I understood that very well myself. However, in the face of Dad’s serious expression, I narrowed my eyes.

“You said not to read the letter because she’s such a scary person that it made Dad tremble, right?”
I also understand Dad’s concern for me very well. Worry has already been dripping from his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Dad didn’t ignore Sienna’s opinion.”

Some adults never apologize to their children, I’ve heard.

Our dad is different.

He admits it honestly and tells why he did it.

I nodded.

“Yeah… Dad, I’m sorry, too.”

After apologizing, we hugged each other.
I put down the letter, hopped off the couch, and crawled onto Dad’s lap, whimpering as I did. Dad extended his hand to help me sit comfortably and held me tight.

“We made up, right?”

“Yeah! Now, the letter!”

I hesitated slightly, but Dad handed me the letter again. I carefully considered it as I took out the letter sent by Delfia and began to read.

“Invite me to your tea party.
The date, well, I’m not sure. Whenever you want, I’m fine.

I’ll clear my schedule.

p.s. I won’t eat you, little one. I just want to meet you. With love, Delfia Mirmord.

Not eating me!

I clenched my fist tightly.

The letter I held in my hand crumpled with a satisfying sound.

But I would never just give in. No, I might even give it back properly.
“Delfia Mirmord is very vulnerable to holy power. Fortunately, I have a holy knight, Ted…!”

Perhaps Dad had seen the letter behind my back because he spoke.

“Tea party, huh.”

Dad’s voice sounded somewhat bitter.

I nodded with a sly smile and said, “Yeah, invite her!”

I looked at Dad with a heart filled with excitement, ready to face Delfia head-on.

“Dad, I want to have a tea party!”
To be precise, I meant that I wanted to have a showdown with Delfia, not just a tea party, but Dad seemed to interpret it differently.

“Sienn, you want a tea party? Come to think of it, our daughter hasn’t had many tea parties.”

Dad seemed to pity me for not having experienced a proper tea party, but since there’s a saying that you can lead a horse to water, I didn’t feel the need to correct his misconception. I decided to change the subject.
“Yes! Now that Sienn is also a noble!”

“Then… okay, Sienn. Meet Delfia once.”

Dad whispered affectionately in my ear.

“So that Sienn can be safe wherever she goes, Dad can help.”

I couldn’t see his face from behind, but Dad was definitely smiling.

But strangely, the temperature around me seemed to have dropped by half.

But whether it was a coincidence or not, I was in a very passionate state.
I sang a little tune as I checked the letter sent by Ted.

But there was unexpected content in the letter.

As you are still in the position of a holy knight, you must take on the role of escorting Lady Gabrielle.

…I am ashamed to say this, but for the time being, it seems it will be difficult for me to become your knight, so I am writing this letter.
After everything is settled, can we meet again?

At that time, I want to be sworn in as Lady Cien’s knight.]

Just looking at the last line, it was clearly good news. Someday, I’ll become your knight.

But I didn’t have time.

Delphia is also watching me closely, and Axel is returning in a month.

‘In order to stop them, we absolutely need a holy knight with divine power…!’

I clenched my small hand tightly.
‘If Gabrielle is after Ted, there’s a high probability of a hitch in my plan…’

Entering the temple takes time, and it also takes some time for Ted to renounce his knighthood. It roughly means a probationary period of about 7 days is required.

But if during that period Gabrielle keeps summoning Ted, it will disrupt my plan.
Especially if Gabrielle intends to take Ted as her knight, an unexpected conflict might ensue.

What should I do?

As I held the letter and pondered deeply, someone knocked on the door of my room.

Boldly opening the door and stepping in was none other than Ted’s younger brother, Acid.

“Baby?”

He’s bigger than me, but I still call him the baby boy.
At the door, Acid, who had widened his eyes in surprise, was now looking at me with a determined expression.

“I, I have something I want to say again!”

Acid’s gaze became resolute.

At the same moment, inside the Senoa Temple, where the knight Ted resides.

There was a figure who acted as both the highest authority of this temple and the master of all the knights.
Inside the temple, there was a child, known for having the most sacred power, that even the Pope had his eye on. Her name was Gabrielle.

Gabrielle was just a little over ten years old, but she had an air of arrogance about her. She whispered lowly, raising her chin.

“Ted, will you protect me even during this upcoming pilgrimage?”

It was true that the novice priestesses needed protection during their pilgrimages. However, it wasn’t so dangerous that a knight of Ted’s caliber needed to accompany them.
Ted had been occupied with other important commitments, but despite knowing this, Gabrielle was speaking with a sulking tone.

Until now, Ted had always listened to everything Gabrielle said.

“…It seems like it might be possible for this upcoming pilgrimage only. I have other commitments afterward…”

Ted hesitated, chewing on his lip as he responded to Gabrielle’s firm words.
He thought of Sien. He knew it was sinful to compare children. But Sien… she was confident yet a gentle mistress. She respected his opinions without any personal gain, someone he wanted to serve willingly.

But Gabrielle…

“You’re going to be my escort knight, and yet, you mention another commitment.”

“…”

“You’re going to serve me.”

“Gabrielle, I… I have someone else I want to serve.”