Episode 32

'Why would Lucerne suddenly ask her to eat outside?'

Elisha had a light question.

'Are you free?'

Usually, after a major war, state affairs become busy. It was only natural that Lucerne, the general who led the imperial army, would be busy as well.

Elisha said she didn't know what it was, but she agreed. Eating together was not a difficult order for her.

Besides, she was able to go out thanks to her. When morning came, Elisha was busy getting ready to go out.

“Just don't overdo it, please. It's not even a special outing.”

“Oh, then I'll decorate it innocently.”

Sophie helped put on Elisha's makeup. Elisha put on her newly tailored street clothes.

“You are really pretty. Even if you don't overdo it, it's perfect.”

Sophie was always amazed. Elisha was a little embarrassed. She was able to take harsh words without incident. However, I was not immune to such ticklish words.

“Madam, as an escort today, one of the Black Lion Knights seeds will be attached. Who will you choose?”

After she had finished dressing up, her butler came and asked for Elisha's intentions.

“Do I really need to bring the Knights?”

“Why do you say that?”

“Since the general who posted the news of victory has returned, the Black Lion Knights must return to the general's side. My body must have been itchy all this time, but if you take on the boring mission of escorting me until today…….”

“Madam, the general ordered it.”

Elisha was quickly convinced.

“Then I want Nora to come with me.”

The butler informed me that the meeting place was a luxury hotel in the middle of the city.

Elisha couldn't even know. This is because it was a restaurant in a top-notch hotel, which is said to be difficult to enter even if you make a reservation a month in advance. Because the scale is so small, her wives of tolerable power lined up. In addition, it was known as a place frequented by women of the imperial family.

“How did you get a reservation there so quickly……. No, nothing.”

As soon as Elisha spoke, she realized her correct answer. Because Lucerne was not a person of a tolerable position. If Lucerne came, any restaurant would be thrilled to say, “Thank you for raising the standard of our restaurant.” Because he is a general loved by the entire empire.

'It's better. The place I'm going to is near the hotel.'

Elisha looked at her butler and asked.

“Then can you ask the coachman to stop by somewhere? It doesn't take long. I also received permission from the general.”

The butler realized that the destination Elisha was talking about was an unexpected place for her.

*​ *​ *​

It was Nora and Ian who came out as an escort. Elisha greeted the two of them before she got into the carriage. In particular, it had been a long time since Ian.

“You two did a good job.”

“Thank you for your hard work, get in the carriage quickly.”

Ian smiled and opened the carriage door. Elisha climbed into the carriage and Nora followed. It seemed that Nora would be the main escort in an intimate space like inside the carriage.

The wagon started running slowly.

Neither of them liked to chat, and there was silence in the carriage for a while. Elisha opened her mouth first.

“Since the general has returned, the members of the Knights must be busy. I don't know if I asked you to call Nora for nothing.”

Nora didn't like to talk at length. When Nora was nominated for the role of Elisha's escort today, the knights, including Corinne and Lapis, were secretly jealous. Thing. So Ian omitted all the fact that Ian was secretly jealous and said it concisely.

“Most seeds do not enjoy the imperial palace banquet.”

Nora replied bluntly. Elisha managed to understand what she said and answered.

“Are you saying that the only scheduled schedule from today is the imperial palace banquet? I know. You don't like fuss.”

“…….”

Nora was seconds late because Elisha caught her words so perfectly. Nora nodded her head with her eyes. In the carriage, Elisha and Nora's eyes met.

Elisha looked over at Nora. Her neatly cut hair. Big stature, slender fingers. At first glance, she was a woman with the appearance of a handsome knight.

'Later, as the reputation of the Black Lion Knights grew, she became the most popular knight, Nora.'

Tall height with neutral beauty. However, she is a female knight who is one of the most powerful. Even noble ladies were crazy about Nora. Nora felt the gaze and said curtly.

“She's kind of like ex-boys, and she's a real woman,” She says. Besides, she has no intention of dating a lover within the same order. It's because it's comfortable to wear men's clothes.”

“…….”

Elisha frowned for a moment.

“What do you mean.”

“These are the facts that usually noble ladies see me and are most curious about. Madame is the wife of my lord, the general, and is no different from a master. I thought there was nothing wrong with letting you know first.”

Elisha looked at Nora for a moment. She smiled.

“I must have been uncomfortable with my being so careful with Nora.”

“No, I'm not something to be cautious about, and my discomfort is none of your business.”

It was an act that could be heard as rude depending on the person. For some reason, Elisha didn't hate Nora.

It may be because Nora gave her a handkerchief in her previous life.

'I……. She must have been really hungry for affection.'

Since there were very few people who had unconditionally favored Elisha in her previous life, she began counting the small favors one by one.

There was an old lady-in-waiting who had tipped her off about Jacob in her past life. The lady-in-waiting also eventually urged Elisha to pay her back because she was indebted to her. Her debt had to be repaid quite dearly.

“That's not why I was so careful with Nora.”

Elisha said calmly. Elisha pulled something of hers out of her arms. She had tied a knot of pure white pansy flowers.

“I was wondering if I should give it or not, but I just take it. You can throw it away if you don't need it.”

“This……. Something?”

Nora's eyes twitched.

“Do you remember the dried pansy flowers that girls who learned in the monastery of Archbishop Rosaria receive when they take their first oath? There were pansies blooming in the garden, so I picked them because I remembered them.”

“…….”

Nora shut her mouth.

“I am also from the monastery of Archbishop Rosaria. He managed several monasteries, and maybe Nora and I were at different times……. We were in another monastery. So I've never met you. But she knew that Nora had heard rumors that she was from a monastery.”

Elisha remembered the handkerchief Nora had given her in her previous life. In that handkerchief……. The patterns and initials of the monastery Elisha came from were embroidered.

It was a very old handkerchief. It was then that she knew that Nora was a woman from the same noble, outcast family. Maybe she's Nora, maybe she's the illegitimate son of a nobleman, or maybe she's a fallen nobleman.

“There are not many monasteries. How did you know that I was from Rosaria's monastery among the monasteries?”

“I have read all the knights' employment oaths and resumes. The butler gave it to me. The Black Lion Knights are knights belonging to the general rather than the imperial family, so their records were kept in the mansion.”

Elisha said calmly. It was a past life that I knew about, but it was after reading my history a while ago that I confirmed it.

“Actually……. She was comforted a little. I was caught by Jacob straight from the monastery and lived a frustrating life. Nora became a knight. I wondered what it would be like if I lived like that. That's all she is. Therefore……. I thought I'd like to have a chat.”

“Why are you with me?”

“It was nice to see someone in a similar situation doing well. It was like a light shining in the distance. I was comforted at times. Besides, she finds out that she is from the same Rosaria-sama's monastery……. I was happy. It's just my personal feelings that don't mean anything.”

Elisha watched Nora lower her eyes.

Usually noble ladies liked her Nora, but she always doubted that the existence she lived here would make her friends if she was with her men. She was what Nora was. A lady who speaks the same way as Elisha……. I really saw it for the first time.

“…… Thank you, ma'am.”

Elisha nodded her head. Her carriage started running quietly again. As she came out to the boulevard, the sunlight and the chatter reached into the carriage.

Elisha opened the window and looked out. Nora quietly lowered her eyes. Nora's cheeks were slightly red in the sunlight.

*​ *​ *​

“Is this right?”

Ian opened the carriage door and tilted her head. Elisha nodded her head. An old sign hung where the wagon stopped. It was a very small sign.

Spencer brokerage. Ordinary people won't even know what that means. The place Elisha found was real estate. It was a small and old office, but several mansions in a day went back and forth funny.

“Is this your first time?”

The gatekeeper looked at Elisha and asked.

“Yes.”

“The escorts, please wait at the door. It's safe, don't worry.”

In the capital, real estate purchases targeting aristocrats have recently become popular. However, since it was real estate, there were also people who brought escorts and caused a stir if the deal did not go well. So that was the rule.

'Good. I don't want Lucerne to know what I'm buying here……. Not yet.'

“When the parade starts soon, the streets will be chaotic. No.”

Nora refused like her sword.

“There are no exceptions.”

Said the gatekeeper. Elisha shook her head as Nora placed her hand on her sword slung around her waist.

“Nora, I'll come in for a second. There will be nothing dangerous.”

Elisha said softly.

“I promise you that my business will be over in 10 minutes.”

At that, Ian looked around the store with a troubled expression and nodded her head.

“Instead, promise me you never leave the store.”

“I see.”

Elisha went into her shop.