Chapter 51

So, without a grand farewell party, I decided to return to my territory with just a goodbye to my close friends. The entire family and all the servants saw me off. Returning to my territory, I felt a bit lonely for some reason.

"…Miss. I will hurry as much as possible on the way. It may not be comfortable, but please bear with it."

"It's fine, Tanya. Everyone is thinking about my safety, aren't they? If so, I shouldn't complain."

As Tanya said, the journey back was far from comfortable. During the day, I was constantly jolted in the carriage, and at night, we stayed at inns incognito. As soon as the sun came up, we were back in the carriage. Such days. It was tiring, but since it was my fault, I couldn't complain.

…Rather…

"I'm sorry, everyone. I've caused you so much trouble."

I was fine being jolted in the carriage, but the guards were riding horses almost non-stop without rest. They were going through more hardship than I was. Feeling guilty, I apologized during the rare breaks.

"Miss, there's no need to apologize. We are your guards."

"Considering the person who might be targeting me… Lyle and Dida must be more on edge than usual, right?"

Since we've been together since childhood, I can read Tanya's emotions from her expressionless face, and I can read the atmosphere and casual gestures of the two of them.

Usually, they don't lose their composure, but on this journey, they were always tense. It was a tense, prickly feeling.

We might not be attacked, or we might be. If we are, in what form? They might come head-on, or they might silently attack in the dark of night. They might use violence, or they might try to take my life with poison or other tools. The tools and skilled people are readily available. That's the kind of opponent we're dealing with.

Originally, I could have quickly given up on such a troublesome master and gone anywhere. Especially Lyle and Dida. Yet, they came with me. It made me both happy and guilty.

Thinking about this, Lyle knelt in front of me as if he had read my mind.

"…I am proud to be Miss's sword and shield. This time, and from now on… I will protect Miss's safety."

Then, Dida knelt beside Lyle.

"…I am proud to be Miss's sword and shield. This time, and from now on… my sword will swing for my master, you."

As soon as Dida finished speaking, the other guards saluted me. Dida, unusually, didn't crack any jokes. I was a bit surprised by this, but even more so by the scene before me.

"Thank you, everyone."

The brief break was over, and I was jolted in the carriage again. I gazed at the scenery outside through the gap in the curtains. We were almost at the territory.

The guards were riding horses, surrounding this carriage. It was quite noisy.

"…Miss…!"

Suddenly, Tanya pulled me away from the window. Then, the carriage's speed increased.

"…It seems the guards are engaged in combat."

"Who are they…?"

"I couldn't see them. But, their equipment doesn't seem to be that of a regular army…"

After that, we were silent in the carriage. The tension dominated the atmosphere. We sped away from the commotion.

When the carriage's speed returned to normal, it eventually stopped.

"What's happening?"

"Please wait a moment, Miss."

Tanya seemed to be talking to Lyle outside.

"It's safe now."

"Good. Is everyone alright?"

"Yes. Lyle will report, so is it alright?"

"Of course."

I moved a bit closer to Lyle. He was a bit dirty, but he didn't seem to have any noticeable injuries, which relieved me.

"Excuse me, I will report while mounted. The attackers have been eliminated, and a few of us are searching for any remaining stragglers."

The word "eliminated" weighed heavily on my heart. Especially for the "me" who had lived in the safe country of Japan. However, the relief that the danger had passed was even greater. I was starkly reminded that this world was different from the one I had come from.

"…I see. Thank you so much. And, are there any injured?"

"A few with minor injuries. But, they can continue their duties without any problems."

"That's good… And, did you find out anything about the attackers?"

"No. From their equipment and movements, they seemed like ordinary bandits… but it's unclear whether they were targeting a noble in general or specifically Miss."

Unfortunately, bandits still exist in this country. Especially in territories that don't put much effort into maintaining law and order.

But, were they really just bandits? Could they have been targeting me for ransom, or were they hired to attack me specifically? If it was because of me, it seems too light to be the work of the queen or her faction.

"I apologize. Normally, we should have captured one or two for interrogation, but…"

"It's fine. It would be difficult to capture them alive with this number. We should aim to enter the territory today. Let's hurry. I need to thank everyone later."

Then, the carriage started again. It seems the guards who were searching had returned.

… I want to get back to my territory soon.

While thinking this, I was jolted in the carriage.

---

Actually, as a 50th part commemoration, I uploaded a character guide and conversation collection called "Duke's Daughter's Manual" at http://ncode.syosetu.com/n9261cp/. I originally intended to write it in the afterword of the 50th part, but I made a mistake by uploading the 50th part first.

I apologize for the late announcement. I myself find it difficult to remember foreign names, so I had been making notes of character names and settings. I often had to reread my notes, thinking, "What was this person's name again?" I received feedback that a list of characters would be helpful, so I decided to upload it this time. I plan to update it gradually in the future, so I hope you will look forward to it.