“i didn’t know until now, but at a party i found out that reynard is now a truly famous figure,” betsy muttered in an excited voice as they rode in the carriage.

    “really?”

    “yes! all the maids rushed to me with questions about reynard!”

    as if she took this interest personally, betsy excitedly recounted one story after another.

    most of the gossip of the maids was related to reynard’s skills and appearance. yurina looked out the window and said dryly:

    “dave has always been a prominent talent. probably, when he returns from school, everything will turn around even more than before.”

    “i think so too. but i told them that he was very handsome, and no one believed me!”

    betsy was very angry and blew her red cheeks. the maids laughed in chorus as soon as betsy said, “he’s the most handsome guy i’ve ever seen!”

    “they didn’t believe it because reynard wasn’t of noble birth.”

    “it’s a pity.”

    knowing reynard’s appearance, yurina was able to fully feel betsy’s anger. she patted betsy on the back of her hand as if to comfort her.

    “don’t be so angry. if they see ray, they will bite their tongues.”

    “then i’ll have the last laugh. so what did i tell them? i said he is the most beautiful!”

    yurina laughed heartily as she saw betsy clenching her fists. so far, she’s been upset about the upcoming events involving reynard and curtis, but talking to betsy has given her some sort of relief.

    hearing yurina laugh, betsy also laughed and clutched her cheeks, flushed with excitement. contrary to her excitement seconds ago, she now muttered in a somewhat grim tone:

    “he used to be like a little brother to me, but now reynard has become so important. when he comes back, i won’t be able to treat him the way i used to. right?”

    “when did ray care about such things? rather, he would feel uncomfortable if betsy pulled away from him. just treat him like a brother. just like before.”

    “like before…”

    “when we paid him a visit to the academy, remember? his manner was the same. just like how betsy treats ray like a little brother, ray probably thinks betsy is like a sister, no?”

    even though she said ‘maybe it’s right’, in yurina’s eyes, that’s exactly what happened.

    after all, betsy reacted to ray’s red eyes without prejudice, then he opened his heart to her, as if in return.

    “is that so?”

    “hm. you remember the first time i brought ray into the mansion, right?”

    “right.”

    “so, it turns out that you caught the moment of his first bath?”

    “oh, right. i was there. raynard didn’t let anyone touch him, so i just walked out…”

    yurina remembered those times and sighed. the carriage they were riding right now was the same one she had used to pick up raynard from the orphanage. although it didn’t smell, yurina felt like the whole carriage smelled of nasty, moldy cheese.

    “at that time, the fragrance was just wonderful.”

    betsy laughed at this sarcasm. she couldn’t confirm such a statement, but it seems that she couldn’t deny it either. yurina covered her nose with her hand and then peeked out of the carriage again.

    talking to betsy, she felt lighter, but depression suddenly overtook her again. the more they talked about reynard, the harder it got inside her.

    her anxiety grew.

    as if she noticed yurina’s discomfort, betsy asked cautiously, lowering her voice.

    “milady, what’s the matter?”

    “it’s nothing. i’m just a little tired. lately, i’ve been so busy preparing for the tournament.”

    yurina’s voice didn’t tremle, but betsy, who had been around for many years, immediately recognized this lie. but she didn’t ask further.

    the maid wasn’t supposed to ask questions to the lords and ladies. however, this time the reason was different. yurina considered betsy as her sister, and didn’t take offense at excessive familiarity.

    bets didn’t ask just because she already knew the answer.

    “i miss reynard too.”

    yurina just shrugged her shoulders and turned away.

    back at the mansion, yurina asked the servants if a new letter had arrived. this was common these days.

    and that day after day received only a negative answer. today, everything has changed.

    “the letter is already in your room.”

    yurina hurried to her room. she knew that even in the mansion she needed to step slowly and gracefully, but her steps sped up without her knowledge.

    as she climbed the stairs faster than usual, she caught her breath, but yurina didn’t slow down and walked into the room.

    the letter lay on a table in the living room adjoining the bedroom. once yurina picked up the letter and checked the sender, she couldn’t hide her disappointment.

    [chloe deonora]

    it was a letter from a childhood friend. chloe had been sitting at her estate since last fall, so yurina hadn’t seen her face in a while. although it was a beautiful letter, it was more annoying than welcome.

    yurina realized this late and regretted her reaction.

    ‘what the hell am i thinking?’

    yurina bit her lips tightly and then opened the letter with the seal of the deonora family.