Unexpected Encounter
During Kyle's private time, I was walking down the corridor.
Originally, I would have been resting comfortably behind him, but today he sent me out, telling me to rest.
"Hmph.."
After all, resting comfortably behind Kyle was essentially resting.
But now that he's suddenly sent me out of the room, I don't know what to do.
At least I'm walking the corridor...
Frankly, there was nothing to do.
What should I do....
Anyway, following Kyle's words, I'm resting outside, but there's nothing to do.
After following him for years, it seems I've forgotten how to truly rest.
When I was his tutor, I used to rest well on my own.
"Sophia?"
As I walked the corridor, I ran into Catherine.
Behind Catherine stood Sebastian, wearing a butler suit that gave off the impression of a formal coat.
"Oldenburg young lady."
I greeted Sophia upon meeting her.
While greeting Sophia, she gave me a signal to lift my head.
And when I looked up, Catherine was smiling at me.
Why is she smiling?
"Sophia."
"Yes."
"Do you have a moment? I would like to talk with you."
"Of course."
I don't know what she's going to talk about, but this is the first time I've had a conversation with Catherine.
After all, Catherine would be talking to Kyle, not me.
But what on earth does she want to talk about with me?
"....."
I followed Catherine slowly as she walked.
Unlike her usual habit, Catherine went outside the castle instead of to the reception room.
It's cold outside...
Catherine's attire wasn't particularly prepared for the cold.
A plain dress.
Thinking that, Sebastian handed his outer coat to Catherine.
I don't have one.
"Hmm.. This should be fine enough."
"Would it be alright if I ask why you wanted to talk to me?"
"Just, I wanted to talk about His Highness Kyle."
"About Kyle?"
"Was I really coming to Eristirol to meet Kyle, like I thought before?"
I was a bit surprised.
Although Catherine had been talking to Kyle, I didn't think she felt that kind of emotion towards him.
But seeing her ask about Kyle now, it seems Catherine has a somewhat different feeling towards him.
If Catherine approaches Kyle first, Kyle might slowly open his heart.
After all, Catherine is a pretty girl.
Since our ages are the same, it would be even easier to get close.
"Hmm... How long have you known His Highness Kyle?"
"It's been about 3 years now."
"Hmm.. That's a long time. It seems there's a clear difference from the people our family hires."
"Is that so?"
The Oldenburg family's contracts are short, so it's understandable.
After all, 3 years is a long time for them.
Probably Sebastian behind us has been here for about 1-2 years.
"3 years... Sophia, what do you think of life in Eristirol Castle?"
"How to say..."
"Just, it's good. Aside from the cold, I've been living in the warm castle for years."
"The castle outside only, I can live in the warm castle and there are delicious foods."
"If that's enough, isn't it?"
"Work life isn't bad either."
"After living here for years, I got close to some maids, and Kyle is kind and listens to me well."
"Frankly, there's no reason to dislike it."
"I think it's good."
"Hmm... Is that so?"
"Yes."
Catherine's expression slightly cooled.
"Was the answer I wanted not what she expected?"
"Hmm... Well then, that's enough for today. You can go back."
"Yes."
I immediately entered the castle as per Catherine's words.
"Even though I'm wearing formal attire, it's cold."
"I like warmth."
"Huuu...."
"Once inside, it was clearly different from outside."
"Warm."
"Kyle is..."
"Probably enough for private time."
"Since it's time for sword training with Elin, it would be good to go to Kyle's room."
Knock knock
"My lord, the sword training time is coming soon. I'll open the door."
Opening the door as usual and entering.
"Once inside, Kyle was out of breath."
"Probably he did some light exercise since there was nothing to do."
"Since we have to do sword training soon, light exercise is good."
"Shall we go straight to the lesson?"
"No. Let's change clothes for a moment and go."
"Hearing Kyle's words, I came out of the room."
"Even now, the clothes are comfortable enough, but it's a bit insufficient for proper activity, so it's natural."
"After that, Kyle changed into comfortable clothes and we moved to the knights' building."
"Hello!"
"Upon seeing us, Elin immediately greeted us."
"Kyle slightly raised his hand to tell her to lower the salute."
"We immediately moved to the training ground."
"Elin was properly wearing armor, unlike yesterday."
"Not as white as snow, but a stylish armor that is sufficiently white."
"Clearly different from the armor I saw when I was an adventurer."
"Especially the price difference is obvious."
"The sword is in the sheath, but that sword is undoubtedly the one that comes with the title of Vice Commander of the Eristirol Grand Duke's Knights."
"Probably a sword that would take a long time to afford with the money I had as an adventurer."
"Hmm.. Since His Highness doesn't have a proper sword yet, I'll start with a regular sword."
"Elin handed a regular long sword to Kyle."
"Kyle picked up the sword and examined it."
"Probably because the only thing he's held a sword with so far is a dining knife, he's surprised."
"Then, let's start with the grip. My lord, try holding the sword."
"A lesson starting from the basics."
"Whether she really taught as a squire as she said, she taught surprisingly well."
"Even I, who uses swords without understanding, can understand easily."
"Elin, with her sky-blue hair tied back for activity, unlike yesterday."
"She stuck close to Kyle's side to teach."
"Since it's sword training, not other lessons, she had no choice."
"My lord, don't put too much strength here..."
"Elin continued the lesson by touching Kyle's body in thin clothes with her hands."
"Even if it's a lesson, is it okay for a man and a woman to be this close?"
"Kyle is a high-ranking person from the ducal family, so he should be careful."
"Elin could teach sufficiently by being appropriately close without being so close, so why is she sticking so close?"
"My lord, you're putting too much strength on your thigh."
"........"
"Kyle followed Elin's guidance while concentrating."
"I had no choice but to watch Kyle's appearance from the side."
"....."
"....."
"Something felt off."
"I don't know why, but it didn't sit well with me."
"Hmm.. My lord."
"?"
"Why are you so stiff? Is it because there's someone watching?"
"Kyle's body is firm, but I don't think it's stiff."
"...."
"...."
"Kyle suddenly looked at me."
"Could it be because I'm next to him making him uncomfortable?"
"Then I'm sorry..."
"Even I would feel a bit uncomfortable if someone was quietly watching while teaching."
"I'll take a short walk around. My lord, Elin is a good person, so you should learn well."
"...Yes."
"Kyle answered, and after hearing Kyle's answer, I slowly left the training ground."
"By the way, I thought Elin and Kyle fit well."
"After all, Elin's appearance is quite pretty, so the picture came out better than expected."
"Something felt weirdly bad, but I thought the picture itself was good no matter who looked at it."
"After all, there's the common story."
"A student who loves their teacher who taught them."
"It was the image of that story."
"Of course, Kyle didn't seem to have such thoughts yet."
"Uuuuuum...."
"However, seeing that Catherine suddenly talked alone with him at night yesterday, it seems there's no possibility."
"If I slowly open my heart to the opposite sex, it might become that kind of relationship with Elin too.."
"...."
"...."
"It might be."
"Kyle is now 15, and in a few years when he properly debuts in society, he'll definitely meet a good partner."
"Probably he'll naturally date and marry a prettier woman than me and do well."
"In a few years...."
"Frankly, I can't predict."
"After all, my life so far has been an unpredictable life."
"When I was young, suddenly memories of my previous life came back, making my identity weird, and then suddenly I was sent to a boarding school and learned etiquette and weird things."
"And after working as an adventurer for a few years, now I'm working as a tutor."
"When Kyle becomes an adult, I wonder what I'll be doing."
"There's no point in being a tutor until adulthood, so probably I'll leave here."
"Then... it would be nice to visit my parents for the first time in a long time."
"After graduating from the boarding school, I only met them once, so now I have to go."
"Even though I'm a direct servant without the concept of vacation, since I can't see them now, but I've sent letters, it's fine."
"After all, our mom won't be particularly worried."
"After all, she told me to send money when I come without properly replying to the letter."