In the original work, Ludvion was a supporting male character.

Upon learning that Kashar had kidnapped and imprisoned Elsius, he eventually sided with Michael and became his knight.

‘He harbors feelings for Elsius but can’t even confess.’

For Elsius to find happiness with the one she loves.

In the end, becoming Elsius’s guard knight was Ludvion’s greatest happiness.

‘Rather, Ludvion seems more like a supporting male than Kashar.’

Though he had less prominence than Kashar, his narrative was much closer to the typical pitiful supporting male archetype.

It was while I was observing him.

As a giant knight stretched, he bumped into Ludvion.

“Hey, get out of the way, you’re in the way!”

Ludvion stood his ground without saying a word.

“With that pale skin, how can you call yourself a knight?”

“You need to be at least my size to be a knight!”

Jeers from the giant knights poured towards Ludvion.

Given the huge size difference, it seemed being ignored was a daily occurrence.

‘He still can’t control spirits.’

Ludvion’s true value lies in handling spirits.

Like many supporting characters, Ludvion also harbored a secret about his birth.

He was of mixed blood, part Shirius Duchy citizen and part Rihart Empire citizen.

The Shirius Duchy was full of those who used nature’s power, with more spirit users than magicians. Among them, elf descendants boasted exceptional spirit arts.

‘That means Ludvion has elf blood flowing in him.’

But even exceptional spirit users had a weakness.

It was their fragile physique.

It would be perfect if one could complement both, but it was rare for someone to have it all.

Ludvion didn’t even know he could handle spirits. The one who made him realize this was also the female protagonist.

It was the moment the continent’s first spirit swordsman was born.

‘It’s also the moment Elsius gains another follower.’

He couldn’t even confess his feelings and volunteered to be her shadow for life.

It was a very unfortunate future, but in terms of ability, Ludvion was nothing short of a hidden gem.

‘Ignoring such talent would be a national loss.’

Noticing where my gaze had stopped, Kashar spoke.

“Have you chosen?”

“Yes. I’ll go with that person.”

My finger was pointing at Ludvion, who was standing among the large-bodied men.

As expected, the giant and large-bodied knights who were all worked up collectively protested.

“That’s absurd. How can such a flour-like fellow protect the young lady’s lover!”

“That’s right. We’re stronger, so please choose again…!”

I completely ignored their outcries.

“If I go with you knights, I’m afraid the carriage might burst or break.”

“We, we could squeeze in somehow…!”

“I’d rather not be cramped.”

“No, no matter what you say, safety comes first!”

The large-bodied men were now voicing their discontent.

My gaze turned to Ludvion.

He was also looking at me standing on the platform. As if he never expected to be chosen.

“This person is a knight too. I believe he’ll protect me well since he carries a sword.”

The golden eyes looking at me were trembling unsteadily.

“Ludvion.”

“…I accept the order.”

At Kashar’s call, Ludvion stepped forward.

Kashar ordered him with an expressionless face.

“Can you take charge of guarding my lover?”

“If entrusted to me, I will protect her with my life.”

Perhaps because he was a knight, his resolve was quite extraordinary.

‘We’re not going to war, just heading into town.’

Though he was squeezed among the large-bodied men, Ludvion’s swordsmanship was quite excellent even before he became a spirit user.

I smiled awkwardly and greeted Ludvion.

“I’m in your care, Sir Ludvion.”

Female protagonist, I’ll just borrow your future talent for a bit!

Just as I was declaring this mock borrowing.

“Do you like younger men?”

“Pardon?”

What is he saying now?

As I questioned with my eyes, not understanding, Kashar brought his lips to my ear.

“Be careful. You’ll be in trouble if you cheat with a young lad.”

“Wh-what are you saying!”

My face instantly turned bright red.

I snapped at him, asking what he meant, but truthfully I wasn’t upset.

‘Interrogate me more!’

If it was this kind of thrilling questioning, I could feel my heart flutter as much as possible.

But while I was inwardly excited with conflicting emotions, the reactions around us were completely different.

“It seems our lord has challenged his lover to a duel.”

“It’s the best confession, of course she’d be nervous!”

“We’ll cheer for your wonderful duel!”

As the cheers of the Maine knights grew louder, my excitement dried up like pickled plums.

‘What exactly is this world of Maine that worships strength and power?’

It was clearly an area I would never understand.

And that evening, my outing was decided.

The next morning.

I stood in front of the waiting carriage.

“Eileen, can’t you take us too?”

“Next time. Today I’m going for work, not for fun.”

“Boo-hoo.”

Louis clutched my dress and whined.

Watching his younger brother, Evan calmly stepped back.

“Be careful.”

“I’ll bring back a gift. Something you like, Evan.”

“What about me, what about me!”

“Of course I’ll get something for you too, Louis.”

Finally satisfied, Louis let go of my dress. But his cheeks were still puffed up.

‘I’m going to get an estimate to repair the Demon King’s castle.’

Pat pat.

As I swallowed the words inside and patted Louis’s head, it happened.

“Then what about me?”

Kashar, who had approached from behind, suddenly embraced me.

He naturally buried his face in my neck. His faint breath was warming my nape.

‘Lately, the skinship seems to have increased.’

Moreover, it had become extremely natural.

‘…Is it since seeing Moonpierce?’

It seems to have been like this since I started putting him to sleep, but I was the only one who couldn’t adapt to it.

‘Wholesome thoughts. Wholesome thoughts.’

It was just the tip of his nose touching my nape, but all sorts of thoughts were crossing my mind.

Just as those who have tasted meat eat it better, those who have fantasized are on a different level.

Before it became irredeemable, I pushed him away and blurted out.

“…I’ll make dinner for you, so wait!”

It meant I would return before nightfall.

I heard a chuckle from the face buried in my neck.

A moment later, he raised his head and kissed my cheek with a whispered word.

“This is why I keep wanting to devour you.”

Chu.

The sensation of soft lips finally blew up my reason.

‘Wh-what? What just happened…!’

As my thoughts froze, I couldn’t do anything.

Kashar naturally put me into the carriage as if it were the normal course of events.

Eventually Ludvion got in too, but I couldn’t even register him entering.

“Have a safe trip.”

“Take care, future lady!”

People waved their hands at the carriage.

I stared blankly at the wall even as we passed through the mist barrier.

Only one sentence was floating in my mind.

Kashar.

To me.

‘…He, he kissed me!’

Not on the hair, but on the cheek.

That was as different as heaven and earth.

As my thoughts settled, fantasies of growing old with Kashar and seeing our grandchildren began to follow.

‘No. Stop fantasizing!’

I shook my head desperately. I had to break free from the wings of imagination at all costs.

‘Why did he kiss me?’

Maybe because there were many eyes watching.

This was the only reason I could think of for why he kissed me.

The fake lover act was more effective with more people around.

The contract was still ongoing in the castle. Perhaps he wanted to show it clearly.

“Lady Hallen, are you alright?”

“…Huh!”

It was none other than Ludvion who ended the turmoil in my head.

I started in surprise and rubbed my cheeks vigorously.

‘I was completely lost in thought.’

I had forgotten there was someone else present, my attention focused solely on Kashar.

He looked worried, probably thinking I was unwell.

“Are you perhaps feeling unwell…?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just, I already miss him so much!”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, I was just trying to compose myself for a moment.”

I gave an awkward smile. My desperate attempt at flirting succeeded in allaying Ludvion’s concerns.

“You must have a very affectionate relationship.”

“Of course!”

I nodded vigorously, and he didn’t say anything more.

‘That should do it, right?’

When I glanced at him, Ludvion had returned to his previous expressionless face.

Though I managed to get through it somehow, I already felt drained.

Then came silence. I fidgeted with my fingers, alternating glances between the window and the interior.

‘It’s awkward.’

This was the first time I was alone with someone other than the twins and Kashar.

I secretly peeked at Ludvion.

‘If Kashar is the beast type, this one would be the melancholic beauty type.’

Ludvion was calmly looking down with lowered eyes.

His long, pale green eyelashes and vivid golden eyes gave him an atmospheric air.

He was as handsome as described in the book.

But far from my heart fluttering, I kept thinking of him.

‘Still, Kashar is much more… Ugh…!’

I almost thought about it again. It seemed to be a disease.

“Lady Hallen.”

“Yes?”

I looked up in surprise and met Ludvion’s eyes.

Hesitation was visible on his expressionless face.

As I waited quietly for his answer, he voiced the question he had been hesitating to ask.

“May I ask why you chose me?”

I thought he was going to say something else, but it seems he was curious about why he was picked over those large-bodied men.

It was a simpler question than I expected.

I answered with relief.

“Because you’re a knight too, Sir Ludvion.”

“…There were many others more capable than me.”

“Those people were too big and intimidating.”

“Is that so?”

…It was a joke, but Ludvion’s face was so serious that I was at a loss for words.

It felt awkward to say I knew his secret origins, so I opened my mouth to correct the misunderstanding.

“What I said just now was a joke. The reason I chose you, Sir Ludvion, was…”

A spark appeared in Ludvion’s eyes as if waiting for my words.

I thought his eyes were clear and pretty.

“I thought the very fact that you were there meant you were recognized as a knight.”

Come to think of it, it didn’t make sense that Kashar’s knights would be incompetent either.

‘There may be differences in physique and strength.’

But that means they all have different skills and abilities they’re confident in.

I didn’t think Ludvion was inferior to the knights who were there.

“Ah, we’ve arrived.”

The carriage had just stopped.

It seemed less awkward now that we had exchanged some words on the way.

I smiled brightly and made a request to him.

“Sir Ludvion, can you make me one promise?”

His expression was a bit subtle when I looked at him again.

But before I could think it strange, he returned to his original face.

“Please command me.”

“Keep where we’re going today a secret from Kashar.”

I was asking him to be my knight today, not Kashar’s subordinate.

I thought he might refuse or hesitate for a moment.

But contrary to my expectations, he answered immediately.

“Understood.”

“Great, shall we go then?”

It was time to take the first step into the guild district.