Chapter 99

"Hey, Master Claude?"

As we walked to where the carriage was waiting, we found Master Claude there. Michelle was the first to notice him and looked at him curiously.

"Why are you here? Did you meet a servant on the way?"

"I did. That's where I heard your message. I thought it would be faster to come here directly rather than follow behind."

Michelle nodded in understanding.

"Was I in the way?"

"I had just finished talking with the Earl and was looking for Leisha, so it's fine."

"You were looking for me?"

"I thought it was about time, since I figured you would leave early after hearing what you wanted to hear."

Indeed, Master Claude. You know me well.

We decided to go home because of the unexpected event, but I originally planned to listen to the conversation and greet them before quickly returning home.

After all, socializing is troublesome. If I don't have to, I don't want to.

Of course, making friends is good, but today's purpose isn't to make friends, so that's for another day.

Well, whether I do it or not depends on my mood at the time.

"By the way, did you talk to the Duchess Andret?"

Michelle fiddled with her fan and averted her gaze.

"No, I didn't talk to her. We just passed each other. She seemed to refrain from lecturing me because I was walking with Lady Leisha."

"I see. She seemed to want to say something about your attire."

If she saw you enjoying a tea party in women's clothing after saying you would return to being a man and work under the Duke's protection as a knight, she would have something to say.

To be fair, it's true that it's easier to guard you closely in women's clothing than in men's. However, Michelle can't deny that she was enjoying herself during work, so she probably doesn't want to talk to the Duchess Andret.

"Michelle, it's been a while since you've seen her. Why don't you talk to her a bit?"

"That's fine, Master Claude. Thank you for your concern."

"It's an order. Go and greet her."

Michelle smiled and nodded, but Master Claude urged her again with a mischievous look, this time with a firm command.

Oh, I can tell Michelle really didn't want to go. Poor thing.

"Well, since we're leaving soon, it wouldn't be polite to keep her waiting."

"We have two carriages. One is for you. Rosalimond, is it okay to share a carriage?"

"Of course. Since we've met a relative, why don't you take the time to talk a bit?"

Is Rosalimond on Michelle's side or Master Claude's? She doesn't read the room well. She just says what she thinks. Considering that, her words are probably well-intentioned. She even mentioned that the Duchess Andret might have come to see Michelle.

Sometimes her actions can seem like harassment, but I think she wouldn't do anything she finds unpleasant.

However, it's hard to know what she finds unpleasant.

In the end, Michelle reluctantly turned back.

I called out, "I'll wait for you!" and Michelle gave a weak smile and sighed. Her unusual attitude made me worry.

"Her face looked like she was about to die. Is she okay?"

"Sometimes it's good for her to be scolded properly."

Master Claude smiled slightly, but unlike Rosalimond, it seemed more like harassment towards Michelle. Something must have happened between them.

But as the employer, Master Claude has the upper hand, and Michelle will ultimately lose.

"Go easy on her."

"That troublemaker needs it sometimes."

Did something happen? There's a thorn in the air.

"By the way, what did you talk about with the Earl?"

Rosalimond changed the subject by asking Master Claude.

Master Claude looked down at me.

"Huh? Me?"

"No, just a reminder."

"A reminder?"

"Yes, not to stick your nose into unnecessary matters. Whether you listen or not is another matter, but at least the Earl doesn't seem to want to start any trouble."

"What did you talk about?"

Rosalimond tilted her head, confused, and I was equally confused.

When I tried to ask, Master Claude suddenly looked up, frowned, and muttered.

"It seems I was a step too late."

"Huh?"

He seemed slightly annoyed and pulled my arm.

"Kyaa!"

I let out a short scream in surprise. The unexpected action almost made me fall.

Master Claude pulled me behind him, standing protectively in front of me.

"Hey, what's going on all of a sudden!"

I glared at Master Claude, who only moved his eyes to give me a command.

"Be quiet."

I pouted but looked up at his profile. He was staring straight ahead, his expression emotionless.

"Do you know them?"

Rosalimond asked Master Claude.

Someone was approaching, but I couldn't see them from behind Master Claude. I could only see his profile, which didn't look good.

"Maybe."

Is he or isn't he? Master Claude, which is it?

"They look excited, don't they? I think I was just glared at."

"Maybe."

No, you two, I want to know too. Especially you, Master Claude, since you seem to know them.

"We shouldn't have waited for Michelle. We should have left earlier."

"Is that person so troublesome? I don't see it."

"If they're troublesome, they are. A person who doesn't listen to reason is nothing but trouble."

Is Master Claude being sarcastic towards Rosalimond?

"Oh, they're getting closer. Do you know them?"

"Even if I don't know them, they might know me."

That's true. With his distinctive deep red hair and eyes, almost everyone in the country knows him, even commoners and people from other countries.

As we waited, the sound of light heels approached.

Rosalimond's words confirmed it was a woman, but I wondered who it was. When I heard her first words, I shuddered.

I understood Master Claude's sudden action and silently thanked him.

"It's been a while, Master Claude! Meeting you here must mean we have a wonderful connection!"

That voice was the most familiar and the one I least wanted to hear.

I clung to Master Claude's back, gripping his clothes. Master Claude, as if to say he understood, continued to shield me and spoke coldly.

"It's been a while, Lady Berdigon."

The person speaking to Master Claude was Agnes, my half-sister.

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