Published: August 1, 2025
Lord Cyrus gave a somewhat forced smile, yet there was an air of gentlemanly composure about it. He smiled gently and answered in a calm voice.
“Well, it’s just that I still can’t fully trust them. The ‘companions’ are just Kaede’s own claim. Being cautious is only natural.”
“In that case, wouldn’t it be enough to just avoid Ms. Kaede? Why do you dislike Mr. Angelo?”
Lord Cyrus’s smile tightened.
“...Well, that’s because... I already told you earlier. He betrayed Marie’s feelings.”
“But you also said earlier that wasn’t a lie.”
“No—could it be that Marie actually believed that? That he, that guy, had feelings for her...”
I shook my head.
“What Mr. Angelo said wasn’t that kind of feeling, but a friendly affection. He was pleased to hear compliments about his hometown. I also felt he was sincere.”
“I... I see. Well, that’s good then. It looks like you might become good friends with him.”
Lord Cyrus scratched the back of his head and averted his eyes.
“Do you really think that’s good?”
...His facial expression barely changed. As a merchant, Lord Cyrus wasn’t incapable of lying. But I am his wife. If I look him in the eyes steadily, I can tell when his true feelings are hidden behind his words.
He casually turned his face away.
I followed him around and circled to face him again. We repeated this little game of avoidance a couple of times. Eventually, we stood face to face, and I asked.
“Lord Cyrus, aren’t you just a little bit jealous?”
“...Why would I be?”
He answered seriously. I answered seriously too.
“I don’t know why either, but you’re acting a bit strange. It’s like you don’t have your usual composure, or your words and actions don’t quite match up.”
Yes, Lord Cyrus really was a bit off.
He said he was supporting my friendship with Mr. Angelo and the others, but it felt like he interrupted us while we were just talking normally.
“That’s not true. As I said before, I was just being cautious so Marie wouldn’t be deceived.”
“...Is that so?”
“And even if that guy’s feelings were genuine, so what? It doesn’t matter. I trust Marie, and I believe I’ve done my best to keep her from changing her mind.”
“...Hmm.”
“More importantly, I want to protect your freedom. Half the population in this world is male. Caution is necessary, but if you’re overly cautious, you can’t live a normal social life. The attendants of Granado Castle are like that too, but I don’t want to exclude all your male friends.”
“Really?”
I asked. Lord Cyrus nodded.
“Really.”
“Really, really?”
“Really, really.”
...Hmm...
As I stared at him, Lord Cyrus subtly averted his gaze. When I kept looking, his face slowly turned sideways. When I continued to gaze, he suddenly clapped his hands loudly.
“That’s right! We should start preparing to leave soon. We’ll set out before noon today. Marie, is there any sightseeing you missed? Or anything you want as a souvenir or to eat?”
“I’m fine.”
“I see. Then I’ll go greet the island chief. If you need anything, ask Isaac!”
With an unusually energetic declaration, Lord Cyrus dashed off. He slammed the door roughly behind him and rushed out of the inn.
“...Oh my.”
I placed my hands on my hips and sighed.
I opened the door that he had just closed. In the garden with its bright green grass, Lord Cyrus’s figure was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the children playing in the garden turned and waved at me. Four boys swarmed over.
The youngest, a three-year-old, squeezed my right hand tightly.
“Marie, are you leaving today?”
“Yes, that’s the plan. But I can still play with everyone here until the last minute—”
“Then Marie, read us a picture book. Mom can’t read some of the words.”
Just as I nodded in agreement, my other arm was pulled too. A five-year-old tugged me hard, saying,
“No! Ms. Marie has to play with me in the hammock. I’ll make it like a swing.”
“Eh?”
“Then let’s all go to the beach!”