“Really? But still, Sjellin Commander being the apprentice of Interfield Commander. Would he be that harsh?”

The apprentice knight looked at the senior knight in horror. At the same time, seeing Sjellin Commander, who seemed ready to kill, charging, the apprentice knight had to correct his thinking.

The fiery temperament of Dean Sjellin, who had torn the Hepheriti army to pieces on the battlefield, applied equally to the fearsome Howard Interfield Commander.

(This is a time separator.)

Loud cheers rang out from the training ground left behind.

Entering the garden of the palace, Olivia glanced back. She saw a whirl of sandy dust in the wind. Amidst the heated cheering, she heard the names Howard and Dean.

Dean. Dean Sjellin.

Olivia chewed on Dean’s name in her mouth. Suddenly, Edwin brought his face close to hers.

Just 10cm apart. She felt his long eyelashes fluttering so close. Olivia momentarily held her breath.

Edwin glanced at her beautiful face. Contrary to his innocent expression, his red eyes were deep and obsessively pulled at Olivia’s gaze.

“If you’re interested in knights, there’s one right next to you, Olivia.”

His voice was enchanting enough to send a chill down her spine. His gaze was excessively sweet. Olivia involuntarily recalled the previous night. Caught by his intense gaze, which strangely ignited heat within her, Olivia looked away and replied.

“…I doubt it. The knight beside me is already quite interested in me.”

Despite her teasing tone, her cheeks flushed a rosy hue.

Edwin seemed very pleased with her answer. Finally, this suspicious lady had shown that she believed in his heart, even if only subtly.

Swallowing a laugh, Edwin feigned a brokenhearted expression.

“So you don’t feed a fish you’ve caught?”

“Of course not. It’s just that I want to love everyone in Vicander, where my fish lives, ah!”

Olivia, who had been retorting to Edwin’s words, was suddenly startled, her eyes wide. Her casually outstretched hand was caught by Edwin’s.

They held hands during every escort, but somehow it felt like holding hands for the first time, her heart pounding. Edwin’s hand felt unusually warm.

It couldn’t be the effect of alcohol. She’d had tomato soup early in the morning.

No matter how hard she tried to think of something else, she remained conscious of Edwin’s hand and his gaze. The moment their eyes met, Olivia swallowed a sigh. Edwin drew out his words playfully.

“Why the startled rabbit eyes?”

“That’s because you grabbed it suddenly.”

“So you dislike it?”

Worried, his voice full of concern, the hand that had been holding her firmly began to gently release its grip, as if ready to pull away. Feeling sorry for the hand that seemed about to let go, Olivia suddenly grabbed it again. Edwin’s eyes softened.

“Knowing how to control me so easily.”

So easy to control, indeed. Her heart was pounding, making it hard to breathe.

But instead of speaking, Olivia pouted her lips.

“I welcome loving Vicander, but.”

“…….”
“As much as you care about Vicander, pay attention to this captured fish as well.”

Every time Olivia’s eyes met his, her cheeks turned as red as a ripe apple. Her small hand, trembling in his, was unbearably lovely. Edwin decided to tease this rabbitlike lady, knowing she might run away.

“……To further explain for my timid lady.”

Edwin drew Olivia’s hand close to him. When her surprised green eyes widened, Edwin pressed his lips to her delicate wrist, where her pulse was thumping rapidly.

Only after the sound of his lips leaving her skin did Edwin reluctantly release Olivia, his eyes narrowed.

“Appreciate me properly.”

A hint of red temptation lingered at the corner of his mouth. His voice, languid and intoxicating, rang in her ear.

Olivia, her arm released from Edwin’s hand, pulled it to her chest, feeling the tender flesh above her wrist burn as if it had been scorched.

Unsure of what to say, Olivia turned and headed for the duke’s castle, her ladylike, elegant stride quickening.

She ran past the passing servants and maids, oblivious to their bows, followed by a large burst of laughter.

.

.

.

“Miss?”

Sitting on the balcony, Bethany called to Olivia with a puzzled face. The duke had gone somewhere after the two had gone out to observe the knights, but only the redfaced lady returned.

“Yes? Oh, Bethany.”

Her bright and beautiful face was oddly dazed. It couldn’t be the heat in this cool northern land. Bethany, suspecting something, soon caught on and smiled subtly. Indeed, Edwin’s laughter was still spreading pleasantly in the distance.

But wisely, like a mature adult, Bethany pretended not to know and pulled out Olivia’s chair. Sitting down, Olivia fanned herself, acting hot.

“Did you observe the knights who will be your escorts well?”

“Oh, yes.”

Right. Only then did Olivia remember the reason she had gone to see the knight squad.

“It’s good to inspect the territory. But make sure you have a dedicated maid and escort knights when you go out.”

The words Edwin had spoken at breakfast came to mind. Remembering Edwin’s voice, it felt like an inexplicable warmth was rushing to her cheeks. Olivia coughed and fanned herself. Bethany’s gaze felt strangely peculiar, so Olivia mumbled to herself.

“……The north is not as cold as I thought.”

“It’s not cold? That’s fortunate, Miss.”

Bethany’s genuinely relieved face made Olivia’s conscience twinge. Olivia quickly changed the subject.

“But how is the dedicated maid assigned? Since I’m not yet the duke’s wife, it’s an awkward situation to receive grace from the ducal family.”

The duke’s wife’s dedicated maids were usually noble maidens from the duke’s family. But Olivia knew well that the duke’s family’s noble families had all suffered great losses in the war in which the previous duke had died. If she talked around it, Bethany would take her side when Edwin came later……

“Then I can be the dedicated maid too!”

Olivia blinked at Bethany’s enthusiastic clap.

“But Bethany, you are a housekeeper, and a northern magician, and…….”

Ah, right, there was one more thing.

“……You have to do stewardship too.”

But Bethany shook her head as if it were no problem.

“Don’t worry. I originally came to Vicander as the dedicated maid of the previous duke’s wife.”

The previous duke’s wife, then. The last princess of the destroyed kingdom Lowell.

Stories about the kingdom were generally taboo. The reason the previous duke went to the battlefield was also said to be because of the previous duchess.

The suddenly recalled story silenced Olivia. Soon, Bethany’s eyes, which had been moistened, smiled widely.
“……Oh! Miss, what will you do with the escort knight? I heard that you have been getting along comfortably with Winster on the island. Shall we leave Howard in charge until he arrives?”

Olivia did not ask about the Duke’s previous wife with any particular intention. Instead, she looked at Bethany’s face, filled with longing, and smiled teasingly.

“I want to get along with everyone.”

Bethany tilted her head in confusion. What did getting along with everyone have to do with choosing an escort knight? Then, as if it couldn’t be, she looked at Olivia with those eyes.

Olivia winked and nodded as if she had guessed correctly.

“How about taking turns as the escort knight? I’m thinking about it.”

“It’s a good idea, Miss?”

“Starting with, Sir Sgerlin.”

Olivia grinned and looked in the direction of the training grounds. The moment she thought of Dian Sgerlin, who had been glaring at her, it seemed as if she could hear a faint scream from afar.