Levanfell entered the mansion. A chilly air brushed the spine. The silence was so intense that even the smallest footstep was nervewracking.

I licked my parched lips and stuck close behind Levanfell. It would be better if something appeared; this damp atmosphere was utterly distasteful.

“The mansion is big, so let’s split up and search.”

Levanfell divided the knights, and they were instructed to search the 3rd and 1st floors, the kitchen, annex, and practice yard. Levanfell, myself, and Jaelim decided to search the 2nd floor.

“This is very unreasonable.”

“What is?”

“There are clearly three of us, but Your Majesty and the Empress are together, and I’m alone.”

“If it’s unfair, you should have brought your wife, Jaelim.”

“Isn’t it polite to ask if I have someone to marry first, Your Majesty?”

I was terrified, but Levanfell and Jaelim were not scared at all, engaging in such frivolous conversation as they investigated this floor.

Most of the rooms were empty. There were things left behind, possibly in the maids’ haste to leave.

Scattered luggage was there, and clothes were strewn about, as if they had been chased away while packing.

They examined everything carefully, but there was no sign of anyone.

“I don’t think we can sleep here, Your Majesty.”

“I think so too. I can sleep anywhere, but I can’t let the Empress sleep in a place like this.”

“Me neither, Your Majesty. I can’t sleep here either.”

“Jaelim, you can just hug a tree in the garden and sleep.”

The two bantered as they made sure there was no one, then strode away.

‘Uh? This bedroom is…’

I followed Levanfell but stopped at a relatively clean bedroom. They seemed to have only checked for the presence of Count Tenen, but this room was different.

‘It’s clean.’

It was as if it had been cleaned just this morning, with not a speck of dust. Unlike the torn curtains in the other rooms, these smelled freshly washed, as if just hung to dry.

‘Someone was here.’

I picked up a handstained teddy bear to check. The teddy bear had a faint smell of alcohol mixed with the hand stain.

“Was it a child’s room?”

It didn’t look like an adult’s room. As I looked around at the room filled with cute dolls,

“Who are you?”

A grim voice came from behind. It was so beastlike that it hardly sounded human.

I was startled and turned around, clutching the teddy bear, to see a towering man, a head taller than average.

“Ugh…!”

His size was larger than a mountain, and wearing animal furs made him look like a bear.

His bulky muscles looked aggressively ready to rip through his clothes, and one eye was covered with a patch as if it had been injured. Moreover, a scar from a sword cut was seated menacingly on the opposite cheek.

His patchy beard made the man look even more ferocious.

He must be a bandit, ruling as king among wild beasts, and it was clear that he had gathered here after confirming that this place was abandoned. Whoever it was, it wasn’t good.

“Who are you, I asked…”
A raspy voice screeched like scraping iron. The menacing man’s gaze reached my hand.

“……That.”

He scowled with an ugly face. Then his clumsy hand reached out to me without hesitation. The giant hand approaching above my head was intimidating enough to startle me.

Levanfell and Jerim were nearby. Moreover, there were knights on both the upper and lower floors. I took a deep breath as I saw the approaching giant hand.

And then.

“Aaaaahhhh!!!”

I screamed loudly with my eyes wide open. Running away quietly at a time like this would be foolish. It’s better to scream loudly so they can locate me.

Suddenly, a scream so loud it could burst eardrums caused the man to violently cover his ears.

And at the same time, the sound of rushing footsteps was heard.

“Teriella!”

Levanfell was the first to rush into the bedroom. Upon seeing the large man threatening me, Levanfell drew his sword without a moment’s thought, and swung it towards the man’s back.

But the man’s reaction was quicker than expected. He flashed a sharp eye and nimbly rolled away from Levanfell’s sword, swift enough to cut the wind.

It was an unexpected reaction. As I stood dumbfounded with my eyes wide open, Levanfell reached out and pulled me towards him.

“Oh my! Whawhat’s going on……!”

Jerim, arriving a bit late, rushed over, panting.

Simultaneously, the large man reached under the bed, grasped a sword, and quickly drew it, charging towards Levanfell.

It was a nimble movement so fast that the eye could barely follow. Levanfell instinctively parried, pushing me back.

A surprised Jerim supported me and yelled out.

“Yoyour Majesty! You must not kill him! It’s Sir Tenen!”

“……What? This thieving wretch?”

“Lord Tenen! Open your eyes, my lord! It’s the Emperor!”

“……What? The little brat has grown this big?”

The two swordclashing men stared intently at each other, up close.

With a bewildered face, I looked at the burly man before muttering to Jerim.

“Tha… that person… is Sir Tenen?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Only then did I understand what Levanfell had said in the carriage.

That I shouldn’t be surprised by Lord Tenen, that he thought he was a bear when he first saw him as a child.

‘It’s really him.’

Lord Tenen, having sheathed his sword, straightened his bent body. As he put his sword back into its sheath, Lord Tenen looked at me standing next to Jerim.

“……So you’re the Empress from the rumors. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you. I’m Clint Tenen.”