As the eventful year of 1420 drew to a close, a chilly breeze swept through the room where I had been diligently writing. The draft must have slipped in through the door I had left half open for ventilation. Is it winter already? Focusing on a single task for too long can be tiresome, so I set down my pen.
“Haah…”
My shoulders felt stiff. How long had I been sitting at my desk?
Rising from my seat, I noticed the dimness around me. A glance at the window gave me a rough sense of how much time had passed. It was approaching nightfall. With no pressing tasks left that required working by lamplight, I decided it might be time to rest.
After bustling about to tidy up, I realized my rare early departure had been delayed. Feeling a bit annoyed, I glared at the setting sun just peeking over the horizon, knowing it was a futile gesture. With a resigned sigh, I left my office.
The late hour meant the halls were mostly empty. Walking alone through the corridors, the chilly air nipped at my skin, signaling the approach of winter. Winter… another year was ending. The thought left me feeling a bit lonely.
Spending much time alone due to various circumstances, I found myself pondering my solitude. Had I lived my life without a single friend? The realization that there was no one to share my thoughts with made the solitude more profound.
The only cure for my weary heart seemed to be sufficient rest, wrapped in a warm blanket, as I promised myself again to seek comfort in sleep.
“Haaa…”
A long, weary sigh caught my attention. Turning my head, I saw a maid, identifiable by her attire, standing near a small brazier, warming her hands against the cold.
Why was she alone when everyone else was likely winding down their day? This unexpected encounter added a weight to the scales of my decision—should I walk past her for the comfort of sleep or approach in case of an unseen threat? My thoughts leaned towards sleep, assuming she would find her way safely.
As I resumed my steps, a sudden crunch underfoot stopped me.
“…! Who’s there?”
Instinctively, I covered my face. What had made such a noise underfoot? Moving my foot aside, I found fragments of what appeared to be a wooden object. Perhaps it had once been something more intact before shattering. As I knelt to examine the pieces, a dark figure appeared before me. Looking up, I saw her standing there.
“Ouch!”
“….”
What are you doing? It was fortunate I hadn’t risen quickly, or I might have been hit. Though my gaze held disappointment, she was too busy rubbing her nose to notice. Watching the maid tremble with tears in her eyes, it felt absurd to express anger. Exhaling my irritation, I rose carefully. Dwelling too much on small details could make one miss the bigger picture. A brief greeting and parting would suffice…
“Ow… Oh, what’s this?”
…Her gaze was on the broken wood pieces. I had a bad feeling. She hurriedly gathered the fragments, her expression distraught, as though about to cry. For a few moments, I watched in silence, feeling guilty. Then, unexpectedly, she held the pieces out to me.
“What should I do?”
I didn’t know, and I wished she wouldn’t ask. Though my mind wanted to draw a firm line, her pitiable appearance swayed me. Not wanting to get involved but also striving to be fair, I knew I couldn’t dismiss my responsibility lightly. Adjusting my mindset, I spoke carefully.
“Was it important?”
“Huh? Yes… Yes, it was a precious item.”
If only she had been more careful. Clicking my tongue, I pondered how to make amends. Simply offering money might be seen as dismissive of the item’s sentimental value. After all, what is precious to someone often transcends monetary worth. So, what could I do? It seemed the best approach was to ask her directly.
“I apologize. It was my fault it broke. I’d like to make it right—what would you like me to do?”
“Oh? Well… What would be appropriate to call you?”
Tilting her head in thought, she seemed to ponder deeply before finally asking for my name. I had no reason to refuse.
“Konstantinos.”
“Oh? That’s the same name as someone I know!”
A moment ago, she had been teary-eyed, but now she beamed with a bright smile. It could seem foolish, or perhaps simply innocent.
Avoiding any negative judgments about others, I decided she was an innocent girl. As I reached this conclusion, she placed her hands on her hips and stood straight.
“Hello, I’m Maria, newly appointed to the court of Mistra!”
“A common name.”
“I heard my parents named me that because I was mischievous as a child and they hoped I’d become as demure as the Virgin Mary… uh?”
Maria, speaking in a cheerful voice, suddenly noticed something amiss. Lifting her hands, she realized her mistake.
“I dropped it!”
Watching her hurriedly gather the scattered wood fragments, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Should I help or wait quietly? I chose the latter. Soon, Maria looked at me with a slightly pouty expression.
“Can’t you help me out?”
“You’ve already picked them all up.”
“The mischievous one is you, it seems. My mother should have seen this.”
Indeed, I was more playful than usual. It had been a while since I’d had a casual conversation with someone my age. Most of my discussions with those of similar mental age were work-related, leaving little room for small talk. Because of this, Maria’s complaining reminded me of a niece. After exchanging lighthearted words for a while, I brought up the topic that had piqued my curiosity from the start.
“Why were you standing here alone?”
“…Oh, well, actually, I came to deliver this letter.”
“A letter? To whom?”
“To Prince Konstantinos, the ruler of this city. I was told it contained an important matter.”
“Were you waiting alone because you were reluctant to meet him directly?”
She didn’t answer. Maria fanned herself with the sealed letter, trying to cool her nervous sweat. I had guessed correctly, and the mixed feelings of being right were difficult to describe.
“But… I heard the Prince is very strict, serious, and solemn. Other maids say they feel suffocated just being near his office…”
Let’s think positively. Avoiding impulsive actions allows for better focus. More surprising was the court’s unfavorable view of me. Strict, serious, solemn.
As I massaged my throbbing forehead, I realized something. Maria didn’t want to meet me formally, and I wanted to compensate her.
Our interests aligned unexpectedly.
“In that case, I’ll deliver it for you.”
“Huh? Can you meet him that easily?”
“Unless it’s about marriage, I’m open to discussing important matters.”
“Hmm… Then, may I ask for your help?”
“Of course.”
Maria handed over the letter without hesitation. Her initial reluctance gave way to a beaming smile once the letter was out of her hands.
“Now I can return to my quarters without worry. Thank you, Konstantinos!”
Before I could bid farewell, Maria gathered her skirts and hurried off. Though a bit overly cheerful, it was better than being gloomy. As long as we didn’t spend too much time together, I wouldn’t mind seeing her occasionally. Despite the delay, I had managed to smile today. Perhaps I should thank her later… For now, it was time to rest.
But first, I needed to check the letter’s contents. Yet, an ominous feeling crept over me. Hoping it was nothing, I quietly headed to my bedroom. Upon opening the letter, I found myself in an unexpected exchange with a familiar figure.
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