“It’s time…”

Philip anxiously stared down the dark night road.

Honestly, he had thought more than a hundred times that he didn’t know why he was doing this.

The order to “Find out how far we’ve come” had almost escaped his lips many times, but he’d managed to suppress it.

“Why am I doing this?”

When the same question arose again, Philip looked at Marlboro and the knightly order members who were waiting with him.

“Ah, I have to deal with forty refugees and ten bandits.”

He made a reason for himself and clenched his fist tightly.

At that moment, Marlboro, who had checked the pocket watch, spoke to Philip.

“Father, it’s getting very late. I’ll be with the members, and we’ll handle the refugees and bandits when they come.”

“…….”

Philip swallowed a sigh inwardly.

The reason he had painstakingly crafted had become meaningless because of Marlboro.

In fact, he could have done as Marlboro said.

Marlboro and the knightly order members had the capacity to handle the matters of the refugees and bandits.

The place for the refugees to stay for a short time was prepared in the woods behind the mansion. The prison for the bandits was ready too.

Which knight would lead the two categories had been decided, and Marlboro was assigned to escort the bandits.

So, there was no reason for Philip to stay here.

“Father, please go inside and rest.” Enduring the thoughtful look in his son’s eyes, Philip sighed quietly.

Now there was only one reason left for Philip to stay.

“The refugees and bandits are not the only ones coming….”

At last, Marlboro was taken aback by his words that acknowledged Ellen.

“I’m sorry. I was shortsighted.”

“No.”

Philip, who had spoken in a calm and low voice, stared straight ahead.

Lights were approaching from far away.

It was Sir Hoil, who was running forward with a lamp.

“Master, the madam and the convoy have arrived safely.”

Soon, the convoy led by Ellen’s carriage arrived one after another.

Marlboro and the knights were busy moving to fulfill their duties.

“…Master?”

Sir Mild, who had driven Ellen’s carriage, seemed surprised to see Philip waiting.

But he quickly jumped down and bowed respectfully.

“Thank you for the prompt action. We had a safe journey.”

Sir Mild was sincerely thankful to Philip as Ellen had returned safely, but Philip found his sincerity rather unpleasant.

“It’s not a greeting for a knight to do.”

“I’m sorry.”

At his stern face, Sir Mild bowed further and opened the carriage door.

“The madam is asleep.”

The maid quickly got down and respectfully greeted Philip before stepping aside.

Inside the carriage, Ellen was seen leaning against a soft cushion, asleep.

A smile naturally appeared at her angelic face. Sir Mild next to him felt the same.

In fact, anyone would have made the same expression.

The maid had the same demeanor.

But knowing that, Philip was extremely displeased with Sir Mild.

“Sir Mild, prepare for disciplinary action according to the circumstances of the incident.”

He meant to hold him accountable for the carriage falling into a trap.

It was practically an unavoidable accident. Moreover, Philip was now being unfair.

He had not leveled the same threat against the other knights who had accompanied Ellen.

Philip knew that. That’s why he unconsciously ‘expected Sir Mild to protest angrily.’

‘If he does, I’ll have to entrust the protection of my wife to another knight for a while as punishment.’

Sir Mild was Ellen’s loyal subordinate. Philip knew well that a demotion or pay cut would not harm him much.

Temporarily depriving him of the duty to escort Ellen was the best punishment.

‘It’s not that I find Sir Mild’s presence next to my wife annoying.’

The frustration of Sir Mild, the separation from Ellen.

For some reason, it was satisfying just to think about it.

But Sir Mild obediently bowed his head.

“I deeply feel the responsibility. After escorting the madam so she can sleep comfortably in her room, I’ll willingly accept any pay cut, demotion, or anything.”

“…….”
Philip’s mood was doubly soured due to Knight Mild’s absolute obedience.

“Shall I entrust the protection to another knight for a while since I’ve endangered my lady?”

At the same time, he felt a sense of selfreproach.

It was because he realized he wanted to give the same command no matter how Knight Mild responded.

“Why am I like this?”

His head ached, and he rubbed his distorted forehead with his thumb and index finger.

A maid watching him carefully asked,

“Master, should I wake the mistress now?”

It was common for Ellen to fall asleep in the carriage after being somewhere.

When she returned home in that state, the attendants would carefully wake her after receiving Philip’s permission.

It was a procedure in anticipation of her illtempered awakening. And every time, Philip allowed the attendants to wake Ellen.

“There’s no need for that.”

Philip went into the carriage and lifted Ellen at once.

A pleasant fragrance wafted from Ellen. Philip’s mood improved.

Soon he thought Ellen’s weight was abnormal, though.