‘Become friends with a future famous thief…’

I was about to step out lightly when I came to a stop.

A question floated in my mind.

‘Does he really have to become a thief?’

The original work didn’t provide details on how Shanquez became a thief.

But I knew from occasional scenes where Shanquez confessed his past to Elizer.

How much he cursed his own life.

‘If I return, I want to live an ordinary life. Not a life scurrying around to avoid people’s eyes, but a life where I can say I protected someone.’

Shanquez wanted righteousness. Even as time passed, he never gave up his desire for righteousness.

Later on, he even offered to become Elizer’s comrade, risking his life.

He had said that even if he were to return, he would make the same choice.

Because he knew that the only option given to him was just one.

But if he were given another choice.

If there was an option to choose something other than being a thief.

I turned my head toward Clemens with resolve.

“Brother, I have a favor to ask…”

“Yes, go ahead.”
Clemens hesitated for a moment after hearing my words. Eventually, he granted my request.

I moved to the annex with Sophia and Yan.

Carefully holding the candy I had previously asked Sophia for.

‘Annex 1st floor, the very last room.’

A servant was guarding the front. I cautiously opened the door.

The only child left in the room, unable to find their parents, was Shankez.

The room he was staying in was spacious. There was a soft bed on one side and a leather sofa next to it where one could rest at any time.

However, Shankez was crouching in the farthest corner of the room.

“Shankez.”

At my call, he merely lifted his head slightly. Soon, his head drooped weakly onto his knees.

“You haven’t eaten anything since morning.”

“I wasn’t hungry.”

‘A lie.’

All the other children had found their families and returned yesterday. That meant Shankez had to spend the night alone in the room since last night.

He must have been lonely. He must have been tired and exhausted.

Ironically, I spent last night, perhaps the least lonely night of my life. And it will always be that way from now on.

What could I say to him? Words didn’t come easily.

After hesitating several times, I finally sat down beside him.

Shankez asked with a sarcastic tone.

“Shouldn’t Your Highness refrain from sitting on a dirty floor?”

“It’s not dirty here; it’s clean. That’s why you’re sitting, too.”

“…….”

The servants of the dukedom cleaned every day so that not a speck of dust remained in the mansion.

So, I had never seen a single speck of dust on any ornament or window frame.

Unable to argue with my words, Shankez clamped his mouth shut. I fumbled with the candy I brought and discreetly offered it to him.

“Do you want to eat this?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“But this is a really tasty strawberry candy…”

At the mention of candy, Shankez suddenly lifted his head. He snatched the candy placed on my palm.

“Since you’re asking, I’ll eat it.”

He complained as he carefully pocketed the candy. I cautiously brought up the conversation.

“Did the other kids go home okay?”

“Yeah, thanks to someone.”

“That’s good.”

I meant it. Shankez glanced at me and asked sarcastically.

“You didn’t come here to ask that, did you? Why are you looking for me?”

He stared at me as if to say, you could have asked the servants about such trivial matters, couldn’t you?

“I heard from Sophia; you said you’d go to the monastery.”

“It’s none of your concern.”

Shankez retorted gruffly.

There were no orphanages in Hesera. Not just in Hesera, but most of the territories of the empire were the same.

Orphanages were facilities that could only be managed directly by the central government. In territories without a government office, it was natural that there were no orphanages.

Therefore, in territories without an orphanage, children were taken care of in monasteries managed by the central temple.

I might not have been so concerned if Shankez were really going to the monastery.

However, Shankez spent most of his early years in an underground guild. Even if he went to the monastery this time, for some reason, he would escape and head for a thieves’ guild.

He would regret that choice for the rest of his life.

“Don’t go.”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s none of your business.”

“You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you do.”

I unintentionally blurted it out. Shankez, surprised at my words, narrowed his eyes.

“You… why do you speak as if you know something?”

Ah, again, without thinking.

I swallowed hard. This mouth of mine, I should be more careful.

On one hand, I pretended not to know anything.

“I came to make a proposal.”
Standing outside the door, Yurik waved at Ian, who then strode toward us.

Ian was tall. Although I knew through the original work that he was a kind and gentle character, one couldn’t easily imagine such an image just by looking at his tightly closed mouth.

‘And my knight has a handsome face too!’

I looked at Ian with a proud smile. Making eye contact, Ian approached me, bowed his head slightly, and assumed a formal posture.

“Ian, I called you because I have a favor to ask.”

“Command me.”

Unlike when it was just the two of us, Ian replied curtly in a businesslike manner.

It was the perfect image of a knight. Light flashed and glittered in the eyes of those who watched Ian.