Chapter 88

88

After stepping outside and entrusting something to another maid, she came back inside.

"I'll just tidy up your hair a bit."

"Isan?"

"No, you're already very pretty, but you'll look even better if it's tidied up."

Flattery.

Even as I grumbled inwardly, I obediently leaned into Vera's embrace.

She held me and sat me down in front of the mirror on the vanity. Sitting in the chair in front of the mirror, she gently combed my hair with a wooden comb.

Her touch was so gentle and soft that I slowly closed my eyes.

"See, you look even prettier now."

My hair, which had been messy and unruly like a bird's nest, had settled down neatly.

But honestly, that was the only difference.

'You've grown so much.'

My hair was much longer than before, and my eyes had become even more vividly silver.

The chubby cheeks that used to stick out had also disappeared a bit. I had become so familiar with myself that I no longer recognized the person in the mirror.

'It's hard to believe I was once Hella.'

In fact, I often thought that all of this might be a dream.

But this is reality. I was still living here.

"Miss."

"Mm?"

"The young duke has given his permission."

"Mm, I'll go."

As I jumped down and walked briskly, Vera opened the door for me.

I descended the familiar arched staircase and walked down the familiar path to Sharant Clow's office.

"Have you come, Miss?"

"Mm, good job!"

"Yes, I hope you have a happy day, Miss."

I raised one hand to greet the knight guarding the door.

The knight's expression brightened.

I waved my hand like a child and slipped into Sharant Clow's office.

In fact, when I approached the knights and tried to befriend them, I had to act like an innocent child.

I had to avoid arousing suspicion and cling to various people, sharing marks with them.

Only those who had been granted permission could enter Sharant Clow's office. So, I always parted ways with Vera at the door.

His office was always bleak.

Dark and black furniture made of ebony adorned the entire room. I knew this because of its distinctive color.

The room was filled with a faint scent of wood, ink, and paper.

Looking at the man with black hair sitting in the middle, it sometimes felt as if the temperature inside was a few degrees lower than outside.

"It's been years since you last came to my office."

He put down the white document he was holding and said with a sneer.

This guy is exaggerating again.

What, years? Honestly, it's only been two years since we met.

Even then, I didn't come to his office very often. What do you know about our relationship?

'Only three years, no, four!'

It's been about that long since I first saw his face, around ten months ago. What do you know?

Hmph, hmph.

"So, what do you need?"

No, does a person have to need something to come here? Why do you ask so coldly? It's hurtful.

"Do I need something to come here?"

"Then did you come to have tea with me? If so, I'll gladly prepare it."

Of course, that's not the case.

To be honest, I did come here with a purpose, but why do you have to ask so bluntly?

The way he crossed his arms and asked was so annoying.

"Can't you give me a knight?"

"A bodyguard?"

"Mm, just one."

I extended my index finger.

Sharant Clow's eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if surprised by my unexpected request, and he tilted his head.

"Indeed, you do need one."

"Mm, I want to go out too."

"Out? Where do you plan to wander around?"

Sharant Clow frowned and countered.

No, I'm not wandering around, I just want to go out. What's wrong with the words you choose?

Feeling wronged, I glared at him and shook my head.

"Can't you give me one?"

"I'll assign a few to you."

"Just one!"

As I emphasized one more time, Sharant Clow, who seemed to have caught the subtle nuance, shifted his gaze from the documents back to me.

The corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"Is there anyone specific you have in mind?"

"Mm, Chaise!"

I answered promptly, and Sharant Clow's lips pressed tightly together.

He looked at me with an unreadable expression.

"Chaise?"

Hey, don't act like you're hearing it for the first time. You were involved in his employment, weren't you?

I glared at him, and he moved his lips leisurely.

"There was a name like that on the list of new knights this time."

"I've never met him, but I'm curious when you became so close to want him as a bodyguard."

His voice was menacing.

No, is it a problem to be friends with a bodyguard?

After all, you've been receiving reports on what I've been doing all this time.

"I've been hanging out with him!"

"That was before he joined. As far as I know, you've only met him once."

"Sometimes."

Sharant Claun's eyebrows twitched violently.

He squinted his eyes in a very crooked manner, the same soft smile as always, but it was menacing.

He was clearly in a bad mood.

"Does a guard dog approach the master without permission?"

Oh, I might make a slip of the tongue here.

I don't want to cause problems by provoking Chaise and making Sharant nitpick.

Chaise seems to have a temper, and Sharant is quite skilled at nitpicking.

"No, I... approached him."

"What?"

"Just, because I like his red eyes, I approached him."

His eyes are red, his hair is red, and his actions are red enough to get a warning.

Honestly, there's not much to praise.

But he seems to be doing a good job as a knight.

'If Sharant Clow finds out he's like a spy, it could be problematic.'

"Can't you give me one?"

"No."

"Why?"

Sharant Clow's eyes narrowed.

As I approached and clung to his leg, shaking it, he sighed and frowned, then looked at me.

"Tsk."

He clicked his tongue.

Sharant Clow always gives in when I cling to him like this.

'Does he really dislike physical contact?'

It seems like it's time for him to start liking me.

Well, it's hard to expect affection from someone who always talks about going out.

'Still, this hasn't changed in two years.'

It felt strange.

Should I be relieved that he still dislikes me?

No, I prefer people who don't change. Even if he's not affectionate, I like that the distance between us hasn't disappeared.

So, let's stay on our own sides of the line we've drawn.

We can reach each other if we stretch out our hands, but we won't cross each other's lines.

Sharant Clow, with his expressionless face, fiddled with the documents and then spoke.

"That guy is from a village near Silophia. He has some shady background. But his skills are too valuable to discard, so I hired him..."

I was a bit surprised by Sharant's high evaluation.

"He can't be fully trusted. His reliability is less than 20%. So, I can't entrust your safety to him."

I was amazed by his deductive skills and looked up at him.

How did he know that?

Melaine, though lacking in some areas, was a neat worker. If he had cleaned up the mess, there shouldn't have been any traces left.

"His sword skills are more like those of a mercenary or an assassin, designed for killing, not for protection. He's not suitable as a bodyguard."

"..."

"He has the eyes of someone who has killed before."

'...Sharant Clow is scary.'

The cold but clear conclusion made my spine shiver.

How does he know all this?

He knows much more than I do.

No, Sharant Clow shouldn't be this firm.

"Is it... okay?"

"It's not okay."

"But... I'm not the only one."

"Shelina."

Sharant Clow's voice dropped slightly.

He tried to soothe me by curling his lips, but his voice became deeper.

I pressed my lips together.

"Did he ask you to make him your bodyguard?"

"No!"

"If not, don't do anything that will increase my suspicions. I'll assign you a bodyguard from Simula."

I don't need that!

'If it's not Chaise, it's just a useless chain.'

I puffed out my cheeks in frustration, and Sharant Clow glanced at me.

"If that's all, you can leave now."

"I want Chaise..."

"I said no."

Ah, what do kids do in situations like this?

I have to make Chaise my bodyguard somehow!

That way, it will be easier to go out, and I can also learn more about Silophia.

"Leave."

He nodded coldly, and I could feel his displeasure.

"Ugh..."

Looking around, I...

"Chaise!!"

I yelled and fell backward, lying on the floor.

I don't know, I'll try to throw a tantrum like other kids.

They say kids throw tantrums, and I'll throw tantrums too.

"Chaise! I want a bodyguard too!!"