# 82
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Actually, I didn't understand that either.
Even many employees working in the Duchy had their own days off from work and holidays.
But neither of them meant much to me.
This is because Diana was reluctant to break up with me.
Of course, I didn't have much to do, so I wasn't really upset, but this time I couldn't help myf.
'I have to l my magic stone!'
I couldn't go out with Diana, and I was worried that I was too young to go out late, so I found out that the entire duchy had been invited to a banquet at the Imperial Palace on this holiday.
Since it was a meal attended by the Emperor, I couldn't bring any servants with me, so I was staying in the palace alone, so it was a perfect place to go out.
'Originally, it would be right to report the outing to the ore master, but...'
I felt a little embarrassed, so I went straight to the Duchess.
〈Hmm, get out? It would be best if you told the Duke about it.〉
To be honest, I thought permission would be granted immediately, but I was a little surprised by the Duchess's answer.
But I couldn't disobey him, so I kept waiting for the opportunity to meet the Duke, and finally I arrived at this moment.
But the Duke was still looking at me with an expression of incomprehension.
I was deciding that if permission was not granted again this time, Diana would have no choice but to leave lessons early in the day when she had been studying all day and go home.
“Vacations are your free time, so if you want to go out, you should, but on that day… The capital’s security is good, but you’re too young, so next time….”
"Ah! Don't worry about it."
I shouted urgently, and I saw the Duke's expression clearly showing hesitation.
* * *
“So...are you going out alone with this boy named Jack?”
The Duke asked again, confused by Leia's next words.
Leah nodded and her explanation was as follows.
It so happened that her fellow orphanage, and apprentice knight, Jack, also had the day off for the upcoming holiday, so they decided to go out together.
In fact, considering the condition of the other residents, the permission to go out was only to manage people coming and going from the palace, and it was not a matter of whether the permission had actually been granted.
'At least since Leia was little, I've been trying to use safety as an excuse.'
'. …Alone with this child.’
The boy called Jack, who had recently become Tice's adopted son, knew the Duke well.
Even though he was the same age as Allen, he was generous and mature, and even though he started swordsmanship late, his skills far exceeded the level of an apprentice knight.
He was a kid who had a high probability of becoming a major member of the Rexion Knights in the future.
To be honest, if Leah still wanted to go out, I would have given her an escort, but if Jack was with her, I had no choice but to nod.
Of course, Leah had already anticipated that the Duke wouldn't send her alone and agreed to go out with Jack.
In the end, with no answer but permission, the Duke swallowed his sleep when he realized that his wife had postponed a difficult decision for him.
Not only was Leia going out, but the person accompanying her was also a target, so she must have been reluctant to give permission so easily.
However, there was no basis for opposition, so the Duke slowly opened his mouth in the end.
“I see, go then. Instead, you should be careful and not be too late.”
"Yes !"
After hearing the answer she wanted, Leah's complexion instantly brightened.
"but."
The Duke immediately nodded and stopped Leia who was about to leave.
“I think I told you not to call me Master before.”
"Yes?"
“I told you to just call me Duke, but why do you keep calling me Master?”
Leia smiled sheepishly at the Duke's words.
All the other servants in the palace call the Duke “Master” and the Duchess “Mrs.”
But I didn't know why I was the only one who wanted to call it a different name.
The Duke also knew Leah's thoughts, but he was frustrated because he couldn't say out loud: “You are different from the other employees.”
I was worried about what I would do with Leah in the future because I couldn't treat the child I was considering adopting, and she didn't want me to take care of her.
I was trying hard to find a new place to adopt, but for some reason, there wasn't a place I felt comfortable with, so time was ticking.
Naturally, I would continue to use Leia as my maid, but I felt that I would have to make a decision sooner or later.
“It's done, come out and have a look.”
When the Duke saw the child with a puzzled expression and motioned for her to go, Leia nodded again and left the office with light steps, as if she was jumping.
Seeing that, the Duke became even more puzzled and sighed.
“Come to think of it, it was Leia who recommended him to the knights.”
Even after I heard that he had great skill with a sword, I didn't think much about it.
Today the Duke's mind is complicated by many new ideas.
“Maybe you two have a special relationship?”
After living in the poor orphanage and relying on each other, we moved into the Duke's Palace together, so we might feel special….
"No way! They're still young, so what should I think?"
The Duke, who was thinking alone with a serious expression, clicked his tongue and shook his head.
But even though I was laughing, my mixed feelings didn't go away.
It was like hearing that my daughter was going on her first date.
“I thought it would take at least another ten years for me to feel this way.”
On top of that, I didn't even feel like seeing my daughter, and my head started pounding.
For some reason, it was a moment that reminded me of my eldest son at the academy.
* * *
“Miss, I'm going out now...”
“Bye, Nouna...”
Jack let out a small sigh when he saw Diana, who was crying even after coming to say goodbye, and Leah, who was stamping her feet and didn't know what to do.
Even though they had only been apart for less than a day, not even a few days, they were as sad as lovers on the verge of a tragic breakup.
Allen's reaction was somewhat normal: he was annoyed when he asked me if Diana and I had deliberately chosen the day we went to the Imperial Palace as a going-out day.
Allen, who had been trembling and grinding his teeth for some time because of Leah, had to call each other “darling” and “you” because of the game, and he didn’t even go out to see her.
Of course, Leah doesn't seem to care at all, and wonders why the master is saying goodbye to her when the maid comes out.
“Leah, we have to go now.”
There was a worker going to the capital square to do some work, so we decided to get a cart and go out there.
When Jack saw the driver winking in the distance, Leah kissed Diana's cheek with a pitiful expression.
“Miss, I'm really going to go now, I wish you a pleasant visit to the Imperial Palace today.”
“Huh, I hope you have a good time too, Noona...”
Leia, who had been looking at Diana with eyes dripping with remorse until the end, turned and came to Jack's side.
“Let's go now.”
“...oh.”
Even though he was the one who insisted on continuing until now, Jack's body went rigid as Leah approached him.
In fact, even though he was pretending to be calm, he was also nervous.
A few days ago, I unexpectedly heard Leah, who suddenly came to the training center, asking me out.
Moreover, the words of my adoptive father, Tice, made my heart skip a beat for no reason.
"Isn't this your chance, Jack?" Leah asked you to go out first, so I must do a good job.〉
〈Well, it's a date... Well, it's not like that!〉
I was finally beginning to vaguely understand my feelings.
Jack was so upset, he didn't know that even Tice, who was next to him, had noticed it.
I waved my hand in embarrassment and denied it, but Tice smiled louder and handed me the pocket money that I couldn't take with me last time.
〈. ...Thank you. I will put it to good use.〉
Jack also hesitated before accepting the allowance.
I was concerned about the fact that Tice was in awe the whole time because he received the allowance the Duke gave him, but it also reminded him of the time he was only receiving money from Leia during his last outing.
It was clear that if he gave me the same allowance as before, he wouldn't get it again, so this time, Jack was determined to make sure I paid the bill first.
But as we sat side by side on the back of the rickety cart, it felt as if we were going out on our own, and sweat began to drip from our hands.
'Nothing special, just a walk...'
In fact, this was a rare outing for Leah.
In addition to the last academy festival, Jack went outside the palace several times, touring apprentice knights' training and guard duty.
Even during the adoption process, Tice gave us a tour of DC and took us to several restaurants, so there was nothing unusual about it other than Leah and I hanging out.
I said in my mind: “Have a good date!” The sound of Tice's screaming continued to fall silent, but Jack tried to ignore it and turned his attention to Leah.
Then suddenly something caught his attention.
“What are you carrying....?”
Is it because I'm nervous? Although I had been observing Leah for a while, it was only now that I noticed the large package she was carrying.
Leah, who seemed to be quietly ignoring the question, answered awkwardly.
“This? I packed this and that just in case, umbrellas and outer clothing and things like that.”
“You're not even a package ler...”
I was shocked.
Leah, who was really excited about ling the magic stone, was once again impressed by Jack's sharpness and apologized.
“Sorry, if you feel embarrassed walking around together...”
“Well, it's not like that!”
Jack, realizing that he had unintentionally scolded me, quickly changed his attitude and blamed me for the tone of his voice.
“Is this your first time seeing the capital?”
"Huh? Oh...yes?"
“I saw it last time, I know the square and a few good restaurants, and by the way, there is also a dessert café that is famous for your favorite chocolates...”