Chapter 81

Still, Clidane, quick on the uptake, took another step toward me and asked, “Are you feeling unwell, my lady?”

“No, no.”

I shook my head while burying my hand in El’s scruff. The short, soft fur brushing between my fingers helped settle my churning heart, if only a little.

‘What should I do?’

There was definitely a mischievous intent behind it, but since he was someone Sister Juela had prepared, I couldn’t just drive him away blindly.

So instead of agonizing further, I headed straight to Sister’s office and flung open the door. Of course, I had shoved El into Clidane’s arms on my way out, saying he could follow later.

“Sister!”

“…Minuelle?”

Sister glanced past me, and one of her eyebrows twitched slightly.

“Where’s Sir Olce? Has he forgotten he’s a bodyguard?”

“I told him I’d come alone. I wanted to talk to you—just the two of us.”

“Oh, my baby.”

As always when I spoke like that, she gave me a fond smile like she couldn’t stand how cute I was and rested her chin on her hand. But when she realized that the expression on my face as I sat down was completely devoid of humor, her smile faded slightly.

“Do you not like the gift?”

I wanted to point out first that people aren’t gifts, but I knew that wouldn’t fly in this era’s mindset, so I held back and said, “I saw him for three minutes—how would I know? I just want to know why you assigned Sir Olce to me.”

“He’s handsome, isn’t he?”

“…Huh?”

Such a simple answer, yet so unexpected, made my hand slip on the desk as my posture wobbled.

Yes, he was handsome! He vaguely resembled Esadien, so of course I wouldn’t be indifferent.

But Sister Juela hadn’t even mentioned Esadien.

‘Was I overthinking it?’

I had assumed it was a “settle for someone who looks like him” sort of thing in lieu of Esadien. That’s why I’d stormed over here a bit ticked off—but now I was starting to feel a bit sorry.

“You said your dream was to live surrounded by beautiful men.”

“Oh come on, I said that wasn’t true!”

I shouted with a pout, but Sister didn’t seem the least bit concerned.

“Sure, sure. Your sister will support that dream of yours to the fullest!”

Oh dear, I was just trying to joke for once, and now I’ve signed up to be teased for life.

“Is everyone having this much fun at my expense?”

“Hoo hoo. Could you tell?”

“You’re all impossible.”

I drooped my shoulders with a sigh.

She usually acts like she’s above teasing, but only lets her guard down in front of me. That made me happy, but being the butt of the joke wasn’t so fun anymore.

“But I mean it when I say I’ll support anything you want.”

She casually untied her neatly pinned hair, letting it fall in dark waves down her back. The sight captivated me for a moment, and it took me a beat before I could respond.

“Huh? Support what?”

Since becoming Minuelle, aside from health issues, I’d never lacked for anything. A life where my needs were met without even having to ask, where I didn’t have to work to survive—how could I not be grateful?

So what more support could she mean?

I blinked in confusion, and Sister gave me a big smile again.

“You’re always like this, Minuelle. You have no greed.”

“Hey, I’m still human—I do have desires!”

They’re just all being fulfilled right now, so they’re not obvious.

“If you were born into another family, the moment you matured would’ve been the start of a war.”

Ah, that kind of desire.

Feeling sheepish, I fidgeted with my fingers.

“I don’t need to fight—Mom and my sisters take care of everything.”

“And that’s what’s so amazing to me.”

Sigh. I let out a breath inwardly.

What’s the point of acting like a fighting rooster?

Sure, knowing how to pursue just enough happiness might be a wisdom I gained from living a second life. Most people, if born into nobility from a blank slate, would think claiming wealth was their rightful due…

‘No, wait. That’s not quite it.’

If you have sisters who could dice bears and manipulate trade routes like it’s nothing, then even from pulp you’d never dream of being greedy.

“Ahem. I think I’ve taken up enough of your time.”

“Taken? You can have all my time.”

“Sis……”

I avoided her intense gaze with slightly misty eyes. If you keep acting like this, your husband’s going to get jealous.

“Anyway, give me Sir Olce’s profile.”

Getting praised for nothing was making me itchy, so I quickly changed the subject. I held out my hand, and Sister, who had been grinning playfully the whole time, blinked in surprise.

“What?”

“You must’ve looked into him before assigning him to me.”

“Well, yeah, I did.”

“He’s going to be around a lot—I should know something about him.”

I regretted not doing that when Lapheche first came to our estate.

‘Even if she’s the heroine, assuming she’s good just because she’s acting differently from the original story was a mistake.’

I quickly scanned the papers Sister pulled from a drawer.

“Clidane Olce. He was originally part of our knight order? I’ve never seen him before.”

No way I’d forget a face like that.

“He never served at the northern castle or Roquate. He mostly worked with the merchant corps.”

“I see.”

Knights usually rotate until they reach leadership roles, so he’s probably been enlisted for less than five years.

I answered casually and continued flipping through the documents—until my eyes stopped on the last page.

“Why are there five stars next to ‘not seeing anyone’?”

“Because it’s fun?”

Seriously!

* * *

Thanks to Juela’s endless teasing, I returned to my room exhausted even though I hadn’t really done anything.

“Minuelle.”

“Oh, Ramande.”

It looked like Ramande and the animal friends had come to visit while I was out.

It hadn’t even been an hour, but it felt like it had. I was about to greet them with a smile—

‘Wait, what is this atmosphere?’

Never mind El, Meommu, or the bluebird—what really got me was the way Ramande was staring at Clidane.

It was cold, like frost might form in the air around him.

But he was hiding it so well that if you hadn’t known him for ten years like I had—or been sitting right in front of him like Clidane was—you’d never notice.

‘I’ve never seen Ramande this wary of someone before.’

I didn’t know why, but my instincts were screaming that this was going to be tougher than dealing with Juela.

‘…Maybe I should go ask if we have any mangoes in the kitchen.’

I tried to back away naturally, but of course, Ramande’s sharp eyes caught me.

“Where are you going?”

Away from you to a safer place?

Thankfully, my mouth kept its composure better than my thoughts.

“Ahaha. Where else would I go, if not my room?”

“Then stop talking and come sit down.”

Ramande patted the seat next to him.

“Quickly, Minuelle Karnian.”

Ugh. Why use my full name like that?

‘Did he find out I gave Meommu his jerky?’

Ramande likes food but has never been possessive. I didn’t do anything obvious, but I was sweating.

As I crept in, watching Ramande’s expression, Clidane also stood.

“My lady.”

“No, it’s fine. Please stay seated.”

I quickly waved him down. The bluebirds had nestled into his fresh green hair like a nest, and Meommu had placed his chin firmly on Clidane’s knee.

With his pale complexion and light hair, he really did look like an elf communing with forest creatures.

‘Okay… I guess the eye candy’s not so bad.’

I was just starting to think that maybe Sister’s “gift” wasn’t entirely awful—

When two pairs of eyes practically seared into me the moment I sat down.

“Why is the knight in your private quarters?”

That was Ramande from my left.

“Mweong.”

And El from below.

“Um, he’s Sir Clidane Olce…”

I was going to start with introductions but hesitated.

‘Talking about “gifts” with the person here would be cruel.’

So what do I say about a sudden new bodyguard? But before I could answer, Ramande and El pressed harder.

“And?”

“Grr?”

“…Did you two seriously not exchange names while I was gone?”

Their clinginess was getting awkward, and it was embarrassing in front of Clidane, so I snapped at them. But Ramande just shrugged.

“We did. And he told me he was assigned as your personal guard. But this morning—no, just a bit ago—there was no mention of this.”

Apparently Clidane had given Ramande the same explanation he’d given me.

I shot a glance at Clidane, who looked a bit awkward but smiled politely.

“I’m sorry. I was only following orders.”

“I understand. You’re a knight. Ramande just worries a lot—he’s an old childhood friend.”

I wanted him and Ramande to get along, since they’d both be around often.

That seemed to ease Clidane, who smiled more naturally.

“Childhood friend. I see.”

But of course Ramande had to butt in again.

“Can you blame me for worrying? All kinds of weird stuff happens around you.”

Ah, there it is! I didn’t want to scare off a new knight, but this excuse was too good to pass up.

“That’s why my sisters were worried, too. That’s probably why they gave me a close-protection guard.”

Even if Sister hadn’t said so outright, that had to be part of it. Clidane’s evaluations were in the top tier, after all.

Ramande nodded.

“Ah, so that’s why. I thought it was because he looked like… mmph!”

Oh, no you don’t!

“Hahaha! Ramande, there’s a mosquito on your lips!”

I quickly slapped a hand over Ramande’s mouth and gave Clidane a sheepish smile.

Bringing up Esadien would be bad enough, but if Clidane thought he was assigned because of his looks, that could be demoralizing.

“Please go rest, Sir Olce. I look forward to working with you.”

“The same to you, my lady. Though, um…”

Clidane pointed to the animals occupying his head and lap with a conflicted expression.

“What should I do about these ones?”