The mercenary I saw for the first time was a big man with a rough, beastlike appearance.

He stammered, deep in thought, and asked,

“That, that, Ferdia…? Is it…?”

He seemed to be stung as if he had been caught cursing.

Anyway, what a truly repulsive image.

I only ever met a mercenary named Reian, so I had a shortage of comparisons, but now that I saw another mercenary, I realized how unusual Reian was.

‘Well, that one looks more like a mercenary.’

On the other hand, I would believe Reian to be a nobleman.

How he interpreted my gaze, Reian calmly asked,

“Shall I deal with that guy?”

At that, the nameless mercenary stiffened his body with a ‘Kheuk!’ sound.

Now his face was beyond pale and turning blue.

“No, that doesn’t seem right.”

Once again, I firmly objected, and Reian languidly narrowed his eyes and asked,

“Why are you looking at him like that?”

“Because he’s handsome.”

“Kheuk!”

The nameless mercenary let out another scream. Reian seemed that terrifying.

‘Is he scary?’

To lead a band of mercenaries, one must naturally have command and dignity, so he may have acted sternly.

Not that he had ever shown that side to me.

As I guessed, Reian’s cool gaze scanned the mercenary across from him.

“Mark.”

“Yes sir!”

“Head.”

“I’ll hit it!”

Kwaang! Mark, the mercenary called, violently bowed down, executing a prostration.

It was worrisome how hard he had hit, whether his head was not cracked.

But Reian, not showing any concern, continued to give orders.

“Until I say rise.”

“I will not move an inch!”

“Punishment.”

“Thank youuuuah!!”

I was inwardly impressed by the scene of punishment where hands and feet were fitting tightly.

‘Oh, cool.’

Leading a band of mercenaries as their leader, Reian appeared anew.

Reian left the punished mercenary where he was and guided me again. Unlike before, Reian didn’t say a word this time.

I just quietly followed him.

On the way up the stairs, Reian’s steps slowed, and he suddenly stopped.

Reian was looking down at me askance.

“……For now, I have punished him, but if you want further action, please let me know.”

Ah.

‘Was he continually worrying about it?’

I had no thoughts about it.

I smiled, passing Reian up the stairs. A few steps more, I looked down at him, still standing in place.

“You don’t have to worry. I’m used to hearing stories about myself.”

I had grown up under the touch of people who found me uncomfortable, since a time I couldn’t even remember.

Except for the nursemaid and her daughter Masa, no one ever thought of me as a lady to truly serve.

They talked about me behind my back all the time. Did they think I would understand nothing since I was young?

But a child eventually grows up.

I understood precisely what those words I had heard, unknowing, meant as an adult.

I did hear them whispering out of sight as I grew up, but since I had such a lack of presence, like a ghost roaming the mansion, I often heard gossip about myself.

If I pretended not to hear, they blatantly ignored me, and if I reacted angrily at once, rumors flew that I was an illegitimate child who knew no bounds and was out of control.

In the end, I realized that it was better to rage than to bear it, so I got angry whenever I heard gossip about me.

Then I became ‘the princess who bullied the innocent maids when bored’.

Although it was entirely from the servants’ point of view and was unfair, who would care about my situation?

‘It’s all familiar anyway.’

To the point that I could pass by smiling like this.

I thought that was the end of the story, but it seemed I was the only one who thought so.

“I will worry about it.”

“Huh?”

“No one should be able to speak casually about Elodie. I will worry about it.”

My surprised reflection was caught in Reian’s red pupils.
Excluding the wet nurse and maid, it was the first time someone had spoken to me like this, so I didn’t know how to react.

I pondered, licking my lips, and what I spat out was a question.

“Because you’re escorting?”

Because you’re escorting, you naturally have to protect me?

Reian firmly answered.

“No.”

Before I could even ask why, Reian passed by me and went up the stairs.

Soon, Reian stood in front of a door, opened it and went inside, adding an explanation.

“This is the room. You can use it as you wish. No one comes down this corridor, but just in case, I will declare it offlimits.”

“Thank you.”

Rather than returning to the subject and asking what he meant, I gave up and looked around the room.

It was a simple guest room with just one bed and a desk.

‘Perfect for lying down after taking poison.’

Although it was a little dusty due to poor maintenance, that could be easily cleaned.

“You can use it comfortably.”

Reian said, without setting foot inside the room as if it was no longer his space.

I took a fresh look at him.

‘Obvious goodwill.’

Since our first meeting, Reian had never shown any hostility towards me.

He only unilaterally saved me from danger and volunteered to be by my side without hesitation.