Chapter 167
“I never expected to run into a Young Lady here! Were you just sightseeing around?”
The voice of Allen Kalia dripped with a courtesan-like charm.
An instinctive aversion bubbled up inside me, sending a wave of discomfort.
And yet, I managed to suppress the instinct to take a step back.
After all, Allen Kalia is a high-ranking member of the Marquis family.
Though he and Shione share the same position of being the second child, the difference in their backgrounds reveals the divide between the Count’s House and the Marquis Family.
With Allen Kalia having a slightly higher standing.
I had to be cautious with my expressions and conduct.
Our brief encounter yesterday was likely the entirety of our meetings thus far.
Here he was, casually approaching me with a friendly demeanor.
Shione responded to his question with a careful, expressionless reply.
“…Yes, the weather is nice, so I thought I’d take a look outside instead of staying in my room.”
“Hmm~ Good choice! Have you checked the back of the mansion? The garden is about to bloom, so it would be a nice time to explore.”
…The way he said that with a bright smile was just too much.
Come on, seriously.
I heard that he’s serving in the Marquis’s army alongside Eunice Kalia, taking care of the territory’s defense…
And yet, there was no sign of military charisma in Allen Kalia, who seemed to possess a pure, innocent charm that could easily distract the ladies in this world.
Instead of that charisma, he showcased an ability to act natural enough to wrap the ladies around his little finger.
“There’s a garden behind, huh?”
“Yes! I have some free time right now… Do you mind if I guide you, Young Lady?”
He spoke as if refusing would make him burst into tears.
Those sparkling, moist eyes of Allen Kalia seemed to glisten as he leaned forward, lowering his own height to look up at Shione.
‘Ugh… this is driving me insane.’
Just looking at him felt like my mental strength was slowly draining away.
As Shione’s attendant, I had my fair share of experiences in the noble society.
My master had little connection with men. Instead, she often met with the women who led the society.
So far, the noble men I had encountered were limited to Evan, Noah, and Sion.
‘…Let’s take a moment to clear my head.’
I turned my gaze away from Allen Kalia.
If I kept looking at him any longer, I might have to endure witnessing some unrefined cute antics…
That would definitely provoke an even larger resistance inside me.
I had no choice but to avoid it.
So, I turned my attention to another woman who appeared to be a knight accompanying him.
‘…?’
The woman I glanced at belatedly was looking directly at me instead of Shione.
She nodded her head slightly in greeting, and I did the same in return.
Afterwards, she lowered her eyelids, concealing her crimson irises.
When she opened her eyes again, it was as if nothing had occurred.
Her gaze fixed intently on Shione.
‘She’s armed with a sword.’
Her military posture and silent demeanor radiated a sharpness that set her apart from ordinary servants.
She seemed like a knight with considerable skill or a wealth of field experience.
While I focused on her instead of Allen Kalia, he approached the knight.
He began introducing her back into my line of sight.
“I haven’t introduced you yet! This is the pride of the Kalia Marquis Family’s knight order, Miss Chloe Anette.”
Chloe Anette bowed respectfully to Shione as introduced by Allen.
‘So this is the commander of the First Legion…’
I had been wondering about who that commander, supposedly favored by the marquis, was.
It turned out to be her.
After all, just standing there exuded an unusual atmosphere.
So, she, too, is affiliated with Allen Kalia, who is notoriously known as a rogue that Friel despises.
A little caution wouldn’t hurt.
Chloe took a step forward as Allen introduced her and extended her hand for a handshake.
“Nice to meet you, Young Lady. I’m Chloe Anette, the commander of the Kalia Marquis Family’s First Legion.”
“The commander of the First Legion… It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Chloe Anette.”
“Your exploits regarding the ‘Moonlit Archer’ atop the castle wall have reached our soldiers as well. I’m honored to meet you.”
“Y-Yeah…? The Moonlit Archer, you say?”
“Yes. The Moonlit Archer.”
Shione’s expression, which had been stiff, seemed to crack as she realized the nickname she had unexpectedly received.
Word of the Count’s House reached this far.
‘The Moonlit Archer on the castle wall…’
The fact that such a cheesy nickname was being reportedly tossed around in another territory about her was ridiculous enough.
But it indeed fit her well with her hair color.
People from the Count’s House do have quite beautiful hair. It’s amusing and well-captured in the nickname.
Even so, having such a nickname would surely be embarrassing. Shione was currently squirming, trying to hide her hands behind her.
I had something to tease her about now. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring this up later when we’re bored.
Just then, the moment came.
“Then, Lady Shione—”
Allen Kalia turned his head towards me.
Her black pupils reflected my sharp expression.
“Could you introduce the gentleman next to you?”
As Allen smiled brightly at me, I didn’t feel very comfortable.
But I maintained my composure and merely listened to Shione’s introduction about me.
“This is my attendant, Ray.”
“Ray, huh? Nice to meet you.”
She conversed so easily with Shione.
But why was it that when she muttered my name, she squinted and scrutinized my face?
Receiving such a lingering gaze from Allen felt anything but pleasant.
After briefly exchanging pleasantries with him—
I sensed that Chloe Anette’s steady gaze was now focused on me.
“…”
“…”
Chloe Anette, the commander of the First Legion, stood tall at around 170cm, with her eyes subtly raised to meet my gaze.
Her narrow wine-red pupils shone like a predator locking onto its prey.
“If you’re with the Young Lady, you must be the archer who eradicated demons with a single arrow. Ray, I’ve often heard tales of your exploits. It’s an honor to meet you.”
She extended her hand towards me for a handshake.
Being in a position where I couldn’t outright refuse her previously extended hand, I accepted it.
Her grip was surprisingly strong.
Clearly, she was accustomed to wielding swords.
Her hand was rough, and as we shook, her gaze remained fixated on me, more persistent than ever.
‘Tsk….’
With Shione’s news surely reaching here,
It wasn’t hard to believe that my reputation as the only man capable of wielding magic on this continent had made waves.
I guessed that this must have piqued her interest.
And indeed, as I heard Chloe’s words, so did Allen—
“…”
As Shione observed, I remained in that handshake with Chloe, who was evaluating me with a mysterious expression.
She seemed to be imprinting my appearance and presence into her memory.
Once Chloe finally released her hand, Shione stepped back in.
The moment Shione caught sight of Allen again, he displayed a natural smile as if nothing had happened.
Once the odd introduction came to a close, Allen spoke up as if waiting.
“So you really are the famous archer! If there’s ever a chance, I’d love to see you wield your magic! Would that be possible…?”
Ah. Please, don’t look up at me like that.
“…If the opportunity arises, I’ll do my best to show you.”
“Really?”
“…How could I lie in front of Allen Kalia?”
“Hehe, that’s great! Thank you, Ray.”
Just as Allen Kalia abruptly grabbed my hand,
I was caught by surprise, making me struggle to maintain my expression.
“Oh, and you can just call me Allen, instead of Sir. ‘Sir’ doesn’t feel cute enough, does it?”
Please, just don’t.
It’s ‘Sir’ for a reason.
Why does it have to be about being cute?
Moreover, the hand of Allen holding mine right now—
As Eunice mentioned, he claimed himself a knight.
Apparently, he hadn’t trained with a sword, as his hands were devoid of thick calluses.
Yet, just as his hand tightened around mine in a way that felt like a serpent squeezing its prey,
I found myself eager to free my hand from his grasp.
“Understood. Allen.”
“Alright, Ray.”
He flashed another bright smile and subtly distanced himself from me.
For a fleeting moment, I wondered if I was mistaken, but,
“Will you take care of me from now on?”
The way he said this, even for an instant, sent a chill running through me.
…No wonder Friel despised this guy.
There had to be something hidden behind that innocence.
However, as opposed to my thoughts, I grudgingly accepted his words in accordance with social decorum.
Once again, he turned to Shione.
“Then let’s go together, Young Lady! I’ll show you our garden!”
“N-No, just a moment—”
At that moment, as he inched closer to Shione, attempting to hook her arm naturally,
“Wait, older brother.”
A low voice resonated from behind me, filling the corridor.
“…I apologize for interrupting your time with the Young Lady, but—”
“…”
“However, I believe you must speak with me for a moment, older brother.”
Allen Kalia’s and Chloe Anette’s expressions turned solemn.
“What is it, Abel?”
Abel Kalia.
The third son of the Marquis Family stood there confidently, conveying his message with certainty.
“I have a message from our mother. Could you spare me a moment, older brother?”
