Chapter 4

No matter how many times I come to this place, I get nervous. As if knowing I’m nervous, Lady Ayla says,

"Take a deep breath. It will help you relax."

"Ah, thank you."

I take a deep breath and exhale. I repeat this a few times. Gradually, my hands stop shaking. Then, Rubia takes my hand.

"It’s okay. Mom and Dad will understand."

"Okay."

Her warm hand. Just holding it for a moment calmed my shaking.

"Oh? Is it such a serious matter you’re consulting about?"

"It’s not really a consultation. More like a request, I guess?"

"Hmm. Then let’s go in, shall we?"

The door opens as Lady Ayla signals. Nothing has changed since the old days. A red carpet runs from the entrance to where the king is seated. Next to the king is my dad, and around the carpet stand familiar knights.

"It’s rare for Ayla and Rubia to come in together. And Noah is here too! What’s going on?"

I flinch when King Carter calls my name.

"Dad! Can you ask the knights in here to leave? I need to talk."

"Hmm? I can’t ask everyone to leave, but since Noah is here, I’ll keep Liam."

"Okay."

Everyone except my dad leaves the room.

"Only the Lauralei and Aribur families are here. It’s fine to speak freely, Noah. Relax."

"Yes."

Even so, it’s not something I can do right away.

"So, what’s the matter?"

"I have a request for Mom and Dad."

"Go ahead and say it."

The moment Rubia said it was a request, the king started speaking formally to her. He’s probably listening to her as a citizen rather than his only daughter.

"I want Noah to be my bodyguard."

"Hmm? Noah? But wasn’t Noah part of the Hero’s Party?"

"I heard Noah was expelled from the Hero’s Party today. So I thought, why not make him my bodyguard? Noah is more than capable..."

The king’s expression turns a bit stern.

"I see... Noah must have had a tough time."

"Thank you for your concern."

"Is it impossible?"

Then, Lady Ayla smiles and says,

"I think it’s fine."

"I think it’s fine too. But that’s from a family perspective. There are many people in the palace who don’t know Noah. If it were someone famous, it would be different, but do you think people will accept just a young man as Rubia’s bodyguard starting today?"

"... You’re right."

Everyone agrees with what the king says. That’s why Rubia can’t argue back. Yeah, that’s right...

"But what if Noah proves his worth?"

"! If everyone accepts Noah..."

"That’s right. So if Noah wants to be Rubia’s bodyguard, I think we should hold a test. Noah, what do you think?"

I didn’t expect this. But it’s a pleasant surprise. I’ve already decided to entrust my life to Rubia. So there’s no reason to refuse.

"Yes. I’ll do it."

"Great! Then come back to the palace at this time tomorrow."

"Thank you very much."

"It’s fine. Noah is like a son to me."

After our talk with the king, as we’re about to leave the room, my dad says,

"Come home when you’re done with work. Warm up your body."

"Got it."

Dad will probably train me himself.

(Training... It’s been a while.)