Chapter 3 (Part 5)

Sellakia, unable to see anything but Tenus’s broad back, could imagine how displeased Roberta’s expression must have been. It was a predicament.

Feeling anxious, Sellakia roughly pushed Tenus aside. Surprisingly, he moved easily, and without looking at him, she grabbed Roberta’s hand firmly.

“Sir Belfona. I would like to ask you to be my escort.”

“How can someone who doesn’t even have the ‘basics’ take on such an important task as escorting a noblewoman? Find someone else. Like a member of the Seidon Knight Order, who is very proficient in the ‘basics’.”

Roberta refused without hesitation. Her pride seemed deeply wounded. Sellakia tightened her grip on Roberta’s hand.

“But Tenus won’t even assign me a guard from the renowned Seidon knight order.”

Roberta shifted her gaze behind Sellakia. Her eyes were full of suspicion as she looked at the knights standing behind.

“They are just temporary escorts for today’s outing. Usually, Tenus personally guards me.”

“What? The Young Master Seidon himself?”

“Yes. But as you know, Tenus is very busy preparing to succeed the Duke. I can’t let him lose more time because of me. You understand, right?”

Sellakia glanced at Tenus with a worried expression. Tenus, with his eyebrows raised as if to observe Sellakia’s antics, remained silent. His aloof face only fueled Sellakia’s competitive spirit.

“From what you said earlier, it seems you are very skilled, having graduated second from the Royal Academy. Did I hear wrong?”

Roberta’s stiff lips twitched. She scratched the back of her head, appearing slightly embarrassed.

“Ahem. It’s a bit awkward to say this myself, but I stood out in the mercenary group, and everyone was sorry to see me go. I swear, failing the Seidon Knight Order entrance exam was just bad luck. If I took it again now, I’d probably pass with top marks.”

“The entrance exam won’t be held for the next few years…”

Sellakia clapped her hands to prevent Tenus from interrupting, whether he was being clueless or astute. She couldn’t let him interfere.

“Wow. That’s amazing! Someone as outstanding as you taking on my escort would surely have no objections from Tenus. Since you graduated second from the Royal Academy, you can be trusted as much as the Seidon Knight Order. It’s truly perfect.”

Come on, come on.

Sellakia chanted inwardly, earnestly gazing at Roberta.

Tenus showed no sign of assigning a guard to her. At this rate, he seemed likely to stick to her like a barnacle for a month.

Originally, she had planned to recommend someone from the knight order to get rid of him. But Roberta, who appeared at just the right time, was a pearl that rolled into Sellakia’s lap.

She didn’t know when such an opportunity would come again if she missed Roberta.

However, Roberta disappointed Sellakia with a regretful smile.

“I appreciate your high regard, but it seems like an offer beyond my capacity. A more suitable knight should be by your side than me, Madame…”

“100 pegels per week.”

“……”

“I’ll pay you in advance.”

The monthly salary for a knight in a noble household was typically 50 pegels. According to a tutor from the officer school, the mission fee for a mercenary with hazard pay was 70 pegels, so Sellakia’s offer was an exceptionally generous amount.

For Roberta, who might have rushed to a territory at war just to earn money, it was an enticing sum. Sure enough, Roberta’s green eyes sparkled with interest.

“It’s rare to find a knight as suitable for the role of protecting a lady. I will serve you with utmost loyalty.”

Roberta placed her fist over her left chest, displaying the knight’s salute. It was a fitting transition for someone who had considered diving into a civil war for money.

Sellakia, delighted, looked back at Tenus.

“Do as you wish.”

Tenus seemed displeased but didn’t actively voice opposition.

“It doesn’t seem… appropriate for us to be together any longer.”

Who was he to say what she wanted to say? Sellakia chuckled and decided to ride this momentum.

“I’ve also chosen a personal maid.”

She turned her gaze to the maid standing quietly like a shadow behind them.

“You didn’t have a personal maid until now?”

A somewhat surprised Roberta followed her gaze to the maid. Suddenly the maid, startled by the attention, trembled.

“Me? M-me?”

* * *

A strange silence flowed in the spacious reception room.

Sellakia and Roberta sat across the table, while the maid standing by the door and Tenus, leaning against the window, all watched Tenus’s reactions.

Unable to endure the silence any longer, Sellakia broke it first.

“Now that I have a wonderful escort knight and a personal maid, you don’t need to guard my side anymore, Tenus.”

It was frustrating not being able to speak candidly about her feelings because of the presence of others. It would be nice if she could sum it up in just a few words.

Tenus crossed his arms and remained silent, then spoke to Roberta.

“Come see me for a moment.”

Roberta followed Tenus out. Light conversation seemed to be happening right outside the door, audible inside the reception room, but the exact content couldn’t be discerned.

It wasn’t particularly intriguing. Sellakia focused on enjoying her newfound freedom. Since returning to the Ducal residence, this was the first time she had been separated from Tenus, except when bathing.

Even the mere absence of his intense gaze made her feel lighter. Humming a tune, Sellakia suddenly noticed a maid trembling at the door. It was the girl she had pointed out to be her personal maid during their outing to the shops.

“Come here.”

Sellakia beckoned the maid with a naturally smiling face.

“M-Madam.”

The girl’s round eyes were teary as she approached. Up close, she looked even younger than expected, with calm brown hair and freckles on her nose, giving her an innocent appearance.

Sellakia gestured for the girl to sit in a chair, but the girl just stood there, clutching her skirt. She looked so timid, quite different from how she had been at the dress shop.

“Why are you so scared? It’s okay to sit.”

“P-Please, take back what you said about appointing me as your personal maid.”

“……What?”

“I’ve only been in this mansion for a short time, and I don’t know much. I’m not very handy, so I’ll only cause trouble for you, Madam. Also, I’m not capable enough for such an important task…”

If left alone, the girl seemed like she might pass out from lack of breath. Sellakia gently interrupted her.

“When did you come to this mansion?”

“……It’s been about two weeks now.”

Two weeks ago, she was living in a seaside hut. No wonder the girl’s face was unfamiliar. Sellakia liked her even more for not knowing her past. Without any burden, she was perfect for entrusting the present.

“What’s your name?”

“Nancy, Madam.”

“Alright, Nancy. What duties have you been assigned in the mansion so far?”

“I’ve been cleaning the corridors and stairs of the eastern annex of the Ducal residence.”

“That vast area? With whom?”

The annex of the Ducal residence was as grand as the main building. For Sellakia, who had once suffered body aches after cleaning a small one-story hut, cleaning a five-story annex was an unknown realm as deep as the ocean.

“By myself. It took a whole day, but I did it diligently every day.”

“You cleaned that huge annex by yourself? Who assigned you the work?”

“The head maid did.”

This little girl, not even an adult, was tasked with cleaning the annex alone. The heartless arrangement made her frown, but she couldn’t interfere in matters beyond her responsibility. Instead of making presumptuous comments, Sellakia said,

“Since Tenus has allowed it, come to my room from tomorrow instead of the annex.”

“But…”

Nancy fidgeted with her skirt.

Seeing the girl, who seemed to dislike her new assignment, hang her head low made Sellakia uncomfortable as well. But she had no other choice. Tenus likely picked this girl for today’s outing because he was certain she wasn’t a spy for Aldrich.

Sellakia lacked the ability to discern people within the mansion, so she had to rely on Tenus’s judgment. Like with Roberta, she didn’t know when another opportunity like this might arise.

“Nancy. There’s nothing to worry about. You’ve managed that difficult cleaning every day. Your diligence is already proven by that. I don’t expect anything more.”

As long as you don’t try to kill me. 

Sellakia held back from adding that.

“Anyway, I don’t go out, so there’s no need to dress me up, and I don’t interfere with the Duke’s affairs, so you won’t have much else to do for me.”

Nancy hesitantly looked at Sellakia. To ease her tension, Sellakia smiled warmly. A blush appeared on Nancy’s previously pale cheeks.

“Are you sure you’re okay with me, Madam? I’m sure there’s someone who can serve you better than I can…”

“Nancy. I’m counting on you. You’ll stay by my side, won’t you?”

Sellakia gently took Nancy’s hand. The small hand, fitting her petite frame, was somewhat rough.

“Ah…”

Nancy’s face turned so red it was hard not to notice.

If Nancy strongly refused, Sellakia couldn’t force her. Feeling regretful, she slowly began to withdraw her hand, but just as their hands were about to part, Nancy grabbed Sellakia tightly.

“I-I’ll serve you with all my loyalty, Madam!”

Nancy shouted in a loud voice and bowed deeply. Sellakia stared at the top of Nancy’s head, feeling a bit flustered.

Loyalty wasn’t necessary, but refusing it seemed awkward, so Sellakia just nodded. She didn’t know why Nancy suddenly changed her mind, but she was relieved.

Nancy, as if she had never been scared, began chatting away.

“Among the maids, I’m the strongest. I can chop firewood, and I’m healthy enough to be fine even if stung by bees. I grew up in the mountains, so I can distinguish between herbs and poisonous plants. I don’t need much food either. I’ve often stayed up for two or three days doing piecework sewing.”

Sellakia chuckled at Nancy’s earnest list of strengths and praised her in between. Each time, Nancy squirmed shyly.