Chapter 67

"Mr. Miles!"

As soon as the sheep farm manager noticed someone, Nonna charged forward with great momentum.

Mr. Miles not only easily caught Nonna but also, using the momentum of her run, lifted her high and spun her around before setting her down. Impressive.

I need to stop Nonna from charging like this. Someone might get hurt eventually.

"You've grown so much, Nonna."

"I'm in my growth spurt. Mr. Miles, you moved from that house, right? Now someone named Chester lives there."

"Hmm. Have you met him?"

"Yeah. He taught me a lot."

Chester? Nonna? What did he teach her?

It was probably when I was away. Nonna was at Edward's house...

I realized something. Chester must have taken care of the energetic Nonna. Edward probably arranged it to let off some steam.

That sounds like something Edward would do.

In my mind, Edward is the type who "knows everything and manipulates everyone on his palm."

The sheep, as soon as Nonna arrived, started to move away in a group.

Unlike how they usually approach Mr. Miles happily, today they seem distant.

"Hey, sheep! Let me touch you. If you don't come, I'll come to you!"

Nonna, as usual, chases the sheep, who are clearly avoiding her. She needs to realize that her approach is the problem.

Mr. Miles, watching Nonna with a smile, seems to want to say something.

"What is it?"

"How much have you trained that girl? Her core strength is incredible for her age."

"She trained a lot in martial arts in the Shen Kingdom. It was her wish."

"Hmm. I'd like to see her style."

"She's strong. Mike can't win unless he goes all out. Mike is an expert, so in a real fight, Nonna is no match. But in training, Nonna has the advantage because she doesn't hold back."

"Really? I didn't expect that."

"It's true."

We watched Nonna and the sheep for a while, then Mr. Miles muttered.

"Oh, I see."

"What do you mean?"

"On my fifth visit to the job center, a job opening for the sheep farm manager appeared. I'm starting to think it was arranged by the Third Knight Regiment."

"No... because I posted that job opening, remember?"

"Still, it's possible. The Third Knight Regiment seemed to care a lot about you. They might have hidden the job listing to prevent unsuitable people from applying. When you were told to live in that house, the instruction was to protect you and Nonna if anything happened. My employment here might have been part of that plan. The special task force in this country is a terrifying organization."

I see. That sounds like something Edward would do.

"Yes. He's terrifying if he becomes your enemy."

"As long as he likes you, it's fine."

"Yes."

Edward is protecting Nonna and me for this country and Jeff. Nothing more, nothing less. If he decides we are a threat, he will...

I chuckle bitterly. Nonna and I might be walking on a sharp blade. One misstep, and we could be eliminated.

"I'll be careful not to be disliked."

"Yes, that's a good idea. People who are too smart are usually ruthless."

"That's true."

Probably, Edward is too emotional towards Jeff. Too emotional and too smart. I've become the sister of a complicated person.

"Mr. Miles, why don't you actively involve yourself with the Third Knight Regiment?"

"There was a proposal, but I declined. After I learned that you had fled to a neighboring country because of me, I regretted it. It's good that we met again, but if you had died in Randall... I would have regretted taking that job for the rest of my life. I don't have much time left. I don't want to live with regrets. Being a sheep farm manager is enough for me."

"I rely on you. Please protect the women working here."

"Sure, I will."

Nonna was still hugging a small sheep. The sheep was struggling fiercely, and the other sheep were warning Nonna angrily. It's dangerous with so many of them.

"Nonna, come back!"

"Okay."

Nonna ran back with all her might. She still has too much energy.

"Why are they scared of me? I'm gentle."

"Because you're persistent."

"Ugh."

"Hey, Nonna, what did Chester teach you?"

Nonna flinched. Her eyes darted around.

"I won't be mad, so tell me."

"Throwing knives and... um, lock picking."

"Ha!"

Mr. Miles burst out laughing.

"Lock picking, something your mother deliberately didn't teach you."

"Lock picking is useful. I don't plan to use it for bad things. It will surely be useful someday!"

"Let me tell you this. People who use their power for bad things will eventually die because of that power."

"...Okay."

"I trained you to live a safe and happy life. Don't disappoint me."

"Okay. I understand."

"Nonna, how about sparring with me next time?"

"Sure! Is it okay, Mom?"

"Sure."

Nonna agreed to learn close combat from Mr. Miles and left. On the way back, Nonna was in high spirits. Trained in the Shen Kingdom, by Chester, and now by Mr. Miles, Nonna will probably surpass me soon. She's only twelve, so there's plenty of potential.

I don't want Nonna to be recruited by the Third Knight Regiment.

I don't think Edward would do that, but I can't rule it out. It depends on the situation.

Back home, I drank tea and thought.

Just as Edward will do anything to protect Jeff and this country, I will do anything to protect Nonna.

Bersa informed me that dinner was ready.

"Is Jeff coming back late?"

"He said he doesn't need dinner."

"Okay. I'll go out tonight."

"Understood."

After dinner, I told Nonna, "I'm going to the candy store. I'll be back as soon as possible." Nonna was playing with Ash and Berry with a cat toy.

"Okay. I don't need a souvenir."

"There won't be any. It's a tavern."

"Got it. Say hello to the man there."

"Sure."

I changed into a plain dress and put on laced-up short boots. I need to be ready for anything. If I disappear, Nonna might be recruited by the Third Knight Regiment.

※……※……※

"Hey, you look good."

"Yes, I'm fine."

The usual distilled liquor was served, and Zaharol sat across from me. There were two other customers in the Black Thrush, but they were far enough away that they couldn't hear our conversation.

"You look good, but... you're not really fine, are you?"

"Yes. My husband might take an important position."

"Isn't that... a problem for you?"

"It's inconvenient."

Zaharol stood up, took his glass, and sat back down across from me.

"Capable people are moved around whether they want to or not."

"My husband is the Crown Prince's favorite. There's nothing I can do."

"That's not what I mean. I'm asking about you. Are you okay? Are you being used by important people?"

I smiled a little and drank from my glass.

"I might be used. But it's fine. To protect Nonna, I'm willing to be a pawn for someone."

"Whoa."

"I lived for my family before coming to this country. Now I'm living for my family again."

"But it's your life."

"My life is for my family. That's what makes me happy."

"I see. You must be..."

Zaharol, looking at his glass, stopped speaking.

"Your life seems to be destined to move in that direction. If I can help, I will."

"Thank you. But why?"

"Sometimes kindness is given without expecting anything in return. I consider you a comrade. Someone who has been placed in a difficult situation and is surviving."

I was happy.

"Thank you. I'll come to you if I need help."

"Sure. I'll protect you from Hector, at least."

"Hector? Is he still looking for me?"

"Yes."

Zaharol looked grim.

"It's been five years, almost six, since that incident. It seems an organization opposing Hector's is rising. They want a skilled red-haired woman. They might want to break someone out of prison."

"Are they short on pawns?"

"Realize that you're not an ordinary pawn. You're a 'very useful pawn' with a will of your own. A scary pawn."

"Stop it."

I chuckled, listened to recent rumors in the city, and drank three glasses before heading home. Jeff still hadn't returned.

"Mom, can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Sure."

We got into Nonna's bed and chatted about trivial things until she fell asleep. I quietly got out of bed and went to my room to exercise.

"Yes. I have a will. I won't be a disposable pawn used for convenience."

I exercised until I was sweating, took a bath, and went to bed. Jeff still hadn't returned. He's probably still insisting on refusing the position of Deputy Minister of the Military. That's probably, no, definitely futile.

Well, let's sleep. Tomorrow will surely be busy.