What about you, making that expression? What, do you want to be complained about by some noble? Or are you unhappy about receiving the strict instruction of the senior maid once more?

Are you going to say that in front of her?

I wouldnt dare.

He laughed out loud while I sighed.

No, not because of thatits just that Im a bit troubled.

Whatever youre being troubled abouteither way, it must have something to do with the mistress.

What do you mean, either way?

I glared at him, while he laughed, Ah, sorry, what a disrespectful thing for me to say. Seeing his reaction, I realized that what I was doing was letting out my frustration at him, so I sighed again.

Well, youre not wrong. What Im thinking about does have to do with milady.

has something gone wrong with her?

His voice and expression immediately became serious.

Seeing that, I felt at easeto this man, milady was of massive important.

You should have sensed it as well? The longer she stays in the capital, the worse she seems to look and feel.

Thats true.

Dida nodded with a bitter smile.

Because she has to keep her guard up, its no wonder that shes becoming like that. But at the same time, Im unhappy that were so helpless in this regard. As you say, theres a massive, insurmountable power blocking me offI think Ive been too confident in my abilities up to this point.

As those words came out of my mouth, a heavy, bitter sensation began to spread in my chest. I couldnt help but mock myself.

Yeswell, so what? Everyone has something that they should do, their area of specialty.

I understand that. But I cant do anything

An irreplaceable territory. Before me there was a wall that I could never cross. Because I understood this, I was in pain.

No, you dont understand. For example, my specialty is being miladys protector. My body is a wall, and protecting her is my mission, my specialtyin that specialty, I wont lose to anyone. I wont step down for anyone. Even if I were facing off against you.

I didnt understandyes, as I was denied power, the fury of helplessness filled my heart as I glared at Dida.

But what he said next made me relinquish all possibility of retorting.

Well then, where is your specialty? Yours is accompanying her, helping her in her work. I couldnt do that. I couldnt make delicious red tea, couldnt help her get dressed, couldnt coordinate her schedule, let alone help with her work.

ThatI cant say for sure, but youre not wrong.

I know you work hard. You learned self-defense from Master, learned the fundamentals of work from Mr. SebastianI know youre working on expanding your specialty tirelessly. And of course, its good that this will be useful for our mistress. But isnt it also good that each human is limited in how much they can expand their specialty? If she thinks that these are your duties, that means shes handed a very important part of her own duties to you. And youve responded to outside requests and have deepened your skills within your own specialty as much as you possibly can.

Dida gulped down all the wine remaining in his cup.

Am I wrong in saying that?

No, not at all

I felt like something blunt had hit my head.

I wasnt too confident, but too proud.

Just like Ryle and Dida keep improving their protective abilities, Merida keeps improving her culinary skills, and Rehme keeps expanding her knowledge base.

Sei, Moneda as well, keep working hard to complete their duties.

Everyone is working hard at the duties theyve been given, working at the specialty they possess.

So what youre saying is that if we cant control certain things, we should just try to support milady however we can?

I also poured the rest of my wine down my throat.

Yes. To calm her spirits, Ill do my best to accompany her, be by her side.

This was different from the self-hatred of earlier.

I also had my pride.

Just like Dida said he wouldnt step away from his duties as a guard, I also had my duties to attend to.

See, thats the expression we all know and love!

Saying this, Dida laughed out loud as usual.