News spread through the streets that those who had gone on border patrol were returning. It was a return after just two days, much earlier than expected.

‘This is quite strange.’

I stopped by the introduction agency, thinking of temporarily hiring a wandering knight, albeit expensive, since there was no workforce available at the mercenary guild. There, I unexpectedly met my father’s friend and debtor who had blocked his account. He greeted me cheerfully as soon as he saw me, but I couldn’t respond with a pleasant voice.

After hearing the whole story, he became furious, asking what nonsense this was. Together, we went to the Artenbach Bank and proved that he had been paying interest properly and there were no late payments.

In other words, I learned that the account had been suspended due to a mistake by the bank, resulting in missing records.

As compensation for the inconvenience of not being able to use the account for a few days, we received an additional amount calculated based on the interest from the time of suspension until now.

…I almost wrongly accused my innocent father.

‘Good things keep happening.’

Even a letter addressed to Black Swan arrived. It was Ranson inquiring about our terms.

Seeing that he was asking about conditions despite already being affiliated with the art gallery, it seemed he had sufficient intention to terminate his contract and come to our side, which made my heart flutter.

‘Now I can bring in not only Ranson but other talented individuals as well!’

There are ample funds. I’ve commissioned the mansion repairs, and I plan to make plenty of carrot puree, which Father likes, for his return.

‘I wish every day could be like today.’

It had been this way since the little one stayed overnight at the baron’s residence. The future that I thought was so tangled it couldn’t be untangled without cutting was unraveling like magic.

“Miss, the repairmen will soon arrive at the mansion. What should we do?”

At Anna’s words, I closed the nobility handbook. Then I got up and hurriedly gathered my silk hat.

“I’ll go there first. Finish up here and come.”

“Understood.”

As I stepped out of Black Swan, I slightly furrowed my brow at the unusually bright sunlight.

I’m in a good mood, the weather is nice, and my pockets are full. I thought that after meeting the workers, I should also go check out the street artists drawing portraits in the square.

‘May tomorrow be just like today.’

If I could just live like this, I’d be happier than ever. Really.

* * *

After Schmidt left for the mansion, Anna, who remained alone at Black Swan, organized the nobility handbook and scrapbook that she had left open.

After wiping the desk until it squeaked and even watering the plants, she was about to leave when someone entered the office.

“Oh? Young master?”

“Sister, where’s the auntie?”

“She went to the mansion for some business.”

“I’m a bit late then.”

“What do you mean……”

Anna was smiling, but then she swallowed hard when she saw Rublion’s expression change in an instant. It felt like even the air in the office had changed.

“From now on, there’s something you need to do for me, sister. I’ll explain why you need to do it, so don’t be surprised and listen.”

Anna nodded, looking at Rublion, whose eyes were those of a predator that could never be tamed.

“Right now, at the baron’s residence, there are not only repairmen and workers but also mercenaries sent by Johnston.”

“What?”

Anna’s heart plummeted to the floor. Right now, only Schmidt was at the mansion.

“Johnston intends to make a move on auntie before the baron returns. The reason you and auntie couldn’t find any mercenaries to hire at the guild is because Johnston hired them all.”

“Then… what should we do?”

Anna’s mind went blank. She couldn’t understand why these things only happened to her young miss. Her legs felt weak.

“I’ve already sent part of the guard to the baron’s residence. They’ll protect auntie from danger.”

“Th-thank you, young master.”

Anna finally collapsed, her legs giving out. Rublion approached her, who had tears welling up in her eyes, bent down, and whispered in her ear.

“So, let me tell you what you need to do first.”

Anna carefully took in Rublion’s instructions. Then, with a mix of worry and relief, she replied that she would act immediately.

* * *

I arrived at the mansion, but the surroundings were quiet. It seemed I had arrived earlier than the repairmen.

‘They must be delayed bringing the materials.’

Well, being a little late is fine, I can wait happily.

‘After finishing the roof and second floor repairs, and replacing the furnace, I should also commission a chimney cleaning.’

Despite the mountain of tasks to do, I was excited. It felt good just to be able to execute the plans I had made.

Humming a tune, I stood at the mansion’s main gate waiting for the repairmen. I saw something approaching from afar. Confirming it was someone on horseback rather than a carriage, I looked away.

‘Hurry up and come.’

The repairmen and the workers they hired would come by wagon. So that person on horseback had nothing to do with me.

I placed my hand on my head in advance to prevent my silk hat from flying off in the wind created by the passing horse.

Eventually, the sound of hooves drew closer. I took a step back to avoid any danger. That’s when it happened.

“She’s outside!”

“Quick, grab her!”

I heard someone shouting loudly. When I turned around, sturdy men were rushing out of the mansion, where there should have been no one.

‘Wh-what’s going on!’

Instinctively sensing danger, I quickly moved away from the main gate.

The shout to grab me quickly rang in my ears. The fact that they burst out from inside meant they would have caught me as soon as I entered with the workers. I thought how fortunate it was that I had stayed at the main gate.

Johnston appeared among the men who had rushed out. I stumbled backward.

“Schmidt, stop playing hard to get and come to me now.”

He spoke with a lewd smile, a cigar between his teeth. Smoke seeped through his teeth.

“I’ll cherish you for the rest of your life, okay?”

His smiling face made it so blatantly clear what he was after that it gave me goosebumps.

I had tried to hire mercenaries to prevent something like this from happening. But I had forgotten about it in my joy after meeting my father’s friend and learning that everything had been a misunderstanding while trying to hire a wandering knight.

In the brief moment as they approached, I thought of the weapon in my skirt pocket.

I did have an extendable baton for self-defense, but it was obvious I’d be caught by those men while taking it out and extending it.

‘Then……’

I decided to run towards the busy street. If I went where there were many people, I could ask for help, and if I was lucky, I might even run into a patrol on duty. Thinking this, I was about to run without looking back when.

“Huh?”

My body suddenly floated in the air, and the mansion began to recede from view. It happened so suddenly that I froze like ice. My body bounced in rhythm with the sound of hoofbeats.

On the yard of the increasingly distant mansion, knights in wine-colored uniforms were subduing the mercenaries. And I, who had been forcibly placed on the horse I thought would just pass by, was still blinking, unable to process the situation.

“Glad I wasn’t too late.”

I had seen those hands holding the reins before. The hands of the man they say someone dies when he adjusts his gloves.

In other words, the identity of the person riding with me was.

“…Duke?”

At the same time, the horse neighed. Startled, I hunched down and grabbed the horse’s neck.

“Sit up straight and look ahead. If you grab there, you might startle the horse and throw us off.”

At these alarming words, I sat up straight. I could hear the Duke’s breathing right next to my ear.

“You must have many questions, but explanations will come later. For now, our priority is to escape from any potential threats.”

The Duke shouted “Yah!” The horse galloped faster down the road.

* * *

About an hour earlier.

Rublion, having received a report from Ino about Johnston’s suspicious behavior, clenched his small fist tightly.

“There’s a limit to the range of actions I can take…”

Rublion paced anxiously in the mansion lobby. He wanted to ask Ino to protect auntie from danger, but Johnston had hired too many mercenaries. That’s why Ino had come back unable to do anything.

“If only the Duke were here.”

“What about me.”

Startled by the sudden voice, Rublion’s eyes widened.

“Didn’t you say you’d return… that you’d arrive tomorrow for sure?”

“Are you displeased that I came early?”

Askal said as he unfastened the sword at his waist.

“I left a bit earlier because I was worried about leaving you alone.”

He looked Rublion up and down and muttered.

“But it seems you’ve managed well without me.”

“No! I missed you so much, Duke!”

“…Be honest. Did you cause trouble?”

Rublion shook his head. The Duke’s arrival at this timing was fate, and it was heaven helping him to save auntie.

The child picked up the sword Askal had put down and said,

“We need to go rescue auntie right now.”

Askal’s eyebrow twitched.

“Has something happened to the baron’s daughter?”

Rublion stamped his feet impatiently. If only Askal could appear like a savior and rescue Schmidt, they could send the knights to the Deli baron’s residence to subdue the mercenaries.

“I’ll explain later! Please, Duke, go to the Deli baron’s residence right away and bring auntie back!”

“No, I need to hear what’s going on first…”

With each passing moment, it felt like the blood was draining from him. Finally, Rublion threw out the bait.

“Uncle! I’ll attend the knights’ morning training from tomorrow!”

Askal stopped abruptly. His golden eyes flashed.

“You’ll come to morning training?”

Yet he still seemed unwilling to move. Rublion clenched his fists and replied.

“I’ll even learn marksmanship at morning training.”

Askal raised his chin. In contrast to his relatively relaxed demeanor, Rublion was going crazy with anxiety.

“Swordsmanship included.”

To Askal’s negotiation, Rublion bit his lip slightly before answering.

“Alright. I’ll do everything you tell me to, so please help.”

Askal took the sword Rublion was holding out. Then, with a satisfied heart, he turned around and quickly ran out of the mansion.