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ose began to spend the time afterwork in Colette’s room telling her about the influential people in the castle,their interpersonal relationships and the faction politics. Although, Colettelistened, she thought it was irrelevant to her.

‘So Eugene-sama, a Captain of theWhite Eagle Knights does not like Lionel-sama, doesn’t even want to see hisface. This is because if the Black Dragon Knights get called to support asituation that the White Eagles have been overseeing initially, and then the BlackDragons get all the glory. And then the White Eagles have to do the boring postprocedures and clean up messes.’

‘I see,’

‘And His Majesty cares a lot aboutLionel-sama, he ignores procedure and makes Lionel accompany himwherever he goes whether it is official or not. But his Majesty and Lionel grewup together, and are childhood friends, so they have a deep understanding ofeach other.’

‘Is that so?’ was Colette’snon-committal reply.

‘On the other side is Eugene-sama,who is the most handsome man. Absolutely beautiful. He is still unmarried, noteven betrothed, even though he is a n.o.ble. He is celibate, I hear, which ismaking the women cry. But his voice is so seductive, and he has a s.e.xymole…ah…Completely opposite to the granite Lionel-sama.’ (Zuben: Is Eugene gay?Either way, all these characters are s.e.x fiends given the chance)

‘Oh…’

‘There have been marital issuesbetween the King and Queen, but it seems that the Queen has forgiven the Kingand all seems to be quiet on their side.’

‘Ah…’

‘Have you been listening to me?You’ve been giving such vague replies all this while.’ Rose asked suspiciously,

Colette stared back at her, ‘I’mlistening,’ she replied. In truth, the discussion had been long and kind oftedious so she’d been studying Rose’s features. Rose was an aristocratic lady;she had the prerequisite delicate white skin which was unblemished. She had asmall face, with eyes that slanted upwards, a small upturned nose and coralpink lips. Beautiful, Colette thought (Zuben: Colette, we aren’t in a yuri s.m.u.tstory, are we?)

Rose was drinking tea and eatingsnacks in Colette’s room. It seemed she had begun to see Colette as a friend ofsome kind (Zuben: The kind you can mooch off) Colette was very obedient and didnot complain, like her other friends. Colette’s nature was very placid, so Rose could talk without interruption.

To be honest, Colette would havevery much liked to be alone, but she couldn’t tell Rose to go to her room toher face.

‘What have I said so far?’

Colette gave her a summary. Roseseemed satisfied, ‘It is nice to teach those who are ignorant like you whocannot help it.’

To Colette, what Rose was trulysaying was “I want to talk without interruptions, listen quietly.”

Colette understood, it seemed Rosewas lonely (Zuben: What about her bully posse?). That was why Rose was so intotalking,

‘So the Queen and King were newlymarried, and she is crazy about wanting to spend time with his Majesty, but heis more interested in going hunting and having parties with his friends. Thatwould not make for a good marriage, right?’

‘That is so,’

Before Rose could continue, therewas a gentle knock on the door.

Perhaps, it has finally come.

Colette became tense, but Rose wasoblivious,

‘Come in,’ she called out.

But it was not her room,

‘Rose…’

‘I don’t mind,’

Margo entered, ‘Pardon me,’ shesaid.

Rose’s face stiffened. Rose hadtold Colette that Margo was a top-ranking spy. It seemed that she was very goodat ferreting out information for their side. After all, Margo was friendlyenough to find Colette for Lionel.

Maybe Colette was really involvedin something…Rose thought. (Zuben: Nosy!) She was aware that he’d kept hisdistance from Colette so that she was not involved in his issues. She also knewthat on the eve of going to war, she accidentally saw Lionel coming out of Colette’sroom with his clothes all rumpled. He had given her a look that said, “If youtell anyone, I will kill you,” and Rose was a very perceptive person, with goodjudgement, she told no one what she saw. (Zuben: But decided to torture thepoor girl with your constant presence, eh? Oh so you’ll be there when somethinghappens and you can get the scoop directly from the source. Crafty)

She hadn’t told anyone about Coletteand Lionel’s affair, but it made her want to get to know the timid girl better,because somehow, she had entrapped the impregnable Lionel.

Colette seemed cautious of Margo,but she gingerly walked up to her,

‘Margo-san, you returned safely,that is the most important thing-‘

‘Yes. Take this, Colette.’

‘Yes,’

Margo gave her the letter andturned away without waiting for a reply, but as she left she said,

‘That’s it. So then…I really wantedto be friends with you, Colette.’ (Zuben: What is this about?)

Margo went out of the room. (Zuben:Margo, don’t go. We like you)

‘She tried to act sweet and makeyou believe in her. Don’t be fooled.’ Rose said

‘That may be…’

‘So what’s in the letter?’

She really wanted to see him, butshe was afraid to read the letter.

‘I will read it later,’

‘Not later, read it now. I want toknow.’ (Zuben: Poke-noser)

Actually if she read it alone, shemay not be able to make up her mind. So Colette opened the seal at Rose’surging,

It was in the familiar scrawl, butonly one line. It read: I’d like the return of the item I left in your keeping.

That was it. It seemed that thisrelationship between them, the unformed thing, was at an end.  Rose looked at Colette who was just staringblankly.

‘What are you keeping for him?’

Colette went to her dresser andretrieved the precious jewellery box. Rose exclaimed when she saw the box,

‘What? This is amazing! Was this agift?’

‘He said so, but I said I could notkeep it. But then he said I should keep it for him, till he returned.’

‘You should keep it, don’t returnit.’ Rose said indignant. To her, a man should not take back something he’dgiven.

But Colette was reluctant to keepit, ‘No…as a maid, it is awkward to have it even if it was a gift. I willreturn it.’ (Zuben: Someone may find it and think it was stolen, It would behard to say where she got it from)

‘So? Although it was given to youspecially? …such a waste.’

‘If I want jewellery, I can buy itfor myself.’ Colette said resignedly.

Rose pinched Colette’s cheek.

‘Okay. But I am upset for you,’

She let go of Colette’s cheek.

Colette was shocked.

‘After I return this, I will feelbetter. I don’t feel settled as it is now. I will be unhappy if I don’t sort itout properly.’ Colette declared.

‘Well…’

‘And I will be getting married nextyear.’

Colette pinched Rose’s cheek. ‘Ithurts.’ The other girl cried.

‘It’s not nice to have your cheekspinched, right?’

It seemed that Rose was unsatisfiedwith Colette’s decision.

But Colette carried on with life asusual.

♘

That night she took a bath, dressedand left her dormitory quietly.

Usually Margo was always waitingfor her, and the two of them chatted as they walked to the Black DragonBarracks, but now she was alone.

She felt lonely. But this was oneof the changes that would come with not seeing Lionel anymore. It was good this way.

Lionel and Colette had people theywere going to marry and Colette was leaving the castle next year.There was no future for them and their affair.

She walked to the Black Dragon barracks idly while deep inthought when she was stopped by a loud voice,

‘Hold it right there, what are youdoing out at this hour?’

‘Eh…"

‘I was asking where you are going.’

Illuminated by the light of thelantern, two knights came up to her surprising Colette. The knights werewearing white cloaks; White Eagle Knights. Rose had told her that there was abad animosity between them and the Black Dragons.  

‘I am returning what I borrowed tomy acquaintance…’ she replied,

‘Who is this acquaintance and whatdid you borrow?’

‘Well…’

She did not know if mentioningLionel’s name would be a good idea with the White Eagles.

‘If you ask so harshly, the ladywould be scared and would be too nervous to talk,’ a cool voice said frombehind her, ‘you should treat ladies kindly.’

‘Salute!’

It must be a senior officer, Colettethought as turned to see a young handsome man who had green eyes and longblonde hair. He really made himself look sweet and almost harmless. He smiledat Colette,

‘For now, we have to know thebusiness of those walking about at night. Would you mind telling us whereyou’re going?’ he asked with a gentle smile but she knew he did not thinkanything of her. He had a mole at his eye, he was very attractive.

“A seductive voice and soft eyes, thevery opposite of Lionel.” She thought about what Rose had told her of Eugeneand Lionel and she wondered what she should say.

‘What you borrowed, may I see it?’

‘Ah yes, here it is.’ She quicklyhanded him the jewellery box.

‘I only just want to see what it is,I will return it soon…This is…!’

It seemed that he was not expectingher to be holding such a valuable item. He cast a glance at her.

‘How did you come to have this?’

‘I was given…but I decided toreturn it.’

Eugene frowned, his expressionthoughtful.

‘I see…’

‘Huh…’

‘As far as I know, there is onlyone person who had this item made, and there is only one person with eyes thiscolour.’ (Zuben: There is only one!)

‘…’

This might be bad. To be able todeduce that much from just the brooch, he really deserved to be the Captain ofKnights (Zuben: He is magic, desu).

‘So I know why you are returningit. The marriage between the Lady Karris and Lionel has been decided. It issomething His Majesty wants and it is a joyous occasion. But, the lady is nothappy.’

‘Um, what…’ She could reply him.Tears filled her eyes at the accusatory tone Eugene used to speak to her.

She may have had fantasies ofmarrying Lionel, but she would never presume that he would leave his fiancéefor her. (Zuben: You had fantasies?!)

Even though she loved the brooch,she could not keep it. She just wanted to return it to him.

But she did not want to talk to aperson like Eugene. He seems to be too happy to blame Colette.

‘Even so,’ he continued lookingdown at her, ‘this person seems stingy to request a return of what had beengive. You ought to keep it as a consolation fee.’

‘You’re wrong.’ She replied withsudden pa.s.sion, ‘He did not want me to return it. I just can’t keep it;Lionel-sama is not stingy.’ As soon as she said his name, the expression of theKnights around her turned dark.

Oh no! Did she say something sheshould not have…? (Zuben: Yes, dear)

Colette unconsciously covered hermouth with her hand.

Eugene cleared his throat and said,‘This can’t belong to that man. He does not show any weakness, usually honestand full of integrity. He is not the type to play with fire.’

‘Huh…’

Eugene was laughing at Colette,

‘The true nature of trash comes outwhen a bear rummages through it. (Zuben: Who or what is the bear in this instance?) To be honest, I am quite surprised that hewould give such a gem to a woman other than his fiancée. Should we check withhim?’

‘Eh?’

‘I can’t be sure that you didn’tsteal it, so we have to go and ask him if he really gave it to you.’

Eugene’s smile was gloating. It wasthe expression of a man who had finally found the weakness of an enemy hedespised.

Colette was in despair as she wasdragged away.

Thanks for reading. Hope you"re well wherever you are.