The day of my departure had come.

As promised, all my schedules for this week were abolished, and now all I needed to do was pack my stuff and head back home on one of the estate’s many carriages.

Now, if only packing were easy.

The wardrobe before me wasn’t the same one I had when I first got into this room. It was larger, wider, had an in-built mirror, and was generally higher quality. It was easily the largest thing in the room, eating up more space than I’d like.

The contents of it were the main concern, however.

Compared to my initial selections: a training outfit, one presentable casual set, and a single decent suit. The selection now was… extensive. Overwhelming, even.

Ever since I was trained to be Carine’s future bodyguard, Mother had splurged a bit on my clothes. I mean, it made sense. It would be detrimental to Carine’s reputation if her bodyguard were dressed as a bum, but I still think she went a little overboard with her selection.

Every week, a new outfit seemed to arrive unannounced, delivered by the one and only Eliza. They ranged from suits to casual clothes. I had been wearing them occasionally, and yes, they were comfortable, but I was still hesitant to fully call them my own.

Now, that tangent aside, I refocused on the bags on my bed, sitting there, one of them filled with my own clothes. Then I stared back at Mother’s selection of high-quality, very comfortable clothes.

Am I allowed to bring them back home?

I really didn’t know. She never mentioned anything about it. 

I kinda wanted to see Mom and Dad’s reactions to me wearing them. But after some thought… I decided it would be best not to.

I wouldn’t like to take any chances with Mother. And wearing such expensive-looking outfits would make me look like I was begging to be kidnapped.

With a determined nod, I approached my clothes bag and closed it tightly. It was light. Now, my second bag, which was still empty, was going to be for my stuff.

Training swords, gear, et cetera.

I was planning on keeping up with my training back home just so I wouldn’t fall behind. There was a small hope inside me that I would impress Mother with my progress when I finally got back, but the chances of that happening were slimmer than a strand of hair.

I opened the lower shelf of my wardrobe, where I kept most of my stuff. I quietly set aside two wooden swords and proper gloves, but then I came across a box.

I pulled it out gently, opening it to reveal a flute.

Mom’s gift from my last birthday.

It had been almost a year since she gave me this, and I couldn’t believe how long I had let it sit there unused.

“…”

I took a look at the clock in Carine’s room; it was still mid-morning. There was still time before noon, when my carriage would be ready.

…Should I?

As I caressed the surface of the flute, a sense of familiarity flowed into me. It was an inexplicable ease, as if my hands had been waiting to hold it for a really, really long time. Like an old friend I thought I would never see again.

That was… weird. I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts and just focus on the flute.

Despite it having been almost a year since I got it, it was perfectly pristine and nice to hold. Smooth surface, nice weight, and a really comfortable grip.

I had never played a flute in my life. In any of my lives, really.

…So why does it feel like I have played them a thousand times?

Hesitant, but curious, I lifted the instrument to my lip. I closed my eyes, trying to quiet my mind. I took a deep breath, and then…

It was as if my body moved before it could even think. My fingers settled into positions they somehow knew, and my next breath was much steadier and controlled. A single, resonant note echoed in the small, quiet room of mine. 

I took another breath, and my fingers began to move again, drifting over the holes of the flute. Then, a melody began to be played. What I was thinking, the tiredness I felt, the beautiful skies above, I translated all of them into the notes I played.

A soft but calming melody had woven itself into the air. A song without a name that I had just concocted out of nowhere. Before long, the world outside the flute began to dull. Soon, it was just me, the flute, and the echo chamber that was my room. Even my focus on Carine began to waver, as I fell into a state of calm.

I didn’t know how long I had played. But eventually, the melody played its last note. 

I lowered my flute, my eyes fluttering open.

…What was that?

A single cold sweat ran down the side of my head as I stared at the flute before me, my hands shaking, a sense of both terror and awe instilled in me.

I had never played a flute, never learned, and had no interest in it. 

So why in the world did I play this so well?!?!

The flute I was holding, was it really just a normal flute? Could it be some sort of artifact? Maybe it makes you a musical genius? Or maybe it takes control of your body or something?

I ran through several theories in my head. But then my train of thought was cut short by a shuffling sound from the doorway.

I turned.

The door leading to the hall was closed, but beyond it, I heard signs of several people. Their breaths sounded like they were trying to keep quiet, but they couldn’t quite escape my ears.

Slowly, I approached the door and pulled it open. In the crowded space beyond the door were a handful of maids and butlers, all leaning in; one of them was even a familiar face. Their eyes widened in shock at the sight of me.

“…Hi there,” I said.

“….H-Hello, Sir Feyt!” Ressa, the blonde-haired maid, said, her body frozen along with the others. “N-Nice flute you got there… haha…”

Apparently, my impromptu performance actually got some audience.

I don’t know if I should be proud or not.

—

~A short while later~

I stretched until the bones in my back popped. I let out a slow groan as the fresh air swept over me.

“—Aaah!~” I yawned, enjoying the breeze.

There really was nothing like walking through the estate’s garden to clear one’s mind.

I stood just steps away from the estate’s grand doors, putting the estate and everything that had happened this morning behind me. Whatever I did with the flute back then… I decided to think about it later. I had a carriage to catch up to.

The carriage was already prepared, and judging from its size, it seemed to be a wider variant of Father’s collection. My bags, one with clothes, the other with my training gear and the flute, were already secured. I was all set.

“So… why are you here?” I asked the figure standing patiently to my right, her faded pink hair swaying gently in the breeze.

Eliza blinked before offering her usual warm, gentle smile. “I am to accompany you, Sir Feyt.”

“Right…” I responded. “But why?”

Before she could answer, another voice cut in from behind us. “Eliza is to oversee your continued training,” Leila said in her ever-so-monotonous voice. “The Duchess wishes for your training to continue, even while you are away. Eliza is to be her proxy.”

Eliza nodded. “That’s the gist of it. But don’t worry,” she added, her smile turning reassuring, “the Duchess simply wants to ensure you don’t laze about all week. I won’t be running you into the ground.”

“Hmm…” I stared at her, my mind filled with doubt.

Was Mother ever so lenient with her training?

Still, having Eliza along wouldn’t be so bad.

“Where will she be staying, though?” I asked, turning to Leila. “My house doesn’t exactly have a guest room…”

Unless you count the shed, but no way I’m letting her sleep there.

“There is nothing to worry about, Sir Feyt,” Eliza chimed in. “The Duke informed me of a suitable inn in your village from his last visit.”

Oh, right, there was one. 

It was pretty expensive, from what I remembered.

“Well, if that’s the case, I have no complaints!” I said, giving her a warm smile. “I’ll be in your care, Miss Eliza!”

“I shall serve you well, Sir Feyt,” she replied with a slight bow.

My attention then shifted to the other figure. 

“So… why are you here?” I asked the maid on my left, whose blonde side ponytail was being tousled by the wind.

Ressa stood stiffly, her gaze fixed on some distant point in the sky, almost deliberately avoiding my gaze.

“Ah! Well, uhh… what was it again? Haha…” she chuckled, the sound awkward and strained.

“Ressa’s role is far more delicate,” Leila interjected. “For the sake of its success, however, she must not reveal her purpose. Isn’t that right, Ressa?” Leila asked, but it sounded like a warning more than anything.

“Mmhmm! Totally right!” Ressa agreed with a forced nod.

Even I could tell she was flustered about something.

I wondered if it was from being caught eavesdropping at my door, or if it was all tied to this “secret mission” of hers. Either way, it looked like my quiet trip home was going to be anything but.

I didn’t sign up for this.

I just want to go home peacefully, dammit. 

“Before you depart, Sir Feyt,” Leila’s voice cut through my thoughts. “A word of caution. Please, maintain your focus. And do not forget who you truly cherish.”

Ressa instinctively flinched at Leila’s comment.

Eliza merely nodded in agreement.

And I stood there, completely lost, without a single clue what she was talking about.

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