Chapter 8

"――So, do you have feelings for Marca Sarge Perle?"

That day, I was summoned by the First Prince of this country, Benjamin Ol Cyk Crossforces.

"……What do you mean by that?"

"Of course, I mean the kind of feelings one harbors in a romantic relationship."

"If that's the case, I will answer no."

"Hmm?"

As the Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights, I have received much help from this person, but I would rather not have such a fuss made over me.

"I only sent her something. Why does it turn into this kind of talk..."

I regretted coming here so quickly when I was suddenly summoned and my lord, who seemed to be enjoying himself, narrowed his eyes.

"I hear you swore an oath to protect her as a knight."

"Marca-san, in front of my eyes as a knight, committed a sin with a man. To protect my own dignity, I merely warned that overly defenseless young lady."

"……You warned the young lady, huh?"

The prince narrowed his eyes with a meaningful tone.

Then, he placed his hands folded under his chin on the desk and smiled.

"Well, that's fine. Then it's perfect."

"……"

The conversation took a turn, and I furrowed my brow.

I wanted to think it was just my imagination that something troublesome was in the air.

However――

"Ricardo, be Marca-san's knight for a while."

Unfortunately, my premonition came true.

"……Can I ask for the reason……?"

What does he mean by making me her knight?

I am, after all, the Deputy Commander, and unless something extraordinary happens, I am not assigned to protect important figures.

"As you said, we can't afford anything happening to her. And we can't afford anything being done by her."

Ah, I see.

In other words, he wants me to be both the guard and the watchdog for her, who is becoming a central figure in the country's intelligence network.

"I understand. I accept."

Even though I readily agreed, the prince looked puzzled.

"You seem to have grasped it quickly……?"

I was already considering that it would be good for her to have a capable guard, so it was convenient.

"……Is that so?"

His delayed reaction was concerning, but it wasn't something to point out.

After that, I discussed the details of my assignment and started preparing for my usual duties.

Of course, this was to prepare for my dedicated guard duty for that solitary head of the household, who only responded to the first letter of social courtesy and the second letter declining the subsequent items.

***

"……There was no need for you, the Deputy Commander, to take on this task……"

On the first day of my assignment to the baron's house.

Ignoring a request from the royal family was impossible, and Marca-san greeted me with those words.

"You should understand that I am the best person for this job."

Her values remained the same.

I am one of the best knights in the order, still young, unmarried, and flexible.

To be honest, there was no one more suitable than me to be her dedicated knight.

"Even now, I would like to suggest adding more knights or having a female knight……"

"If there is a knight who can protect you even when faced with Albert von Gaiaron's sword, I will gladly step aside."

"……That kind of male jealousy is unseemly……?"

"Is that even a response?"

I couldn't understand how he interpreted it that way.

I looked at the young lady in front of me again.

She came to the door to greet me, which felt unusually unpretentious for a noble.

Good or bad, she was natural.

This somehow gave her a calm and composed air that belied her youth, and she was clearly a different type of person from the women I had met before.

Then, I realized I had never used flowery language with Marca-san, like at tea parties or evening gatherings.

Well, for someone who seems to prefer rationality, such behavior isn't necessary.

It's not that I look down on her, but rather, it's a kind of competitive spirit.

Marca-san, who has become a national treasure, is also a potential source of crime.

Her seemingly aware defenselessness provokes others, and as a knight, I must stop it. I must.

"I won't take responsibility if you regret it. I did try to stop you. There must be more meaningful ways to spend your time."

"I have sworn to protect you. A knight's word is his bond."

"……Is that so? Then, please take care of me from now on, Sir Ricardo."

"Please come in."

She finally led me into the house.

"If my mother and sister knew Sir Ricardo was stationed here, they would be happy to come back. I apologize in advance for the trouble you might cause, I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize for something that hasn't happened yet."

As we walked down the corridor, Marca-san shrugged.

She probably said this because it was likely to happen, but since she wasn't the one causing the problem, it didn't feel good to hear her apologize.

But――

She must have been preemptively protecting this house all this time.

I was genuinely impressed by that.

The house, which felt somewhat quiet, was well-maintained.

If there were intruders, the dirt would be noticed immediately. It's an important point.

As I followed her, observing the surroundings, Marca-san stopped abruptly.

"I have sent all of Lady Liliane's belongings to the duchy, but her room is still as it was, so please rest assured."

Her unexpected words made me slow to understand.

――What did she just say? Did she think I came here for my sister-in-law?

My thoughts reached that conclusion, and I was speechless again.

"……Do you think I came here because I have lingering feelings for the duchess?"

When I opened my dry mouth,

"You must have some, right? Otherwise, it seems like you came here just for me."

"――I've been saying that from the beginning!?"

"Kidding."

"Kidding!?"

It was hard to understand.

I couldn't help but point it out.

"I know that I caused you to come here, Sir Ricardo. I'm sure it will be a boring time, but I won't make you uncomfortable while you're here. Use anything you like and relax as you please."

Marca-san smiled, her eyebrows drooping in a troubled way.

Every time I saw her smile, her eyebrows were always drooping.

It seemed to be her habit to smile in a troubled way.