Chapter 22

This is a story from around the "5th Advice and Rebuttal."

In the vicinity of the Glass Forest, the mysterious girl, Shina, whom I met, was an incredible child.

First of all, she is charming.

She is adorable in every way.

Despite her small, painfully thin body, she moves around energetically. She helps with small tasks, grateful for being allowed to ride in the carriage, and always smiles, noticing everything. She is doted on by all the members, including myself, but her anger when we treat her like a child is also adorable. Her puffed-up cheeks are irresistible. The young adventurers even gossiped that she would become even cuter in a few years, so I had to teach them a lesson with a punch.

Secondly, her cooking is amazing.

When Shina cooks, even the meat that should be strong-smelling and tough becomes odorless and tender. The flavor is something I've never tasted before, so delicious that it feels like my soul is being pulled out. Even Zain, who has traveled to many countries and eaten various dishes, didn't know such cooking methods or seasonings. Mealtime became a competition among the members to get Shina's food, except for Shina herself.

Shina should eat the most, but she is a light eater. She eats only a small amount, like bird feed. She doesn't seem to be picky, but I want her to eat more and grow faster. Zain and Kiril are constantly feeding her meals and snacks, so I think she's fine.

Thirdly, this was the most surprising thing.

I never expected such a noble spirit to reside in such a small girl.

Shina had something called a "monster repellent incense." She made it herself. I had never heard of or seen anything like it before. Just by burning it, monsters stay away, and it has a pleasant scent that makes you feel refreshed and even has a calming effect. She used it so casually that I warned Kiril that Shina was too vulnerable. I needed to increase the protection. It was the first time I had been so concerned about someone else. I was so worried that I lashed out at Kiril.

Then, the always smiling and adorable Shina suddenly put on a serious face and defended Kiril as if she had flipped a switch.

"That's not Kiril's fault. This child is my important servant. The responsibility lies with me. She has been protecting my life throughout the journey."

I felt like she was telling me to mind my own business and back off. Don't make Kiril cry; I won't forgive you.

At that moment, I was shocked to realize that she, who I had only seen as someone to protect, understood the responsibilities of a master who commands a servant. Even among nobles, how many people truly understand that?

While I was stunned, Shina and Kiril had disappeared. Instead, the annoying Barry dragged me out of the carriage and threw me into a tent for the night camp.

"What are you doing, Your Highness?"

"A, a, ah... Barry, did Shina get tired of me? Did she lose interest?"

At my words, Barry burst out laughing. Water was coming out of his nose; it was disgusting.

"Hehehehehe. T, the 'Ice Prince' Zinklett, hehehe. What a pitiful voice, hehehe. I'm laughing so hard, it hurts..."

'Ice Prince' is apparently my nickname. It's because I don't fall for any beautiful women, but that's ridiculous. If I fell for the perfume-scented, aggressive women who flock to the royal family, I'd have a dark life.

"More important than that silly nickname is Shina. What do you think, Barry? Do I have her dislike?"

"It's not that she dislikes you, but it seems like she's thinking about running away if things get complicated."

Running away? Shina will leave?

I felt a chill. We've only met for less than a day. But the thought of her leaving my side is unbearable!

"No way! What should I do! Will she forgive me if I apologize?"

"...Sir Jin, maybe you like young children? You never even glanced at a normal young lady."

Barry looked at me as if I were trash. Hey, that's too disrespectful. Are you really my aide?

"I don't have that kind of taste! I only like Shina!"

"Indeed, she is a cute young lady... Excuse me, Your Highness."

Barry leaned in to look at my face. His brown eyes held magic. He is a water mage but also a rare appraiser.

"Hmm, you're not under any mind control or enchantment... You've simply fallen in love! Could this be your first love? It's true that late first loves tend to be complicated."

My heart pounded at Barry's seemingly indifferent words.

"First love?"

Me? With Shina? She's still a child, far from being a woman.

"I think she's cute. I can't stop thinking about her. It hurts when she's away. The thought of her being taken by another man..."

"Another man? No way!"

I shouted in anger. Another man? Who would I give her to!

"There, you've made up your mind. Sir Jin, you become so troublesome when you fall in love. Poor Shina. She may look young, but she's quite mature inside. She might not like it."

"Shut up! This is a protective feeling!"

"Sure, sure, protective. Well, you've only met for a few hours, so it's understandable that you're confused. Why don't you think about it tonight? I'll take your night watch shift."

I was tricked into taking the night watch by Barry, but it gave me time to think. Even after the young adventurers took over the watch, I couldn't sleep and kept thinking.

The conclusion was that Shina is like a little sister.

Her earnest personality and thin appearance must have triggered an abnormal protective instinct. As the youngest of a family with no younger siblings, I find her endearing.

When I told Barry this, he gave me a strangely cheerful look and said, "If that's what Sir Jin says, then it must be true." Someone should give this guy some respect for the royal family.

In the morning, I was drawn by a good smell and found Shina already bustling about, serving breakfast to the young adventurers. I was upset that I didn't get to eat first.

When I approached, she looked wary. Kiril even put his hand on his sword. I would never harm Shina.

The misunderstanding was eventually cleared up, but this incident made me even more concerned about Shina. We had agreed to travel together to Aile and Kyrat for the monster repellent incense trade, but I was afraid she might wander off somewhere on a whim.

I wrapped Shina, who only had ill-fitting summer clothes, in my jacket and placed her on my lap. At first, she resisted, but she eventually fell asleep quietly due to the cold, and I felt my expression soften.

Zain kept giving her high-nutrient fruits and sweets, and Shina's sunken cheeks were gradually regaining their soft, childlike plumpness. Her arms and legs, though still thin, were less painful to look at and were gradually putting on some muscle.

Observing Shina as she slept on my lap became a daily routine. Her long eyelashes, her white cheeks—no matter how many times I looked, I never got tired of it. I would stroke her hair, run my fingers over her soft cheeks, and touch her plump, pink lips...

"Sir Jin"

Just as I was about to touch her soft lips with my finger, a cold voice stopped me. A chill of killing intent enveloped me.

"Do not touch her any further."

Kiril's eyes, filled with anger, pierced through me, and he took Shina from my lap. He carried her effortlessly and laid her down in a place away from me.

"It's disrespectful to touch a sleeping woman."

There was no room for argument. She was so cute that I couldn't help but touch her. A bearded man touching a young girl on his lap—visually, it's a crime. If her father saw this, he would have every right to kill me.

"I, I'm sorry."

I deeply reflected and bowed to Kiril.

"I won't do it again, so please give me Shina back."

"You're not really sorry, are you?!"

Kiril's killing intent flared. But I calmly responded.

"The carriage floor is cold. If she sleeps there, she might catch a cold. It must be hard for you to carry her for a long time. If you can't move properly in an emergency, you won't be effective as a bodyguard."

Kiril is supposed to serve as a bodyguard for the journey to Aile and Kyrat. It was a condition for riding in the carriage, and Shina, being considerate, had offered it. Kiril follows Shina's word absolutely.

"...If you do something like that again, I will cut you down."

With a very unsatisfied look, Kiril handed Shina back to me. The warmth returned to my lap, and I felt truly relieved.

Shina mumbled something and snuggled into my chest, so cute.

Even under Kiril's strict supervision, I couldn't help but enjoy Shina.

"Sir Jin, that's not very mature."

Barry looked exasperated, but I didn't care. Even if Shina trusts Kiril the most, I don't want to give her to him. Damn it! Why am I not Shina's favorite?

"Have you seen your face in a mirror? Touching Shina on your lap like that, you look like a criminal. A brother doesn't touch his sister's lips, you know?"

Barry's blunt words made my heart skip a beat. ...That's not true. Shina is my... sister. Probably.