Chapter 6

A young boy, younger than the Duke, peeked out.

He looked to be around 15 years old.

He had light brown hair that slightly stood up, and he wore a thick, neatly tailored black and red coat.

He wasn't wearing any armor.

(Probably because he doesn't need it.)

I think he can defend himself with magic.

While thinking this, I lowered my gaze.

Even if our eyes met, I wouldn't be killed, but I was still scared.

I felt his intense gaze, but I couldn't bring myself to look up.

"You're really a small kid, huh."

The words that eventually came down were something like that.

"I was wondering what kind of kid His Excellency had picked up. Come on in."

Because he gestured and his words were gentle, I looked up at his face again.

He seemed to be a bit taller than my original 17-year-old self. The light brown-haired boy showed me a bright smile.

It doesn't seem like he thinks I'm the enemy or that he'll stab me from behind?

Feeling a bit relieved, I was pushed by Agatha into the room.

"You've come."

The Duke stood in front of the desk at the back.

Looking at his hair color and eye color, I sighed inwardly, (So it wasn't a dream.)

Still, at that time, he was on horseback, and I had suddenly shrunk, so everyone looked bigger to me, and my sense of size was off. He's quite tall.

He seems to be more than a head taller than my original self.

His shoulders are broad to match his height, and his torso is sturdy.

He looks incredibly skilled at cutting people down with a sword.

But perhaps because of his beautiful face or his good posture, he appears slender like a straight tree.

I could get lost in his appearance, but I'm scared.

Most of all, I'm about to lie to this person.

Thinking that I might be killed if I'm caught, my legs started to tremble.

(What should I do? I can't stand...)

But if I show too much fear, they might suspect something.

"I heard you're injured. Sit in that chair."

Following the Duke's instructions, I was allowed to sit on a sofa placed in the back right corner of the room.

Since it's a fortress, it's a wooden chair with no cushion or upholstery, but I was grateful because my body was still in pain. Thanks to this, I didn't have to worry about collapsing on the spot.

However, when the Duke sat in the chair opposite me, I almost jumped.

Facing the ruthless Duke is too scary!

And the Duke asked directly.

"First, state your name."

"Yes! My name is Liz!"

"Then, explain why you were running away and why you were being pursued by the soldiers of the Rafen Kingdom."

To his straightforward questions, I answered with a trembling voice.

"Well, I was originally a maid to the Holy Maiden in the Rafen Kingdom. Ah, the Holy Maiden, she only played the role during ceremonies, so she doesn't have any special powers."

The people in the room listened to my stammering explanation in silence.

"Then, when the Holy Maiden from the Einveil Kingdom arrived, the Holy Maiden... Lady Sherry was called a fake and was exiled."

Here, I casually concealed the Holy Maiden's name.

My real name is Sheryl, but if I make the Holy Maiden's name Sherry, they probably won't think it's similar to Liz.

"I, who was close to her, was also exiled."

"How terrible..."

I heard Agatha's murmurs, as if she couldn't help it.

The Duke remained silent.

Is he doubting me because my story is too cliché?

I'm scared, but I have to stick to the story I've thought of. Fortunately, I know a lot about the life of a novice priest.

After swallowing, I continued.

"But, even though we were exiled, we were almost killed near the border... Lady Sherry, who was with me, let me escape."

Thinking about that moment, the fear resurfaced. Moreover, I'm still in a situation where I might be killed, so the fear is doubled.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought that today might be my last day.

"But in the end, the soldiers almost caught up with me. Thank you for saving me."

When I bowed my head, I heard multiple sighs.

The young knight standing behind the Duke, who didn't hide his expression of how terrible the story was, and Agatha standing next to me.

And the Duke...

What is the reason for the Duke's sigh?

Is he disappointed that I told such a simple lie?

Agatha said softly.

"To think they would try to kill even a child like this. What do the people of Rafen think of children?"

She seems to sympathize with me.

"Considering recent events, I can understand why you think that."

"A bit too many people have died recently."

The young knight and the Duke agreed with Agatha.

I internally sighed with relief.