“I don’t think that’s the case.”
I shook my head firmly. Judy appeared well-loved and well-educated. She was confident, smart, and considerate, even towards me, who is a stranger.
The reason Judy came all the way to the knights’ office was likely because she wanted to connect with her father’s colleagues. It must have stemmed from her curiosity about her father and a deep affection for him.
“Did you tell Judy that there was a risk of being kidnapped?”
“Yes…”
“It might be somewhat superficial. But Judy is a very smart and articulate child. I believe her outburst was just a moment of stress, and she doesn’t usually act out like that.”
“……”
“So, please bring her here to the knights’ office sometimes. I’ll also inform other members.”
Sir Sein lowered his head and said nothing. He seemed to be holding back tears.
“Instead, will you promise to continue working hard in the future?”
“…… Yes. Yes, I will…”
I pretended not to hear the tremor in Sir Sein’s voice and focused back to work.
‘I really feel some sense of responsibility…’
In truth, it wasn’t just my future on the line. The fate of everyone in the knight order, whose leader would effectively escape to a foreign land, wouldn’t be bright either.
‘I’m also worried about the original events…’
I couldn’t predict how the plot would unfold in the future, especially with it being so arbitrarily twisted.
Amid all this uncertainty, I was the only one who knew how to avoid the worst.
I was referring to the original method of protecting the sacred objects from destruction.
But I couldn’t share this with anyone else. There was no guarantee they’d believe me or follow my instructions.
No, I actually understood that exile was an unrealistic alternative.
There was only one lifeline I could cling to.
A name that had come to mind from the beginning but the one I had been trying to avoid.
Ludger Kassen.
That was the name.
Because I held his secret. If I used that as leverage to ask him for help…
I closed my eyes tightly. I wasn’t ready yet, but I would have to make a decision sooner rather than later.
***
While Sir Sein was away on his job, I spoke with the members one by one to seek their understanding. Billy and Lan readily agreed, as if it were only natural (Billy was particularly delighted because he liked children). However, unexpectedly, Lionel was the one who reacted harshly.
In any case, I expressed the reasonable opinion that it was right to separate work from personal matters.
“But, well, once or twice a week should be fine.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“I don’t think you should be thanking me… How will you navigate this tough world if you’re so easily taken advantage of?”
“Hey, no matter what, I won’t do anything that will harm me.”
“Well…”
Despite his harsh words, he didn’t show any resentment when Sir Sein later expressed his gratitude to him. In that sense, he was indeed a very sociable guy.
After that, nothing significant happened. The lawyer I met in desperation, as expected, had no good solutions and effectively adviced me to follow along.
That Friday, Judy made her first official visit to our Knights’ Room.
“Judy… You must never make noise or bother others, okay?”
“I won’t do that.”
“Huh…”
Sir Sein left Judy with a strong warning before heading off with Billy and Lan to handle civil affairs. It was decided that if one person had to remain in the office, it would be better for me to stay. Judy was a bit shy around the others, and leaving Sir Sein alone could be confusing for her.
But surprisingly, Judy was very quiet, despite what Sir Sein and Lionel had worried about. She simply read the book she had brought and scribbled in her notebook, not saying a word to us.
It made sense since she was used to playing alone, but I felt a pang of sympathy because it seemed like she had matured too quickly.
‘I think she’s more mature than Billy.’
I continued my morning work, feeling slightly guilty for Billy, who had left for work.
“Then I’ll stop by city hall, submit the documents, and make a lunch appointment.”
“Yeah, have a nice trip.”
Lionel offered a formal greeting to Judy before leaving the room.
‘He made plans because he didn’t want to eat with Judy.’
He disliked kids, so even if I was present, sharing a meal would be difficult.
In fact, it was quite generous of him to allow Judy to visit once or twice a week.
“Judy, let’s eat together.”
“Yes!”
“What do you want to eat?”
“Eat whatever you want, Sister. Dad will pay later!”
“You don’t have to think about that.”
I patted Judy’s head. I didn’t usually interact with children, but I didn’t dislike them as Lionel did. However, I wasn’t as excited as Billy either.
“I’ll be doing the paperworks, so why don’t you think about what you want to eat?”
“Ooh, yes!”
As I chuckled and looked down at my documents, the bell on my desk rang. What was that? A request for support?
“Yes, this is Clara Weyburn, Captain of the Ruby Knights.”
[Ah, Sir Clara. I assume you’re in the knights’ office since you received the request right away.]
“…… Your Highness the Young Duke Kassen?”
My heart skipped a beat at the unexpected contact from Ludger.
[I checked the contents of the letter you sent me earlier. I wanted to discuss our schedules.]
“Oh, yes… If you would like to discuss now…”
[I think it would be better to meet in person and talk properly. Is lunch today okay?]
Why?
Why didn’t he just mention that he could attend that day or that he couldn’t make it and would go alone?
As I pondered this, I realized that Ludger was serious about keeping tabs on me.
Normally it wouldn’t matter, but now…
“Uh, um. I have a prior engagement for lunch today…”
Then Judy, who had been listening from the side, raised her voice and waved both arms.
“Sister, I’m fine! Don’t worry!”
Ludger asked curiously, wondering if the sound had come through the communication stone.
[Is there a child in the knights’ office?]
“Oh, yes… one of our knights’ daughter is here. The business I just mentioned, I was actually planning to have lunch with her today.”
[Oh? If it’s alright with you, I would like to treat the child to lunch as well. I wouldn’t be able to meet with the Captain for a while, so I’d like to treat you to lunch today if possible.]
“Um… Judy, another big brother is coming. Would you like to have lunch with him?”
I posed the question to Judy. Unlike her father, she had a very outgoing personality and responded excitedly.
“Yes! I would like it!”
“…… I see. Yes, the person involved said there was no problem.”
[Okay. Then I’ll come to the office at lunchtime. Hope to see you later.]
“Yes…”
As we hung up, Judy’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“What kind of person is he? Is he Sister’s friend?”
“Friend… It’s a bit complicated to express it that way. He’s a nobleman.”
“Wow! This is the first time Im going to see a noble!”
“Well, I guess so. He’s a nobleman, but he doesn’t flaunt his status, so you don’t have to be nervous.”
“Yes!”
An unexpected opportunity had presented itself.
***
Ludger arrived in the knights office precisely on time.
“It’s been a few days since I’ve seen you, Sir Clara.”
“Yes, Your Highness. It’s nice to see you again. This is Judy, the one I mentioned earlier. Judy, this is His Highness Duke Ludger Kassen.”
Judy, who had been clinging to my leg, stared at Ludger with wide-eyes, her eyes filled with wonder, unable to greet him.
“… Judy?”
Judy observed Ludger for a moment before shouting excitedly.
“Wow… He looks like a Prince from a fairy tale!”
“Um… Aren’t Princes usually blonde?”
“I don’t care! It’s going to be silver hair starting today! Do you like blonde hair better, Sister?”
“The silver-haired Prince seems a bit unfamiliar though…”
While Judy engaged in this pointless conversation with me, Ludger bent down to meet her gaze.
“Hello, little princess. Do you want to go out with this Prince?”
“Yes!”
“Then I guess I’ll have to escort you.”
Ludger opened his arms and lifted her up. Judy laughed and clung to him.
He glanced back at me and added,
“Princess Clara, who doesn’t like silver-haired Princes, should come with us of her own accord.”
“……”
Has he gone crazy?
