He made eye contact when I refused to answer and spoke as if begging.
“Um, since I saved you, shouldn’t you do that?”
“I would be happy to show it off if I had the chance.”
“What is that?”
Eventually, I burst into laughter. Come to think of it, it’s just like when I saved him in the North. At that time, his appearance was a little miserable. I thought I was on the quiet side, but since I had been lying in bed for three days, I think I was the troublesome one.
Growl.
At the same time as it made a sound, I opened my eyes wide and covered my stomach with my hands. And I looked at Valery without realizing it.
…Did he hear that? Why did it happen here! I seemed to show all sorts of my ugly sides.
When I looked at the corners of his lips, which rose softly despite my worries, it was clear that he heard it. Even the sound of my stomach is so loud that it feels like I’m going through the same things when I saved him back then.
“That just…”
“Look like I’m bothering Your Highness again.”
On the contrary, I covered my stomach and said that weakly. In other words, I’m saying that I’m hungry.
“…Really.”
Valery smiled slightly at my words and pulled the string. Soon, as if they had been waiting, the servants dragged in a cart containing food. After eating this, I’ll have to return and take care of my work.
I stirred the soup in front of me with the spoon he gave me, then slowly savored the taste as if to buy time. The next day, I left that cozy place and returned to reality.
* * *
Ian, who was waiting with a carriage at the villa’s entrance, quietly followed the carriage carrying me. And as soon as I got off the carriage, he followed me like a shadow again.
After a few days, I felt strange when I returned home. I paused as I tried to enter the mansion after Valery’s carriage had completely disappeared.
I tried not to look at Ian on purpose, but I checked his face in the end. There were quite a few scars on his face, whether Sir Shubart punished him or he was injured by taking down Iskar’s men.
“Did you treat it properly?”
I deliberately spoke about it.
“Yes, you don’t have to worry about it.”
“…Do you have anything else to say?”
He bowed his head. I closed my mouth with my question, and Ian did the same thing.
It was none other than me who ordered him to ‘keep the downstairs empty for the time being.’ I didn’t expect it to happen that day when Sir Shubart called for Ian, but Ian helped ease the guard away.
I wanted to confirm that Ian would do anything to me. Will he really be my hands and feet, or will he remain working under Sir Shubart?
In the end, Ian kept what he said, taking all responsibility for it.
“I’m glad you came back safely.”
The answer was very unexpected. But he was like that from the beginning. His words just gave a dry feeling, neither sweet nor bitter.
I nodded when I saw his calm expression.
“Is mother inside?”
“She said she would come when the sun went down.”
“How about Sir Shubart?”
“He’s been inside since morning.”
“Good.”
Then I passed the door opened by Ian and went inside. Sir Shubart, who was sitting on the sofa, jumped up.
“Bella, are you okay?”
He came to me quickly and hugged me. Then, holding my shoulder, he looked over my face to see if there was any injury. As if to make sure I came back safely. Sir Shubart’s face was full of anxiety, like people who haven’t slept for days.
Valery, Sir Shubart, and Ian. It seemed like everyone hadn’t slept while I fainted. I was surprised because I thought Sir Shubart would only check me roughly. A faint smile rose on my lips.
However, there was a deep scratch on Sir Shubart’s face. Did he get hurt while working? Or did something else happen? He probably didn’t bump into Shale. Because Shale will be careful until he confirms the existence of the pocket watch with his own eyes.
“You must be very worried. I’m sorry, I was careless.”
“What are you talking about? It was me who was at fault.”
Sir Shubart seemed to destroy Iskar half while I was away. No matter how much Shale Iskar removed the traces, they couldn’t be completely erased. But since he had planned to kidnap me, the damage must be something he already expected. Still, I think I gave him good enough information to fully accept the damage.
I spoke up first about the kidnapping before Sir Shubart asked. And also explained why the second prince rescued me.
“But no matter how much I think about it, I don’t understand. Why did he kidnap me? What do they gain from doing that?”
As I said that, I touched my feverish forehead.
“That question matters to me too. I thought he wanted an all-out war, but he said there was a misunderstanding.”
Then I encountered Sir Shubart’s thin eyes. I don’t know if it’s a look of doubt or a look of thought.
“You’re not fighting for power, are you?”
“It’s not the time to fight for power with that kid.”
“Then I’m glad because Sir Shubart and mother are safe. Um, is mother safe there?”
Sir Shubart adjusted his posture and nodded.
“Of course, she’s safe. I already take care of Duke Rudbihi. I feel ashamed to face you in many ways.”
“Don’t feel like that.”
“But don’t worry, the guards I choose this time are reliable guys.”
“Thank you for your concern. I’m sure Sir Shubart is already busy enough with your work.”
“Protecting you is the most important thing.”
Even though Sir Shubart said that, his gaze was somehow mysterious, and I couldn’t feel reassured.
“I need one or two more servants… There are quite a lot of things to do compared to when I was in Shiseta. I was invited to a tea party not too long ago, so I may have to attend it.
“Yes, do that.”
“Please choose the child that is trustworthy.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
I am pretending to be sick to suppress the atmosphere. As my fever was still rising, Sir Shubart swept my hair and checked my forehead temperature.
“Ah, you should take a rest first. I will come back in the evening.”
“Are you coming with mother?”
“Of course. She was very worried about you.”
“I didn’t want to cause trouble to mother… Still, please tell her that I’ve gotten quite close to the second prince this time. Although it was an accident, it’s not that it’s unprofitable.”
“…”
Sir Shubart looked at me silently.
“Sir Shubart?”
“Bella.”
“Yes?”
Sir Shubart called me one more time, closed his mouth again, and looked at me still. What kind of gaze is that? He seemed to have sunk into confusion.
“…It’s nothing. I really have to go now.”
“Yes, take care. See you in the evening.”
“Yeah, take a good rest until then.”
It wasn’t until Sir Shubart left that I completely buried myself on the sofa and relaxed.
“Ian.”
I could feel him coming closer with a few footsteps.
“Yes, Milady.”
“…Next time, it won’t end with just punishment. Sir Shubart is that kind of person. Even if he has a kind face, don’t be deceived by it. Got it?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“But your thoughts remain the same? I need someone by my side, but I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me.”
Leaning on the sofa, I opened my eyes and looked at him, and he came right in front of me. Ian bent down on one knee and bowed his head as if offering loyalty.
“That’s what I wanted first.”
For a long time we didn’t say anything. Ian didn’t seem to want to get up, and I kept silent for quite some time with my eyes closed again. Whether to talk or not, contemplating whether that would be toxic to each other or not. I sighed deeply with my eyes closed.
“Why did you change your name?”
He used to be Jess. When I turned my head and opened my eyes, I could see Ian’s body trembling with rarely surprised eyes.
“…Did you know?”
“Are you afraid that the person who saved you wouldn’t recognize you?”
A crack appeared on Ian’s expression as he asked with a puzzled expression. Soon, he blinked a couple of times and dropped his head.
“Obviously, I thought you didn’t remember.”
Then he looked up again and was smiling, unlike Ian.
* * *
The first time I met Ian was when I was eight years old. It was a cold winter then, too. If I remember correctly, perhaps I was wearing a very thick black fur coat that Sir Shubart bought me. New clothes were delivered that morning too. Even back then, I really liked the dark color.
As a child who was thinner than mother, I used to spend my time with Sir Shubart, and that was the case that day as well.
