Someone to protect April anytime and anywhere, an escort knight solely for April.

Jade is obviously out of the question. That guy has to return to his own family someday.

And choosing from other trainee knights… none of them appeal to me, and they all are loyal to Grayan.

‘But Rodri would be different.’

Rodri is the one I brought. Although they haven’t yet formed a bond, I’m sure they’ll get along quite well in terms of personality.

A redhaired beast and a rabbit beast… they also share a similar background.

“Kkieung.”

“……?”

Suddenly, the rabbit, crossing its arms, chattered something dissatisfied. And, as always, Grayan interpreted.

“She says she’s stronger than Rodri.”

“Hmm?”

Is that just boasting pride, or is it the truth? Well, we’ll know when Rodri and April have a match.

‘Watching that will make my heart pound, fearing April might get hurt…’

Just then, Rodri appeared in the practice yard, looking a bit nervous.

April glared at him with a fierce look, as if thinking, ‘Let’s see how talented you are.’

‘A demanding, aggressive, and competitive rabbit.’

But right now, she’s in my arms, receiving a rough petting. Even though I pet her ears and head a bit roughly, the rabbit only stood still, concentrating on Rodri.

Not missing the opportunity, I petted her even more intensely, but the rabbit flinched and looked at me abruptly.

Crinkled triangular eyes.

“Kkuang!”

“Heh……. Sorry…….”

As I quickly pulled my hand away and apologized, the rabbit chuckled and turned its head back to the practice yard.

The rabbit’s black eyes were quite serious. I shouldn’t disturb her.

‘I must resist petting her so wildly…’

Sadly watching the rabbit, I then turned my gaze to the practice yard.

At that moment, coincidentally, my eyes met Rodri’s. No, it seemed like Rodri had been watching me for a while.

I easily read the anxiety in his red eyes.

Was he unsure if he could do well?

I pondered over what words of encouragement would be appropriate. Eventually, I chose the right words and conveyed them with my lips.

‘No matter the result, I’m on your side.’

“……!”

Then, a startled Rodri looked at me with a feeble, trembling gaze, like a forlorn kitten left out in the rain.

I wanted to pat his head and tell him it was okay right away, and my hand twitched. Rodri stared quietly at me for a while, then withdrew his gaze.
In the eyes that were staring straight ahead, not to the side, there seemed to be a calmness that couldn’t be found just a moment ago.

“Looks like my words had a good effect…?”

I felt proud to myself, but I felt a sharp gaze aimed at me.

The owner of this gaze coming right from above my knee was… none other than April.

I subtly lowered my eyes to check April’s mood, and the rabbit grumbled as if a little angry.

“Kkioooong― Kkiang.”

“…….”

Even if I didn’t know the meaning, I could clearly tell that it was a cry different from usual.

When I glanced at a look that seemed to ask for a translation, Grayan smiled awkwardly and opened his mouth.

“It seems April is jealous of Lodri.”

“Kkiang!”

“So, precisely, it said, ‘Do you like that guy that much?'”

“Aha…….”

That is definitely a question filled with jealousy. The rabbit pounded Grayan’s arm with its front paws. It seemed dissatisfied.

“Kkiaung!”

“Yes, yes. As you say, rabbit.”

“……?”

What did it say……? Just momentarily puzzled, the rabbit suddenly jumped onto my shoulder and clung tightly.

For some reason, I supported the rabbit’s hind legs with my hands, and the rabbit cried out as if angry.

“Oongkyang!”

At that moment, Grayan suddenly burst into laughter. I blinked my eyes without understanding. What is it saying? Why aren’t you translating?

“Duke? What did April say?”

“Ah, that is, madam…….”

Grayan kept laughing, and didn’t translate the rabbit’s words.

At this point, I was so frustrated that I was glaring at him, but the rabbit suddenly rubbed its cheek against my clothing and cried adorably.

“Kyak.”

“……?”

Like showing affection.

‘What, what is it……?’

What’s going on here?

Looking at my bewildered face, Grayan spoke in a voice mixed with laughter.

“That is, madam……. April says not to translate.”

“You……? No, why…….”

It was then. The rabbit grabbed my clothes tightly with both front paws.

And then it rubbed its cheek more intensely, crying a little harshly.

“Kyawoong.”

“……?”

……A, an obsessive rabbit……?

Obsession was dripping from its eyes. So, this is like…….

‘This is my mom! A moment like a daughter!’

Finally, I understood why the obsessive rabbit was doing this. Was it anxious that Lodri would take me away?

‘Stupid rabbit…… there’s no way. My daughter is only our rabbit.’

Of course, I do care about Lodri a lot. But that’s only as an adult, as a guardian. Lodri didn’t feel like my son.

If I had to say…… a nephew?

And a soninlaw candidate?

‘I’m not sure if romance will sprout between April and Lodri as in the original work.’

Looking at the current situation, it seems to be a rival situation rather than romance…….

I had to quickly clear the obsessive rabbit’s misunderstanding, so I hastily opened my mouth.

“April, you’re my only daughter.”

“…….”

“Really. Mom loves our rabbit the most in the world.”

With that, I hugged it tightly, and the rabbit calmly nestled in my arms, fidgeting with its front paws.

Considering that it didn’t push me away or get angry, it seemed that the misunderstanding was cleared.

‘That’s a relief.’

I gently smiled and stroked the rabbit’s fluffy fur as much as I wanted.

In the atmosphere that had become warm again, the knight squadron’s skill assessment competition finally began.

The first order was… those apprentice knights who had troubled Lodri.