Forgiveness

Before long, the heavy gates swung open, and bright light fell across Charles's pale face, drained of blood. Several sets of footsteps approached from outside.

"My lord, he passed."

Master spoke calmly to the young, imposing nobleman beside him.

"Master, wasn't that a little too much?"

Aurelian's eyes held a trace of doubt. He had been somewhat surprised when Master proposed changing the knight's trial, but in the end, he had agreed.

A flower of slaughter could not be cultivated in a greenhouse. And Aurelian needed a true flower of slaughter.

"Take him back and let him recover."

Aurelian called out. The boy before him was truly in a sorry state.

"Yes, my lord."

Master nodded. His eyes flickered as he looked at Charles, as though he were a precious rough-cut gem.

Several knights carried Charles off to the infirmary for treatment. Aurelian stood outside, looking at the captain of the knights, who seemed quite different from before.

"I'm planning to recruit some more people, my captain. What do you think?" he asked with a gentle smile.

"It is my honor to train knights for you, my lord. We will become the sharpest swords in your hands."

"Master, you really have changed. I can't see your ambition anymore. I'm seriously starting to wonder if some otherworldly demon has replaced you."

Aurelian said with a laugh. He had been watching Master, wondering whether he was a fellow countryman from his old world.

He couldn't help it. The change was so drastic that Master hardly seemed like the same person.

"After my battle with Miss Jeanne, I realized how ridiculous and absurd the things I used to pursue were. She showed me the way."

Master's gaze was firm as he clenched his fist.

But Aurelian's expression turned cold. Her again? Why was it always her?

A string of questions filled his mind. He had no desire to continue talking with Master, so he shook his head and said,

"I'll leave things here to you. Let me know when Charles wakes up."

"Yes, my lord," Master replied with a nod.

Aurelian left the training grounds and rode George back to the main keep at an unhurried pace.

Old Will was organizing the castle with the servants. When he saw his lord approaching, he led them in a bow.

Aurelian nodded in reply and looked around, but still couldn't spot the maid.

He went upstairs and returned to his room.

A flash of white fur darted into Aurelian's arms. It was soft and fluffy.

"Roundball, here you are again, begging for attention."

Aurelian picked up the ball-shaped creature in his hands and gave it a rub. It felt wonderful.

"Yiya, yiya."

"No, I don't want to go."

He shook his head. The barrier in his heart was hard to overcome.

It had been the same in Spruce Forest, and the same during their sparring match. Did her life not matter? Aurelian had had enough of feeling like he was no longer in control, especially when a woman was the one constantly risking her life to protect him and making sacrifices for him.

He couldn't accept it. His pride was buried deep beneath his usual demeanor.

"Yiya, yiya."

Roundball widened its bright, pleading eyes.

"Trying to look cute is shameful!"

Aurelian was beside himself.

"Yiya, yiya, yi..."

Roundball rubbed its head against him, continuing to gaze at Aurelian pitifully.

"All right, all right. I'll go, okay? But I'm only going to apologize."

Under Roundball's relentless assault, Aurelian finally gave in.

With Roundball perched on his head, he stood in front of the maid's room. For some reason, he suddenly felt a little nervous.

Was it because he felt guilty for hurting her? Or was it something else?

Or was he afraid of something?

He slowly raised his hesitant right hand, knocked lightly on the door a few times, then quickly pulled it back.

Click—

A fair hand opened the door, and a slender figure appeared in the doorway.

The maid was wearing a white robe and leaning against the doorframe, looking him over with a puzzled expression.

"Hi, long time no see. I came to check on you for Roundball."

Aurelian suddenly felt awkward and didn't know what to say.

"It's only been one night."

The maid looked a little confused.

"Uh, right. I got that wrong. Sorry."

Aurelian gave a silly smile, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Yiya, yiya."

Roundball leaped straight off Aurelian's head and into the maid's arms.

"Are you all right?"

Jeanne lifted Roundball up and examined it closely. Her sky-blue eyes were full of unconcealed worry.

Aurelian's mouth twitched. He could see Roundball changing shape over and over in Jeanne's hands.

Hah, women. They just couldn't resist something cute.

"Are you all right?" he asked suddenly.

"I'm fine."

For some reason, the maid's cheeks suddenly turned a little red. She looked away, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Good. I'm glad you're fine."

Aurelian breathed a sigh of relief, the weight in his heart finally lifting.

But after asking that, he felt so ashamed he could hardly face himself. Awkwardness washed over him.

Honestly, he wasn't very good at flirting.

"If you don't need anything, I'm going to close the door."

The maid felt her face burning. She wanted to escape this feeling as quickly as possible.

She was about to close the door when Aurelian stopped her.

For some reason, Aurelian's expression suddenly turned resolute. He looked straight into Jeanne's averted eyes and said calmly,

"Would you be willing to continue being my maid?"

As soon as he asked, he felt like he was going crazy.

Why? Why had he said it anyway? He had clearly decided not to let her get involved in his affairs.

"Yes."

Her words were always so brief and clear, her tone always so cold.

Click—

The door closed, leaving Aurelian alone in the hall.

He sighed and headed back to his room.

Inside, Jeanne leaned against the door, staring blankly at the ceiling. She didn't move until the footsteps outside faded into the distance.

Time passed quickly, and night fell again.

Aurelian sat alone at the dining table, looking at the delicious steak, the buttered bread, and the platter of fresh fruit. It was all so lavish.

Yet he didn't know where to begin.

The cushion across from him sat empty, and Roundball was nowhere to be seen.

A familiar fragrance caught his attention. He turned, and uncontrollable delight welled up in his eyes.

"My lord, long time no see."