Chapter: 13
A man came running, screaming, and soon revealed himself.
Disheveled gray hair. Eyes red and blazing.
Even at a glance, it was obvious he was not in his right mind. Stirring up dust as he ran toward them, the man claimed to be Lynette’s personal guard, Jesper Harber.
“Prrrrincess! Who dares harm our princess!”
“…….”
At the man’s frantic shout, a sigh escaped Lynette. Instantly, the arms of Dervel, who was holding her, tightened.
At the same time, Olof, who stood blocking their way, raised a massive fist.
Then—
Bang!
With a thunderous sound, the captain of the Crissian Knights slammed his fist down on Jesper’s head.
Having witnessed the rapid sequence of events, Lynette froze, eyes wide.
Jesper Harber literally stayed planted on the ground, completely still.
After a moment, Lynette cautiously spoke.
“…That man.”
“He won’t die.”
A cold response came from Dervel.
“If that could have killed him, he’d have been dead a dozen times over.”
“…….”
“He’ll just get up and start yelling again.”
“At Sir Olof?”
Instead of answering, Dervel gave a crooked little chuckle.
“You crazy captain!”
Before the laugh could even end, Jesper suddenly jumped to his feet.
His face was streaked with dirt from hitting the ground, and his appearance was a mess—but oddly, he looked more rational than before.
“Why did you hit me!”
“You’re in front of the princess and the duke.”
“Ugh!”
At Olof Henrik’s low voice, Jesper covered his mouth. He quickly tidied his clothes and bowed toward Lynette.
“Princess, I apologize. That such a calamity occurred while I was away…”
Were all the Crissian Knights like this? Despite slamming his face onto the floor with a loud crash, he looked perfectly fine.
“From now on, I will dedicate myself entirely to staying by your side, following your every move, and devoting this body to—”
“Enough.”
The moment Jesper took a step closer, Dervel tapped his chest with the tip of his sword.
“You talk too much, Jesper.”
“Duke…”
“You shouldn’t just babble. You should have acted first. A man who shows up after catching the beast has no right to lecture anyone.”
A deadly light flashed in his sharp blue eyes.
At the same time, Jesper suddenly thudded his head to the ground, shivering and mumbling.
“I’m sorry! Please don’t hang me on the wall!” he repeated.
Dervel clicked his tongue at the sight.
“Take him away.”
As soon as the order was given, the knights pounced, lifting Jesper by his limbs.
“Princess, this will never happen again, I swear. Never again—”
Jesper didn’t even finish his sentence before he vanished in an instant, far, far away.
Silence fell.
Dervel, wearing a soft smile as if nothing had happened, turned to Lynette.
“Go to my office and wait a moment. I’ll tidy this up and come soon.”
Office!
Lynette felt her ears perk up in excitement.
She casually glanced around. She could see Sir Olof and Evan Barence, the duke’s aide, diligently checking something.
All the important people were here.
Then his office should be completely empty. What an opportunity!
Suppressing the corner of a smile, Lynette turned toward Dervel.
“You mean I’m in the way here?”
She spoke with mild annoyance. No need to look suspicious by showing she was pleased.
“It’s dangerous, so stay somewhere safe.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll go ahead and wait quietly.”
“…….”
Lynette tilted her head in apparent frustration, prompting Dervel to frown.
Though her gaze was full of suspicion, Lynette met it with calm composure.
After some time, Dervel let out a low sigh and gestured.
Three knights, who had been standing back, quickly approached. They were the ones who had grabbed Lynette before.
“Escort the princess to the office. Protect her from any suspicious intruders.”
“Yes, Duke.”
As she walked past the knights, Lynette spoke.
“I’ll go ahead and wait there.”
Clutching Françoise to her chest, she followed the knights with delicate steps.
Dervel watched her coral-colored hair sway for a moment, then turned around.
“Search thoroughly. Report immediately if you find even the slightest trace of something suspicious.”
As Lynette expected, the duke’s office was empty. True to his personality, it was neatly organized.
“I’ll be here, so don’t go outside.”
After surveying the room, Lynette gave the order. One of the accompanying knights spoke cautiously.
“Princess, the duke commanded us to protect you.”
“Oh, right. If I sent you away, Dervel would worry even more.”
Lynette paused thoughtfully, then smiled. She seemed to have a good idea.
“Don’t go far. Keep watch from outside.”
“But—”
“Really? You three expect to stay here with me all together?”
Lynette frowned and continued.
“That’s not protection. It’s confinement.”
The knights’ faces stiffened at her playful tone.
“…Understood. Call us if you need us.”
“Alright.”
Lynette smiled and sat on the sofa in the center of the office.
Watching her talk to the baby pig she was holding, the knights quietly left.
The door closed, and silence filled the room.
After a while, Lynette, who had been quiet, whispered softly.
“Now, no one’s here. Come out.”
From beneath the folds of her dress, Gregorian poked his head out.
The mouse, glancing around, quickly climbed onto Françoise.
“Gregorian.”
[Yes, Princess.]
“Check if there’s a lucky star here. The duke will be back soon, so there isn’t much time.”
[Yes! Leave it to me!]
Gregorian jumped from Françoise’s back and disappeared toward the bookshelf.
Lynette gently placed Françoise down beside her and stood.
“Françoise, stay here quietly. I’ll be done soon.”
She patted the baby pig’s head before straightening her back.
“Alright, then, let’s get moving.”
Tucking the lace of her dress sleeves inward, she headed toward Dervel’s desk.
“…….”
Dervel, entering, paused for a moment.
Was it just his imagination?
A peaceful atmosphere pervaded the office.
He quickly guessed who was responsible for it.
Lynette Egrain.
She sat on the sofa, leisurely reading a book. Beside her, a pink baby pig and a mouse were asleep.
He watched her quietly for a moment.
“……!”
Lynette noticed him first and lifted her head.
“You’re back early.”
She closed her book and rose.
The air around her swirled like it was dancing.
Somehow, he felt parched.
Dervel ruffled his hair impatiently and sat in the chair at the desk.
“Seems like it didn’t take long.”
Lynette approached and lightly perched on the desk.
“It wasn’t a task that would take long.”
“But it was the most important task.”
Because the one organizing it was you.
Dervel clicked his tongue inwardly as she added that remark.
She seemed calm, as if nothing had happened amidst the chaos moments ago.
“So, what did you want to tell me?”
“…Tell you?”
His delayed response made Lynette laugh lightly.
“You didn’t actually tell me to wait there to protect me, did you?”
Tapping his desk lightly, she tilted her head.
“You told me to stay here so I wouldn’t run away because you had something to discuss with me, right?”
“…….”
Dervel could not deny it.
She was a formidable princess.
Different from the impression he had when they first met.
And he liked that even more.
“There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
Dervel curled his lips into a smile.
“Why did you go to the library?”
