~Chapter 45~
“It’s really sad to see you go already.”
Gerard mumbled in a downcast voice. Amel, trying to console him, was feeling quite exhausted.
“We’re not saying goodbye forever, you know. Don’t be too gloomy!”
In fact, Amel was a bit surprised that Gerard seemed so upset about her leaving.
‘Well… he must be someone who easily forms attachments.’
Whether he realized this or not, Gerard continued grumbling.
“I’m always busy assisting my lord. Getting to visit the imperial capital happens once in several years, you know.”
“Oh.”
Amel’s expression quickly became serious.
“Well, it can’t be helped. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Amelie!”
Gerard shouted as if he was hurt by her words. Amel chuckled a little and waved her hand dismissively.
“I’m just kidding. Anyway, I’m sure we’ll see each other again sometimes. Plus, His Highness said he would invite me.”
“Well, then I’ll be waiting for that.”
Gerard said in a somewhat serious tone. As Amel thought about how peculiar he was, something crossed her mind.
‘By the way… Should I tell him about my plan to deal with the emperor? Should I share it with him?’
Amel didn’t feel confident enough to tell Christan her plan directly. He would surely stop her immediately. It might be better to ask Gerard to pass on the message.
Making up her mind, Amel leaned closer to Gerard and whispered.
“Gerard, please pass this message to His Highness tomorrow.”
“Huh? What’s this about?”
Gerard tilted his head in confusion. Amel said with determination.
“I’m planning to confront the emperor for His Highness’s sake. If His Highness knows, he’ll definitely oppose it, so please tell him later.”
“…What?!”
Gerard’s face turned completely shocked, and he nearly jumped up in surprise. However, Amel was serious.
“There’s no other way. I have to get the message across… and there’s no one else I can ask but you.”
“I don’t know what you’re planning, but I… I can’t agree to this…”
“Miss!”
“!”
Gerard stopped speaking as an unexpected guest appeared. From the other side, Leon, holding a folder of papers, approached briskly.
Amel, trying to act normal, received the papers from him.
“Is this a resignation letter?”
“Yes! I handed it in a few days ago. This is a copy.”
“…”
Gerard, with a face full of disbelief, shook his head and quietly left the conversation. It seemed he had decided to pass the message on to Christan.
Amel nodded in satisfaction.
“Good job.”
As soon as Leon decided to become her bodyguard, he first handed in his resignation letter at the Bellerophon Knight’s office. No one questioned his resignation, probably due to the incident where he shot an arrow at her.
The house he had in Bellerophon had been vacated. Amel had arranged a small house for Leon and his brother Gio at the Winterpool estate.
When Amel heard from Gio that he would be living alone in the house while Leon worked as her bodyguard, she was surprised…
“I’ll be fine on my own. I’m better at housekeeping than you! I’m a pro at it!”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s been just me and my brother for a long time, and I’ve gotten really good at it.”
Amel left them to their own devices, letting them do as they wished.
“You.”
“Ah.”
Christan had approached without Amel realizing and spoke to her.
“Have you finished getting ready to leave?”
“Yes! Leon and Gio are leaving first, and I was just seeing them off.”
“…I see.”
Christan’s gaze turned displeased as he looked at Leon. Leon, unexpectedly caught by his stare, flinched.
“Leon isn’t escorting Lady Winterpool; he’s just taking his brother to the new house first, right?”
“Yes… that’s right. He’ll drop off his brother and then return to his duties escorting you. So please don’t worry!”
Despite Leon’s best attempt to explain, Christan still looked unhappy. Nothing seemed to please him.
‘…I should leave quickly!’
Leon hurriedly mounted his horse, helped Gio onto it, and said,
“I’ll drop him off and return, Lady.”
“Okay. Be safe.”
“Goodbye, miss!”
Leon and Gio quickly left Bellerophon Castle, and Amel watched them for a long time. Meanwhile, Gerard, observing her, let out a quiet sigh as he watched Christan.
‘With all his actions, it’s a wonder why he doesn’t accept Amelie.’
Meanwhile, Amel’s departure preparations were complete. The servants of the Duke’s mansion had stopped their work to send her off.
“It’s been an honor to work for you, even if just for a short time.”
“I’m Chef Alfred of the Duke’s kitchen! I heard you enjoyed my cooking, and I’m so happy! Next time, I’ll prepare an extravagant feast for you!”
“Thank you so much. I’m already looking forward to it…”
The servants gathered around to say goodbye. Alfred, the enthusiastic chef, passionately promised to serve Amel the finest food, much to the amusement of the others.
“I’ll never forget the hunt we shared!”
“Yes! I still remember the amazing way you defeated the monsters!”
“I’ll keep the healing potion you gave me as a keepsake!”
Even the Pegasus Knights who had fought alongside Amel in her first hunt came to say their goodbyes.
As they bid farewell, Amel reminded them,
“The healing potion only lasts for about a month.”
“What?! Then I must get injured within a month and use it!”
‘Why would they say such things?’
Amel couldn’t help but wonder, but she didn’t stop them. They wouldn’t listen anyway.
“You.”
Lastly, Christan stood before her.
He stepped forward, representing Bellerophon.
“I’ve said it before, but having you come to Bellerophon has been such a great blessing.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Amel smiled brightly in response, and Christan smiled back.
“Whatever situation you find yourself in, I hope you achieve all that you desire.”
A large hand reached out to her for a handshake.
“I’ll always be rooting for you.”
Amel took his hand warmly.
“I’ll be rooting for you too.”
“Thank you.”
“…”
Amel stared at Christan for a moment. It was a clean goodbye, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was too soon to part ways.
“…!”
“Oh…”
“Miss!”
People around them gasped in surprise. Their expressions changed in all sorts of ways.
But Amel couldn’t see their faces. She had just thrown herself into Christan’s arms.
The sound of her heart pounding echoed in her ears.
“…”
For a moment, Christan was frozen, then quickly snapped back to reality and pulled her off his shoulder.
His face, lowered so others couldn’t see, was visible to Amel, and feeling a sense of accomplishment from his expression, she whispered quietly,
“When we meet again… please call me by my name.”
“…”
“Hehe.”
Amel grinned mischievously with a face that had turned red. She turned to walk toward the carriage. Christan, shaking his head, watched her. Amelie had already jumped into the carriage with her maid.
“You won’t even give me time to escort you.”
Christan muttered as he walked toward the carriage. The carriage doors were already shut, but soon the window opened, and Amel’s face peeked out.
“Don’t stick your head out of the window.”
“It’s just for a second, it’s fine. Just this once.”
“Oh, really…”
Christan chuckled as the horses began to move. The wheels of the carriage picked up speed, and Amel waved her hand excitedly outside.
“See you next time!”
“Goodbye, Miss!”
Everyone around waved as well, and Christan gave a small wave. He continued waving until the carriage was out of sight.
When the carriage finally disappeared beyond the road, Christan slowly lowered his arm and muttered,
“It’s going to be lonely for a while.”
