Episode 50: Time Alone with Faina
《Serios’s POV》
Surrounded by a mountain of documents in my office, I couldn’t get Claris out of my head.
My frustration and impatience at not understanding her situation grew. I sighed and glanced at the documents in front of me.
How did things end up like this? I knew she was the villainess. But I thought Lady Claris’s judgment had been avoided because of the rift that formed between Liese and the Prince.
Who would have thought she could face judgment due to such an irregular situation?
(Even if I try to work… if no information comes in, there’s nothing I can do. In the end, nothing progresses, does it?)
Just as I was about to put down my pen, still filled with irritation, there was a light knock on the door.
“Lord Serios, excuse me.”
It was Faina who appeared. Carrying tea on a tray, she quietly entered the room as usual.
“I thought you might be tired. Would you like to take a short break?”
“…Ah, sorry. But I’m not in the mood right now!”
“I apologize.”
As she placed the tea on the desk, I glanced at her sideways and spoke in a tone tinged with irritation. She shrugged her shoulders, looking genuinely apologetic.
“How can you be so calm, Faina? You and Claris go way back, don’t you?”
Faina’s eyes widened in surprise. Seeing her face, I immediately realized I should have swallowed my words.
“…Sorry. I got frustrated and took it out on you needlessly, Faina.”
While I knew I had to be rational, anger welled up inside me at my inability to do anything for Claris, the only one who had helped me at the academy.
“…No, it’s alright.”
She replied, her eyes slightly downcast. But her somewhat lonely expression pierced my chest.
“I’m sorry.”
“Lord Serios…”
“What is it?”
Faina suddenly opened her mouth and looked up, as if she had made up her mind. Her eyes were direct, yet somewhat anxious.
“Is there anything I can do?”
“There’s no need for you to worry, Faina. I was the one who was acting strangely.”
I couldn’t help but answer honestly. But Faina shook her head with a lonely smile.
“It’s not about being considerate. I want to be of help to you, Lord Serios. Recently, I feel like you’ve opened up a little to Maria and Liese.”
At those words, I was momentarily speechless.
Her expression was serious and, above all, direct. But there was a purity to it.
“Do you think so?”
“Yes. However, the only ones who have truly known you since you were very young are myself and Arnaud-san.”
It was rare for Faina to bring up the past.
“What’s wrong?”
“I feel a little lonely.”
“Eh?”
“I’m the only one who truly knows Lady Claris. Liese and Lady Claris weren’t close, after all.”
“Ah, that’s true.”
I was a little confused, not understanding what Faina was trying to say.
“I believe I’m the only one who can understand your feelings for Lady Claris.”
I was surprised by this rare self-assertion from Faina. She was always the type to stay behind me, quietly offering support.
But thinking about it, she might be the only one who recognized both the young, tantrum-prone Serios and the changed me of today.
And she had accepted both versions of me.
“Lord Serios, won’t you share your pain, frustration, and anxiety with me?”
“Share?”
“Yes. This way, please.”
Urged by Faina, I sat on the sofa where the table with the tea she had prepared was.
Faina is usually either behind me or serving tea.
But just for today, she sat beside me.
“I think you’ve been wonderful lately, Lord Serios. But I worry that you might be pushing yourself too hard and end up collapsing.”
Saying so, Faina looked at me.
Her face showed genuine concern, and her eyes were those of someone who had watched over me longer than anyone else.
“…Um, Lord Serios.”
“What is it?”
“If you’d like, would you use my lap?”
“Eh?”
Faina, patting her thighs in her maid outfit, gestured for me to rest my head there.
“Is it alright?”
“Of course.”
When I gently rested my head, she tenderly stroked my hair.
“It’s alright. Lady Claris is a strong person. I believe she is fighting even now. But please, Lord Serios, help her before it’s too late.”
She spoke gently. At her voice, my irritation strangely vanished.
“Thank you, Faina.”
“If my being near you isn’t a bother, Lord Serios… I want to continue being of service to you, always.”
“…How could that possibly be a bother?”
When I said that, Faina’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. But soon, a happy smile spread across her face.
“Thank you very much! Ah… no, um… excuse me!”
Faina blushed again and pulled her hand back. Her somewhat awkward figure made me chuckle.
“Don’t get so flustered. I’m not angry.”
“I-Is that so…! Then, I’ll be going!”
“No, not yet. This is the first time I’ve rested my head on your lap, Faina, so I want to savor it.”
“Savor it?!”
“Yes, savor it.”
“Fufu, if Lord Serios wishes it, I will do so every day.”
“That would make me happy, but if it’s every day, it might lose its specialness. So, Faina, please offer when you think it’s a good time for me.”
At those times, I’m sure I’ll be feeling weak or troubled.
Faina will notice it. It’s such a trivial thing, but it makes me inexplicably happy.
“Understood. Faina’s lap is exclusively for Lord Serios.”
“Ah, Faina. Thank you, always. I like you. And I cherish you.”
I was able to respond to Faina’s confession in a natural tone.
“Thank you very much!”
“I love you very much too, Lord Serios! I deeply admire you.”
Faina, who had been stroking my head, then hugged my head tightly.
Thanks to Faina, I was able to have a moment of peace.
Afterword
Hello, this is the author, Iko.
That’s all for today!!!
Tomorrow is the last day of the year! Thank you for sticking with me until the end (๑>◡<๑)