Chapter 17

Lauro finished his training and walked back home from the training ground.

The house that Asaria had prepared for him was very close to the headquarters and the training ground, just a few minutes' walk away.

It was also close to the main residence of the Spencer Duke family, and Asaria must have arranged it so that he could still return to the house where Leo and Rena lived, even after becoming her dedicated knight.

As he approached the house, he saw a carriage parked in front.

It was a very luxurious carriage, one that Lauro had seen a few times before.

When he entered the house, an elderly male servant approached Lauro.

"Welcome back, Master Lauro."

"…Yes, I'm back."

"Master Lauro, as I've said many times, there's no need to use formal language with us servants."

"…I'm sorry, I'm still not used to it."

"You can treat us the way Master Leo and Master Rena do."

"No, they're a bit fearless."

"Hehe, that's true. Even now, they play with that person without any fear at all."

"…"

Thinking to himself, "Of course," Lauro headed to the courtyard where the three of them were.

When Asaria prepared this house for him, she said,

"It's better to have a place where children can play, so it's good to have a large courtyard. Those two were always left alone in a small house, so they should be allowed to play more."

So she arranged for a house with a large courtyard. When Lauro went to the courtyard, he saw Leo, Rena, and Asaria playing.

"Miss Asaria, let's do it again! I'll win this time!"

"Me too! Miss Asaria, let's do it again!"

"Hehe, of course, that's fine."

Leo and Rena, wearing clothes that were unimaginable for them before, were playing and sweating profusely.

Asaria was wearing a modest dress and a large hat. When Leo and Rena moved away from her, Asaria twirled her finger and cast a spell.

Then a flame in the shape of a dog appeared in front of Asaria.

"Same as before, if this dog bites the towel you're holding, you lose."

"Okay!"

"I'll win this time!"

And the game started again.

Leo and Rena were laughing and running away from the flame dog, and Asaria was smiling warmly at the scene.

It seemed they hadn't noticed that Lauro had returned.

Lauro gazed at Asaria's very gentle smile.

The wind blew, and her red hair fluttered. She used her free hand to tuck it behind her ear.

(…She's beautiful.)

Lauro thought sincerely.

Reflecting on it, he might have been captivated from the moment they first met.

When Lauro was being harassed by Baron Piddle and was about to be hit again,

"Hey, you there, stop it!"

Asaria said this and stepped out from the crowd.

A crowd had gathered and everyone was watching, but no one helped.

It was understandable; commoners couldn't do anything, and defying a baron would bring no good.

Just when Lauro thought he had to do something himself, Asaria appeared.

He was captivated by her appearance, and even more so by her overwhelming strength and nobility in dealing with the baron.

After that, she surprisingly said she had recognized his talent and scouted him.

Thinking he might be deceived, he couldn't answer immediately, but she came to his dirty house and earnestly invited him.

During the invitation, she said,

"Life is no fun if you don't enjoy it."

These words resonated with Lauro. They seemed to be the most heartfelt of all her words.

As an orphan, he had struggled to survive since he was young and had never experienced joy.

After picking up Leo and Rena, interacting with them was a source of healing, but he couldn't say he was enjoying life.

(Perhaps I haven't found the joy in life yet…)

Seeing Leo and Rena playing happily, he couldn't help but smile.

(Just seeing them play happily makes me feel so happy, something I've never experienced before. And…)

He looked at Asaria again.

The benefactor who had changed his life and that of Leo and Rena.

As he walked towards her, Asaria noticed him by the sound of his footsteps.

For a moment, Asaria's eyes opened, but she quickly smiled.

Seeing that smile, Lauro felt his heart race.

"Oh, Lauro. You're back."

"…Yes, I'm back."

"Thank you for your hard work. As you can see, I'm playing with Leo and Rena. The flame dog only tries to bite the non-flammable towels they're holding, so it's safe."

"Yes, I understand. Thank you for playing with Leo and Rena."

"I'm playing because it's fun. On the contrary, I should thank you; playing with them is very healing."

"That's great to hear."

"Also, controlling the flame dog is good training."

Indeed, maintaining and controlling that shape must be quite challenging.

Asaria, who had already been told by Ivan that there was nothing more he could teach her and that she only needed to build her stamina, was training at the main residence.

She came here to relax and play with Leo and Rena to heal herself.

"Lauro, how was your training with your brother?"

"Regarding that, I received a recommendation from Sir Ivan to become your dedicated knight."

"Really? Already? It's only been a week since you started training."

"Yes, that's right."

"…You really are a genius, Lauro. My judgment was correct. But, it's even more impressive that she could recognize your talent without any information… That's a bit unsettling."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, it's nothing."

Although Lauro didn't understand what she meant, Asaria continued.

"So, you'll officially become my dedicated knight. From tomorrow, I'll entrust you with my protection. It's not that we're going to any dangerous places, but that's your job."

"Yes, I understand."

After that, Asaria continued playing with Leo and Rena for about an hour.

As the sun began to set, Asaria decided to return to the main residence.

"Aw, I want to play more!"

"Me too! I haven't beaten Asaria's dog yet!"

Leo and Rena were very disappointed and demanding, but Asaria smiled gently and allowed it.

"Hehe, I'll come back soon, so eat lots of delicious food and build up your strength until then."

"Okay! Since you came here, we've been eating so many delicious meals, and it's been great!"

"The chef is amazing! Next time, you should come and eat with us too!"

"Yes, I will. I'll come next time."

Asaria patted their heads, and Leo and Rena accepted it happily.

Reluctantly saying goodbye to her younger siblings, Lauro and Asaria got into the carriage and headed back to the main residence.

"You didn't have to come with me."

"No, as your dedicated knight."

"Yes, you're always so serious. I think you'll be guarding me every day, but I'll try to finish work in time for you to have dinner with them."

"Thank you for your consideration."

Lauro was a bit worried about how he would manage his time with the children, but it seemed Asaria had considered it.

(I'm glad I followed her.)

Lauro thought this strongly from the bottom of his heart.

At the main residence, Lauro got out of the carriage first and offered his hand to Asaria.

"Thank you, Lauro."

"You're welcome."

Asaria took Lauro's hand and got out of the carriage.

Compared to his, her hand was very small, soft, and warm.

Her beautiful hand could easily produce a flame that could kill, something he wouldn't have believed if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.

"Lauro, what's wrong?"

Lauro was still holding her hand, so Asaria tilted her head and asked.

Lauro remembered his conversation with Ivan at the training ground.

"Would you risk your life for Asaria?"

He had answered immediately.

Now, he repeated his words to Asaria.

Lauro knelt down and looked up at Asaria.

"Miss Asaria, I wish to swear my loyalty to you."

"Really?"

Looking at the puzzled Asaria, Lauro swore.

"I, Lauro, swear to protect you, Miss Asaria Jil Spencer, with my life, no matter what difficulties or adversities you may face."

He strongly swore this in his heart and kissed the back of her hand.

(In my heart, she is already as important as Leo and Rena, if not more—Not because Sir Ivan said so, but for my own sake, I will continue to protect Miss Asaria.)

After quickly lifting his lips from her hand, he looked up at Asaria, who had slightly blushed and widened her eyes.

"…Lauro, I'm honored by your loyalty. As your dedicated knight, I look forward to working with you."

"Yes, I will strive to meet your expectations."

And thus, Lauro became the dedicated knight of the Duke's daughter, Asaria.