I’m Looking for the Male Lead for the Ending - Chapter 51

Chapter 26.2

“Oh, I heard that some members of the Bonn Bairmun merchant community also entered the country this time. It would be best not to go near Neitzia or the bordering forests.”

“…M-May I ask the reason why?”

“….”

“I-I hope you’re not suspecting citizens of the Empire.”

Estiere responded with a nonchalant expression to Allen’s question, who asked with a hardened expression.

“If you don’t want to be suspected, wouldn’t it be better not to give any reason for suspicion in the first place?”

̊ · : * ✧* : · ̊

“Young Lady, it’s finally the day your probation is lifted! Would you like to go out?”

I silently watched Marie, who asked me while drawing back the curtains at the window. Sensing my gaze, she awkwardly rubbed her cheek and asked.

“Is there something on my face?”

“Are you feeling alright?”

“My body?”

Her eyes shifted awkwardly at my words. Marie, seeing my worried appearance, answered in a more courageous voice.

“Oh, yes! I’m perfectly fine!”

“Have you seen a doctor?”

“A doctor? Oh no, I’m fine. I don’t need to see a doctor for this.”

I let out a sigh at her evasive response. Then, I asked in a slightly lowered voice towards Marie, who was moving around bustlingly.

“Is it because of me?”

“Yes? No! Absolutely not!”

Even though she waved her hand emphatically, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it. There was no way I wouldn’t know that she was avoiding unnecessary words said about me by intentionally not seeking medical treatment.

As I wiped my face with mixed feelings, she quickly added.

“You really don’t have to worry, Young Lady! Of course, I was a bit concerned at first, but thanks to you, I was under the petrification spell for only a short period of time, right? So, I’m sure I’ll be fine!”

“Still, you’ll still be anxious until you get proper treatment. I feel the same way.”

Marie, who flinched briefly at my words, shook her head with a determined expression and replied.

“No, I’m not anxious at all, so you really don’t need to be concerned, Young Lady.”

“….”

“And to be honest, I’d rather not go for treatment and have His Grace find out about yesterday’s incident. Even though the Young Lady didn’t do anything wrong, His Grace will surely blame you again.”

“But it wasn’t your fault that you fell under the petrification spell, Marie.”

When I spoke firmly, she flinched and looked at me.

She fell silent as if momentarily overwhelmed with emotion. Eventually, she averted her gaze from mine and stammered, rolling her eyes in a frenzy.

“B-But I’m your maid, Young Lady. It’s my duty to protect you from danger.”

〈 Young Lady, what should I do? I think I’m dying. How can I leave you behind… 〉

The moment I heard her words, the voice that I had pushed to the other side of my memory pierced through my head. Even though I didn’t say anything, my throat tightened as I recalled the moment.

After biting my lip for a moment to swallow the churning emotions, I turned to Marie.

“I don’t need someone who would die for me, Marie.”

“…Young Lady.”

“I need someone who will stay with me for a long, long time.”

I answered calmly and organized my thoughts.

‘I need to find someone knowledgeable about high-level magic like petrification. And to avoid getting swept up in unnecessary rumors, I should probably find someone who has a heavy mouth…’

The first face that came to mind was Heron’s.

He also mentioned to let him know if there was anything he could help with, but would he really help without asking for anything in return? If he happened to find out about the situation, he might even hold Marie responsible.

‘No, Heron isn’t the one.’

I quickly ruled out Heron from the list of candidates as I racked my brain to see if there might be anyone else. At that moment, the face of a man suddenly came to mind.

〈 Th, thank you for clarifying that it’s a mis, misunderstanding, Young Lady Aidelis. If, if you ever need my help in the future, don’t hesitate to come to me. 〉

…Allen Basilic.

In truth, it seemed a little reckless to go to him on the basis of practically a passing remark.

“Marie, help me get ready to go out.”

“You’re going out?”

“Yes.”

Right now, I don’t have any other options.

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