“Hello. It’s been a long time, My Lady.”
“How are you…?”
Quinlen spoke in his usual composed manner, but Amelia was not calm at all. After parting from the Crown Prince’s palace, she had wondered when they would see each other again.
And now he was suddenly in front of her, asking to be an employee of Windsor’s mansion. She had long imagined her reunion with him, but she never thought it would be like this.
Amelia stood frozen, and Quinlen quickly walked forward in her direction. There was no reason for him to come close so suddenly, and as their distance gradually narrowed, Amelia forgot how to breath.
“…Heub!“
He completely passed by her and closed the door to the drawing room.
Kkiiigeu–
Quinlen needed to keep their conversation from leaking out. There was only one reason he was here—To capture the unknown power that infiltrated Windsor’s mansion and bring them to Oliver. It was better to exercise caution, even if there was no sign of other people in the vicinity.
It was only then did Amelia realize that Quinlen approached her to close the door. However, just being near to him caused a flush to suffuse her face.
“Are you here because I asked to see you again?”
“Yes.”
It was a lie. He wouldn’t have appeared in front of her again if it weren’t for Oliver’s order.
“Thank you. Is your last injury healed?”
“I’m fine now.”
Quinlen’s reply was short, and Amelia didn’t know how to further the conversation at this unexpected meeting. She had painted this scene countless times in her head, but now her mind was blank, and she was anxious that he would leave again now that he kept his promise.
“The…”
Amelia’s eyes turned back to Quinlen as he spoke in a soft voice.
“The injury made it harder for me to move my body the way I used to.”
“What was wrong?”
“I was seen by the doctor, but I was told that full recovery would not be possible.”
“Oh…”
Amelia’s expression turned sad. However, everything Quinlen was saying was a lie. It’s purpose was to get him employed at the mansion.
“So now I’m going to live a normal life.”
“So you’re…?”
“Yes. I’m here to keep my promise with the Young Lady and get a job.”
Amelia’s eyes widened. She had worried that Quinlen would leave her again. The pair silently stared at each other when—
Ttog ttogeu.
There was a knock on the drawing room door, and the butler Michael stepped in.
“My Lady, is the interview—”
Michael stopped speaking when he sensed the strange atmosphere in the room. He stared at the two people inside. Amelia glanced over at the butler who had just walked in, then turned right back to Quinlen. A strong sense of will burned in her eyes.
“Butler.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve decided to hire him for our house.”
“What?”
Michael’s mouth dropped open. So far, all the employment contracts had been made after he and Amelia consulted with each other. She had never made the decision by herself before, and moreover, they already had all the necessary personnel. Amelia looked towards Quinlen as she spoke.
“Don’t go anywhere else…I’d like you to work here at Windsor mansion.”
Quinlen had not even presented a fake resume. He had gain Amelia’s permission far quicker than he expected, and he gave her a bow.
“If that is what you desire.”
*
*
*
“Even if you were late reporting it to me, why did you take this position?”
“It was the General’s command. “
“The Prince?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Quinlen stared at Amanda with a monotone expression. Oliver had told Quinlen to keep it a secret, and so he spoke his prepared words.
“You came close to danger at the Second Prince’s party. The General ordered me to guard you more closely.”
“But that’s in the past. And His Highness knows that I don’t need a guard this close—”
Amanda paused. Quinlen didn’t know about her swordsmanship abilities, so he wouldn’t understand what she meant. She exhaled. Quinlen, sensing that something dissatisfied her, quickly continued.
“The General was also concerned about the safety of your family. I don’t believe it’s unreasonable to be prepared for any situation.”
Oliver had ordered only Amanda be rescued in an emergency, but Quinlen had to twist the truth in order to persuade her.
“My family?”
Amanda thoughts mostly went to Amelia. Herself, Aaron, and her father were all trained in the sword, but Amelia be in considerable danger if she was not protected. Amanda didn’t think anyone would harm Amelia, but she suddenly felt her hairs prick on the back of her neck.
‘If anyone touches my sister…’
Just imagining it made her clench her teeth. After meditating on it for several minutes, she finally nodded.
“If Sir Marsh will keep Amelia safe, then I will not complain about your employment at Windsor mansion.”
“…I understand.”
Quinlen knew he was lying here. He didn’t mean to keep Amelia safe, and added a few extra words.
“It’s not just the Young Lady. I will also look after the safety of the family members.”
“Ah, you mean then?”
“Is there anytime besides that?”
“…No. The Young Lady hasn’t mentioned it, so she likely forgot.”
Quinlen knew that Amelia remembered that meeting, but there was no reason to tell Amanda the truth, and even if she asked, he would only give it a vague explanation. Amanda, however, didn’t press further, as it had taken place a while back.
“I suppose so.”
As their heads and voices were lowered in close conversation, Amelia and Mary were approaching from a distance. Finally, Amelia reached the pair, breathing heavily.
“What—what were you two talking about? “
Amelia’s eyes were full of curiosity, and Amanda shook her head.
“I didn’t say anything. This is our first time meeting so there’s nothing for us to talk about.”
As Amanda pretended to be oblivious, Quinlen nodded. To Amelia, however, it looked like the two were having an intimate conversation from the distance, but she had nothing to say after they denied it.
Amelia enthusiastically situated herself between the two. Although she had never felt jealous of Amanda, she would be disappointed if Quinlen liked her better. Amanda and Quinlen stared at Amelia between them, while Mary lifted up the picnic basket with one hand and wiped the sweat off her forehead with the other.
“I’m not sure if we got everything because we were in a rush. Where do you want to have tea?”
Amanda cleared her thoughts and answered.
“The weather is lovely, so let’s go to the garden. Is that alright with you, Amelia?”
“Yes, I like the idea.”
As Amanda watched Amelia give her usual sunny smile, Amanda erased from her head the strange air she had felt. She was content that her sister had someone that could keep her safe. Amanda could overlook the fact that an outsider infiltrated the mansion, as the benefits were greater than the losses. She knew that more of Oliver’s men were watching the area as well, but she overlooked it for the sake of Amelia’s security.