The Peshar Empire and the Astia Empire were clearly enemy states. However, at the border separating the two countries, there was a neutral village lined with restaurants and inns. The guests at these inns were mostly knights and soldiers who supervised and guarded the border.

Although the official border supervisor for the Peshar Empire was someone else, they were completely under the thumb of a man named Jenkins. Jenkins, who had arrived here a year ago, was a handsome man with blonde hair and blue eyes who made women’s hearts flutter.

People thought that despite his youth, he must be a nobleman of high rank since he wielded more power than the border supervisor.

During a peaceful time without war, Jenkins sat in the inn. Since no one could enter the Peshar Empire without his permission, merchants knelt before him with bribes alongside a lavish feast. Jenkins slightly raised his eyebrow, looking displeased.

“…Didn’t I say animals were prohibited from import?”

On the table in front of him was a small cage where a blue bird fluttered its wings, feeling confined. The merchant repeatedly wiped the cold sweat flowing from his forehead with a handkerchief.

“Haha. But don’t you know that blue birds from the Astia Empire are extremely popular in the Peshar Empire?”

“Please, Lord Jenkins! Please look favorably upon us. We’ve prepared silk and gold here as well!”

Jenkins looked at the silk and gold they offered. Standing beside Jenkins were his attendant Harvy and his guard knight Max. Soon, the corner of Jenkins’ mouth turned up slightly.

“Does the Astia Empire allow blue birds to be exported?”

“Of course! We bribed the Astian supervisor Thomas. The commoner knight Evelyn kept interfering, but since the supervisor approved, it doesn’t matter.”

“That woman is so stubborn. Bribes don’t work on her.”

When the merchant tried to badmouth Evelyn, another merchant beside him jabbed him sharply in the ribs. The merchant promptly shut his mouth. Jenkins thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Fine. I’ll let you pass.”

The merchants smiled brightly as they left the inn. Jenkins watched them through the window.

“How much are they planning to sell those blue birds for? Thieves.”

Harvy, Jenkins’ attendant, said while putting the silk and gold into a box:

“They’ll get at least 20 times more. That’s why they prepared such bribes.”

“They can charge quite a bit. The price of blue birds is skyrocketing right now.”

“Hmm… but it doesn’t feel right. We’re from the same empire, so why do Peshar nobles imitate the nobles of the Astia Empire? Even keeping blue birds is an Astian noble tradition.”

“Probably because the Astia Empire is more developed.”

Harvy and Max fell silent at Jenkins’ words. They didn’t want to admit it, but they had no choice. Jenkins stood up, brushing off his pants.

“…I should go see Evelyn.”

“What? Why would you go, Lord Jenkins? I’ll summon that commoner knight here!”

“No. She won’t come. It’s faster if I go.”

“…”

As Jenkins went outside, his guard knight Max Roberts silently followed. Harvy’s lips protruded, showing his annoyance.

“Why does he like a mere commoner knight?”

It was something he couldn’t understand.

* * *

Evelyn’s lodging was close to this inn. That was why Jenkins had chosen this inn as his accommodation.

However, Evelyn’s lodging was quite shabby. Harvy thought it remarkable that she used a place like a warehouse that even the villagers rarely used. She lived there with her maid.

In fact, Harvy thought it extravagant for a commoner knight to have a maid, but Jenkins didn’t seem to mind.

When he knocked on the door that looked ready to collapse at any moment, the maid, Sarah, peeked her face out. Her gaze toward Jenkins was unfriendly.

“Are you looking for Lady Evelyn?”

Jenkins looked down at Sarah with an arrogant gaze.

“Yes.”

“She’s not here.”

Sarah was remarkably bold for a maid. Jenkins’ eyebrow raised slightly. Her look was fierce enough that if she weren’t Evelyn’s maid, her head would have already been separated from her body.

“She should be here.”

“I told you she’s not.”

Harvy lost his temper at Sarah’s impertinence.

“How dare you, a commoner…!”

As Harvy tried to say something, Max covered his mouth. Harvy’s words disappeared into Max’s palm.

“Mow dare mou, a mommoner…!”

“…?”

Sarah frowned at the struggling Harvy. Just then, Evelyn appeared carrying a pot. Sarah’s statement was true. Evelyn had been outside, not in the house.

“Lady Evelyn! Why did you bring that again?”

“…It was free.”

Inside the pot was a hodgepodge stew she had received from someone. A mixture of fish, meat, and various vegetables. After opening the lid to check inside, Sarah sighed and moved it to the kitchen.

“Since Lady Evelyn worked hard to get this, we’ll make do with it for lunch today!”

“It’s tastier than you’d expect.”

Evelyn remarked matter-of-factly. She noticed the gaze fixed on her and met Jenkins’ eyes. Only then realizing Jenkins was there, she smiled brightly.

“Jenkins? Have you eaten lunch?”

Jenkins shook his head.

“No, not at all.”

Harvy’s eyes widened at Jenkins’ words. What about the feast the merchants had prepared earlier? How could he say that after eating so much?

Evelyn opened the front door wide, clearly pleased. The old dining table originally had only two chairs, but when Jenkins started visiting frequently, Evelyn had quickly made three more for his entourage.

Evelyn was a commoner knight who worked to make a living.

She didn’t accept bribes and only received her salary, but even that was often reduced because she was disliked by the Astian supervisor. As a result, her life was impoverished, but she didn’t seem particularly concerned.

With a height of 170 centimeters, her snow-white silver hair was tied back. Her purple eyes were rare, but she had a calm personality and didn’t seem to care much about clothes. Harvy thought that with her beautiful face, she would look better if she dressed up a bit.

Of course, how much could commoners who worried about making ends meet really dress up?

Five pieces of bread came out with the hodgepodge stew.

Harvy and Max, already full, didn’t touch the food. Evelyn asked:

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“We’ve already eaten.”

At Max’s words, Evelyn tilted her head curiously. Jenkins slowly ate his share of bread while staring intently at Evelyn. Evelyn smiled brightly whenever their eyes met. At her carefree smile, a blue vein popped up on Jenkins’ forehead.

He looked at his subordinates, who already knew why he was looking and bowed their heads deeply. The meaning was clear: lower your eyes and don’t look at Evelyn’s smiling face.

Harvy grumbled inwardly.

‘Who would be interested in a commoner knight?’

Evelyn sat next to Jenkins and ate. When some broth splashed onto the back of Evelyn’s hand, Jenkins firmly grabbed her hand.

“?”

Jenkins licked the broth off the back of her hand with his tongue. Everyone was shocked at the sight.

“L-Lord Jenkins?”

“Ugh, what are you doing! Lord Jenkins!”

Max was flustered, and Harvy made a disgusted expression. Meanwhile, Evelyn nonchalantly wiped the back of her hand with a handkerchief.

“That’s sticky.”

“I think some splashed on your lips too. Shall I lick them clean for you?”

Everyone was shocked again by Jenkins’ forward flirtation, but Evelyn just chuckled and wiped her lips with her handkerchief.

“I don’t like things that are slimy.”