Chapter 6
I thought my nose was about to smash into the ground.
But a pair of strong arms caught me around the waist, keeping me from falling.
Why does he smell so good?
You know that scent—the fresh, clean smell of someone who just stepped out of a bath. Like soap. The kind of fragrance that makes you feel warm, fluffy, and strangely happy just by breathing it in.
I looked up at the owner of the soapy scent.
He was a man with dark brown hair and gentle brown eyes.
The kind of face that would fit an advertisement saying, “As smooth as a cappuccino.”
And despite that soft appearance, his build was enormous.
His shoulders were so broad they looked like the Pacific Ocean.
Wait… that uniform…
It looked strangely familiar.
Or was I imagining things?
“St-Stop! Stop!”
The men chasing me came to an abrupt halt, panic spreading across their faces.
“I-Isn’t that the Imperial Knights’ uniform?”
“I think it is.”
“Forget it! Run!”
After whispering among themselves, they immediately turned tail and fled without looking back. They disappeared into the dark alley, becoming tiny dots before vanishing completely.
“Are you injured?”
His voice was blunt, yet considerate.
Only then did I come back to my senses.
I realized I was still in his arms.
“Oh, no! I’m fine. Thank you so much for helping me.”
“It was nothing. It’s dangerous to walk alone. Next time, please travel with your knight.”
Judging by his tanned complexion, he really did seem to be a knight.
The Imperial Knights…?
A white uniform decorated with gold embroidery.
A long sword hanging at his waist.
It was clearly different from the Capital Guard’s uniform.
It really was the Imperial Knights.
“I apologize for the rudeness, but may I ask which noble family you belong to?”
Without taking his eyes off the alley, he asked the question.
“I should have introduced myself sooner. I’m Veroni of House Aios.”
“…”
Only then did his gaze shift from the alley to me.
I know, I know. I’m famous.
There wasn’t a man in the capital who didn’t know Veroni Aios.
“Haha…”
Even so, there was no need to stare at me like that.
I laughed awkwardly under his unwavering gaze.
The male lead of this novel was the Crown Prince, wasn’t he?
In the story, a poor baron’s daughter falls in love with the Crown Prince.
And I was the villainess who shamelessly flirted with him.
Though calling me a villain felt generous considering how pitiful my life actually was.
Anyway, Veroni had become notorious throughout high society for seducing men.
Naturally, even the imperial family knew about her reputation.
The Crown Prince absolutely despised her.
Whenever Veroni boldly flirted with him and caused the heroine to cry…
He eventually had her charged with “bringing disgrace upon the nobility.”
And then…
Slice.
Ugh…
Just imagining my head rolling off the guillotine sent chills through my body.
“…It is an honor to meet you.”
He greeted me in the same stiff, formal tone.
I answered with a polite smile.
I wish Max would hurry back.
Even if this man was only a knight, I had absolutely no desire to become involved with the imperial family.
“I’ll escort you back to your estate.”
“Oh—no!”
“…Excuse me?”
His eyes widened in surprise.
I had rejected him a little too forcefully.
“I-I came with my escort knight. He went to buy some bread, so he’ll be back any minute.”
In other words, there was no need for him to escort me.
But this man…
Did he have no sense of the situation?
He didn’t look like he intended to leave at all.
“Then I’ll remain here until your escort knight returns.”
With that, he calmly took a position beside me.
“I haven’t introduced myself yet.”
He bowed his head slightly.
“I am Derek Zahar, Commander of the Imperial Knights.”
“…The Commander?”
“Yes.”
Holy…
“H-How long are you planning to stay commander?”
“…Pardon?”
“…Never mind. Sorry.”
Damn it.
Damn it.
Damn it.
It wasn’t because I’d asked such a stupid question.
Derek Zahar.
The greatest knight ever produced by House Zahar, the family known as the Empire’s Shield.
A righteous man who pursued justice with unwavering integrity.
The very definition of an ideal knight.
The reason I remembered his name…
“…Since I now serve His Majesty as Commander of the Imperial Knights, I hope to remain in the position for a long time. But… why do you ask?”
Because…
He’s the man who cuts off my head.
This is insane…
So we were destined to meet again at the execution platform.
Standing face-to-face with Derek Zahar made that dreadful future feel terrifyingly real.
“The cat…”
Derek looked at the cat sleeping in my arms.
“Oh. I found it collapsed in the alley. I’m taking it back to my estate to treat it.”
Come to think of it…
I hope its wound hasn’t opened again.
I checked on the cat, which still hadn’t opened its eyes.
The wound on its front paw was deeper than I’d realized.
“You treat animals?”
“Of course. It’s hurt.”
“Even though it’s only an animal?”
Derek sounded genuinely unable to understand.
“Animals feel pain when they’re hurt too. Of course someone should take care of them.”
Then again…
This was a world inside a novel.
Maybe concepts like pet cats and pet dogs simply didn’t exist here.
Thinking back, I hadn’t seen a single noble raising animals during all my time here.
“They can’t even tell us where it hurts. That must make it even harder for them.”
“So people have to help them.”
“…”
“We’re capable of helping, aren’t we?”
I laughed awkwardly.
Did I talk too much?
Did I just sound like I was lecturing him?
I cautiously glanced at Derek.
He was looking at me with an unreadable expression.
“W-Why are you looking at me like that?”
Had he already taken a dislike to me?
That would be a problem.
Veroni wasn’t supposed to die until much later.
Derek slowly shook his head.
“I’ve never heard anyone say that before.”
“…”
“That people should protect animals.”
“I’ll remember those words.”
“Oh… you don’t have to remember them…”
It wasn’t some profound philosophy.
This world’s attitude toward animals was simply different.
Yet Derek stared at me as though I’d revealed some incredible truth.
“Miss!”
While we were talking, Max came running back with a bag full of bread.
He had rushed so hard that his bangs were soaked with sweat.
“Are you all right? Are you hurt?”
“As you can see, I’m perfectly fine. I told you not to worry.”
“And who is this gentleman?”
Max asked, clearly on guard.
He even subtly stepped between Derek and me.
“Max… you’re crowding me…”
I whispered quietly, but he refused to move.
Instead, Derek politely stepped back.
“I am Derek Zahar, Commander of the Imperial Knights.”
“So you’re the escort knight the young lady mentioned.”
The moment Derek introduced himself, Max immediately snapped into a perfect military stance.
He placed his clenched right fist over his left chest.
It was the traditional greeting among knights.
“My apologies for not recognizing you sooner. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“No apology is necessary.”
“But the young lady was nearly harmed today.”
“In the future, never leave her side.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“Then, since her escort knight has returned, I’ll take my leave.”
As he turned to go, he looked at me.
“Thank you again for helping me today.”
“Goodbye.”
Just as Max and I were about to head toward the carriage—
“Lady Aios.”
Derek called out to me.
“I look forward to seeing you again.”
What…?
Does he know the future too?
The seriousness in his eyes sent another chill down my spine.
“Y-Yes…”
I answered vaguely before hurriedly climbing into the carriage.
Sorry…
But let’s never meet again.
Because the day we meet again…
…might be the day I die.
* * *
I devoted myself to caring for the cat I’d brought back to the estate.
I didn’t have any medicinal herbs suitable for animals, so all I could really do was give it water, feed it, and gently clean its wounds.
“Jenny, could you bring me a fresh towel?”
“Yes, Miss.”
Thankfully, the cat recovered quickly.
At first, it couldn’t even open its eyes.
Now I could see those beautiful eyes again.
They were as blue as the sea.
“Meow…”
“Feeling a little better now?”
“Meow.”
Still wobbling slightly, the cat stubbornly walked over to me.
Then it stretched out its tiny head and rubbed it against my hand.
Its soft white fur brushed against the back of my fingers.
“Do you know how worried you’ve made me?”
“How did you end up getting hurt like that?”
The first time we’d met was deep in the forest outside the capital.
And now we’d met again in an alley inside the city.
“I wish you could talk.”
“Then I’d know exactly where it hurts.”
“…Meow.”
The cat stared straight at me.
How can eyes be this beautiful?
They weren’t just pretty.
They were almost mystical.
I gently placed the cat on my lap and slowly stroked its head.
“Why don’t you stay here instead of struggling out there?”
The cat refused my hand as though it had understood every word.
“You don’t want to?”
“I suppose your family and friends are waiting for you in the forest.”
“Meow!”
“I’m just worried.”
“You suddenly showed up covered in injuries…”
The cat let out an enormous yawn before curling itself into a ball.
Apparently it had no interest in hearing the rest of my lecture.
“Then come visit often.”
“That much is okay, right?”
“Meow.”
“Hehe… you’re so cute.”
Yes.
Visiting once in a while was enough.
The cat was affectionate and didn’t seem to dislike me at all.
Even if I can’t help worrying about it living in the forest.
Using the fresh towel Jenny had brought, I carefully cleaned around its wound.
Every time I accidentally touched the injured spot—
“Meow!”
The cat bared its tiny fangs and complained loudly.
“Sorry, sorry.”
“I’m trying not to hurt you.”
Still…
The wound looked much better now.
Maybe this little one was just being dramatic.
Cute little drama queen.
Growing drowsy, the cat began nodding off under my gentle touch.
“There.”
“All done.”
“You look sleepy.”
“I’ll put you on the cushion.”
Holding the cat carefully in my arms, I walked across the room.
Careful…
Don’t wake it…
Poof!
A cloud of white smoke suddenly exploded right in front of my eyes.
“Ahhh!”
I had no idea what was happening.
But my first instinct was to protect the cat.
I tightened both arms around it.
“Not the cat!”
I shouted as I squeezed my eyes shut.
What is this smoke all of a sudden?!
…Huh?
Something felt wrong.
Instead of soft fur…
My hands touched something hard.
W-What…?
Don’t tell me…
Did I drop the cat?
“N-No!”
The instant I cried out—
“What do you mean, ‘No’?”
Instead of my tiny, adorable cat…
A completely unfamiliar man was standing in my arms.
