Chapter 09
Irene jumped back in surprise, while Jesse chuckled softly and petted the creature that had licked Irene’s cheek.
“Yomi. You shouldn’t scare the young lady.”
Yomi? Irene touched her damp cheek and looked at the creature called Yomi.
It was a young deer with two small horns. Unlike ordinary deer, its fur was pitch-black, as if covered with dark cloth.
“I’m sorry.”
Jesse apologized on behalf of the creature, which couldn’t speak.
“Since it’s young, it’s uncharacteristically friendly for a monster, and it seems to have been rude.”
“A monster…?”
Irene had always imagined monsters as fearsome, vicious, and grotesque.
But the deer in front of her was cute and adorable. No matter how she looked, it didn’t seem like a monster.
“Not all monsters look terrifying.”
Jesse said this as if she could read Irene’s thoughts.
“Many monsters are cute like this one when young. Of course, they grow scary as adults.”
Thump-thump. Perhaps understanding Jesse’s words, Yomi stomped its front hoof in protest. Jesse chuckled and patted Yomi’s back.
“Alright, I’ll say you’re brave.”
Finally satisfied, Yomi stopped its protest and looked at Irene with innocent eyes.
“Ah, it seems the young lady has made quite an impression.”
“Maybe it just likes people.”
“Even so, it wouldn’t follow someone this closely. Well, you must… give off a certain presence.”
Jesse murmured to herself, then handed a handkerchief to Irene.
“Wipe it, young lady.”
“Thank you.”
Irene wiped the drool from her cheek. Luckily, it wasn’t sticky. Jesse continued.
“I’m sorry, but I have to take this one to the beast enclosure. Could you wait here a little?”
“Alright.”
Jesse quickly retracted her earlier “I’ll be back soon” statement and hurriedly dragged Yomi away, which was still staring longingly at Irene.
Alone, Irene approached the castle walls. Up close, the walls seemed even taller.
“As expected, climbing over this is impossible.”
So the only option was to leave through the main gate…
Ah, maybe there’s a separate door for the servants. They wouldn’t lower the drawbridge every time they went in and out…
As she considered investigating, Irene noticed someone walking along the wall toward her.
“Dewey?”
It was Dewey. Calling his name, he froze in place. His crimson eyes locked onto Irene.
Meeting those cold, blade-like eyes, Irene stiffened.
This man… isn’t Dewey.
He looked identical to Dewey, but the aura was completely different. Where Dewey felt soft and yellowish, this man gave off a cold blue vibe.
Who was this man that looked exactly like Dewey?
As Irene curiously stared, she noticed a thin trickle of blood running down his cheek.
‘He’s hurt.’
Thinking she should wipe the blood, Irene stepped closer. As she neared, his eyes slanted slightly.
“This…”
Just as Irene, now close enough to reach him, tried to offer the handkerchief Jesse had given her, a sharp metallic sound rang.
A cool steel blade pressed against her neck.
He had drawn the sword at his waist and brought it to her throat.
The handkerchief slipped from her hand and fell to the ground.
“Don’t come any closer.”
Crushing the handkerchief underfoot, he spoke with a chilling voice.
“Filthy human, stay away.”
A terrifying hostility emanated from him, making Irene shiver with fear.
The sword at her neck seemed ready to pierce her at any moment. Forgotten fear of death flared like a mirage.
Seeing Irene tremble, his eyes narrowed.
“You bastard!”
At that moment, a powerful voice came from behind her.
Jesse. The man frowned, seemingly annoyed, and lowered his sword.
Snorting like a raging bull, Jesse ran to shield Irene from behind, glaring fiercely at the man.
“How dare you raise a sword at the young lady! You’ve lost your mind.”
“She approached first.”
“She? She’s the young lady!”
“Right, she.”
“Tch…!”
Jesse stomped her foot in frustration when the man ignored her, mirroring Yomi’s earlier angry gesture.
“You do know who she is, right?”
“I know.”
“Then why act like this?”
“Why not?”
The man tilted his head.
“She’ll be gone soon anyway.”
Gone? Irene peeked out, bewildered.
Jesse understood his meaning and shouted angrily:
“No! This time, she won’t disappear!”
“We’ll see.”
The man answered casually, sheathing his sword and staring at Irene.
His clear blue eyes watched her calmly, as if annoyed by the fuss, then he clicked his tongue and turned away.
Jesse raised her middle fingers at his retreating back.
“Such a bothersome guy.”
Her previously grim face smoothed out like iron being pressed flat upon seeing Irene. Her eyes drooped sadly.
“I’m sorry, young lady. That idiot must have frightened you.”
Irene shook her head. She was startled but not enough to complain.
“Are you hurt?”
“No. Who was that man? He looks like Dewey…”
“Of course he looks like him. They’re twins.”
“Twins?”
Irene asked in surprise. Jesse gave a short exclamation.
“Come to think of it, the Luman Empire considered twins sacrilegious.”
As she said, twins were seen as unnatural, and usually only the firstborn survived while the second was killed. Any indulgence could bring divine punishment from the temple.
Irene was shocked that Dewey and this man were twins. Jesse’s late realization made it sound like she was speaking as an outsider.
“Jesse, you’re not originally an empire citizen?”
“I am now, since I live in the Esper territory.”
“What does that mean?”
“Hmm… how should I explain…”
Jesse scratched her head, then added:
“I was originally from another country, but when I began serving the master, I became an empire citizen. Does that make sense?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good.”
Jesse smiled and linked her arm with Irene’s.
“Then, let’s go to the knight training ground.”
After watching the knights, Irene bathed and headed to the dining hall. She had eaten breakfast and lunch in her room, but dinner was in the hall.
Jesse noted it was difficult to eat all the food in her room.
Indeed, there were over ten dishes in huge portions, more than enough for one person.
Irene initially asked if others were eating too, but everything was prepared just for her. She was both amazed and overwhelmed.
Even the utensils were intimidating—three forks, three knives, plenty of glasses, and plates replaced multiple times.
She had never seen such dining in her life. Hesitant to use the unfamiliar array, she picked one fork and one knife, the most familiar, and glanced at Jesse and the servants waiting nearby.
Seeing her uncertainty, Jesse quietly left with the servants, telling Irene to eat comfortably.
Alone, Irene freely used the utensils.
That evening, while dining alone, the hall door opened.
“Ahem.”
Looking up, she saw Karlos entering and almost choked on her meal.
After nearly two days, Karlos looked exhausted. But rather than seeming unattractive, he exuded a decadent, captivating aura. Irene was momentarily entranced.
Karlos approached, his strong scent of blood sharpening her awareness.
“The smell of blood…”
Muttering, Irene drew his attention. Karlos stopped immediately.
Despite the strong scent, his black clothing showed no stains.
Irene stood, realizing it was proper to greet a noble.
“…Sorry.”
Irene paused at his unusual apology.
“I should have cleaned up, but I was in a rush…”
“…And out of time.”
He extended his hand toward her.
“Will you hold my hand?”
Irene’s gaze fell naturally on his hand.
“You might not want to hold a hand that smells of blood during a meal… but please.”
Even the word “please” didn’t suit him.
If he had commanded, she would have obeyed without thinking. But the word “please” gave her pause.
“Do you dislike it?”
“…No.”
It was sincere. Irene didn’t dislike holding his hand, but neither did she feel compelled to grab it immediately.
He repeated, more earnestly:
“Please.”
Suppressing her hesitation, she nodded slightly and held his hand.
