The Castle of stone --2

 

"Chizuru-sama?"

　Arde spoke quietly to Chizuru, who was staring at Luklov's back as if stunned, she was unable to respond properly.

　Her head becomes blank and her feet become unstable.

　If Lukrov had a mistress, it was a matter of course, and Chizuru wouldn't even have the right to be hurt this way. However, Chizuru was actually hurt, and it was difficult to return an amiable smile to Arde, who may be in love with Lukrov, no matter how old she was.

"Chizuru, I'll take you to your room. Oh, there are so many things to talk about, and where should I start?"

　Guided by Arde, following her, Chizuru began to walk in a castle in a state of apathy.

　Sure enough, the inside of Lukrov's castle was quite large, and it seemed easy to get lost without guidance. But Arde was such a great guide that made it clear that she seemed to be familiar with the place, She led Chizuru while adding explanations about the place.

　As she walked through the corridor, climbed a long staircase, and came to the door on the second floor with a very beautiful iron decoration, Arde smiled and said, "It's here."

"here?"

"This is Chizuru-sama's room. Most of it is ready. Please open it."

　For a moment, she hesitated, but Chizuru slowly stepped forward and pushed the door.

　And took a big breath.

　A small room was viewed, it had a wooden four-poster bed covered with elaborately embroidered cloth, a strikingly vivid and beautiful carpet, and prepared sophisticated furnishings, and it was clean. There was a fragrance of a fresh like herb.

'The size of the room is not so big, but I don't think it's just a guest room ... I felt that there was special meaning to this space.' thought Chizuru

 

　Chizuru walked into the room for a few steps and looked back at Arde, standing outside the door, smiling.

"Did you like it?"

　Chizuru could only nod.

　She was wondering if she would be thrown into a lonely room somewhere far away. Next to the bed there are small cabinets with drawers. Even the flowers are adorned, and the soft sun is shining through a small window that seems to be used for daylight.

　Arde, who does not break her smile, slowly entered the room.

"I've been taking care of this room for a long time. Lukurov, said to be sure to keep it clean every day.After all ... "

　Saying that, Arde squinted with deep emotion.

"Is this your room Arde?"

"No way," Arde laughed out loud. "No one has stayed here yet. Four years ago, after receiving this castle from the King, Mr. Lukrov prepared this room and I have been in charge of it ever since."

　'I don't understand more and more things.'

　Preparing such a clean room and keeping it unattended for a long time was a less efficient way of thinking, one unlikely of Lukrov. Moreover, this place is on the second floor of the main tower, which is thought to have a series of important rooms.

'Perhaps Ruklov's own room is not too far away.'

　Arde stood in front of Chizuru and looked down at her former mistress with a perplexed look.

　In the old days, Arde was smaller and slender than Chizuru, but now Arde is a few centimeters taller and has a richer body.

"Lukrov said that I shouldn't say anything extra ..."

　Arde continued, after seeing if anyone was around.

"Lucklov never professed what this room was for. Even to me, who is in charge of it. I believe that the new servants, who are unaware of its purpose think that it is for his wife who will someday greet him. I don't doubt, but I understand. "

　The confident voice of Arde gently whispered to Chizuru's ears.

"Lukrov was waiting for Chizuru ... I'm sure."

 

　Chizuru was stuck and didn't know what to say so she pressed her lips.

　'Arde doesn't know yet. Lukrov has already declared that he does not love me, and that he declared that it is only his duty as a knight to help Chizuru.'

"Arde is Lukrov's ... as his mistress?"

Although the suspisions she had have almost gone away thanks to what Arde told her about the room eing for Lukruv's future wife. Chizuru had to ask. In response Arde opened her ayes wide and started laughing out loud.

"No way! Chizuru-sama, I'm already married. I even have one daughter."

　According to what she said, Arde has long served Lukrov, but he hardly returned to his mansion until he settled in the castle. Meanwhile, Arde fell in love with one of his followers, got married, and had a daughter who will be six years old this year. In this castle, she was given a room in the section where the servants were staying, and there are three families living there. That was her relatioship with Lukrov.

 

"For a long time, there were bad rumors about Lord Lukrov. Did you know?"

"Yeah ... I heard about assassins and about being the king's minion."

"We are just servants, we just serve silently. I don't really know anything. As I said, until Lukelov settled down in this castle, Mr. Lukrov hardly returned home. But Mr. Luklov, the ruler of this area,  and he is very calm and is loved by the people. Did you see the castle town? "

　Chizuru nodded, remembering the faces of the townspeople who greeted Luklov in a bright but respectful manner.

　The same applies to the servants in the castle.

　'He is so respected that I can't think of him as being a black assassin, or the minion of a king, being crazy about money and  woman.'

"I can't say anymore... I shouldn't say anything else. Please ask Mr. Lukrov directly to know more."

"But if I had asked for the opportunity to talk, he would have gone somewhere and wouldn't want to see me anymore."

"Oh dear"

　Arde shouted. "I haven't told you yet. "

　Then the blond servant smiled with a smile as she pointed to the elongated wooden inner door in the corner of the room.

 

"The door over there is connected to Lukrov's room. It doesn't even have a key."

 

　When Chuzuru was about to cry out, the two women turned around as they heard a manly voice coming from the entrance to the room.

"Lukrov ……"

　Lukruv, wearing his training clothes, leans against the stone frame at the entrance and folds his arms while giving Chizuru a cold line of sight. The expression was gloomy, and it felt somehow sad, so Chizuru stood back and glanced into his shadowy face.

"You can go down, Arde. When the dinner is ready, come call for Chizuru."

　Arde bowed her head and obediently obeyed the master's words.

　Then, on the way back, she murmured something to Chizuru and left. The room in which Lukrov and Chizuru were alone was immediately swallowed in silenced.