Chapter 52

Sir Rainer was looking at me with a stern face.

At his waist hung the sword recently developed by Jerrit and Baron Amanta.

'Well, everything went smoothly until then...'

I sighed.

The way things turned out was all Jerrit's fault.

'Jerrit just had to say something unnecessary.'

Lately, Jerrit seemed happier than ever.

Thanks to the excellent weapon-making skills of the Taloom people and the help of Voborg, the weapon development was progressing smoothly.

"It's all thanks to Lady Ely."

If only he had stopped there.

Unfortunately, Jerrit didn't.

How could he be so smart, his wit piercing the sky, and then start praising me as a prodigy of archery, adding all sorts of compliments.

And the result was this situation.

'Is it really that great?'

I sighed.

Someone once described such passionate people like this.

'Otaku.'

A formidable race that would do anything to see their favorite thing.

I didn't dislike it, but this kind of attention was new and a bit embarrassing and burdensome.

I pulled the bowstring, hiding my embarrassment.

The feeling of the arrow hitting the target was quite thrilling.

When the tension in my sight was pulled to the point of aim, I released the bow.

Thwack!

The arrow hit the target again with a crisp sound.

"Best, Lady Ely!"

"Once more!"

Ivana and Asel shouted, and Mei and Sir Rainer nodded heavily.

'Okay, okay. I'll do it.'

I pulled the bowstring again.

But perhaps because of their enthusiastic cheers, the back of my neck felt a bit uncomfortable.

* * *

Erhardt was walking through the external corridor while Franz reported various matters.

His face was unusually stern today.

It was due to lack of sleep.

It was a familiar insomnia, but the events of a few days ago had made him this way.

"Would you like me to put you to sleep?"

He didn't refuse Ely's offer to put him to sleep, driven by an inexplicable impulse.

The way she didn't flinch at the sight of blood.

The way she wasn't afraid of him.

The way she reached out her small hand to him encouraged him to do things he wouldn't normally do.

"She said that if we hold hands and sleep, you won't have nightmares."

"I'll stay by your side to make your nightmares disappear."

The child said this, but unfortunately, Erhardt's nightmares were something that couldn't be solved by any means.

Her efforts were endearing, so he went along with the conversation a few times.

Yes, that's what happened.

The next day, when Erhardt woke up, he stared blankly at the sunlight pouring in.

It was a deep sleep. He didn't have any nightmares.

It was the first time since Yuria's death.

Erhardt looked down at the hand Ely had held and shook his head.

It must have been a coincidence. This couldn't happen again.

And then, as if waiting for it, another nightmare found him.

The only way to overcome nightmares was to not sleep.

It was a familiar task, not difficult at all.

'But why do I feel so stifled?'

Erhardt frowned, pressing his temples.

Franz couldn't understand his lord's feelings.

His face was always stern.

"Following your orders, we caught the pickpocket gang Lady Ely reported. They were connected to the criminals we were publicly wanted for. After interrogation, we found their hideout, so it's only a matter of time before we apprehend them."

Erhardt pushed away the headache and flipped through the report Franz handed him.

The densely written list included several long-sought-after fugitives.

They were all notorious criminals.

'To think they would catch these and present them to me.'

Capturing long-time criminals was a satisfying achievement.

But...

It felt strangely off.

Demian's face, who was overjoyed by the earring gift from Ely, kept flashing in his mind.

Erhardt's face grew even more stern as he looked at the documents.

'The bow I gave her, of course she would like it.'

One corner of Erhardt's mouth twitched slightly.

The headache that felt like it was eating his brain seemed to ease a bit.

"Is that so..."

Erhardt muttered, looking beyond the external corridor.

"I want to be the daughter of the Duke."

"...If you go and see, they'll be happy."

"Duke?"

Franz repeated, puzzled by the cryptic words, but Erhardt threw the cigarette away and strode forward.

'What a hassle in my old age.'

Franz hurried to follow, his mustache flaring.

However...

For some reason, his lord had stopped, staring intently at something.

'What is he looking at?'

Franz's gaze naturally followed.

Ely was shooting arrows, and behind her stood three maids, a knight, and Rainer, all standing solidly.

'Why isn't he approaching?'

Wasn't he going to go and cheer her on?

Then, Ely shot another arrow.

As the rumors suggested, Ely's archery skills were exceptionally good.

There weren't many children her age who could hit the bullseye.

'She's quite skilled.'

Just as Franz was smiling like the other three maids, Ely suddenly turned around.

After saying something, Rainer approached her and picked her up.

It looked like a loving father and daughter.

'When did they become so close?'

Franz turned his head, puzzled.

The Duke's calm demeanor was anything but ordinary. Franz shuddered.

* * *

Even though I said I found the attention burdensome, when I actually received cheers, I naturally wanted to live up to the expectations.

'There's no more room on the target.'

I lowered my arm, feeling a bit embarrassed, having used all my arrows.

I had worked so hard that my arm was aching.

'I did something childish again.'

I felt my face turning red with embarrassment.

"Lady Ely, why are you doing that?"

Asel, who had been cheering like a banner, asked in a puzzled voice.

"Um, my arm hurts, so I want to stop."

"What? Your arm hurts?"

The atmosphere suddenly became noisy.

"Muscle pain, it must be muscle pain!"

"Let's massage it!"

"...I'll call a doctor. Please wait a moment."

Ivana and Asel were hopping around. Mei looked relatively calm, but her words revealed she wasn't any better.

'I just said my arm hurts.'

I was taken aback by the unexpected reaction when Sir Rainer approached me and picked me up in one swift motion.

"Ah!"

My body stretched out like laundry on a line.

"Sir Rainer?"

"Quickly. I'll take her inside."

"But... my legs aren't hurt."

"You overexerted yourself."

He muttered in a low voice.

I had noticed before, but he seemed to be good at carrying children.

Then,

"What's going on?"

A voice like a cold wind descended over us.

Duke Schuetz was looking at us with a very displeased expression.

The maids and Sir Rainer greeted him, and I, still dangling, bowed my head.

Perhaps because of the sunlight behind him, his face looked even more stern today.

"Why are you carrying the child?"

"Because she said she was tired, I was about to take her inside."

Sir Rainer's words made Duke Schuetz's expression even more displeased.

'Does he mean I should walk?'

I didn't expect to be carried like this.

"Rainer, do you have a son?"

Then, the Duke asked an unexpected question.

"Yes, I have three sons."

"Ah, that's why."

The Duke muttered something incomprehensible and then...

"Huh?"

He picked me up from Sir Rainer's arms.

One arm around my waist, the other supporting my thighs, his hold was very stable.

I was much smaller than my peers due to malnutrition.

Still, I was quite heavy, but the Duke didn't flinch.

"Doesn't it hurt the child to carry her like that?"

"..."

"You should carry a child like this."

He bent his head to look down at me. His intense gaze seemed to demand an answer.

'Right?'

'But this position is more comfortable.'

I wasn't uncomfortable when Sir Rainer carried me either, as his arms were very strong.

But if I said that, the atmosphere might get even more serious.

Honestly, the ride was better this way.

I nodded obediently.

The Duke's expression was filled with deep satisfaction.

"Since you only have sons, you don't know how to carry a daughter, do you?"

"..."

"Be careful. You might hurt the child."

The Duke smiled, pulling the corners of his mouth up as if to show off.