Chapter 100: Crossed Paths

To Diana, I am pain and a scar.

Because of me, she was wounded and shed tears.

It was clearly so in the past, and perhaps it will be the same this time.

Maybe that’s why, in the end, she betrayed me.

… Should I hate her? And should I forgive Diana?

Or maybe, should I be the one to ask her for forgiveness?

I don’t know.

Just because time has been reversed,

do the wounds I gave her simply cease to matter?

Because the current her doesn’t remember, can I just pretend none of this happened?

Can I dare wish for her happiness?

… Can I even dare be by her side?

I don’t know.

I only keep piling up questions without answers.

In truth, it can’t be helped.

This isn’t a problem I can answer.

Then should I ask her?

What meaning would that even have?

Would it just be for my own satisfaction?

I don’t know.

… Honestly, more than any of that,

I don’t even have the courage to ask her.

***

Lately, Diana had been feeling good.

How long had it been since she’d felt like this?

It seemed like the very first time since coming to this estate.

With a fluttering heart, she knocked on the door.

“Good morning, Sir Glenn.”

“Diana, good morning.”

It had already been several days since Glenn had started working exclusively for her.

During that time, he continued to be kind and considerate towards her, just like at the very beginning.

“Would you join me for a meal again today?”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

Glenn always invited her to dine together in his room.

Thanks to that, she could enjoy luxurious dishes that were hard for a mere maid to experience.

Besides that, Glenn taught her many things—how to eat unfamiliar dishes, dining etiquette, and the like.

“You’ve improved a lot. At first, you couldn’t even hold a fork properly.”

She cherished those moments.

Before she knew it, meal times with him became incredibly precious to Diana.

“… It’s all thanks to you, Sir Glenn.”

But deep down, a suspicion poked at her.

Why was he being so good to her?

Was there some other reason?

… Was he deceiving her?

Such twisted thoughts existed.

But accepting kindness as kindness was very unfamiliar in her life.

And his favor didn’t stop there.

“Thank you again today, Diana.”

As always, he silently handed her a silver coin.

It was a bit excessive, but it was his tip for her.

“You always say this, but… I don’t know if I deserve this.”

“That’s up to me to decide. Didn’t I tell you last time?”

Accept it, for the sake of protecting the Knights of Glenn.

Glenn said that with serious eyes.

In the end, Diana accepted the coin gratefully once more.

“… Yes, thank you. Truly.”

Had anyone ever treated her so well?

Sometimes, she felt like tears would fall from Glenn’s kindness without reason.

And at the same time,

a nameless anxiety slowly blossomed within her.

Diana hated that part of herself a little.

***

When mealtime came, Casey naturally frowned.

She wasn’t there again.

“… Are you eating those bone scraps separately again?”

At her usual question, the other maids gave half-hearted answers.

Their meal times were short.

“Is this the first or second time?”

“Don’t you get tired of asking every single time?”

All they had were cheap bread scraps and lukewarm soup, but that was what they had to fill their hungry stomachs.

Looking at the cheap food given as her share, Casey bit her lip.

“Something’s wrong with this. Don’t you think so?”

She was senior, yet she filled her stomach with this.

That insolent Diana always filled hers with the noble family’s luxurious food.

Of course, she always pretended otherwise, but just by smelling the air nearby, one could tell.

… How did it come to this?

“That’s just how the food provider is, what can you do?”

“Well, even the mistress is a good person. Completely different from rumors.”

“I’ve never seen such a handsome man in my life.”

Recently, Glenn was the hot topic among the maids of the House of Riberton.

Even before coming to this estate, he attracted attention.

Of course, back then, no one could have imagined the image he had now.

To think of the one called the ‘Red Reed’ or ‘Assassin’ and picture such a handsome noble prince?

Not only was he good-looking,

“Last time, I saw him from the side. He was very affectionate with her. I thought he was Diana’s real older brother.”

“Whenever he gave her a potion, he smiled while looking at Diana, his eyes dripping with honey.”

Diana wasn’t particularly outstanding.

Her hair color was a little unique, but her skinny figure was honestly not remarkable.

No, even that was closer to how people used to describe her.

“That girl looked so radiant yesterday. Even her rough hair seems to be getting better.”

“Ha, anyone would feel that way. A handsome prince likes you and even feeds you fine food!”

The expression that used to be dull and gloomy gradually brightened.

Who knows what she looks like now, but surely she would become even prettier soon.

Snap.

Casey was furious at that fact.

“That Diana girl is just lucky, that’s all.”

“I heard she even gets hefty tips.”

In fact, Casey was the one almost assigned as Glenn’s exclusive maid.

But because she was the head maid, the position went to Diana.

Casey had seen the man called Glenn from afar before.

And just seeing him, her heart almost stopped.

Because the prince she had only ever dreamed of appeared before her.

“… That was supposed to be my place.”

The smiles, the kindness, the fine food, the daily silver coins—all of it was supposed to be hers.

… Right, it was all originally mine!

But that ugly bone girl stole it all.

Seeing her prince gently stroking Diana’s head and smiling tenderly made her feel like she was going crazy.

“… I have to get her back.”

Yes, as soon as possible.

Casey clenched her teeth.

She would take back everything that Diana enjoyed.

There was no maid prettier than her in this estate, and she was the one worthy of him.

So how could some foolish Diana take her place?

“Hmm? Casey, where are you going?”

“Not eating dinner? Then I will.”

As soon as her thoughts cleared, Casey moved her steps immediately.

The only clear goal in her eyes was one thing.

***

That night.

Diana received a summons from the head maid.

“… What? What do you mean?”

At the sudden, thunderous news, her eyes naturally widened.

When she asked again, the head maid showed an annoyed expression.

“You just heard. From now on, you no longer need to serve Prince Glenn. I’m returning you to your original duties.”

“Wh-why all of a sudden?”

“… What kind of talkback is that? It’s just going back to how it was. What’s the problem?”

“I-I haven’t done anything wrong. This is something Sir Glen surely wouldn’t want…”

“Hoo, I was trying not to say anything…”

The deep sigh on the head maid’s face was laced with bitterness.

Diana felt a strange unease.

“Do you really think Prince Glenn doesn’t want this?”

“What do you mean…?”

“The one who requested the change of exclusive maid was that person. Prince Glenn.”

“Huh?”

Diana couldn’t understand the head maid’s words.

… What kind of nonsense was that?

“I can’t take an apprentice maid’s service anymore.

It’s too awkward and uncomfortable.

At least change your duties and switch to another exclusive maid.

That’s what he said.

What on earth did you do for me to hear this?”

Slowly, she began to understand.

The more she did, the more her chest felt like it was about to burst.

“T-this… can’t be…”

Though she understood, she refused to believe it.

Did he really say that?

“Are you saying I’m lying? I heard it clearly.

Quit your whining and get to your remaining tasks!”

The exasperated head maid kicked Diana out.

Pushed out into the hallway, she still wore a dazed expression.

… So it was all a lie.

Had she been forcing herself to smile while hiding her immaturity?

Then all that kindness, all that care was all a lie…?

Though it was unbelievable, part of her accepted it.

She was, after all, just an apprentice and inexperienced.

He was far too gracious a person for someone like her.

Diana walked quietly to a corner of the hallway.

For some reason, tears came.

“Always… huh… sniff…”

She hadn’t cried even once since coming to the estate.

No, rather, she hadn’t cried in years.

Because she hadn’t expected anything, there was nothing to shed tears over.

But now, she couldn’t hold back the flowing tears.

“C-curse…”

She sobbed silently for quite a while.

***

The next morning.

The one who knocked on Glenn’s door was a maid a little different than usual.

“Good morning, Prince Glenn. From today, I am Kate, your new exclusive maid…”

“… What? What is this nonsense?”

Kate smiled her prettiest smile and stared at Glenn.

First impressions are very important in relationships between men and women.

“Ah, the apprentice maid Diana has been returned to her original duties starting today.

So from now on, I will be—”

What kind of nonsense was this?

Glenn felt annoyance rise in an instant.

“Who gave you permission?”

“My exclusive… huh?”

“Damn it, who the hell gave permission!”

Kate froze instantly at his unexpected reaction.

This was far from the usual expression of the prince she’d seen.

… Why is he angry?

“Th-that, th-that was under the head maid’s orders…”

“And Diana?”

“Y-yes?”

Why on earth was he looking for her?

It was clear that she was prettier and more capable than that bone girl.

“… I’ll have to ask the head maid.”

“E-excuse me, Sir Glenn!”

Glenn pushed Kate aside and quickly moved away.

***

“Who’s the head maid?”

Glenn barged into the dining hall and demanded abruptly.

At that moment, the head maid, who was checking supplies in the kitchen storeroom, appeared.

Her eyes stared back as if ready to swallow a person whole.

“E-excuse me, but what is this about…?”

Her fingers trembled unknowingly.

“Who gave the order to change my exclusive maid?”

“… Eh? I believe it was at the Prince’s request?”

“… I requested it?”

What was this nonsense?

Why would he want to replace Diana?

“W-wait! Sir Glenn, I can explain.”

Kate, who hurried after him, had a pale face.

“I-it’s because Diana asked me to.

She said working exclusively for Sir Glenn was too difficult…”

Among her stammered words, Glenn sensed the lie.

His sharp, murderous gaze fixed on Kate.

He was already gripping the handle of the longsword that dangled at his waist.

“Tell the truth, or I will cut your throat right here.”

Glenn was serious, radiating killing intent.

Diana was someone he had to protect.

This was like the situation when Sophia was threatened by the refugees.

“A-aah…”

Kate collapsed, unable to speak properly.

Tears welled up, her hands and feet trembling as cold sweat poured down.

It was a natural reaction.

Even hardened mercenaries on the battlefield freeze in such a gaze.

No doubt a lone maid would struggle to bear it.

“Speak.”

“Yes, sir.”

Clank.

Glenn partially drew his sword.

The surroundings immediately became noisy.

“Put away your sword, Prince Glenn!”

“This is the estate of Lady Hoojak!”

Sensing the unusual tension, the estate’s guards appeared.

Of course, the Knights of Glenn who followed him did not stand idly.

“Take her away first.”

“… Or else, you’ll die.”

The atmosphere was deadly.

Knowing the seriousness of the situation, the head maid quickly shouted at Glenn.

“P-Prince! There must have been some misunderstanding, I’m sorry!

I heard from Kate that you wanted to change your exclusive maid…”

She immediately bowed deeply to the ground.

If she made a mistake here, she really felt like she might die.

But part of her felt wronged.

She had believed what Kate told her and changed the exclusive maid accordingly.

She never imagined it was a blatant lie.

“A misunderstanding? You didn’t even confirm with me…

Hoo, anyway. Where is Diana now?”

Let’s not make this a big deal.

Yes, if things turn back even now, it’s just a simple misunderstanding.

Glenn silently told himself this.

“W-well… Diana is currently—”

The maid’s voice faltered.

Glenn was suddenly struck by an ominous thought.

Impatiently, his voice rose without realizing it.

“Tell me the truth quickly!”

The maid barely lifted her head and answered.

“D-Diana left the estate!

I saw her gone by morning!”

“… What?”

Glenn felt his head spin, as if a sharp knife was slicing through his mind.