Chapter 9

"Wh-what do you mean by that?"

In response to my question, Alderton, who didn’t change his expression at all, asked me back.

...Hmm, polite. He’s always so polite, but I might be imagining it, but I can feel a clear "What are you talking about?" vibe from Alderton. It would be nice if this atmosphere is because he doesn’t want to quit, but it doesn’t seem like that...

However! I can’t back down here! Look at my princess spirit!

I fan my face with a fan. The softness of the feathers is the best.

"Exactly as I said. I suddenly felt uneasy. I was worried that you might quit. ...You weren’t really enthusiastic about being my bodyguard, were you?"

"Of course not. That’s not true."

Alderton shook his head. Well, he wouldn’t normally admit such a thing, right?

"Then, what about the practical test during the final selection of candidates?"

"---Your Highness, rather..."

His blue eyes sharply pierced through me.

"Why did you choose me, Your Highness?"

I almost blurted out, "It’s a secret technique from my past life!" but swallowed my words.

Instead, I said,

"It was a message from the sky."

Yes. That’s not wrong.

"......"

For a moment, all expression vanished from Alderton’s face.

...What? Was it a forbidden phrase? "A message from the sky" is something often said in Esfia? It’s a common phrase!

Esfia has many religions, but the supreme deity they all revere, despite different names, is actually the same. The Sky God, right?

Using "sky" as a metaphor, it’s often used in casual conversations! It’s even understood in Tahren!

"Of all things, a message from the sky?"

As I internally panicked, Alderton’s throat vibrated. A manly smile appeared on his well-defined face. Ah, I finally understood that Alderton is of commoner origin. I had only seen him behave like a noble-born knight. Fierce? Like a wild beast. An aura that pure nobles can’t easily exude.

"I see. Your Highness isn’t going to answer, then."

When he spoke again, he had returned to his knightly demeanor.

"I’ll tell you why I asked if you planned to quit. ---Do you know that my bodyguards have changed frequently, Alderton?"

"Yes, I am aware."

Seeing Alderton nod politely, I also nodded.

"Observing your work over the past three months, I thought... I want you to be my last bodyguard."

I said it as if it were a decision.

Alderton’s eyes widened slightly.

In my past life, I read in a manga that in negotiations, you should start with a big ask! If you want to sell a 500-yen item, offer it for 1000 yen to the customer! Then, dramatically lower the price! Ultimately, settle for 600 yen! That’s the technique!

In my case, I just need Alderton to continue as my bodyguard for at least a month, but assuming he dislikes this job, I’ll start with "for life"! Then, when Alderton thinks, "For life? No way!" I’ll whisper, "Then a month is fine? But you can’t quit even if you get a lover during that time." This way, Alderton will think, "A month is a small price to pay!"

Well, let’s see his reaction!

Alderton, on the other hand, suddenly looked interested. The angle of his lips definitely showed it.

Interesting...? Hmm? Isn’t that strange?

But, it’s probably a good sign, right? Even if his reaction is different from what I expected, it’s okay if it’s a good sign.

"Last, you say. You want me to serve you indefinitely? ...Me?"

"Yes."

If Alderton is willing to serve indefinitely, I’d be more than happy to have him.

"However, Your Highness, it seems you don’t fully understand the weight of those words."

"Really?"

That’s hurtful. I do understand.

"Doesn’t it mean you’ll value me for life? If you don’t want me to quit, that’s fine."

In response to my answer, Alderton bowed his head and said, "If that’s the case."

"---I have received your command, Your Highness."

I snapped my fan shut.

"Does that mean you’ll continue to serve me?"

"For as long as Your Highness desires."

Alright, I’ve got your word!

In my past life, I would have had him write it down on paper. In my past life, I lived in a rental apartment with my parents and sister. When it was time to renew the lease, the contract would be sent. Yes, a contract! Something like that. There’s no contract between a princess and her bodyguard, though...

Instead of a contract...

I remembered that Alderton, following Esfian customs, didn’t tell his name to Alec. It’s about respecting traditions.

"I’m glad. ---Shall we perform the oath ceremony?"

As soon as I said it, I put down my fan and stood up.

I said "oath ceremony" so confidently, but it’s really just a gift!

When a lord and a vassal make a promise, the lord gives the vassal an item, and the vassal accepts it.

By giving a gift, you’re saying, "Keep your promise, okay?" It’s a kind of threat?

That’s a joke. In the old days, many vassals were poor, so lords would use such ceremonies to give them jewels or equipment, saying, "Use this to help you." Vassals would appreciate such thoughtfulness and feel motivated to serve diligently. I would too. Things are great.

Hmm. But I don’t know what Alderton wants.

"Alderton, what do you want?"

I asked cheerfully.

"May I touch Your Highness’s hand?"

"Of course."

I turned to face Alderton and extended my right hand. I was prepared for a handshake, but I froze.

Alderton approached me, knelt down, and respectfully took my hand.

"To Your Highness, the ‘Mark’"

His lips touched the back of my right hand. A tingling pain ran through it, and a heat hotter than body temperature.

"!"

What did Alderton say?

"To Your Highness, the ‘Mark’"

---‘Mark’? ‘Mark’ as in...

A complex pattern appeared on the back of my right hand, glowed for a moment, and disappeared. It was a pattern I had seen in a book during my princess education.

His lips parted, but he remained kneeling, still holding my hand.

He was waiting for my words.

"Alderton... you’re a ‘Servant’?"

Alderton answered matter-of-factly.

"Yes, I thought Your Highness knew."

"No, I didn’t."

I repeated it.

"No, I didn’t know."

"Is that so? ---I thought you knew I was a ‘Servant’ and asked me to pledge my loyalty. Was I mistaken?"

It’s not about whether I need it or not!

"It’s your problem, not mine. This... this ‘Mark’ is important to you ‘Servants,’ right?"

"Please rest assured. I am a special ‘Servant.’"

"Special?"

"Yes. You are my second ‘Master.’"

"---Is that even possible?"

‘Servants’ are a warrior race whose mission is to serve a single ‘Master.’ The ‘Master’ doesn’t have to be a king or a royal. The person the ‘Servant’ desires to be their ‘Master’ must be worthy. Whether they are a farmer or a merchant, it’s about whether they suit the ‘Servant’s’ heart.

With mutual agreement, the ‘Servant’ marks the ‘Master’ with a ‘Mark.’ This creates a solid, special bond between them. The ‘Mark’ is no longer visible to me, and usually, ordinary people can’t see it. However, ‘Servants’ can see the ‘Mark.’ Through the ‘Mark,’ the ‘Servant’ can sense the ‘Master’s’ danger and help them in any way possible.

In the world of the ‘Noble King’—at least in Esfia—there is no magic or such elements. However, the ‘Servant’ is the only existence with a mysterious power. They are also a mysterious presence.

‘Servants’ are said to become stronger or weaker depending on the character of their ‘Master.’ Many ‘Servants’ lived in Tahren and excelled in wars. However, their numbers are now extremely low.

They are almost like an endangered species.

At one point, having a ‘Servant’ under one’s command was a status symbol among the ruling class. However, ‘Servants’ choose their ‘Master’ by their own will. If they displease the ‘Servant,’ the consequences can be severe.

Incidentally, based on my princess education, ‘Servants’ were said to choose only one ‘Master’ in their lifetime.

---To have a real ‘Servant’ close by, and to have already met one...

Moreover, to be their ‘Master.’ I can’t help but stare at my now blank hand.

Did I even agree to the ‘Mark’?

"I understand that you’re a special ‘Servant.’ But, did I agree to the ‘Mark’?"

I glared at Alderton. The suddenness of it all is a bit unsettling. Did he really think I knew he was a ‘Servant’?

"Your Highness was about to give me what I wanted. I decided to make you my ‘Master’ and wanted to mark you."

Is that okay?

Alderton said it nonchalantly.

No, it’s not okay!

If you had asked me beforehand, I would have stopped you! Well, I might have agreed in the end, but I needed to be prepared mentally.

"..."

I sighed. I lost the urge to be angry.

Well, actually, there’s no real downside for me... In fact, with the ‘Mark,’ my danger will be immediately sensed by Alderton, and he will come to my aid. ‘Servants’ don’t abandon their ‘Masters.’ The promise that you’ll be my bodyguard as long as I want is now binding.

But, what’s in it for Alderton? The only thing I can proudly say about myself is that I’m a princess! Just my status! Oh, and I’m confident in my appearance! ...If the ‘Master’ is weak, it affects the ‘Servant’ too, right?

Isn’t this rash, Alderton? If you get complaints later, I won’t take responsibility!

"Who else knows you’re a ‘Servant’?"

Alderton looked up at me.

"Does that include the deceased?"

That’s dangerous! That’s dangerous, Alderton!

"Only living people, please."

"Only Your Highness."

"My father... the king, doesn’t know either?"

Hmm. This is getting complicated.

"Yes. ‘Servants’ don’t have any distinctive features. Unless they reveal themselves, others can’t tell."

Like being suddenly marked!

"Did you think I wouldn’t spread the word about being a ‘Master’?"

Alderton smiled. A slightly twisted smile.

"As Your Highness wishes."

"---I have no intention of spreading the word."

Of course! If it can be kept secret, I’ll definitely keep it secret.

"Alderton, make sure no one else figures it out."

"Yes."

It would be fine if Alec found out... Alec was wary of Alderton, and knowing he’s a ‘Servant’ might cause unnecessary worry...

"---Your Highness"

Alderton called out.

This time, he kissed the back of my right hand normally.

"!"

Isn’t this like a princess and a knight? Well, it is!

Slightly blushing, I looked at Alderton as he pulled away.

"‘Servants’ protect their ‘Masters.’ However, there’s one thing to note."

---Note?

"I am a special ‘Servant.’ If you handle me, be prepared. Please use me well."

"---I see. I understand."

I was about to say "Alderton," but then I realized...

There’s no need to stick to his last name anymore, right? I only didn’t remember his name because I thought he’d quit soon.

Alderton’s name is Clifford.

I just heard it today and read it in the documents, so I haven’t forgotten it yet.

"Clifford. ...Yes. I trust you and will call you Clifford from now on."

I’ll remember not just his last name but his first name too.

Believing that our relationship will last a long time!

"It’s an honor, my ‘Master.’”

Clifford—Alderton, rather—showed the most friendly smile I’ve ever seen from him.