Boy number 2 was surprised and shouted out. Not only Boy number 2, but the others were also visibly flustered. Of course, they would be. A lady betting with trainee knights was unheard of.

“If I lose the bet, Rodri will become my servant, not a knight. But if I win and you lose…”

“…”

“You’ll have to admit that Rodri is worthy of being a knight.”

Not only the three boys but everyone else who overheard couldn’t believe it.

They probably think I don’t stand a chance of winning this bet.

However, they are mistaken. Rodri’s skills will improve drastically in less than 15 days. I guarantee that. We’ll see what happens then.

“So, are you in?”

“…”

The three boys seemed confused about the situation but after exchanging glances, they reluctantly agreed.

They realized that the bet was in their favor. If they win, they can expel Rodri from the knights, and if they lose, they just have to swallow their pride.

With a smirk, I stretched out my hand and pinched Boy number 1’s cheek. After pinching Boy number 1 hard enough to make him flinch, I did the same to the others.

These kids… Their skin is so soft and elastic.

Anyway, that’s not the important part.

“From now on, never gang up on someone and harass or hit them. If this happens again, there will be severe punishment.”

Some people gave me skeptical looks, thinking ‘That’s rich coming from you, Lady Gloria.’ But I ignored them all.

There was no immediate solution to Gloria’s infamy, so I had to keep a straight face… Time will solve everything.

“Now, run 20 laps around the outdoor field.”

“Pardon…?”

“You made a poor victim out of someone by ganging up on him. You need to be punished for that! Now, get going!”

So, the three boys ended up running 20 laps around the vast outdoor field of Salisbury Castle and returned looking as if they were about to die.

After warning them that the next time something like this happens, the punishment would be more severe than running 20 laps, I took Rodri to the infirmary.

Rodri, who was glaring at the trainee knights who had bullied him with a fierce look, turned docile when he was alone with me.

“What a cute boy. Just like a little kitten.”

Of course, he’s more of a tiger. Well, tigers are also feline animals, so…

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“I’m okay…”

As I gently applied medicine to his bruised and injured areas, Rodri replied in a timid voice.

“Don’t worry too much about the bet. Even if you lose, I can take you as my exclusive servant.”

“Okay…”

“Or you can do other things under my sponsorship. What you want to do… take your time to think.”

I deliberately didn’t say things like ‘You can do it,’ or ‘Give it a try.’ Those could be burdensome.

And I knew exactly what Rodri was afraid of.

‘He’s following me like a mother cat. So, he’s afraid of being abandoned by me.’

So all I need to do is alleviate Rodri’s fear and anxiety. And help him find stability and regain his center.

‘Generally, the younger you are, the more you tend to wander. And he’s been a slave for a long time, so it’s probably even more so.’

Poor boy. I gently stroked Rodri’s head.

Then, for some reason, Rodri flinched slightly, and he looked at me with the eyes of a politebooted cat. His eyes had a pitiful look that made me want to grant any request.

I chuckled like a sigh, and gently patted Rodri’s shoulder, saying,

“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to help you live well.”

“……”

Then, Rodri made a face like he was about to cry, and dropped his head. “Thank you…,” he seemed to mutter in a very tiny voice.

“So, that happened. April, what do you think?”

While Rodri was being bullied, I wondered where Jade was and what he was doing, but it turns out, he was helping with the rabbit’s martial arts training.

“Keekhoong.”

April chuckled, crossing her front paws. Then she started rattling off something in a rabbit’s cry.

“Kweongat, Kyawoong, Woongkyawoot.”

“……”

I didn’t understand a thing she said.

Jade kindly interpreted for me from next to April.

“‘How scary is that tiger guy. Those fools who bully him have no eyes to see. They’re going to get hurt soon.’ is what she’s saying.”

……Was that a long speech? She just rattled off a few times, didn’t she?

At this point, I was seriously curious. How in the world does Jade understand April’s words?

“Jade, I’m curious about something.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“How do you understand what April is saying?”

Jade laughed slightly, and answered in a quite proud manner.

“It’s my special ability.”

“……I’ve never heard of such an ability before.”

“Why not? It’s a story everyone knows from mythology, isn’t it? The legend of people who received special abilities from the World Tree.”

No, I don’t know at all. What kind of story is that……?

‘……Huh? It seems familiar……?’

Suddenly, a mysterious memory popped up in my mind. It seemed to be Gloria’s memory.

‘Humans who received special abilities from the World Tree could communicate with all creatures…… I see.’

These days, Gloria’s memories have been coming up more often. Am I gradually merging with Gloria……?

“You can think that I have such ability.”

I stared at Jade, who was boasting, with disbelief. It didn’t seem right. Something was suspicious. I felt like there was something else……

Just then, the rabbit suddenly chuckled and smacked Jade’s hand with her front paw.

“……?”

Then she started rattling off again.

“Keuaewoong.”

Did she say ‘liar’? I had a feeling like that.

The rabbit continued to chatter, glanced at Jade, and jumped into my arms.

“Keewoong.”

The rabbit, comfortably nestled in my arms, made a sound like she was sneering, and turned her head away from Jade.

Then Jade’s face turned significantly pale. It was the face of someone who had lost everything.

Jade moved his mouth in a flustered manner, saying,

“April……”

“Kkyatwoong.”

“Ah, okay, April. I’ll tell the truth…!”

I don’t know what April said, but it seems to have hit Jade quite hard. It’s unusual to see him, who always glistens, at a loss for what to do.

‘Already caught by April and living at her mercy. I can clearly see his future.’