30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 263

Laira Winter was like sunlight in human form.

A little clumsy, prone to making mistakes, but so pure-hearted and warm that her flaws seemed insignificant. She radiated positivity wherever she went.

In an old-fashioned sense, one could call her a “human vitamin.”

Even in the royal palace—where even the lowest servants were embroiled in power struggles—Laira Winter alone was oblivious to such things. She was someone even the palace maids didn’t bother being wary of, making her practically a human capybara.

Because of this, Laira was beloved by both men and women alike. Even the most cautious individuals found themselves relaxing in her presence.

Just like now—

“Laira! It’s been so long!”

“Hehe, we just saw each other recently.”

“That was three months ago! Ahh... I missed your warmth.”

“Huh? Do I smell like something?”

“Yes, it’s a very comforting scent.”

“What kind of scent?”

Laira had been away from the palace on an assignment, and now that she had returned, her fellow maids welcomed her with open arms.

Was it like the warmth of the sun on a spring day? Or perhaps like the gentle breeze rolling through a rose garden?

Just being near her made them feel at peace, as if they were in such a place—healed and comforted.

“Laira, how long is your assignment?”

“Nothing serious happened, right?”

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes! Nothing happened.”

“That’s a relief.”

“The palace is really...”

There was an old saying: Birds hear what is said during the day, and mice hear what is whispered at night.

It was common knowledge that careless words in the palace could cost one their head.

Especially when it came to palace affairs—gossiping about such things could easily end in execution.

And yet, the maids spoke freely to Laira.

Because they trusted her not to repeat their words.

...Or maybe they simply trusted her terrible memory.

In fact—

“Huh? When did the head maid retire? Wasn’t it someone else?”

“...She didn’t retire.”

“She’s still the same person.”

“Oh! I see!”

“...You really haven’t changed.”

Her memory—or rather, her mind—was still as hopelessly scattered as ever.

And so, their trust in her only deepened.

Because of that—

“Oh, right! There’s something I wanted to ask.”

“What is it?”

“What’s Mordred?”

“...Laira, you are a citizen of Pendragon, right?”

“??”

“How do you not know about House Mordred?”

“Oh, so Mordred is a house?”

“...Unbelievable.”

They didn’t know whether to be more shocked that she didn’t know who Mordred was—or that she didn’t even realize it was a noble house.

Either way, the maids were exasperated.

And so, they took it upon themselves to educate their uninformed friend.

“Mordred is one of the great noble houses of the kingdom.”

“They’re famous, not just for their prestige, but for their long history.”

“And that’s not all. House Mordred is also—”

People have a natural tendency to show off.

Not just with expensive jewelry or handbags, but also with knowledge.

Some take immense satisfaction in proving how much they know.

And as if to demonstrate this, the maids went on and on, eagerly reciting House Mordred’s history, current status, and key figures.

They would never have done this in front of just anyone.

But Laira?

They figured it was fine.

And before they knew it, their gossip had turned into something more sensitive.

“My cousin works for House Mordred. I heard their third son caused another incident.”

“I know someone who works there too. Apparently, the youngest daughter is being bullied really badly...”

“Oh, I’ve heard about that too! One of the knights from our family mentioned something similar...”

Most palace maids were daughters of noble families.

And in the small, interconnected world of nobility, many knew secrets about other houses that outsiders never would.

So even though Laira hadn’t asked for any of this information, it kept pouring in.

And all the while, Laira just smiled—her expression as carefree as ever.

After about an hour, the maids finally ran out of things to say, and they bid Laira a reluctant farewell.

But not before promising to meet again soon.

“Take care!”

Laira, ever cheerful, waved them off with a bright smile until they were completely out of sight.

“~♪”

Once she was sure no one else was around, she casually strolled over to a lone ash tree—the very place where the maids had been talking.

Then—

Thump!

She dropped down right underneath it.

Even though the southern winter was as mild as autumn, sitting on the cold ground so carelessly seemed unwise.

And yet—

“You really shouldn’t be sitting like that, my lady. The air is chilly.”

Sshhk.

The tree spoke—or rather, the man who had blended into the tree stepped forward, taking off his cloak.

“I’m not cold, Sir Knight.”

“I am, watching you. At least use this as a cushion.”

“Instead of this, let’s just go home! I like resting at home way more.”

“...Alright. Let’s go home.”

Fwoosh.

Without hesitation, Ihan turned his back to her.

And just as naturally, she climbed onto it.

“Hold on tight.”

“Yes, sir!”

Whoosh!

With a light push off the ground, Ihan shot up the 30-meter-high palace walls.

Or rather—

Tap.

He walked through the air.

“Wow...!”

Laira’s eyes sparkled, excitement bubbling over like a child’s.

The view of the sunset from a knight’s back was breathtaking.

And seeing it from the sky made it even more special.

Laira felt nothing but pure joy.

In that moment, she was happy.

Then—

“...I’m sorry. For making such a strange request.”