Chapter 9
“No. Regardless of Sir Nathan’s true identity, there must be a reason His Grace brought you here.”
Neumann’s hazelnut eyes, lit by the sunlight, gleamed clear and bright.
“Even if you truly were a monster, we are bound to obey his command. And since His Grace declared you to be a puppy, not a monster, George’s actions were as good as a mistake.”
The fact that, because Valentin had called me a puppy, they would treat me as a puppy apprentice knight was a fresh shock.
I keenly realized that they were people who had sworn body and soul to the cult-leader-like Valentin.
“Nathan Rafelphia.”
Still reeling from the shock, I turned my head at the sharp voice.
There stood Devon, the only one who had maintained his composure from the beginning.
At the sight of his sharp eyes and red irises, my shoulders tensed on their own.
“I am Devon Kronheld, Commander of the Berenice Order of Knights.”
It was a name that sounded as though it had crawled straight out of hell.
As soon as he finished introducing himself, Devon turned his back on me as if that were the end of it.
“Training formation! We’ll start by loosening up.”
His voice rang loudly across the training grounds.
The only “exercise” I had done at Rafelphia Castle was wandering around lazily all day. At most, when I couldn’t contain my overflowing energy, I’d run circles around the garden.
But now I knew just how foolish that had been.
Let’s reflect.
To think I had left this solid, powerful body—packed with firm muscles and overflowing strength—neglected all this time.
Unlike Rafelphia Castle, the training grounds here had no obstacles and allowed me to run freely to my heart’s content. It was the perfect place to warm up.
Add to that the spirited battle cries of the knights—enough to revive even dead passion—and my blood began to boil from deep within.
Devon did scold me midway through.
He had told me to just observe and get a feel for it, like auditing a class—but I ended up flying all over the place.
I’d meant to simply stand still and watch, but I couldn’t restrain my restless body. I insisted on joining in and even knocked over a few people.
“Sir, you’ll need to learn how to control your strength first.”
Devon had said that with a completely emotionless expression, which only made me break out in a cold sweat.
It was well past midday before I was finally allowed to leave the training grounds.
The sun had already set, and the red sunset dyed the world in shades of orange.
Though it wasn’t far away, Berenice’s sunset burned more intensely than Ratlenta’s.
Maybe it’s because the season’s changing.
Missing the baby rabbit that used to scamper around cheerfully, I turned the doorknob—only to find someone unexpected standing in my room.
“Welcome back.”
It was Aila.
Standing in the middle of the room to greet me, her body trembled faintly.
She must still be afraid.
Keeping a slight distance, I only nodded. That was when I noticed the measuring tape in her hands.
A measuring tape?
As soon as the question formed in my mind, she asked with a resolute expression.
“By His Grace’s order, we are to prepare armor for you, Sir Nathan. I need to take your measurements—may I?”
Having more options than just a vest was certainly good—but custom armor?
A beast in armor. The scale of things keeps escalating.
“……”
Perhaps she misinterpreted my silence, because confusion spread across her face.
It must be an order from above.
Not wanting to put her in a difficult position, I slowly spread my arms.
“Go ahead.”
At my response, Aila stared at my palm as if mesmerized, then approached with the measuring tape.
Shoulders, chest, waist.
To make it easier for her, I spread my legs and lowered my body slightly. But measuring my chest seemed especially difficult for her.
Even if she hugged me, I doubt she could measure it all.
“I’ll measure the chest my—”
“No!”
Contrary to my expectation that she’d welcome the help, Aila widened her eyes and firmly refused, saying it was her responsibility. She quickly wrapped her arms around my chest.
It was a good attempt, but even stretching her arms out as far as she could, they didn’t meet behind my back. I could feel her trembling through my skin.
Afraid she might faint from fear if I moved even a little, I stiffened my body further.
She could just ask me to help.
It’s just measurements.
Thinking about it, everyone in the House of Berenice—from knights to maids—was deeply professional.
Valentin is blessed.
I absentmindedly scrunched my nose and glanced up at the ceiling. As I looked around the spacious room, my eyes suddenly met a pair of clear green ones.
“Huh?”
Valentin was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, though I hadn’t heard the door open. There wasn’t the slightest hint of a smile on his face—if anything, he looked concerned.
What are you staring at?
I mouthed silently so as not to disturb Aila. Only then did a faint curve touch his lips.
Is that funny?
As I glared at him, Valentin straightened from the doorframe and walked toward me.
“How long do you plan on holding him like that?”
At his question, Aila—who had been fidgeting around my waist—sprang away as if struck by lightning.
No, she wasn’t hugging me—she was taking measurements.
Is his eyesight bad?
I looked at him in confusion, but he simply wore an expression that suggested he had no idea what could possibly be wrong.
“I’ve finished the measurements. I’ll take my leave.”
Poor Aila hurried out of the room, startled.
Valentin, who hadn’t spared her a glance, sat down as if this were his own room.
“Are you going to keep standing?”
Yes, yes. I’ll sit.
I carefully lowered myself into a chair much larger than usual—likely ordered with me in mind. The soft cushion felt pleasant.
“About Aila…”
“Aila?”
Looking at his composed face made me feel as though I should at least offer tea—but I decided against it.
After all, this was his house.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly and spoke.
“She seems very afraid of me. I can handle my own things, so wouldn’t it be better to let Aila return to her original duties?”
Of course, since I didn’t know much about life here, I did need help.
Still, the thought of facing Aila trembling in fear every time she saw me wasn’t pleasant. I felt guilty too.
From her perspective, hadn’t her job suddenly shifted from managing the manor to caring for a fierce beast?
Maybe we just need time to get used to each other. I want us to get along, at least.
Contrary to my concern, Valentin’s lips curled upward. One eyebrow lifted slightly.
Is he mocking me right now?
With a face as beautiful as his, someone who didn’t know him might mistake it for a gentle smile—but I knew better.
“Aila is afraid of you?”
With his soft voice added in, it was mockery perfected.
Ever since revealing his true nature at Rafelphia Castle, he hadn’t even tried to hide it.
What does he know?
I narrowed my eyes.
“She was trembling while taking my measurements.”
“Maybe she liked it.”
I was speechless. Does he think everyone in the world is a pervert like him?
“It’s true!”
“Sure.”
Smiling elegantly, Valentin smoothly changed the subject as though I had never brought it up.
“How was training?”
“…It was good. But there’s something I need to tell you first. I’ve never fought a monster before. You should know that.”
I’d boasted about my strength, but I’d never even seen a magical beast, let alone a monster. Help them? I’d probably get grabbed by the collar first.
Unlike my worries, he replied casually.
“It’s enough. Just training with someone who possesses power equivalent to a monster will naturally raise the Order’s level.”
With confident eyes, Valentin leaned back in his chair.
“From time to time, you could even take the role of a monster in mock battles.”
Ugh. I didn’t like that.
“What if I accidentally send someone flying like I did today?”
“A healing mage is always on standby. We’ll judge the situation accordingly, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
Even healing mages can’t instantly cure serious injuries. That would take an awakened female protagonist.
Does he think I’m an ignorant fool?
As I mulled it over seriously, Valentin suddenly reached out and pressed a finger between my brows.
“Then just control your strength perfectly.”
“Well, yes, but…”
With a sulky expression, I tried to gently remove his finger from my forehead without hurting him.
Perhaps amused, Valentin kept moving his finger there for quite a while.
“Nathan.”
After apparently having his fun, he called my name in a satisfied tone and stood up. His smooth blond hair swayed softly with the motion.
I stared blankly at the ordinary yet beautiful sight—until his face suddenly came close.
Smack.
The kiss landed as lightly as a feather, leaving me no time to react.
“A reward for your hard work.”
Looking down at me as I blinked silently, Valentin rubbed my nose with his thumb and then leisurely left the room.
Bang.
What…?
I couldn’t move a single finger until the sound of his footsteps completely faded.
The silver armor, weighing over forty kilograms, fit my body perfectly. At first, the cold touch and weight of the iron felt unfamiliar, but now it felt like part of me.
The result of tremendous training.
Commander Devon was a loyal man.
As if determined to carry out Valentin’s orders, he didn’t let me rest for even a moment for an entire month. From climbing the castle walls barehanded to grappling and hand-to-hand combat.
Perhaps judging that my fingers were too short compared to a normal human’s to wield a sword, he trained me to push a beast’s abilities to their limits.
Thanks to that, I can now control my claws freely.
Before, they might have shot out unexpectedly against my will. I might have shattered objects or injured someone without meaning to.
But not anymore.
Unless I want them to, a predator’s claws will not emerge from between my small fingers.
“Take a short break!”
