FWDA 50

Chapter 50

Izren straightened his shoulders confidently and addressed the shopkeeper.

“Guide the lady.”

His tone was different from usual—smooth and assured. It was obvious he’d practiced that line several times. The shopkeeper, overwhelmed by the sight of the snow-skinned boy with a sharply defined jawline, nodded automatically.

“P-please, come in.”

Even if he was a different race, the magical tower’s help in dressing him up had paid off—he practically glowed. Unlike her own burly bodyguard, this boy’s smooth, lean muscles and striking features drew all eyes. A young girl standing near the entrance whispered in envy as she glanced at Jaina.

“Where did she find someone like that? The fact that he’s not human makes him even more fascinating. Look at those purple eyes!”

Jaina leaned closer to Izren and whispered.

“I guess it’s trendy these days to have a handsome escort. I think I’ll win first place today.”

Not long ago, Izren would’ve hated being judged for his looks. Having an outstanding face only made you more likely to end up a “display piece.”
But this time, he felt happy—because he could actually be useful to Jaina, even if just a little.

Feeling shy, Izren scratched his cheek.

“Oh my…”
“Lady Betty, look at that.”

As the pretty boy flushed red, several of the onlookers blushed too.
If Michael was a dazzling rose, Izren was like a rain-soaked hydrangea—pure and mysterious.
Even though he was supposed to be a bodyguard, he looked like the kind of boy you wanted to protect.

“Haa… the world is beautiful…”

While the young ladies nearby shot dissatisfied looks at their own rough-looking escorts, Jaina picked up a bundle of materials for making ribbons.

‘Only one left. Lucky me.’

Just as she smiled faintly—

“Would you mind giving that ribbon to me?”

She turned. A young lady with reddish hair and a bold, challenging gaze stood beside her.

“No need for long explanations. You can tell just by looking that it suits me better, don’t you think?”

It was the sort of tone that might provoke anyone—but Jaina calmly replied,

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

“Why not? It matches my eyes perfectly. See? Same color.”

Jaina understood why the girl liked it—but she had her own reasons for not giving it up.

“I picked it up first. Wouldn’t it be better manners to ask the shopkeeper if there’s more stock, rather than take someone else’s?”

“Uh… well…”

“Come on, I’ll go with you. Let’s ask.”

Caught off guard by Jaina’s even response, the girl hesitantly nodded. Together they went to the counter, where Jaina asked if there were any more ribbons like the one in her hand.

The shopkeeper shook his head regretfully.

“I’m sorry. That was the last one—and we won’t be getting more.”

The girl immediately pouted.

“See? There’s only one!”

“I see. That’s a shame,” Jaina said softly. Then she held up the ribbon.

“But since I picked it up first, I can’t give it away.”

“What? No way!”

“Of course, you might be right—it could look better on you. But the person I want to give this ribbon to also has eyes the same sky-blue color as yours.”

Jaina’s calm tone didn’t falter despite the other’s irritation.

“I understand wanting it because it matches your eyes. But I picked it first, so please let me keep it. I’ll even help you choose one that suits you. Let’s see… You’ve got fair skin and bright features—a pink ribbon would look lovely on you.”

The tension in the air eased slightly. The girl blushed at the unexpected compliment.

“W-what…? You think that pink one would look good on me?”

Just as Jaina was about to respond kindly, someone nearby decided to stir the pot.

“Don’t let her fool you with pretty words, Lady Marilyn!”

“H-huh? Dayton?”

“If you want that ribbon, my lady, you shouldn’t back down! I, Dayton, will win it for you!”

The broad-shouldered man, tanned by the sun, glared at Izren with an intimidating expression.

“I can’t even tell if you’re a servant or a bodyguard. How can you protect a lady looking like that? You’re like some unripe fruit.”

Dayton gave him a disdainful once-over, then started spitting out words in rapid succession.

“One hit and you’d go down, huh? Guys like you give real knights a bad name. You’re only good for making girls squeal—otherwise useless.”

“…”

Izren narrowed his eyes, tilting his head slightly.

“What?”

Dayton blinked, confused by the simple retort.
Jaina could only shake her head.

‘Izren’s Imperial speech is still weak—he can’t follow half of what’s said if someone talks too fast…’

Perhaps mistaking Izren’s silence for arrogance, Dayton grew even more agitated.

“Ah! Playing dumb, are we? Can’t even talk back? Handsome little decorations like you are all the rage, but a real knight’s duty is to serve his lady. Like me!”

“Me pretty, you ugly?”

“You little—!”

Izren had meant it sincerely, but Dayton turned red with fury, thinking he was being mocked.
Even Marilyn, hearing that, flared up.

“Dayton, if you’re ugly, you should at least be good at arguing!”

“M-my lady, that’s cruel! I’m not ugly!”

“Fine, you’re just less handsome than him! Happy now?!”

“…I’ll win. For sure.”

Dayton’s eyes sharpened. He yanked off one of his gloves and threw it at Izren.

Thunk!

Izren simply caught it mid-air without flinching.

“Littering is bad.”

He even looked proud—because he’d just used the difficult word “littering” correctly.

“Good memory,” Jaina murmured approvingly beside him.

Dayton, now shaking with anger, shouted,

“That was a challenge! A duel, you idiot!”

“A duel? Ah.”

Izren nodded slowly, then added,

“You act like an orc.”

He had meant “Why are you getting so worked up?” but Dayton took it as a grave insult.

“W-what did you say?!”

“Come with me, you pale little brat! We’ll duel for that ribbon!”

It was already too late to take back the words.

‘Now that I think about it, I’ve never actually seen Izren fight before…’

Jaina thought this might be a good chance to see his skill firsthand.

“Not much of a knight, maybe—but with those sparkling gemstone eyes, he could win any beauty contest,” she mused.

Meanwhile, Marilyn seemed to find Izren far more interesting than Dayton.

“Fine then! We’ll duel! The prize is the ribbon—and your escort!”

“M-my lady?”

“Oh, not as a knight. As a servant. He looks too delicate to handle a sword anyway!”

Jaina raised a hand.

“Hold on. I’m wagering a ribbon and a bodyguard—what do I get if I win?”

“You—you don’t even have pride?”

“And you don’t have a sense of fairness?”

Her calm tone only irritated Marilyn further. Jaina then looked up at Izren quietly.

“Can you win?”

“Yeah.”

His eyes didn’t waver. Seeing that, Jaina nodded and pointed to the jewels in Marilyn’s hand.

“Then if you lose, you’ll give me one of the gems you’re holding.”

“W-what? My gems?”

Marilyn was holding several gemstones meant for ribbon decorations. Jaina’s voice lowered slightly.

“If you can’t take responsibility for your words, you should be more careful with them. I’ll overlook it this time because you’re still a child.”

Marilyn bit her lip—and fell for the taunt perfectly.

“Fine! If that’s what you want, then it’s a deal! No backing out!”

You’re the adult, I’m the child.
But Marilyn was too young to recognize such a gentle provocation.

Izren was tall for his age, but he was still only sixteen. Compared to the adult Dayton, his build was smaller, his face too delicate—making him look fragile.

“You want to know the best thing you can do right now?”

“Didn’t ask.”

“Get on your knees and beg. That way, you might walk away unhurt!”

Dayton swung his sword with a powerful whoosh that sent wind gusting across the floor.

“Hahaha! That pretty face of yours is about to get ruined!”

Behind him, Marilyn called out, flustered.

“Don’t hurt him too badly! I need him as a servant!”

“Understood, my lady. I’ll end it cleanly.”

As Izren drew his sword, Dayton smirked.

“I’ll even let you strike first. Go ahead.”

He held his greatsword in one hand, relaxing with smug confidence.

“Let’s see if you can even swing that toy prop—”