“Do, do not come any closer.”

Ibnel, uncharacteristically flustered, used both hands to stop Shuher from narrowing the distance further. Still without meeting his gaze.

Shuher, seemingly unconcerned by Ibnel’s actions, instead lowered his head and asked.

“Your answer.”

At the low voice in her ear, the scent uniquely his carried on the wind, her senses felt like they would go numb. So she hurriedly nodded.

Somehow the warmth from his clothes seemed to grow hotter. Or perhaps it was her own heat rising.

“Alright. I will do so.”

Seemingly satisfied with the answer, Shuher withdrew the arm that had trapped Ibnel.

“Since your dress is like that, it would be better to return first.”

The thought of that white skin being exposed to many people with the arm part completely torn displeased him.

Shuher, taking in the sight of her wrapped in his clothes, left first. Left alone, Ibnel felt all tension leave her body and she leaned against the railing.

“I feel completely drained.”

Though flustered by the unexpected words, a warm feeling seemed to spread in her heart. Something she never expected to feel from Shuher.

‘This certainly is not a dream.’

The cold wind on her face told her this was reality, not a dream. She unnecessarily clutched his outer garment tighter.

Ibnel lingered on the terrace for a while, as if trying to feel that warmth a bit longer.

“I heard the news. You are going to the City Guard starting tomorrow, I hear.”

“Yes. So I will not be able to train together for a while.”

A few days after the banquet, as soon as Ibnel came to the training grounds, the knights approached and asked, having already heard the news. When she confirmed, they immediately wore worried expressions.

“It will not be easy.”

“I think so too. They have continuously failed to catch the culprit until now.”

“I was not referring to the mission, but to the people in the City Guard.”

At Raul’s words, everyone seemed to agree. Only Ibnel did not understand. Things had been resolved well with the 1st Knight Division, so why were they so worried?

“What exactly is the atmosphere in the City Guard like…?”

“Similar to the 1st Knight Division. Most of them are of noble birth, so you could say they have a high pride in being part of the City Guard?”

“But compared to the 1st Knight Division, they are far superior in terms of skill.”

It was all too obvious how such people would react when told Ibnel had come to help. They might feel insulted, especially since there had been no progress in the investigation.

At that moment, Shan spoke up in a voice full of dissatisfaction.

“I do not like it. They completely ignore us. In short, it feels like they do not recognize us as fellow knights.”

He had encountered them several times due to matters related to magical beasts, and each time they had looked at him with contemptuous or dismissive gazes.

It would have been easier to deal with if they had just openly disliked them like the 1st Knight Division, but they treated them as if they were completely invisible. That felt even worse.

“Really? But you are all knights too.”

Ibnel could not understand discriminating against and ignoring people over such things. For knights, should not skill be the priority?

“Only Your Majesty and Lady Ibnel think that way. What the 1st Knight Division said before is true. None of us officially took the exam or graduated from the academy.”

“Then?”

“Literally street origins, you could say? For various reasons, we were wandering the back alleys when we had a chance encounter with His Majesty and were able to become knights here. So even if we are His Majesty’s knights, there are bound to be many people who do not acknowledge us.”

Ibnel’s heart ached more at the calm voice explaining this. Judging by their expressions, they all seemed to have their own pain.

“That is why what Lady Ibnel said then was truly appreciated.”

They were grateful to her for seeing them as they were, without being swayed by the many prejudices. So they could not help but open their hearts.

“We decided not to care what others say. We just need to do our job.”

What they hated most was becoming a burden to Shuher, who believed in them and gave them a chance. So they wanted to show everyone their skills even more clearly. To repay that trust.

‘So that is why they are all so strong.’

Ibnel could feel that determination. Sharing such sincere stories made her feel like they had truly become comrades. She wanted to ensure they would no longer hear such talk.

“If anyone speaks ill of you all, I will not stand by like before. I will not be easily defeated either. So do not worry.”

“Please do not overdo it. If that leads to unnecessary fights…”

“It is alright. Sir Demil is coming with me too.”

“Knowing the Captain is going puts my mind at ease, but…”

By now, they were sincerely worried about Ibnel. Just then, a cheerful voice was heard from afar.

“Oh, Ibnel is here too.”

“Davian?”

“What were you all talking about so happily?”

Davian naturally approached Ibnel’s side and asked curiously.

“Ah, we were discussing Lady Ibnel’s matter.”

“Ibnel’s? Did something happen?”

Seeing that Davian seemed completely unaware, Raul informed her that Ibnel would be joining the City Guard starting tomorrow. Davian looked quite surprised, as if hearing this for the first time.

“Really?”

“Yes, I thought I might be able to help in some ways. So I received permission directly from His Majesty.”

When Ibnel mentioned Shuher, Davian spoke up in an urgent voice.

“Then I will go too.”

“You too, Davian?”

“Of course. I should definitely go.”

To her, this felt like an opportunity. She wanted to clearly show her abilities this time and completely cover up that previous mistake. Moreover, since it did not involve directly dealing with magical beasts, she felt confident.

Besides, if Ibnel was going, there was no reason she could not go. She also felt a desire not to lose to her after what happened at the banquet.

Ibnel naturally welcomed Davian coming along, as it would be helpful. Moreover, she was rather relieved to see her taking such an active stance. She had been inwardly worried that Davian might have been discouraged by the previous incident.

“I am fine with it. But I think we should get permission from His Majesty. Shall we go together now?”

“Let’s do that.”

Ibnel had just finished training, so she left the training grounds with Davian. Then she belatedly asked how she had been. The final scene at the banquet could not be said to have been very good.

“Ah, how was the banquet? I returned to the palace early.”

“It was great. I was nervous since it was my first time, but everyone welcomed me.”

“I am glad you enjoyed it. I had trouble adjusting.”

Davian recalled the sight of her happily conversing with Peldin. From what the noble ladies had told her, she was also close to Shuher, so she naturally became curious.

“But you seemed close with Duke Peldin.”

“We happened to meet a few times before the banquet. It just turned out that way. It seems he is staying in the capital now.”

‘I guess not after all.’

Karan’s story about Ibnel deliberately approaching Peldin was still hard to believe. Looking at it this way, it did not seem to be the case.

“I would like to greet him too.”

“I am sure you will have the chance later.”

“Ah, and I am sorry I could not step in when you were in a difficult situation at the banquet. I had no idea that was happening.”

Davian wanted to make that point clear in case Ibnel misunderstood. No, more accurately, she was worried that Ibnel might have heard what she said to Karan then. She had spoken as if it was Ibnel’s fault.

She did not want this matter to reach Shuher’s ears.

“It is fine. You could have been misunderstood too, Davian. Rather, I should be the one apologizing. It was a banquet to celebrate you, but I caused such a commotion.”

“No, it is alright. I am just glad nothing serious happened.”

Judging by Ibnel’s manner, she seemed completely unaware of what Davian had said to Karan, which was a relief.

Just then, Davian spotted two familiar figures approaching from afar.

As soon as she confirmed it was Shuher, her face immediately lit up. She went to him almost at a run, leaving Ibnel behind.

“Your Majesty!”

Ibnel also noticed him and Demil and followed behind. Shuher’s gaze, which had been directed at Davian, soon shifted to Ibnel.

Feeling that gaze, before Ibnel could say anything more, Davian spoke up in a somewhat excited voice.

“Your Majesty, may I go with Ibnel tomorrow too? I happened to hear about it today, and I really want to go.”

Unexpectedly, Shuher did not immediately give permission. Naturally, it was because of the incident that had occurred before.

It was not the imperial palace there, so he had to be more cautious, and regardless of Davian having that ability, he could not guarantee she would behave properly.

Davian, afraid he might refuse, spoke with even more desperation. She absolutely did not want to miss this opportunity.

“Nothing like last time will happen. And I have been studying hard in my own way in the meantime. Please trust me.”

In her enthusiasm, another lie slipped out. In fact, since returning from the banquet, she had been busy learning noble etiquette with Bris, forgetting Ibnel’s advice.

Shuher, after much deliberation, nodded at her appearance. It would be a good experience for her, and Ibnel would be with her too.

“I permit it.”

“Thank you. I will do my best.”

Seeing Davian unable to hide her joy, Shuher turned away from her and asked Ibnel.

“Are the preparations going well?”

“As far as I am concerned. I carefully checked the materials you gave me last time.”

After it was decided she would go to the City Guard, Ibnel had asked Shuher for and received materials related to magical beast appearances and illegal trade incidents that had occurred in the capital so far. Thinking it would be good to review them in advance, she had focused more on that recently than on shooting practice.

“You seem to know everything now. You were quite bothersome, pestering people.”

“I could not help it. There were not many people I could ask. But I tried not to bother you too much by only visiting outside of work hours.”

Like before, when there were parts that were difficult to understand or she was curious about, she naturally sought help from Shuher. Rather than just showing up, she made use of times before he started official duties in the morning or after he returned from finishing them at night.

“If you put it that way, I think you bothered Sir Demil more.”

Even when that was not possible, she asked Demil for help. She could approach him more comfortably than Shuher, so she received quite a lot of help.

“So if we are talking about who I am more grateful to, it would be Sir Demil.”

“You never lose an argument, do you.”

“Um, Ibnel!”

At that moment, Davian, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly raised her voice and called out to Ibnel. The conversation that had been flowing between Shuher and Ibnel was abruptly cut off.