"Yes, Young Master Ethan."

"Just out of curiosity… if Queen Rainy were to ask you again to join her as a maid, would you…"

"You don’t need to worry. I have no plans to defect to Defrin Kingdom, Young Master."

"…Thank you."

As we traveled back to the Argentia Empire from Defrin Kingdom, Ethan continued to bring up Queen Rainy’s offer, clearly unsettled, seeking my reassurance repeatedly.

‘Judging by how much he’s come to rely on me, I’ll definitely need to leave by the end of winter break.’

Though I never intended to defect, I had no reason to abandon …