Chapter: 12
“Hey, what are you doing?!”
Startled by what happened in an instant, Jeanne quickly pulled her hand back. Claude, however, just smiled calmly.
“What do you mean, ‘what am I doing’? I was just politely greeting my guest according to proper etiquette.”
“That’s nonsense! We came all the way here together!”
“That’s one thing, and this is another.”
Jeanne muttered quietly, just low enough for others not to hear, “Crazy…” and took a few cautious steps back.
She knew it was basic etiquette among nobles, but Claude’s actions just now seemed like nothing more than teasing her under the guise of manners.
She wanted to smack him, but with servants around, she couldn’t act on it, so she growled like an angry little dog.
Perhaps finding her reaction amusing, Claude laughed so hard that his shoulders shook. He looked like a boy who had just discovered a new toy.
“Calm down and come inside. I’ll show you around the mansion.”
“No, I can’t.”
As Claude gestured for her to follow, Gaston interjected.
“Do you know how much work has piled up right now? I’ll leave the mansion tour to someone else.”
“It’s not polite to invite a guest and then ignore them.”
“If it’s Mademoiselle Leclerc, I’m sure she’ll understand. Right?”
Gaston’s gaze turned to Jeanne. While firm in front of Claude, his eyes softened like a whining puppy now.
She had been feeling a sense of camaraderie seeing him endure Claude’s antics. Jeanne gestured for him to go ahead.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry about me. Just show me the room; I can manage the rest on my own.”
Seeing someone support her, Gaston brightened. Claude, on the other hand, looked as if he had just been betrayed.
“See? Mademoiselle Leclerc gave her permission. Let’s go to the office quickly.”
“People might think Jeanne is your master, you know?”
“It’s all for Your Excellency and Loren, after all.”
Jeanne glanced at Claude, who was clearly reluctant. She stuck out her tongue in a small act of revenge and gave his back a gentle push.
“Stop troubling the butler and go already.”
“You seem oddly cheerful.”
“Not at all. One must set a good example in front of their future subordinate, right, Your Excellency?”
At first, Claude didn’t move, but eventually, he resigned himself and walked toward the mansion.
“…Very well.”
Claude entered the mansion, saying he would see her later. Gaston seemed about to follow but subtly approached Jeanne and spoke softly.
“I’m really sorry, Mademoiselle Leclerc. I know it’s impolite to leave a guest unattended, but I really have so much work.”
“It’s Claude’s fault for leaving without saying anything. What wrong have you done, Gaston? It’s really okay; go take care of your work.”
“Thank you. This child will show you to your room.”
Gaston introduced a cheerful-looking maid and hurried after Claude.
The maid approached the still-standing Jeanne and smiled.
“My name is Amelie. I’ll show you to your room.”
Feeling all the servants’ gazes on her back, Jeanne ignored them and followed Amelie into the mansion.
The inside of the mansion was just as extravagant as the outside. From the painted ceilings to the intricately carved pillars, the entire castle felt like a massive work of art.
As she admired the mansion like she was at an exhibition, they quickly reached the top floor.
“This will be your room, Mademoiselle Jeanne.”
Amelie stopped at the end of the corridor in front of a room and opened the door. The first thing Jeanne noticed was the wide lake visible through the window directly ahead.
“If you need anything, just call.”
Amelie closed the door, leaving Jeanne alone. She looked around the room.
Decorated in mint and white, it was a neutral room suitable for anyone. Yet, the spaciousness and the gold accents on the bed and furniture were remarkable.
Outside the terrace, the lake and the snow-capped Ibeh Mountains stretched out, with red-roofed houses clustered below.
If a painter stayed here, they would have immediately pulled out a canvas and pencils.
“Why give such a huge room?”
Despite her gruff words, Jeanne couldn’t stop the small smile creeping onto her face. She loved the room and the view outside.
After exploring to her heart’s content, she flopped onto the bed. The mattress sank perfectly under her weight, feeling incredibly comfortable.
Earlier, she would have been fine with a run-down inn if she could just sleep, but now that she was here, she was glad she didn’t go with that option.
‘My heart is really fickle,’ she thought.
Outside, the clouds drifted calmly. It was a world completely different from the stormy life of her previous existence.
A year after joining the Knights, she lost her father, then fought without pause. She didn’t care whether her companions admired her or envied her. She didn’t even look back at their deaths as she fought with all her might against the Demon King’s army.
Because she was a child of the goddess, she had a duty to protect the kingdom’s peace, and to give glory to her king.
Her life revolved around others, like air circulating around the eye of a storm, not herself.
‘This life, I’ll take it easier.’
Jeanne pondered her future plans.
Joining the Knights and settling in Loren, then persuading her father to come live with her would not be enough.
Having returned to the past meant the Demon King was also unsealed.
Yet she was not afraid. Some might scold her for being careless, but having sealed him once before in her previous life, she felt she could do it again.
Her confidence came from more than that. In her previous life, Jeanne had fought the Demon King alone, but this time Claude was with her—a child of the goddess who could wield the same divine power and aura simultaneously.
They couldn’t fight together before because Claude had been in critical condition and unconscious.
‘That’s right. He had been imprisoned for over six months.’
Though she had heard he survived, she hadn’t checked for herself.
After that, Jeanne moved to seal the Demon King and was executed soon after.
‘This time I’ll protect Claude too. If we seal the Demon King again, we can live peacefully. I can buy a house with a yard, bring my father here, raise animals, and enjoy hobbies after retiring…’
Lying on the soft bed lost in thought, her eyelids grew heavy. Just as her consciousness began to blur, there was a knock at the door.
“Jeanne, are you in there?”
It was Loren.
“Yes, yes!”
Startled, Jeanne quickly got up and tidied her messy hair before opening the door.
“Am I disturbing your rest?”
“No, it’s fine. What brings you here?”
If it had been a maid or Gaston, she might have guessed, but she had no idea why Loren was here.
“I just came from seeing the young master and heard you were alone, Jeanne. Want to tour the Knights if you’re bored?”
“I’d be glad, but…”
Before the entrance exam, it was good to see how capable the Loren Knights were, so Jeanne found the offer welcome. But there was one concern.
“Aren’t you busy? You’ve been away for a few days—won’t work pile up?”
“It’s fine. I left everything to Cedric!”
“….”
With a sparkling grin, Loren openly admitted to slacking off, leaving Jeanne speechless. If it were her subordinate, she would have beaten them up.
After a brief hesitation, Jeanne nodded. It was a perfect chance to see the Loren Knights, and by bringing Loren along, she’d accomplish two things at once.
“It’s an honor to see the famous Loren Knights in advance.”
“Shall we go then? It’s just a five-minute walk from here.”
Hiding her thoughts, Jeanne followed Loren out of the room.
He initially walked ahead, but then slowed down to match her pace. Curious why he was beside her, she looked over, and his bright eyes asked:
“You just went to see the young master, right?”
“Yes, just went to see the lake for a bit.”
“Oh? And what did you do there?”
“Nothing much.”
“Excuse me? You went all the way to the lake and didn’t take a walk or have tea at a nearby café or anything?”
“Yes.”
She answered truthfully, yet Loren looked at her regretfully, rubbing his forehead and shaking his head.
“People assume the young master had relationships with many women because he’s so outstanding, but that’s not true! He focused entirely on studying, sword training, and his heir education. He never had time to socialize with women.”
“Ah… okay.”
She hadn’t asked.
“Ah! But don’t misunderstand—he’s not lacking in any way!”
As if defending him, Loren hurriedly explained. Jeanne simply nodded. She already knew enough.
“I’ve never misunderstood. I know better than anyone how diligent Claude—or rather, Your Excellency—was.”
During school, Claude had actively participated in both classes and monster-hunting training.
Perhaps because of him, other noble-born students who had been lax at first also worked hard, and professors praised the historically high attendance.
If Claude had been lazy, Jeanne wouldn’t have even recognized him as a rival or felt the desire to surpass him.
“Really?”
A faint snort came from beside her, and she turned to see him squinting mischievously. Feeling a bit wary, she subtly put some distance between them.
By the time they reached the first floor, Jeanne heard shouting outside as they opened the mansion doors.
“Oi! Handle that carefully!”
In front of the main gate stood a black carriage and a middle-aged noble with a prominent belly, fussing with his mustache while directing his servants.
The servants carried frames as tall as a person, covered with cloth, so the paintings inside were unseen.
Judging by the number of frames, there were probably over twenty.
“Why is that man here again?”
