The Tyrant Wants To Live Honestly

‘I don’t think Joy will go quietly with her personality.’

 

She might come and upset Baron Gregory, asking if he had touched the head maid Clara.

 

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

 

Even if Stefan himself goes there, he doesn’t think he’ll just give a good warning and come back.

 

Because he is not good at speaking.

 

“Knight Stefan is a good man to have around.”

 

Clara smiled, perhaps because of the trustworthiness on his face.

 

The corners of Stefan’s mouth slightly rose at the praise.

 

Isn’t it the best compliment for a knight who protects people to feel reassured just by being by his side?

 

While Stefan was feeling very proud, Clara looked up at him as if she suddenly remembered something.

 

“That’s right. But why were you there yesterday? Did you always go to places like that?”

 

“….!”

 

Stefan shook his head hesitantly.

 

‘I’ve never been to a bar like that before!’

 

“I thought so! So, do you have an appointment?”

 

He couldn’t say that he was following Clara, so he nodded hesitantly.

 

Then Clara made a fuss, saying it was amazing that there was an appointment there on the same day and at the same time.

 

Clara, who was fooled by his clumsy lies, somehow looked cute.

 

“I’m so glad. If you hadn’t been there, it would have been a really big problem. He’s always been so unpleasant, and I didn’t know what to do…”

 

Clara chatted even in front of the quiet Stefan.

 

As if nothing happened yesterday, as bright as usual.

 

“Oh, what did I say to you…?! Anyway, whenever I see knight Stefan, I end up saying unnecessary things.”

 

Clara shook her head when she realized that she had rudely gossiped about someone else.

 

“Then I’ll just leave. I was really thankful for yesterday!”

 

Clara bowed politely to Stefan and turned around.

 

however.

 

“…?”

 

Clara couldn’t take a step as the large hand grabbed her.

 

She looked at Stefan, who was holding her wrist in confusion.

 

Then Stefan again became embarrassed and withdrew his hand.

 

He didn’t know why he had grabbed her.

 

“….I’m sorry.”

 

This was his first time experiencing such a strange situation.

 

Stefan, who was confused and confused, eventually lowered his head.

 

Clara looked at him like that, thought for a moment, and then opened her mouth.

 

“It’s a festival soon, do you have any days off?”

 

Thanksgiving is in 15 days. A rich festival is held in the Lampas for three days.

 

“….On the last day, I’ll take the day off.”

 

“Would you like to go see the festival together that day? I think I’ll have time in the afternoon too.”

 

Unlike before, Clara’s voice was cautious.

 

“……”

 

Nod. Stefan’s head was clearly moving up and down.

 

Then Clara smiled, and Stefan also smiled.

 

* * *

 

The last day of Thanksgiving.

 

Stefan woke up much earlier than usual. The sun had not even risen, and it was still dark and quiet outside.

 

Stefan finished his morning exercise earlier than usual through the darkness.

 

It was only when he finished that the first rays of dawn appeared.

 

“Have you already warmed up? Wasn’t today your day off?”

 

Joy, who had work today and was getting ready for work, saw Stefan coming back from exercise.

 

It’s right to warm up, and it’s also right to have a day off.

 

Stefan nodded twice.

 

“You’re so diligent, our vice-captain.”

 

Joy shook her head and strapped her sword to her waist.

 

Po was on his way out the door, ready to leave early in the morning to prepare his shop.

 

“I’ll be back!”

 

“I’ll be back, uncle!”

 

The two people waved their hands.

 

Stefan saw them off.

 

After Joy and Po came into his house, the mornings were quite noisy, and he liked it a lot.

 

After seeing the two off, Stefan cleaned up his sweat and stood in front of the mirror.

 

While wearing a bathrobe, he went through the clothes in his closet.

 

Since his daily life was filled with exercise, escorting, and working, he didn’t have any clothes to wear during the festival.

 

‘Why are the colors all so dark?’

 

The servants recommended several items from the bleak wardrobe, but none of them caught his eye.

 

‘If I had known this would happen, I would have taken the time to buy some decent clothes in advance.’

 

He devoted himself only to work and training, and even after receiving his title, he did not know how to spend money or be extravagant.

 

It’s because of his habits from his days as a mercenary and knight without a title. Besides, he has no interest in buying clothes.

 

However, it was also true that he felt regretful on such a special day like today.

 

In the end, he wore a very plain, plain shirt, vest, black coat, and cotton pants.

 

It was also a piece of clothing that would be considered outdated among nobles.

 

‘…..’

 

‘Clara won’t be disappointed by something like this.’

 

Even while thinking that, he fiddles with his collar in a somewhat embarrassed way.

 

As he was getting ready, the clock hand was already pointing towards noon.

 

‘I just got dressed and got ready, but did the time go by so quickly?’

 

He looked in the mirror one last time and walked out.

 

There was a carriage waiting at the main gate of Greenwall mansion.

 

‘….It seems like it’s been years since I rode a carriage.’

 

Since Stefan drove his own horse as a knight, he never had to ride in an elegant carriage.

 

Today, however, he and Clara would be traveling together, so he specially prepared a carriage.

 

He was worried that the carriage would creak because it had not been used for so long, but fortunately the servants seemed to have taken good care of it and maintained it.

 

He awkwardly got into the carriage.

 

As he crumpled his tall body into the carriage, the coachman headed towards Clara’s house.

 

Unlike the count’s houses located in suburban areas away from the city center, the houses of commoners were close together near the city center.

 

Moreover, on a street crowded with festivals, the speed of the carriage was as slow as that of the pedestrians.

 

Even Stefan, who would normally say nothing, was frustrated.

 

The carriage arrived in front of Clara’s house an hour later than expected.

 

‘It’s a shame that I left early, but if I had taken my time, I would have been late.’

 

He thought it was a good thing he woke up before the sun rose today.

 

Stefan got out of the carriage and prepared to greet Clara.

 

Clara came out just in time. Perhaps she had been waiting for him inside.

 

She was dressed in a neat, white dress, unlike her usual maid’s uniform.

 

Although it was plain compared to the dresses of nobles, Stefan thought that the dress suited Clara well. Better than the pink dress she’d worn the last time she’d gone out.

 

Clara was surprised to see the carriage that had come to pick her up and stopped at the front steps.

 

“Knight!”

 

Clara moved her feet again and approached him.

 

Stephan cleared his throat, not really expecting to say much.

 

“Is it your carriage?”

 

Stefan nods as always.

 

“Um, can I get in too?”

 

Clara asked the obvious.

 

“No matter what, I am…”

 

She looked at him.

 

He just forgot about it because they usually got along without hesitation, but the difference in social status between the two was stark.

 

Stefan was a count who contributed to the war, and Clara was a commoner who worked as a maid.

 

“…..”

 

‘But what does it matter?’

 

Stefan thought.

 

After all, he was also a commoner.

 

Even after receiving his title, he was unable to properly enter aristocratic society.

 

Even when there were social parties, he remained faithful to his duties as a knight, and the money he earned was used for things such as acquiring a good sword.

 

Therefore, Greenwall family’s reputation and fame were replaced only by his merits, which were not exactly appreciated by the nobility.

 

Whether it was so or not, Stefan didn’t care. Anyway, He was still ‘Stefan’, after all.

 

Oh, if there’s one good thing about being elevated in rank, it’s that he now has a mansion in the Lampas where he can live comfortably with Po and Joy.

 

“I’ve never ridden a carriage before.…”

 

Clara opened her mouth again in response to Stefan’s silence.

 

Clara’s job is to serve on the carriage.

 

Of course, being a commoner didn’t mean you couldn’t ride a carriage.

 

Merchants who made money through business traveled in small but flashy carriages, or if they were not poor, they could even pay to rent a shabby carriage to travel around.

 

But no matter how much money Clara earned, she couldn’t afford to ride a carriage.

 

So to speak, it was an occupational disease.

 

TL: Occupational diseases are diseases or disorders caused by work or working conditions.

 

Stefan smiled slightly when he saw Clara and held out his hand.

 

It’s not a big deal. All she has to do is climb one or two stairs and rest your butt on a chair.

 

Then the carriage will start on its own and take her to her destination.

 

When Clara hesitated for a moment, she moved closer and held out his hand.

 

Clara couldn’t keep Stefan waiting much longer.

 

She gathered her courage and held Stefan’s hand.

 

“Doing this makes me feel like a noble lady.”

 

Clara was very embarrassed and got into the carriage wearing a white dress.

 

There was nothing to trip on, not even the dress, and there were already footrests, but Stefan held her hand until she was fully on the carriage.

 

‘I was struck by the fact that he was so tall.’

 

As Clara took her seat, Stefan followed her and got into the carriage.

 

“I feel like I am being treated like a princess.”

 

Clara said as she looked inside the unfamiliar carriage.

 

Although it was very clunky compared to the imperial carriage, Clara felt good about it.

 

As the carriage moved, the world outside the window rattled.

 

Clara looked at the scenery outside the window like a child.

 

The streets were crowded with people who came out to enjoy the last day of the festival.

 

Colorful garlands were hung between the roofs, and wheat ears were hung in front of the store doors, signaling the harvest season.

 

Clara hummed, forgetting that Stefan was next to her.

 

Stefan looked at Clara quietly and thought that it was fortunate that the carriage was moving slowly.

 

* * *