Chapter 8 - Chapter 8

It was already afternoon, and Aria-sama, Princess Laurey, and Sir Lucas were sipping tea and chatting together.

Emily and I stood behind Aria-sama. She had invited us to sit earlier, but we both declined, believing it was inappropriate for servants like us to sit with the lady of the estate and the royal siblings.

While they enjoyed their tea, Sir Lucas turned to me and asked, "So, Hayden, since you've had amnesia, does that mean you can't fight like before?"

I met his gaze calmly and replied, "I've been practicing since a week after I got amnesia, and I can say that I can fight a bit, Your Highness."

Lucas smiled and nodded. "No need to call me 'Your Highness,' Hayden. We've been friends since childhood, and it feels kind of distant. I'd prefer it if you forgot the formalities with me."

I thought for a moment before shaking my head. "I can't forget my etiquette with you, Your Highness. Even though we're friends, I can call you Sir Lucas instead. Would that be okay?"

Lucas smiled again and nodded, taking another sip of his tea.

"Say... Hayden, have you noticed any signs of your magic abilities reappearing lately?" Princess Laurey asked, her expression somewhat worried.

As I had been instructed to keep my magic abilities a secret, I shook my head. "Not yet, Princess, but I'm content with my current strength. What's most important to me is that I can protect Aria-sama."

The princess smiled and nodded before turning to Aria-sama. "Say, Aria-chan, if you ever decide you don't want Hayden as your butler anymore, you can give her to me, alright? Take good care of her, or else I'll really steal her away from you!"

Aria-sama slightly choked on her tea, and Emily rushed to comfort her. "Laurey-chan, as long as Hayden wants to serve me, I'll be happy to be her master, and I won't give up on her either. She, like you two, is my best friend," Aria-sama said softly.

I couldn't see Aria-sama's face, but I noticed her ears were tinted pink. She looked quite embarrassed—how cute!

Time passed quickly, and the royal siblings decided it was time to leave. Before they departed, Princess Laurey hugged me tightly and nuzzled against me.

After she released me, she looked up and smiled softly, warmth radiating from her expression. "Hayden, can you pat my head like you used to when we were kids?"

I stared at her, feeling a bit awkward. After a brief silence, she forced a bright smile, though there was a hint of loneliness in her eyes that most people wouldn't notice. "Just kidding, Hayd—"

Before she could finish, I gently patted her head. Her hair was incredibly soft and smooth, reminding me of petting our dog back home. I continued to pat her head for about ten seconds, during which she looked down, embarrassed and blushing fiercely.

"T-thanks..." she said, not looking up. Then she dashed to the carriage, and I couldn't help but think she looked kind of cute.

After watching Princess Laurey get inside the carriage, I turned to see Aria-sama happily chatting with Sir Lucas, though she seemed a little flustered.

Once our guests had left, we returned inside.

Later that night, Emily and I were about to head back to our quarters when Aria-sama called me to stay; she wanted to tell me something.

We sat on the sofa, with Aria-sama across from me, wearing a cute white nightdress. I felt grateful to be alive to see her like this.

"So, um, Hayden... I apologize for what happened earlier. You must have been shocked, right?" she began.

I looked at her and shook my head. "It's alright, Aria-sama. Miss Laurey didn't know what happened to me."

Aria-sama nodded, a small smile on her face. For a moment, we sat in silence until she broke it. "Lucas and Laurey-chan came here earlier for Lucas's sixteenth birthday."

I felt a jolt of surprise, though I managed to keep my expression neutral. This body had a naturally cold temperament, often betraying no emotions.

As I recalled from the manga, the second prince would announce his engagement on his sixteenth birthday. I remembered how devastated Aria-sama had been when she learned this news in the story, crying for a long time...

I didn't want to see her cry like that again.

After exchanging a few more words, I stood up, bowed, and prepared to leave.

"Hayden..."

I turned around to see Aria-sama looking at me. "I saw you pat Laurey-chan's head earlier."

I nodded in response, and she continued, "Back when we were kids, she and Anya always stuck to you, always asking for head pats." I blinked twice, absorbing her words.

"I guess she really missed you. It's been five years since you two last met; she went to another country with my younger sister, Anya."

I didn't know what to say, so I remained quiet.

An awkward silence hung between us until Aria-sama looked down, slightly flustered. "Hey, Hayden, can you..."

I looked at her closely, noting her embarrassment. She shook her head and said, "Never mind. You can leave now."

I was curious about what she had wanted to say, but I nodded in understanding. Turning around, I opened the door. Just before leaving, I glanced back.

"Aria-sama," I said. She looked at me. "Hm?"

I smiled softly and said, "Goodnight." My smile faded as I closed the door behind me.

Back in my room, after Hayden left, Aria blushed deeply, hugging a pillow tightly against her chest as she buried her face in it. "That's not fair..." she mumbled, continuing to embrace the pillow while blushing.