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102nd Chapter

“……How did you know I was here?”

Pepper asked, his expression strange and incredulous. I smiled enigmatically.

“Well, just a hunch?”

Pepper’s expression became even stranger.

Diego’s guard, Pepper Ellervain, who had become acquainted with me while closely interacting with Diego. He was also the one who had come to fetch Diego when I first met him, and he was a Sword Expert.

‘It must seem suspicious that I could read the aura of a strong Sword Expert.’

Under Pepper’s sharp gaze, I merely smiled. Of course, I couldn’t reveal that I’m a Sword Master either, so I had to pretend to be oblivious.

“First, let’s sort out the situation.”

Calmly, I walked past Pepper and headed towards Diego.

Diego, looking at me with a worried expression, noticed the blood on my sword and approached me, his face stiff.

“Shushu. Are you… alright?”

Blood dripped from the sword to the ground with a thud. I clenched my trembling hand tightly and forced a calm smile.

“Of course. There’s no reason for me not to be alright.”

They are assassins. Beings that earn their keep by taking lives, hardly human. I shouldn’t feel guilty for attacking them.

‘But the moment I saw the blood, am I not the same kind of trash?’

A stray thought pierced my mind like a thorn, tormenting me.

My stomach churned as my smile began to crack. The swelling thoughts felt like the thorn was growing larger.

I wanted to throw up, even if I had to push my fingers down my throat.

■Shu. Shushu!

And then, a grip on my shoulder.

Staring blankly into the void, I blinked at Diego’s voice ringing in my ear.

“Y-yes? What did you say?”

Diego’s expression darkened. As I stood there befuddled, I scratched the back of my head, embarrassed that I had shown such vulnerability.

As I rolled my eyes, Diego, who had removed his hand from my shoulder, let out a deep sigh.

“I don’t think you’re okay.”

“No, I’m…”

Slither.

“Just… a bit… tired. I found it distressing to see blood.”

One of his arms gently wrapped around my waist. The blood that had been on me began to seep into Diego’s clean clothes. A faint vanilla scent brushed against my nose.

‘Ah.’

I exhaled a hollow breath. My heart felt tight. That brief embrace felt like solace.

I laughed as if it was a sigh.

‘I need to protect this person.’

I took up my sword to protect him. That was the difference between me and the assassins.

“……I really feel okay now—thanks to Didi.”

With a faint smile, I patted Diego’s back as he held me close.

Somehow, realizing that he was more unsettled than I was made me feel a twinge of sadness.

“That’s a lie.”

“I’m serious. I’m okay now.”

I whispered softly as I looked into his eyes. Diego wore an expression filled with distress.

“Are you worried about me?”

“Is that even a question?”

“You’re much stronger than Didi, you know.”

As I teased him, Diego let out a deep sigh and looked straight at me.

“You are a precious person to me, so how could I not be worried?”

Warmth spread through my heart. I smiled slowly.

“Your Highness. I insisted on coming with you to prevent this from happening.”

And then, a cold voice interjected between Diego and me.

Diego’s face turned icy and resolute.

“I told you not to follow me, Sir Pepper Ellervain.”

With an unfamiliar, stern voice that sliced through the air, Diego was the very picture of a cold prince.

Without caring about Diego’s frigid demeanor, Pepper strode towards us, casting a cold glance at me before addressing Diego directly.

“It is my duty to protect Your Highness. I could not allow you to go alone.”

“You are mistaken if you believe that following my orders is your duty.”

“Did you not see the assassins just now? If I had not come, you would have been in danger.”

I sighed as I observed the intense exchange between Pepper, who spoke politely yet fervently, and Diego, who shot back just as fiercely.

Pepper Ellervain, who had been Diego’s guard for a long time, was a loyal and capable knight. It seemed rather certain that he was the reason Diego had survived thus far.

He was loyal enough to throw away his life for Diego if necessary.

‘Your Highness! Did I not tell you to never go to the restroom alone!’

If I had to pick just one flaw, it was that he was too focused on his duties.

Too much.

Diego, who had unfavorable memories of guards, was wary of Pepper, but Pepper was trying too hard to protect Diego.

Though they had been together for a long time, the reason the two were at odds was clear.

‘Diego deeply trusts Pepper but cannot form an emotional bond, while Pepper faithfully serves Diego as his lord but feels disappointed that Diego does not understand his intentions.’

I understood both of their positions and watched as they continued to bicker.

“Even if you hadn’t come, the Young Lady of Kashmir would have protected me.”

“Ha! How can you trust the Young Lady of the Kashmir Crisis! She might have become a pawn of the Empress by now, being the tutor of the second prince!”

“Sir Pepper Ellervain!”

Diego displayed a rare look of extreme anger. It was a sight not often seen on his usually rational self.

Stealing a glance at Diego, who exuded an icy chill, I looked at Pepper with a somewhat admiring gaze.

Pepper’s previous statement was rather rude. It could easily be interpreted to mean that I was in league with the assassins.

I was part of the House of Crisis. If I brought up what he said earlier, Pepper couldn’t escape responsibility.

‘What a remarkable sense of loyalty he has.’

With a faint smile, I brushed my lips.

Pepper wasn’t foolish. He must have known that his statement could lead to trouble. Yet there he was, glaring intently into Diego’s eyes, ignoring me entirely, showing unwavering honesty.

‘Indeed. He’s a strong person.’

When I read the original work in my past life, I vaguely remembered not seeing Pepper in a favorable light. He was too rigid and puritanical.

However, seeing him directly, his deep sense of loyalty struck me, and I felt a subtle fondness.

I didn’t dislike Pepper.

“Do you know what that statement implied?”

Typically, when people get angry, their temper flares. But for Diego, genuine anger seemed to lower his temperature. His already muted blue eyes were now filled with icy fury, looking like a snowy expanse.

Pepper, who absorbed all of Diego’s anger, wore a hurt expression.

“What did the Young Lady of Crisis say……!”

“This is not the time for that.”

I interjected, stepping in to mediate between them.

If I left them to continue, Pepper would undoubtedly commit an act of treason. His loyalty was admirable.

However, because of how strong that loyalty was, it often threatened to cross the line.

“Your Highness. You must be tired from this sudden incident; it would be best if you returned now.”

“This is a matter between you and me! The Young Lady of Crisis is……!”

“Sir Pepper Ellervain.”

I turned to Pepper, who tried to retort. As our eyes met, he flinched slightly.

I gazed at him steadily, wearing a composed smile.

“How many times must I turn a blind eye to your rudeness?”

He hadn’t even greeted me while addressing me directly. While I let it slide before, if he continued like this, I wouldn’t remain lenient.

As a noblewoman of the duke’s mansion, and him being a knight from a count’s family, I had to draw the line on his rudeness.

“……I apologize, my lady. Please forgive me.”

Seemingly alerted by my final boundary, Pepper bit his lip and bowed politely.

I nodded in acknowledgment and turned to Diego. He looked somewhat calmed from the momentary anger and gazed at me intently.

“Your Highness. You must be quite tired now—let us head back.”

“….I would like to see you off as well.”

“I think I too should see you off. It was you who was in danger today, so you can take a step back.”

I smiled gently at Diego, whose expression had softened. Eventually, with a shared smile, Diego nodded in fatigue.

“……I will call the mages from the prince’s palace. Please teleport back.”

Pepper, who had been watching us intently, said bluntly. I blinked in surprise.

‘The prince’s palace is only a five-minute walk…’

“Since it’s a short distance, is it really necessary to summon the mages?”

Perhaps thinking the same, Diego’s face showed discomfort. Yet, despite our reactions, Pepper remained firm.

“There may be other assassins lurking along the way. I’ll call them immediately.”

Pepper pulled out a communication mage tool from his pocket. Diego sighed in resignation.

‘This is… a gray area between overzealousness and loyalty.’

That was Pepper’s issue. His excessive worry for Diego made him overly protective. Such an attitude was why their relationship had not progressed despite being so closely connected.

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince. I shall escort you to the palace.”

A mage appeared at Pepper’s call and bowed low to Diego. The mage also greeted me, and I nodded in acknowledgment.

“Then I shall take my leave now. Ellervain, go.”

Since it was a teleportation spell for a short distance, the mage quickly drew the spell circle, and Diego stepped into it. As Diego prepared to leave, Pepper shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but I must handle the aftermath of the assassins before I return.”

Diego narrowed his eyes. Despite Diego’s questioning gaze, Pepper stood his ground.

“……Very well. Clean up and return.”

With a sigh, Diego acquiesced, gesturing towards the mage. And then, the light started to spread.

The last image of Diego I saw was him smiling softly at me.

‘The moon is beautiful.’

In the quiet hill, I turned my gaze to the night sky, avoiding the blood-stained surroundings. It felt more uncomfortable as the twinkling stars seemed to judge me.

I shoved my trembling hands into my pockets. Closing my eyes for a moment, I took a deep breath before softly speaking.

“Well then, let’s talk.”

The figure beside me tensed slightly.

“……What do you mean?”

Pepper’s voice was gruff. I chuckled softly and slowly opened my eyes, turning my head to him. His beige-colored irises were staring straight at me.

“Isn’t your business not with the assassins, but with me, Sir Ellervain?”

He seemed to have something to say to me.

 

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