How long had I been spacing out like that? Enoch was the first to speak.
“How’s your injury?”
“Ah, thanks to you, I’ve been able to take a good, long rest.”
“………”
Enoch clammed up at my response.
The truth is, my torn palm healed quickly. But the real issue was my completely busted wrist. It was already barely holding on after I stabbed a charging low-level monster’s leg with my sword.
Then Enoch swung his sword and finished it off, which completely ruined my wrist, leaving me bedridden and unable to train in swordsmanship.
“……I was so angry back then, I couldn’t help it.”
“Then apologize.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Okay.”
When I coolly accepted his apology, Enoch looked at me as if he was seeing a strange person.
“……What?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s weird.”
“What’s weird?”
“You never accept apologies so easily.”
What a smart kid. Why does he already know me so well?
I admired him inwardly while maintaining a nonchalant expression.
“Not accepting your apology won’t heal my hand any faster, and it’s not like I can start sword training right away. There’s no reason not to accept it.”
“You must have been mad at me.”
“You apologized, so it’s fine now.”
Instead of being grateful for my mature attitude, Enoch squinted at me and began to slowly back away.
“This is really scared me, Cherry.”
“Don’t provoke me before I really get mad.”
At the sound of my irritation starting to rise, Enoch finally looked relieved.
“Now you’re acting like the usual Cherry that I know.”
“What exactly do you think of me?”
Enoch’s lips moved as if to speak, but then he clamped his mouth shut.
Seeing that, I had a vague idea of what he was holding back from saying. He must have thought of something that would make me mad if I heard it and wisely decided to swallow it.
“……Haa, fine. I’m holding back my anger because I have a favor to ask.”
Seeing me finally speak honestly, Enoch nodded vigorously.
“Of course.”
His relaxed demeanor, as if he had been tense and now felt relieved, was so annoying. I almost forgot I had to ask him a favor and wanted to punch him.
“Forget it. Just tell me if you’ll do me a favor or not.”
“I need to know what it is before I decide.”
“If you agree to my favor, you’ll have no choice. You have to do it.”
“……Is that a favor or a command?”
“That’s why I’m giving you a choice. Will you do it or not?”
Enoch fell silent for a moment. He was curious and probably a little scared of what I’d ask. But he had no choice but to agree. He owed me a debt of gratitude.
“While someone is injured and can’t train, there’s someone else is training diligently everyday?”
(TLN : Cherry insinuating Enoch to feel guilty because she was injured after the hunt and couldn’t train while Enoch could do it every day.)
“……….”
“That determination to still rise above the competition while others can’t hold a sword is truly impressive.”
“Hah, Cherry.”
When I appropriately triggered Enoch’s guilt, he had no choice but to give in.
“Fine, I’ll do it. Just tell me.”
“Great! Then promise me.”
I held out my pinky finger to Enoch.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a promise. Give me your pinky.”
Enoch reluctantly held out his hand at my impatient voice. I quickly hooked my finger around his and said,
“I swear on Gray’s honor. I will not tell anyone about Cherrya’s favor.”
“What?”
“What are you doing? Repeat after me.”
“……….”
By now, Enoch seemed suspicious about what my favor might be. But it was too late. Once our pinkies were linked, it was game over.
“Why aren’t you repeating it? Are you planning to blab about my favor to everyone? Will people know what I asked every time I pass by?”
“No! I’ll do it! I’ll say it.”
Enoch fell for my provocation. No matter how clever he was, he was still just a seven-year-old kid.
“I swear on Gray’s honor. I will not tell anyone about Cherrya’s favor.”
“Good!”
Finally receiving Enoch’s pledge, I beamed solemnly.
In truth, I had always intended to participate in the award ceremony. Since I was going anyway, I decided to make a fuss and gain some additional benefits. This was the reason.
“Call me inspector.”
“Inspect… what?”
“Inspector.”
“What does that even mean?”
In this world, there was neither the profession nor the word ‘Inspector’ Enoch squinted, puzzled by this unfamiliar term.
“Just call me that. To me.”
“…….”
Enoch hesitated for a moment, perhaps finding my serious demeanor awkward.
“Hurry up.”
Looking at Enoch, who seemed to wonder what I was talking about, I felt like this was a ridiculous endeavor.
But it was important to me. Since being born as Cherrya Emblem in this world, I had never once thought of Yoon Doyoon’s face. Even if he appeared in my dreams, my whole day would be unsettling.
Why did Enoch’s face overlap with him?
I needed to confirm something, though I didn’t know what I wanted, what I was worried about, or what I needed to know.
“Inspector.”
The once familiar title she used to call me slipped out of Enoch’s lips.
“…………”
For the first time, Korean words not muttered by myself but coming from another person’s mouth felt incredibly foreign, even though they were pronounced a bit awkwardly.
“Yeah. Yeah… No, that’s indeed impossible.”
Enoch’s face no longer overlapped with his. Perhaps recalling memories of my previous life when I saved the children with a sword also dredged up memories of Yoon Doyoon.
“Cherry, are you done?”
“Ah, yes, I’m done.”
“……..”
Enoch muttered the word ‘inspector’ again with a troubled look on his face.
“What does that mean? Why did you make me say that?”
“You momentarily looked like someone I know.”
At my words, Enoch’s expression hardened slightly. He frowned and asked me pointedly.
“Is that person’s name ‘Inspector’?”
“No, that’s me.”
“You’re the ‘Inspector’?”
“Yes.”
Enoch looked confused. I knew my explanation was incoherent and confusing.
However, I couldn’t honestly say, ‘In my previous life, I was an inspector, but now I’m dead and your face overlaps with my enemy’s, so I wanted you to call me what he used to call me.’
“What does it mean? Is it a nickname?”
“Why do you keep asking? No one will call me that anymore.”
“But that person called you that.”
“He doesn’t call me that anymore.”
“………..”
Enoch seemed dissatisfied with my evasive answers.
I lifted my chin defiantly, and he bit his lip, looking quite childish. He almost seemed cute.
Wait, did I just think he was cute? The absurd thought made me shake my head.
“Is there anyone around you that I don’t know? At least, I’ve never heard of anyone calling you by a nickname like that.”
“There won’t be someone like that in the future either, so don’t worry about it.”
“How can I’m not worry? I, I…”
Enoch stared at me sharply but then closed his mouth.
He probably swallowed a comment that would make me angry. I decided to ignore his effort and said,
“Keep this a secret, okay?”
Enoch didn’t answer.
Only when I glared at him did he nod slightly. A satisfied smile appeared on my face. Just then, someone knocked on the closed terrace window.
“Lady, you need to come out. The Empress has arrived.”
It was the voice of a knight from the Emblem Order who came with me.
