*This is Ghena’s point of view*

“Everyone listen. The Earl is currently having a problem, don’t make any mistake and increase his stress. Understood?”

“Yes Ma’am!”

Everyone answered in unison to the Head maid, Julia, who is currently observing our work.

She’s on her 50’s so she’s quite old.

“Ghena, did you say something?”

“I didn’t say anything ma’am!”

And she’s quite sharp to insults.

But I didn’t say something insulting, did I?

More importantly, I have to make this marble table shine again.

After such rigorous cleaning work at the parlour, I went to Mistress’ room to clean up there. Since its Mistress’ room, it will take me 3 hours to finish it.

***

Afternoon…

Since I’m on a break, I decided to go to the nearby park to rest while watching the townspeople. Because I like people smiling a lot, it gives me a refreshing feeling inside.

While jumping on the stone tiles one by one, I accidentally bumped into someone.

“Woops, sorry. I didn’t notice that you were playing.”

“No, I’m sorry. I was the one jumping on the—sir Flordist!”

Yes, just like I said, it’s the Darkus Saint, Sora Dreier Flordist, and one of the Royal Knights of the King.

By instinct, I immediately prostrated—not?

Before I could go down on the ground, sir Flordist grabbed my arms and lifted them preventing me from moving.

“P-please don’t bow.”

“B-but I bothered you sir. I must apologize for it!”

“Don’t! It’ll make me look bad.”

I didn’t it notice it earlier, but his face seems to be too close to mine.

I think he noticed it too. So he lets go off me and looked away. When I looked closely at him, I can see his ears turning red. Huh!?

“Uhm… Miss Ghena, what are you doing here in the park with that outfit?”

“This? I’m just taking a break from work. Since I wanted to relax a bit, I decided to come here.”

“Is that so? Relaxing is good after all isn’t it?”

Huh? Is it just me, or does he sounded like he’s panicking? It’s probably just my imagination.

“Ah! Am I bothering sir Flordist? If so, I can leave if you want.”

“Ah, no! Wait!”

Just when I turn back, sir Flordist suddenly grabbed my hand and stopped me from walking away.

His hands are sweating—he’s also shaking? Is sir Flordist sick?

“Ah…”

“What’s wrong sir? Are you sick? Your hands are cold.”

“No! W-wait!”

“No sir, I think you are sick!”

I get too worried on people getting sick. So I checked his temperature by touching his forehead using my forehead. When I got up close to him, I can see his face slightly red. I can also feel his rough breathing and the pulse on his hands are fast. I knew it! He’s sick!

“Sir, I think you need a rest.”

“No I don’t. I’m not sick. I’m just…..”

His voice suddenly lowered and lowered to the point that I didn’t hear the last part of his words. To work in broad daylight while feeling ill, he’s truly a reckless person.

Good thing there’s a bench beside us. So I sat down and pulled him and made him lie down. Next, I put his head on my lap to make him feel comfortable.

This is what my mother does every time I get sick when I was still small.

“Like I said, I’m not si--!!”

“A sick person must rest! So be quiet and just rest on my lap!”

“Sorry ma’am.”

After telling him in a loud voice, he finally calmed down and became silent.

***

After 10 minutes, he suddenly woke up and sat up straight.

It’s probably because I got too excited playing with his soft black hair. Now that I noticed, our hairs match.

“Ah... sorry for wasting your break. And thank you for taking good care of me. I did really need that short nap, thanks.”

“It’s not much of a problem. As long as sir Flordist’s health is in good shape because of that nap, it’s enough thanks.”

Even after I said that, he suddenly made a frowning face.

“Is there something wrong sir?”

“Sora…”

“…Sir?”

“Call me Sora from now on, I want you to call me that because my family name is hard to pronounce.”

“Me calling a royal knight by his name is too presumptuous of me. I can’t do it.”

“But don’t you call Key as ‘Key’ even though he’s a noble?”

“Yes I do, but it’s because he told me that he owes me. So calling him by his name is somewhat, a custom.”

As I said that, Sir Flordist frowned more. Does he really want to be called by his name?

I guess it can’t be helped then. I’ll just follow what he wants and be careful not to let other people hear it because it might cause trouble.

“Sora… It’s a nice name.”

After speaking that, Sir Flordist turned to me while wearing a shocked face.

“Are you going to call me by my name?”

“Only if there are no strangers around…”

Sir Flordist’s face turned bright as I said that. Really, he mystifies me to no end.

I put out my hand and pulled his cheek to the side.

“Don’t be too happy, Sora. You just recovered.”

“Whah!”

Was I being too overly familiar? He suddenly pulled back with his ears and the area around his eyes turning bright red.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that should I?”

“N-no, don’t apologize. I was just surprised that’s all. Moreover, I’m not sick anymore so I’m going back to my job. Again, that’s for letting me borrow your lap.”

“P-please don’t say that, it’s embarrassing.”

Geez, you don’t have to remind me something as embarrassing as that.

“So-so, see you again, I guess?”

“It’s been a pleasure meeting with you today, so since my break is about to finish, it’s about time I also go back to my job.”

After bowing to him, we immediately walked back to our respective jobs while waving goodbye to each other.

-End of Chapter-