Chapter 48
“Um, milady…”
Rude opened his mouth.
Still bowing his head, it was impossible to tell what expression he had.
“…Do you have something to say?”
For some reason, his throat felt tight, and a rough edge came to his words.
“Th-This… I know you didn’t see it, but the truth is, I participated in the sparring matches because I wanted to be your bodyguard.”
Rude lifted his head.
“I really want to be your bodyguard, milady.”
Looking into those clear eyes, curved like a crescent, made her feel like running away.
Seeing those pure eyes made her feel like she was nothing but filth.
“…Is that so?”
“Yes! I truly want to be your bodyguard, milady.”
“Then why did you become Barun’s… no, your elder brother’s bodyguard?”
‘You have no conscience.’
She knew it was embarrassing, but she couldn’t stop her mouth from speaking on its own.
“Ah, well! I thought if I worked hard, Master would—”
Rude’s eyes sparkled as he started talking excitedly, then suddenly realized and closed his mouth.
“B-But, this must stay a secret. That’s how I could become your bodyguard too,” he added, recalling Tob’s words, and cleared his throat.
“Ah, n-no! Um… I just want to become someone worthy to be by your side, milady!”
“What?”
“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant! I mean… um…”
Rude waved his hands, his face red.
“I’m too insignificant and unworthy to be your bodyguard, so I relied only on the sword. The sword is honest, so if I work hard, I can reach high. But maybe I wasn’t enough… I failed in the sparring.”
Rude smiled awkwardly.
Scratching the back of his head, Belia pressed her lips together.
“I know it sounds disrespectful, but at first, I refused to be Master’s bodyguard. But I thought, if I protect Master while honing my sword skills, maybe later I could protect you too!”
“…Me?”
“I know it sounds arrogant, and it’s ridiculous for someone like me to say this, but truly, sincerely… ever since I came to this mansion, I’ve always wanted to protect you, milady.”
“Why?”
“That’s a secret. Hehe—so, if I ever get the chance to protect you later, I’ll definitely do it!”
Clenching his fists in determination, Rude looked at Belia with unwavering resolve.
“How?”
“Huh?”
“You’re already Barun’s bodyguard.”
“That may be true now, but someday, the one I will serve and protect will definitely be you, milady.”
Belia’s eyes trembled slightly at Rude’s certainty.
“…Milady?”
“Yes.”
Belia quickly turned her head and covered her face with her hand.
“Go now. Your brother will be waiting.”
Looking at the clock on the wall, Rude realized the time and stood up quickly.
“Ah, yes! I’ll go! I’ll see you again!”
He emphasized seeing her again as he left the room.
Thud.
As soon as the door closed, Belia collapsed back onto the sofa.
Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes tightly.
“Stupid. Foolish. Silly. Why… why does a mere name affect me like this?”
Tears that had finally fallen, Belia lifted an arm to cover her eyes.
“It’s just a name given from some random flower on the street. I could just forget it. Foolish.”
She spoke to Rude, but at that moment, the biggest fool was herself.
She had been foolish enough to think she could change Rude with nothing more than a laxative-spiked sandwich.
She could fail him in the sparring matches, but she had overlooked that she could not change his choices or heart.
“Should I have acted rude to him? Would Rude have changed if I had been unpleasant?”
Belia muttered in a muffled voice.
Lost in a chain of thoughts, she let her body sink into the sofa.
She needed the energy to go to her father and hear about what had happened in the mansion when she was eight, but she couldn’t summon it.
“Rude…”
Belia squeezed her eyes shut.
Her head hurt.
To drag Barun into hell, she must destroy him.
Just as Barun had done to her, she would do the same, and it was inevitable that others would die in the process.
Before attacking Barun, she had to extract Rude.
Belia got up and approached the desk in the corner of the room.
Knock, knock.
“Milady! It’s Su.”
“Come in.”
“Milady, I’ll ventilate the room since I’m going to clean the floor.”
“Alright.”
As Su busied himself, Belia picked up an envelope on the desk.
Inside was a thick stack of documents and a single letter.
*To the Lady,
I apologize for not delivering this to you in person due to delays with the estate affairs.
Here are the ledgers you requested.
Your review of the ledgers has been approved by the Marquis, so please do not worry.
However, you asked for complete secrecy—may I ask if there is a particular reason?
If you require assistance related to your family or the guild, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Also, Baron Evero, a resident retainer of the estate, wishes to meet you.
It seems he will be traveling to the capital this time. Perhaps you would consider meeting him?
I will see you soon in the capital.
Baron Baturu*
Belia folded the letter and picked up the thick ledger.
It contained twelve years’ worth of records for the guild, including financial transactions and personnel.
She had asked the Baron for exactly twelve years because it had been twelve years since Barun began learning and working in the guild.
“Baron Evero…”
She immediately pictured the long-time retainer of the estate, a stern old man with white hair.
Baron Baturu, being smart, would have deduced something from the twelve-year span and relayed it to Baron Evero.
Evero, who was displeased about Barun becoming the next heir, would no doubt feel justified and come to the capital.
“Where did he divert the funds from?”
Belia tapped the documents.
She had never initially suspected Barun’s secret funds.
But as she began working with the guild, she realized the flow of funds wasn’t as free as expected—it was odd.
The centuries-old guild system wasn’t as lax as she had imagined; it was actually meticulous.
Quarterly financial reports went through multiple verification stages to ensure transparency.
After her father died, Barun took control of the guild and estate.
Retainers like Baron Evero, who opposed him, were pressured economically as well as by force.
How had he managed that?
The authority over the guild and estate finances could only be held by the head of the family.
After her father’s death, Barun had only temporary authority and could not fully manage funds.
“Where did he divert it from?”
Knock, knock.
“Milady, the errand is complete.”
Belia paused and looked up.
Standing at the door, Tob lowered his gaze from the documents she held.
Though polite, he seemed to scan the room as if monitoring her, and Belia forced herself to suppress her irritation.
“Oh, you’re here? The window was open for ventilation… Milady! The knight is—”
“I know. Thank you. Now close the door and wait in the hallway.”
“Yes, understood.”
Tob checked the room once more before leaving.
Knock, knock.
“Father, it’s me.”
“Belia? Come in.”
With her father’s permission, Belia opened the door quietly.
“At this hour…”
“I have something to ask.”
Belia stuck out her tongue and smiled after arriving at her father’s room at midnight, troubled by Rude’s matter.
“I was worried you might be asleep, but the butler said you were still here. Have you been very busy?”
“No, almost done.”
The Marquis, wearing glasses, was organizing documents.
“Oh, no! Please finish! I’ll wait!”
“…Shall I?”
“Yes. I’ll bring the tea you like as well.”
Belia placed the tray she carried on the desk.
“Then wait a moment.”
“Are those imperial documents?”
Belia asked, glancing at the papers in her father’s hands while preparing tea.
“Yes.”
“May I take a look?”
“As long as you don’t speak outside.”
“Of course.”
Belia smiled and moved closer to her father.
“Oh, this is about the Kingdom of Kupa’s maritime trade.”
“These are the documents related to the textile business that will be sent to the maritime kingdom.”
“What do you think their reaction will be?”
“Hm, I think they’ll be pleased. They heard the princess likes luxury items like this… Actually, I wanted to discuss this with you as well.”
“Can I guess? You mean to produce the Bea to send to the princess?”
“Correct.”
The Marquis smiled and began summarizing the documents he was reviewing.
