“If I had met the young lady first on the first day, she would have liked me the most. Then the escort position would have been mine!”

Yan’s family history was recounted by other knights. Despite his personal information being exposed, Yan showed a goodnatured smile.

I narrowed my eyes.

‘It’s a relief Yan doesn’t get scammed anywhere.’

In the original work, Yan only knew that the Leviche Knight Order was a knight order protecting the border from monsters.

He never thought that the Duke’s personal knight order would commit wicked acts.

Thinking about it, Yan was already deceived by the Duke.

‘He’s not lending money to just anyone, is he?’

That part was a serious concern. I made up my mind to caution Yan later.

‘Don’t lend money to just anyone.’

“Go see your siblings. Isn’t ten days enough?”

When Yan didn’t answer, the Duke urged him. It sounded like a probing attitude.

“Ah, yes. Then…….”

While answering, our eyes met. Looking at his expression, I could see Yan was concerned.

To alleviate his worry, I spoke cheerfully.

“I’m fine, just take care.”

“Yes, young lady. Thank you.”

Although I was a bit sad, I couldn’t insist on him not going to see his siblings.

‘I never knew Yan had three siblings.’

Somehow, being held by Yan was as comforting as being held by Sophia. Maybe because he had three siblings, he took good care of me.

Chrisy had been my escort for a while, and sometimes he would hold me, but I always felt uncomfortable and quickly escaped his embrace.

Each time, Chrisy looked sad, but his way of holding was uncomfortable, so I couldn’t stay long.

‘Considering that, the Duke hugs well too.’

The Duke’s embrace was also as proficient as Yan’s.

‘It’s quite comfortable.’

Considering how I am comfortably held even now, the Duke’s way of holding was quite stable.

“Then, dismiss.”

At the Duke’s command, the knights shook off the black hoods they were holding and one by one began to return to the training ground.

I belatedly focused on the black hoods they had been holding.

A shiver went down my spine.

Have I seen it somewhere before?

“By the way, Yan, what’s with those clothes?”

“Ah, these clothes? We often wear them when we go on missions.”

Yan kindly answered, and Bart quickly jumped in.

“This clothing is very comfortable! It has a spell on it so the hood won’t easily fall off!”

Bart even demonstrated by pulling the hood down deep.

“And it doesn’t obstruct the view. There’s a seeing spell on part of the hood!”

Seeing Bart with the hood pulled down, my eyes widened. The sight of the deeply hooded figure was not unfamiliar.

‘Could it be…….’
I recalled a scene from the memory that the silver snake had shown me.

‘Uahahaha! You wretches! I have arrived!’

‘Can’t we please leave that guy out next time?’

‘If I came secretly and that brat finds out? Can you handle that? That brat will be sulking for at least three months if not included.’

The group in black hoods that ambushed the assassins!

‘Was that the Leviche Knights?!’

Come to think of it, the man who had slashed the assassins had particularly caught my eye.

‘Don’t overdo it, and finish quickly. I need to return before the sun rises.’

So, that man back then…….

“Why are you doing this, Miss?”

Ian asked in a gentle tone. It was a completely different way of speaking from the voice that remained in my memory.

“Ah, no…….”

Upon reflection, the security of the mansion had been particularly lax the day I intentionally released the assassin.

‘I mean, the silver snake used stealth to hide my appearance.’

That day, the assassin had even been injured. The silver snake told me that it wouldn’t be easy to escape after being poisoned.

It didn’t make sense that such an assassin had managed to break through the strict security of the Duke’s house and escape unscathed.

‘So the Duke deliberately let the assassin go?’

I was shocked by the realization of the new fact.

‘The Duke still doesn’t know that I went down to the underground dungeon that day?’

If the Duke had known, he would not have been still.

‘He would have certainly asked.’

As I lifted my head to look at the Duke, the Duke crookedly tilted his head to look down at me.

“Why.”

‘…Yes, if he knew, he wouldn’t be so indifferent.’

“My Lord.”

Then, Fillen whispered softly to the Duke.

“Go down now.”

As the Duke said so, I felt as if I had become a child asking to be hugged first.

‘Who asked to be hugged?’

Feeling relieved, I lightly came down to the floor. The Duke simply ignored Fillen and followed him into the mansion.

When the Duke disappeared, the remaining knights crowded around me again.

“Miss, who do you plan to have as an escort while Ian is on leave?”

“Do you have any plans to change the escort?”

“Miss, I heard you like cookies for a snack…….”

The burly, noisy men gathered all at once, making it hard to concentrate.

‘My ears!’

I scrunched my face and tightly covered both ears. Then those standing around laughed loudly, creating a great uproar.

Meanwhile, Fillen, who had urgently called for Kailius, handed over a note and said,

“It’s quite surprising, speaking directly like this.”

A few minutes ago, a confidential mail had arrived at the Duke’s house. Inside the envelope, along with a single dose of a secret potion, was a note.