CH 240

Words : 950 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Ms. Claire Visited My Room “…Excuse me.” “Come in.” Ms. Claire slowly opened the door and entered. She seemed to be a little nervous? “Mr. Takumi. I’m sorry to disturb you at this hour…” “No, it’s fine. I don’t have anything I need to be doing.” “Hehehe. I see that Leo is relaxing.” “Wuff-wuff.” Ms. Claire apologized for the late visit, but smiled when she saw Leo. What was this…? While I talked to her all of the time, I was starting to feel nervous. I suppose it was because it was night time, and it was just the two of us here…aside from Leo. “May I sit next to you?” “Yes, of course.” I scooted to the side on the bed, and then Ms. Claire sat down next to me. Leo’s head was right between us, and so we both petted her. …Had she just come out of the bath? I thought I could smell the scent of soap in the air… “Mr. Takumi?” “Ye-yes!” “Hehe. You really don’t have to be so nervous, you know? This is your room, after all.” “Yes, well. Indeed…” I took in a deep breath and tried to settle my nerves. But then I smelled that scent again…and my nerves started to act up. I had to stop thinking about that. Ms. Claire had looked nervous when she first entered, but perhaps it was due to seeing that I was nervous as well, or because she saw Leo, but she seemed fine now. “So, Mr. Takumi…” “Yes, what is it?” She turned to look straight at me. I didn’t know why she was here, but perhaps… Her beautiful face seemed to come closer to me and… “I am really sorry about what my father did today!” “Huh?” “Wuff?” In spite of the thoughts that drifted through my mind, Ms. Claire suddenly lowered her head and apologized. Ah, that’s right. That again… So she had just come here to talk about her father and Sebastian, and how they wanted me to fight as part of my training… Well, I should have expected that. “Uh, well, no harm was done, and I have forgotten it already. Besides, there is no reason for you to apologize, is there?” “Still, even if it doesn’t bother you, it bothers me. He is my father, after all…” “Hmm, I see. Very well, I accept your apology.” “…Thank you.” I suppose as nobles, she took such things very seriously. That was very much like Ms. Claire. Even if she hadn’t done anything, she wanted to apologize on his behalf. And so I looked at her straight on and nodded. Besides, Ms. Claire had been very angry with both of them, and that pretty much drained me of any anger as well. “Thank you, for scolding them for me.” “No, I… Well, they were very clearly in the wrong…” “Still, I was happy. I don’t think anyone has been angry on my behalf before.” “…Is that so?” I had been scolded a lot at work. And there were times when things were so unfair that I wanted to be angry. But there was no one around who would defend me. Because they only cared about saving their own skin. Now that Leo was much bigger, I was sure that she would get angry for me… But then again, that could lead to quite a disaster. Upon hearing my words, Ms. Claire looked a little embarrassed. “Besides, you saved me the trouble of having to give Mr. Ekenhart a piece of my mind, which would have been very improper, given his position.” “His position…? Oh, but you are a favorite of his, and like a friend. I do not think his position is of much consequence?” “Still. He is a duke and lord of this house. I could never do what you did. Especially in town, where other people might be watching…” “…Indeed… I suppose you are right.” Mr. Ekenhart was a duke, and I had no position in society. I was just a commoner who was their guest. I would have looked like a great fool if I got angry. Well, we would have both looked like fools. Besides, there were guards around, and there were people watching from outside. With this whole business with the count, we did not need rumors spreading about the duke as well. “So you were right to do it, because no one else could.” “Yes. I wasn’t really thinking straight, but… I am glad that you feel that way. …Though I am a little embarrassed.” I suppose for Ms. Claire, being so angry like that in public was embarrassing. A noble lady would not be seen doing that very often. Not that it made her any less of a lady in my eyes. “Haha. Well, it did remind me to never get on your bad side, Ms. Claire.” “Oh, Mr. Takumi… As if I would ever have reason to be angry with you?” I don’t know about that…? It was true that Ms. Claire had never been angry with me, but you never knew what the future would hold… In any case, it was best to be careful. “Wuff-wuff.” “Oh, Leo. Thank you as well. You were mad at Mr. Ekenhart, right?” “Wuff.” “Good Leo really likes you, Mr. Takumi…” “Wuff!” I was angry too! Leo seemed to say as she rubbed her face against me. Ms. Claire looked impressed as she petted Leo. Leo nodded in agreement… I felt a little bashful.

CH 240

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