CHAPTER 82……………………….
“So it’s not that I’m angry…”
Leonhart ruffled his hair as though frustrated.
“I’m sorry for raising my voice earlier.”
“It’s fine.”
“I understand.”
“Pardon?”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Mean what?”
“That I don’t dislike you as much as before. I think I told you before.”
“Ah, right…”
“Yes.”
Leonhart still doesn’t seem to know.
Even just the word “engage—” coming from my mouth makes him frown.
‘It’s not even like I’m saying I’m engaged to him, but his face hardens right away. That must mean he finds me that awful.’
And yet he says he doesn’t dislike me anymore. Sure, like I’d believe that.
After that, only the sound of teacups clinking filled the drawing room.
Unable to stand the awkward atmosphere, I opened my mouth.
“Since His Majesty is watching, just bear with it for a few days. I’ll try to hire mercenaries as quickly as possible.”
“There’s no need. I plan to do my job properly.”
So even if he hates me, he won’t turn away when I’m in danger?
‘Huh. Very knightly of him.’
I couldn’t help but smile faintly at the thought.
“It’s all right. I have the spirit sword, after all. It’ll protect me.”
“Do you sleep with the sword at your side, too?”
“…No.”
“Whether you have the spirit sword or not, it doesn’t change the fact that I will protect you. Do you understand?”
Overwhelmed by Leonhart’s intensity, I answered meekly.
“Yes…”
“From now on, I need to tell you a few precautions for smoother security.”
“There are precautions, too?”
“First, from now on, no going out alone.”
“Even with attendants?”
“Still no. You must be with me whenever you go out, and even inside the mansion, we’ll move together. Just think of it as being with me at all times except when sleeping.”
“Are you telling me to live like a prisoner?”
“His Majesty has ordered a purge of the entire assassination guild. It won’t take long, so please endure just until then.”
Leonhart rose to his feet and asked,
“Where’s your bedroom?”
“My bedroom? It’s on the third floor, but… why do you ask?”
“The bedroom closest to yours would be best. It’s easier to move if something happens.”
“W-wait, you’re not saying you’re going to stay at my house, are you?”
“I noticed a huge old tree by your window yesterday. What happened with that?”
“The butler said he’d cut it… Wait! Answer my question first. Are you really going to sleep at my house?”
“I need to check how close it is to your bedroom. Let’s go up together.”
Ignoring me completely, he strode up the stairs.
“What are you doing? We’re busy, let’s move.”
Hey! Did you take after your father? Please just listen to me!
Leonhart’s room ended up being right next to mine.
My opinion wasn’t reflected at all—only the butler’s and Leonhart’s decision.
The butler practically looked ready to dance at the news Leonhart would be staying at the mansion.
Usually so stiff, yet today his smile wouldn’t stop.
‘Meanwhile I’m dying inside…’
I stared at the butler in front of the carriage.
“Butler, did you post the announcement for recruiting a fiancé?”
“Ah… I’m sorry, I’ve been so busy I haven’t yet.”
“You’ve been making a lot of excuses lately. Must be my imagination, right?”
“I’ll get on it right away.”
Snapping back to his usual rigid demeanor, the butler bowed politely.
“Then please take care on your way, Master.”
“…Yeah.”
As Leonhart and I climbed into the carriage, it set off toward the Academy.
The timing wasn’t ideal for going out, but it was the first day of lectures—I couldn’t skip it.
Inside the carriage, it was deathly silent.
Leonhart sat glued to the window, staring at the scenery.
‘Is he doing that so he doesn’t brush against me? And yet he claims he doesn’t dislike me…’
I turned away from him and looked out my own window.
Let me sort this out for a moment.
- Leonhart: Guard duty = stuck to me day and night.
- Lusphel: Experiments + lectures = at least twice a week meeting.
Seeing it laid out like that, it was even gloomier.
‘Weird. How did it come to this? I’ve been doing my best to avoid them…’
At least I don’t have to see Owen, right?
That thought barely comforted me when a sigh almost slipped out.
“I’m rather large, so you must feel cramped. From tomorrow I’ll ride a horse instead. Please endure just for today.”
“What do you mean…?”
“You sighed because the carriage felt cramped, didn’t you?”
“No, Your Highness. I didn’t feel cramped at all.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Your Highness, were you sitting glued to the window so you wouldn’t make me uncomfortable?”
“…”
Leonhart slowly pulled away from the window.
His expression didn’t change, but I could tell—he was embarrassed.
‘Cute.’
At first he’d seemed like a completely different person, but glimpsing bits of his old self like this felt good.
It seemed his once-kind personality hadn’t disappeared entirely.
While I was smiling inwardly, the carriage entered the Academy parking area.
Leonhart stepped down first and offered me his hand.
“Come down.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
As I descended with his escort, I noticed a familiar figure near the main building.
‘That looks like Owen…’
[Huh? It is Owen.]
[And next to him, that’s Sir Lusphel.]
[And the old mage too. That’s the headmaster, isn’t it?]
What?
I narrowed my eyes, and the blurry figures came into focus.
‘Wait. It really is Owen. Why is he here?’
For some reason, I had a bad feeling about meeting him now.
While I hesitated, Oswald spotted us first and waved.
“Well, well! If it isn’t our esteemed Duke and His Highness the Third Prince!”
Owen and Lusphel turned their attention to us as well.
Forcing my legs to move, I approached them.
“Duke, you came with His Highness?”
“His Highness has agreed to be my guard for a while.”
“Ah, because of the assassination attempts?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good. If His Highness is protecting you, there’ll be no danger.”
Owen and Oswald looked serious but not surprised—they must have already known.
“Cleric Owen, is your hand all right?”
“Thank you for asking. It’s almost fully healed.”
“That’s a relief.”
“I heard some bad news though. Someone’s targeting you… Don’t worry. I’ll protect you too.”
Please, don’t.
Leonhart and Lusphel are already enough of a headache. If you join in, my head will really explode.
“I’m fi—”
Before I could finish, Oswald snapped his fingers.
“Aha! So that’s why you accepted the temporary professorship! To stay by the Duke’s side!”
Owen smiled faintly and nodded.
My mouth went dry with a sense of dread.
I wetted my lips and asked urgently,
“H-headmaster, what is he talking about? Temporary professorship?”
“Sir Owen has agreed to help until we hire a new professor. In history.”
“…A cleric teaching history?”
Owen answered with a smile instead of Oswald.
“I used to teach history to children at the temple. I’m experienced enough, don’t worry.”
Owen’s newly mild demeanor made Lusphel’s and Leonhart’s expressions turn strange.
But I saw nothing.
‘Wait, hold on. What does this mean?’
- Leonhart: Guard duty = stuck to me day and night.
- Lusphel: Experiments + lectures = at least twice a week meeting.
- Owen: Same.
“With all the plaza construction going on, you must be busy… Headmaster, didn’t you ask too much of him?”
“What could I do? We had no one else. I even begged for a little more time, but the Duke insisted on firing him…”
It was my fault?
“Oh dear, it’s already that late. Your Highness, Duke, I’ll go ahead. See you at the auditorium.”
Oswald hurriedly excused himself and left.
“If we walk slowly, we’ll arrive right on time. Shall we go, Duke?”
“Duke, may I sit in too? I’ve always been very interested in architecture.”
“An auditorium, huh. Troublesome. Duke, from now on don’t leave my sight for a moment.”
“…”
“Duke, why are you just standing there?”
“Duke, are you all right?”
“Duke, are you feeling unwell?”
I couldn’t come to my senses for a while.
[Hmm? It feels like the time you’re spending with those guys keeps increasing… Is that just me?]
[Undine, it’s not just you. It’s true. And unfortunately, most of it is happening because of Lady Lian… I’m afraid it’s too late to fix.]
[So basically we’re screwed, huh. Right, Gnome?]
[…]
I suddenly wanted, desperately, to be alone.
