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Chapter 83 Part 1 – A letter from Rona. And the “Thunderbolt Polka”. Ironically, the dance that plunged so many young ladies into the abyss became the bridge between mother and Countess Rosenthal.

Two horses gallop through the night.

An attendant named Bernard strained his small eyes desperately.

The road in the dark forest was a series of black malice that would hit him without any mercy.

He could barely keep up with his master, the Crimson Duke.

If he let his guard down for even a moment and failed to dodge, his body would be caught in the claws of the tree branches that protruded into the road.

If he fell from his horse at this speed, he would not be able to get away with it even in the daytime when the visibility is good. And now, with darkness enveloping his feet, he doesn’t even know where the dangerous tree branches are sticking out. It is terribly nerve-wracking. The wind cools the sweat beading on his forehead.

「…… At least, please slow down a little ……」

Once again, Bernard choked back the complaint that he had almost uttered to his master several times.

It’s not just because his pride as the hero’s attendant wouldn’t allow it.

‘I am currently riding a fine horse that is beyond my position which was given to me by young lady Scarlet. I owe a great debt of gratitude to her. I can’t show her how inadequate I am.’

With the image of Scarlet’s face, slightly more beautified than in reality, popping into his mind, Bernard cheered himself up.

Scarlet highly appreciates Bernard’s humble but reliable work ethic and often presents him with silverware, which he arranges in his office as family heirlooms and polishes to prevent even the slightest smudge. As a token of his gratitude, he would kneel before them before he goes to bed and swear anew his allegiance to Scarlet. He treats Scarlet as if she were a goddess and his allegiance to her may be more akin to worship than loyalty.

As if he had even taken over the feelings of the three old warriors who had fallen to protect her, his adoration for Scarlet was so extreme that those around him would wince. Normally, he is more cautious and sensible than anyone else, but when it’s for Scarlet’s sake, he is willing to take the initiative in doing shady work.

「…… It must be hard for you to keep up with that father of mine, isn’t it? I hope this will reduce your burden a little.」

Said Scarlet as she smiled wryly. Then she handed over the horse along with a splendid harness and stable on Bernard’s birthday. It made him gasp in surprise and joy. He was even given an excessive amount of additional stipend for the maintenance of the horse.

「…… Young lady …… why ……」

「Of course I should know what you want. Even in our family that is filled with hard workers, your performance shines.」

Scarlet then went on to praise Bernard, mentioning one after another the achievements of his inconspicuous behind-the-scenes work.

「Thank you for supporting our duke’s family since we were poor. These chapped hands are our pride.」

Scarlet wrapped her hands around Bernard’s and smiled like a benevolent queen. Bernard’s shoulders trembled.

「…… For a mere servant like me ……」

Bernard’s chest choked up and he simply lowered his head.

A fine horse is the honor of a knight. Bernard can also judge horses. He was trained by the three old warriors to support the genius Crimson Duke in all aspects. He never thought that a horse of this caliber would be given to him, a man with no peerage. He is a great horse lover. However, he was too embarrassed to speak out about his love for horses as he was ashamed of his lack of strength in this family full of warriors. But Scarlet had noticed his suppressed feelings because of his devoted care of the horses.

「But Bernard, I’m not asking you to push yourself to the limit in order to follow after my father. You are good enough as you are. Don’t underestimate your value. For our family, you are more irreplaceable than a mighty warrior. I am giving you this horse as a present so that you can protect your own life as well.」

「…… Thank you for your kind words. I will take them to heart.」

Bernard found pride and joy in serving her.

…… Of course, for Scarlet, this was not only a way to repay Bernard for supporting the duke’s family during the period of poverty when he only got a meager salary, but single-handedly took on the tasks of a butler, an attendant, a groom, a menial servant, and a manservant. This was also a subtle retention measure as she does not want to let go of an excellent and capable person that would never betray their family. Scarlet, who has a bitter experience of being totally rejected by the citizens in the previous 「108 times」, is terribly careful about human relationships.

「People are stone walls, people are castles, mercy is an ally, resentment is enemy. Cheat comes second and third.」

Scarlet murmured in her mind a motto she had heard somewhere before. Although she is a little worried that the moat is missing in the motto, Scarlet will never miss an opportunity to sell a favor now that she has financial leeway. This is close to a defensive instinct, so to speak.

However, with the combination of her natural beauty, her conversation skill that she cultivated during her time as a queen, and her character traits, at times, it would be demonstrated as a feat of charisma that exceeds even her own expectations ……

「And also …… even though it didn’t make it in time for your birthday, I will give you honor appropriate for all the work you have done.」

「…… Young lady ……!!」

Bernard could not hold back his tears of gratitude. Scarlet had urged the royal family to grant Bernard a knighthood.

This wise, beautiful, kind, and wonderful young lady even noticed his longing for knighthood that he had harbored since he was a child. He was appointed as the attendant of the hero Crimson Duke, even though he had no military achievements to his credit. At that time, except for the three old warriors, the rest of the family expressed their misgivings by saying, ‘What’s with this bean sprout?’ When he let his guard down at a drinking party and said he wanted to become a knight, he was laughed at by the entire crowd. He could never forget that humiliation and sadness for the rest of his life. Young lady Scarlet even fulfilled a dream that he had long given up on. The second princess of the royal family, Margaret-sama, is a renowned genius, but when compared to our young lady Scarlet, she is ……!!

That’s how Bernard’s feelings are if roughly put into words.

「Now then, all that’s left is territory. So that you can live in peace in your old age. I am currently in the process of choosing the territory together with the royal family, so can you please wait a little longer?」

「To think that you would go so far …… for me ……」

He was even given those words that made him want to prostrate himself in front of her. Bernard thanked God from the bottom of his heart that he had met this pure, lovely, and radiant young lady. Although, from Scarlet’s point of view what she did had a rather dirty motive, which is to bind Bernard who has a deep knowledge of silverware which is an important source of funds with a chain called a nearby territory and to have him cooperate with them until his death even after his retirement.

「…… Rona …… was alive ……!!」

The Crimson Duke, Wendell, let out a groan while riding on his horse, and Bernard, who had been immersed in his memory where Scarlet is glorified, was startled as if he had been showered with cold water. Even though he admired and was devoted to Scarlet, Bernard’s loyalty to his true master remained steadfast.