Published: August 15, 2025
I don't really know much about this person called Mr. Angelo. He's a traveler from the distant Eastern Country, Mizuho, and serves as Lord Kaede's retainer—that's about all I know.
I've never properly asked his age. I just know he's more than ten years older than me and even older than Lord Cyrus.
Even when Lord Cyrus glared at him, he didn't change his expression.
He just stroked his chin, which had a sparse stubble, and smiled softly.
"…As a man, you say? I don't quite understand that."
"You should have stopped Kaede. Not only buying slaves, but wandering around Ips at night, which was dangerous—you must have known that."
"Yes, that's true."
"Then why didn't you stop her? And that goes for your actions on Luhab Island too. Approaching rival business owners as an industrial spy, sneaking onto the Baltandels Ship—one wrong step and it wouldn't just be a crime, but she could have lost her life. If you truly cared for her, you should have stopped her by force if necessary."
"If you want to say that, it should have been when she left Mizuho."
Mr. Angelo said this cheerfully.
Lord Cyrus's eyes sharpened even more.
"Could you have done that?"
"Of course, if I wanted to. Lord Kaede is a brilliant person, but physically she's no different from any other woman. No matter how much she resists, if I hoisted her up like a sack of rice, that would be the end of it. I could have taken her straight to the lord and locked her in the parlor prison; no matter how cunning Lord Kaede is, she wouldn't be able to escape."
"Then why did you let her go out to sea so easily?"
This time, Mr. Angelo clearly sneered. Speaking slowly and gently, as if admonishing an unruly child, he explained the common sense of society.
"Lord Cyrus, in a master-servant relationship, gender does not matter."
"………"
"I am not a man but a retainer. Lord Kaede is not a woman but my master. I do not defy my master's orders or choices, even if they are wrong."
"…Even if you know she will face danger?"
"That too is Lord Kaede's choice. This Angelo follows her path like a shadow and will protect her with his body if any obstacle arises. That is all. Always has been, and always will be."
The samurai with blue eyes said this while pressing his fist to his chest.
His heart is devoted to Lord Kaede. But Lord Kaede cannot touch his heart—I felt that deeply.
Lord Cyrus looked clearly dissatisfied. He was probably comparing Mr. Angelo with his own retainer. Everyone in Granado Castle doesn't simply agree with Lord Cyrus unconditionally. If he ever went out of control, they would surround him and scold him, and if he didn't listen, they would even scold him with slippers, tackle him to the ground, and tie him up to make him see reason.
Because before being retainers, they admire Lord Cyrus. They are Lord Cyrus's family.
They truly want Lord Cyrus to be happy, so sometimes they oppose him and give their all for his sake. That was the model case of the master-servant relationship he had.
I too love their relationship. I think it's ideal—but still, it's just an ideal. Generally, a retainer must obey their master absolutely. I also think Mr. Angelo's way of thinking is the majority view.
What Lord Cyrus is doing now is imposing his ideal.
He probably realizes that too. He was clearly rejected by Mr. Angelo and was left speechless. Clenching his fists tightly, he could only retreat… Yes, we outsiders are unrelated to this master-servant relationship.
But…
"Mr. Angelo, may I ask one thing as Kaede's friend?"
"Go ahead."
"If Lord Kaede said she no longer wants you to serve her… that the master-servant relationship is over, would you leave her side?"
"If Lord Kaede ordered me to do so."
Mr. Angelo answered my question without a moment's hesitation. As if it were obvious, as if he had decided long ago. I pressed my aching chest and couldn't help but ask a second question.
"Why do you stay with Lord Kaede?"
He answered simply again.
"Because Lord Kaede ordered me to."
There was nothing more to say. It hurt terribly, as if it was about myself.