– Wendy, do you know about the ‘Autumn Tragedy’?

Wendy recalled the question Ariel had asked.

– The Chairman didn’t mention it, did he? Well… of course, that man wouldn’t talk about it. If you knew the truth, your perspective on him and the Ruelberta Family might change.

At first, she was skeptical.

After all, Professor Ariel was someone who openly disliked Tristan.

Wendy had seen many people who disliked Tristan, so she was used to ignoring their harsh words. She thought Ariel was just another one of those people who spoke carelessly about Tristan.

Of course, the resonance of the ‘Autumn Tragedy’ felt unusual…

But after that, Ariel never mentioned the ‘Autumn Tragedy’ again. As time passed and Wendy’s memory of it faded, the event was unexpectedly brought up again by Luna, the Emperor disguised as a classmate.

The tragic event in the North, where countless Imperial and Northern soldiers were sacrificed fighting against the monstrous beasts at Northern Garden, only to lose the North in the end… the Autumn Tragedy.

From then on, Wendy couldn’t shake the thought of that event.

She also thought there might be a hidden reason behind Professor Ariel’s sharp attitude and her hostility toward the Ruelberta Family.

After that, Wendy began her own investigation. Whenever she had time, she searched through the library and other places for information about the ‘Autumn Tragedy’ Ariel had mentioned. However, due to the scarcity of survivors, the information she could gather was extremely limited.

The only information Wendy could find was that the Ruelberta Family’s private soldiers, Aslan, were sent as reinforcements to save the Imperial and Northern armies in crisis. But they arrived too late, and only 10 people were saved. Even those 10 mostly died early due to the aftereffects of their injuries, making it almost a total annihilation.

According to her master, Myohail, the Empire might have deliberately avoided detailed records to hide such a devastating defeat.

At the time, Wendy couldn’t fully understand the adults’ circumstances… but one thing was clear.

The ‘Autumn Tragedy’ as we know it is only a part of the story.

Based on these facts, Wendy concluded:

There might be a hidden truth behind that event.

Of course, she didn’t think Tristan was involved.

According to her investigation, at the time, Tristan’s grandfather held the title of Count Ruelberta, and Tristan hadn’t even been born yet. Besides, even if there was a hidden truth, Tristan didn’t seem to know anything about it.

If he had, Tristan would have told Wendy beforehand.

In fact, even before Wendy saw the darkness of the Ruelberta Family in the Treasure Vault, Tristan had already told her.

Wendy wanted to know.

What happened in the North back then?

What happened that made Ariel despise the Ruelberta Family so much?

The truth behind the veiled Autumn Tragedy.

She was prepared.

From the moment she became the Exclusive Maid, she knew she would face the darkness and truth surrounding Tristan.

Because she wanted to understand and accept everything about Tristan, whom she loved so much.

Wendy slowly opened her mouth.

“Please… let me join the Northern Expedition too…”

“No.”

The refusal came without a moment’s hesitation.

It was something she had already expected.

“I-I’m the Count’s Exclusive Maid. I need to always be by your side!”

“Yes. But not this time.”

“I-I won’t be a burden, I promise…! So…”

“No matter how many times you ask, the answer is no.”

Wendy shrank back at Tristan’s firm voice.

The gentle gaze he had been giving her earlier was gone, replaced by a cold stare.

If it were before, she would have been hurt and burst into tears.

But Wendy knew.

That cold stare wasn’t genuine; it was a deliberate act of authority out of concern for her.

Wendy gathered her courage and spoke.

“I’ll protect you, Count…!”

“Who’s protecting whom? Your role isn’t to be my bodyguard.”

“Ugh… but… even Instructor Blanshe acknowledged me…”

“Helga alone is enough as my bodyguard.”

Tristan, as expected, wasn’t easily swayed.

No matter what she said, he countered with logical reasons and refused.

She was so persistent that even Wendy almost got convinced.

Yes, it was true. As Tristan said, even if she went to the North, the chances of finding out anything were slim. Too much time had passed since the event, and all those involved were either dead or had long disappeared.

But still…

She wanted to face the truth and be by Tristan’s side. She didn’t want to lose him again, like when she had fallen into hell before.

Whether he knew her earnest feelings or not, Tristan coldly shook his head.

“From now on, don’t bring up the North again. Stay quietly at the mansion. Then…”

“Sniff…”

Huh?

Suddenly, her eyes felt hot and stinging.

Realizing it was her own tears, Wendy couldn’t help but panic.

“Ah… I-I’m sorry… Sob… I-I didn’t mean to cry… Sob… I shouldn’t cry…”

She tried to stop the tears with her hands, but it was no use.

Ironically, Wendy, who had started crying unintentionally, now felt like crying even more.

Ah, please…

She didn’t want to cry over something like this.

It was true that she felt disappointed, but it wasn’t something to cry over. Yet, why had her tear glands surrendered first?

The more this happened, the more she felt like a child, and she hated it.

It was disheartening.

Wendy, who had once helped with farming as the eldest daughter, had always shown a mature side.

She wanted to show that mature side to her master, Tristan, too.

But why?

Why did she become so emotional only in front of Tristan? Why couldn’t she control her emotions?

As her tears blurred her vision, Tristan’s face became hazy.

That was a relief. She couldn’t bear to see his expression.

Wendy lowered her head.

Having shown this side of herself, joining the Northern Expedition was as good as gone.

Who would want to take a useless crybaby to the battlefield?

But… even if she failed to persuade him…

At least she wanted to convey her resolve to Tristan.

At least she didn’t want to be remembered as an incompetent crybaby.

“I’m sorry for crying… Sob… I’m sorry for being stubborn… I know the expedition is dangerous. But… even if I stay at the mansion, I won’t feel at ease… Sob…”

Wendy forced herself to swallow her tears and spoke.

“If you’re thinking of leaving me behind, don’t go. Don’t go to such a dangerous place. Don’t leave my side… Count…”

She looked up at Tristan again. His face was becoming blurrier through her tears.

“So… I beg you… take me to the North too…”

“……”

Silence followed for a while.

Tristan neither affirmed nor denied her request.

He just rested his finger on his temple, deep in thought.

“……Sigh.”

Finally, a deep sigh was heard.

Tristan sat down on the chair as if he had lost energy.

Then, in a softer voice, he spoke.

“Wendy.”

“Yes…”

“Come here.”

He pointed to his lap.

*

I thought I had gotten used to it, but when Wendy cries, I can’t help but feel weak.

Maybe it’s because I know she’s grown into a beauty comparable to Bella.

When she sniffles, her face overlaps with Bella’s, and I feel like giving in to whatever she wants.

I wanted to argue that this was unfair, but there was no one to argue with.

Wendy sat on my lap without refusing.

She had grown quickly, and she seemed taller than when I first met her.

Even when we first met, she wasn’t short for a 12-year-old. Now, she could pass for a high school freshman.

Well, she’s still a kid, though.

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that when Wendy starts crying, it’s devastating.

When babies or toddlers cry, it’s expected. It’s so natural that you don’t feel much sympathy.

But Wendy, based on her appearance alone, couldn’t be called a complete child. No, she is a child, but having seen her grown-up appearance might have been the problem.

Now… well, to put it bluntly, it felt like a teenage girl was crying, and it made me feel weak.

Especially since that girl was head over heels for me, making it an even more unwinnable battle.

In some ways, she was harder to deal with than monstrous beasts.

Wendy… I didn’t know you’d grow up so strong.

For me, it’s incredibly awkward.

If anything happens to Wendy, my life won’t be safe either. That’s why I planned to leave her at the safe mansion and join the Northern Expedition.

Originally, Wendy’s request to be taken to the North wasn’t worth considering. But, weakened by her tears, I had no choice but to find a compromise.

“The North is an extremely dangerous place.”

“But… it’s just as dangerous for you, Count…”

That’s true…

But if I’m the only one in danger, it’s one thing. If you’re in danger too, then I’m in trouble as well…

I couldn’t say that, so I tried to soothe her instead.

“You’re still young. I can’t take you to such a dangerous place. If something happens to you…”

“Me too. I can’t let you go to such a dangerous place either…”

Wendy leaned closer to me and spoke.

“I-I can be your shield, Count…!”

“Don’t even joke about that.”

“I-I’m not joking…”

Right. I know you’re not joking…

I shook my head and stroked Wendy’s hair as I spoke.

“…I’m the one who should be the shield. Do you think I’d stand by and watch you get hurt? Even if the monstrous beasts come, I won’t let them touch a single hair on your head.”

“Huh? Yes? Oh…? Ugh… Th-thank you…?”

Wendy’s face turned bright red, and she covered it with her hands.

What? Why are you doing that? Wait… did I say something embarrassing…?

Then, Wendy, with her face buried, spoke.

“I won’t cry. I won’t throw a tantrum. Please, take me with you…”

“…All I hear are promises you can’t keep.”

“That’s so mean…”

Wendy wiped her tears and looked up at me.

Even such a simple action made her seem adorable, making me want to protect her.

“Wendy. You really…”

“…Yes?”

“Never mind… I just can’t win against you.”

I sighed.

I hadn’t completely ruled out the possibility of her following me.

Our forces were sufficient. Having Wendy by my side might even be safe.

But Wendy’s personality and her identity as a hero could provoke the monstrous beasts and demons. In other words, it would create variables.

So, there was only one way.

“Wendy. I’ll consider taking you to the North. But I’ll set a condition.”

That condition was overwhelming power to handle any unexpected variables. And there just happened to be someone with that kind of power at the mansion.

“If you really want to go, take that thieving cat from your family too.”

“You mean Master…?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Wendy’s wide eyes, I smiled.

“That old cat might not listen to me, but he might listen to you.”