and close with him. But perhaps it extended far beyond the Duke…

Words from the other servants here painted him as particularly close to Lady Carine. That fact hadn’t escaped my observation as well.

I recalled the day Sir Feyt was first expected to visit. Lady Carine immediately requested a bath out of schedule. Lord Kyrat had also mentioned, without hiding his amusement, how she seemed to stutter in his presence.

Lady Carine stuttering… I could only imagine such a sight.

I shook my head. What was I doing, letting my mind wander mid-work?

After that break, I led Lady Carine to the next lesson in her schedule, an etiquette schedule. Regrettably, I was not to remain with her, as I had been assigned to oversee the staff attending to the main corridors.

I had no doubt that Lady Carine would manage perfectly well on her own—she always did. And yet, a part of me wished I could have remained within the drawing room, if only to ensure her continued comfort.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

The security protocol instituted by Lady Reyna has resulted in a notable increase in my workload.

Under usual circumstances, I would be delighted—I mean, accepting—of such an arrangement. I must do what I was set to do. However, as of late, I had found that the more time I spent away from Lady Carine’s side, the more restless I became.

What was the cause of it, I asked myself.

Was it caution?

Perhaps it was boredom?

Could it even be passion?

But I eventually came to a resolute conclusion.

It was comfort.

Lady Carine gave me comfort.

Only by her side could I ever breathe without tension, knowing she truly cared for me. Only by her side could I ever let my mind rest, knowing she was standing beside me.

Ordinarily, I would cycle through upcoming schedules while attending to my current work. That way, my mind could always be as efficient as I needed it to be.

But lately, my thoughts would often stray.

When would I see her again? Would I make it in time to greet her? How long would she wait for me?

Although I hadn’t faltered in my responsibilities, those thoughts kept lingering in the back of my mind.

As I was walking down the halls, heading towards the East Wing for a routine inspection, I heard a strange noise.

Someone was rushing over, their hurried breath and frantic steps told me they were in a panic, as if they were running for their life.

I rounded the corner before the source of that frantic noise came to a halt right in front of me. Looking up slightly, I saw the figure of a young man. It took me but a second to recognize who he was.

“Sir Feyt? Are you in a hurry?”

I began to step aside, intending to let him pass, but I couldn’t help but wonder what caused him to be so alarmed.

“No time to explain! Carine is in danger!”

In an instant, all sounds were drowned out in my ears. I felt my fingers tighten as the time around us seemed to slow down.

“Where?” I asked.

I didn’t ask how he knew. I didn’t question if it was true.

There are some matters in this world one does not speak of lightly. From the young man’s eyes, I could tell that his words were genuine.

“The drawing room—”

Before Sir Feyt could mutter another word, I had already turned heel.

The drawing room. West Wing. First floor.

I launched forward, boots striking the carpeted floor as I pushed through the corridors with every ounce of strength I could gather.

No time to hesitate.

No time to question.

No time to doubt.

Only one thought rang in my mind.

Not again. I will be there for her this time.

In the blink of an eye, the distance was closed.

The door was ajar, wide open.

Two knights were on the ground. A third lunged with his hand, reaching out.

There was no time to assess the situation. I let my instincts take hold.

So I lunged.

I pivoted mid-air, I raised my leg and brought it down with precision and force—heel first.

The floor trembled beneath us. Whether it was the room that shook or the impact of my own heartbeat, I couldn’t tell.

Only when the figure collapsed did I feel I could breathe again.

I raised my head, sweeping my gaze across the room.

The two knights on the ground were staring at me, jaws agape. Lady Maltine, the etiquette instructor, stood frozen near the corner, her hands pressed tightly over her mouth.

Then I turned to Lady Carine, whose face had barely moved.

“Are you alright, My Lady?”

I stepped off the fallen knight, boots clicking softly against the floor as I cautiously approached her.

Lady Carine gave me a slight nod. Her posture was as steady as it always was, as if she wasn’t even shaken by the attempted attack.

After a brief silence, Lady Carine finally spoke, her voice as cold as ever.

“I am unharmed, Leila. You arrived just in time.”

Her words, though distant, filled me with relief.

Before I could even realize what I was doing, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her.

“H-Huh?”

It would seem my instincts were still in control. But… I couldn’t bring myself to let her go.

I made it in time.

This time…

This time, I was there for her.

I felt my hold on her tighten slightly. In response, she stiffened in between my arms.

“…What is going on, Leila?” she asked, her voice softer.

I slowly pulled back, my arms falling to my sides. “Nothing, My Lady… I just think it’s time I got to know Sir Feyt better.”

“…Huh?” she said, her eyes wide and blinking.

That’s right. I needed to thank Sir Feyt… deeply.

Without him, I wouldn’t have made it by her side.

I had come to realize that his dedication to protecting Lady Carine was undeniable. Not just from that kidnapping incident, not only during the attack on the castle, but now, again, in this very moment.

Only now did I fully understand why Lord Kyrat held him in such high regard, and why Lady Carine would act differently around him.

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