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The Kalstein Mansion proudly stood right in the center of the second district, which only the highest-ranking nobles in the capital were permitted to inhabit.

Unlike the down-to-earth Kalstein Marquis, who was the very embodiment of a soldier, the Marquis’s wife believed that the dignity of the nobility should be displayed through the management of their domains, estates, and grand mansions.

Most of the nobles in the capital respected the name Kalstein, not only due to the Marquis’s achievements in the previous war but also because for decades, while her husband was away on the battlefield, returning only once or twice a year, the Marquis’s wife had firmly grasped the social scene of the capital.

Passing through beautiful gardens meticulously maintained by a skilled gardener every day, one would eventually come upon the magnificent mansion, large enough to easily accommodate hundreds of people.

The lobby was adorned with extravagant magical candlesticks and chandeliers, casting a warm and gentle light throughout the mansion, while dozens of maids bustled about, ensuring that the interior was always spotless, without a speck of dust.

Inside that lavish and beautiful mansion, Marian von Kalstein was nervously shaking her legs.

“My lady, that’s quite improper behavior.”

“But… but! The sun has already set! Shouldn’t he have arrived by now!?”

Marian stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her skin, smooth and moist from cream and oil, glowed like milk under the soft moonlight, enhanced even further by the powder.

To create an elegant and tidy atmosphere, it took five maidens two hours to meticulously braid her hair. She had carefully chosen the dress color, earrings, bracelets, and necklace to leave a lasting impression.

Not wanting to appear overly extravagant, she spent three hours achieving the perfect balance with minimal jewelry that complemented her subtle wine-colored dress, ensuring it didn’t look cheap.

The Marian in the mirror was stunning enough to deserve the title of the social flower, like a goddess incarnate. Though it felt blasphemous to think of herself as a goddess, Marian couldn’t help but feel that even a real goddess wouldn’t hold a candle to her beauty.

Yes, everything was perfect. Well, except for the fact that the man who should be admiring her hadn’t shown up.

“Why isn’t he coming!? He said he would! He promised!”

“My lady! Please compose yourself!”

With an anguished expression, Marian placed down the valuable vase she nearly threw across the room. Okay, let’s calm down. This fierce demeanor doesn’t suit my beauty. Breathe deep and count to ten. Philion Grand Empire’s teachings suggest that counting helps calm one’s nerves…

“But why isn’t he coming!!?”

“My lady-!”

It all started with a letter brought by Zegler. The remarkable news that the famous hero of the continent would soon be in the capital to teach students at the Philion Grand Empire. Marian diligently prepared to welcome their guest, as the message from the Kalstein Marquis mentioned the mansion’s address.

Just half a day ago, she received a report from the Capital City Gendarmerie that a soldier named Ion Graham had passed through the gate. Although managing the gendarmerie for personal reasons was considered a serious crime, it felt like a small favor to ask, given her grandfather was the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army.

It was a name she heard far too often from her grandfather, but honestly, the accomplishments he achieved made her somewhat awed as a citizen of the Empire. Just thinking about how many lives of empire citizens—no, every person on the continent—he saved was truly heartwarming.

But that was that, and this was this. Marian von Kalstein was not the type of woman to easily let herself be caught up with anyone just because her grandfather suggested it. She planned to maintain her dominance at the start and progressively learn if he was suitable to be her husband…

“How dare he leave me hanging? Who does he think he is?”

Marian shouted, tugging at her meticulously styled hair made by the five maidens.

There was a bit of misunderstanding. The Kalstein Marquis had said, “I mentioned the address,” but he never indicated that Ion would be coming based on the address he provided. Even the Marquis likely didn’t have any expectations, knowing Ion’s personality.

However, from Marian’s perspective, it was only natural for her to misunderstand. Biting her nails, she simmered down her anger.

“Ion Graham… just you wait. You will definitely regret this. One day, I’m going to make you cry and cling to me!”

If Ion ever heard her little vow, he would find it absurd.

*

The coachman’s claim that the room was clean was somewhat true. It was an empty room with nothing but the bed, but she didn’t expect much more, and the blanket was regularly laundered, leaving no unpleasant smell.

What she liked most was the very low price, including breakfast.

After a good night’s rest, she headed down to the first floor, where delightful aromas wafted from the kitchen as breakfast was being prepared. She settled at a corner table, and soon, a blonde woman approached, carrying a plate and cup.

Pancakes drizzled with syrup and steaming coffee—what a great breakfast menu, completely contrary to the inn’s name that suggested a place where one might expect vodka right from the morning.

“Enjoy your meal.”

She threw a bright smile, and Marian found herself momentarily watching the swaying golden strands as the woman walked away. To put it simply, her name wasn’t Ella; it was Daisy.

Philion Grand Empire often said a startled heart sees the pot’s lid and gets shocked. She had thought of Ella, so when she saw someone similar, she was surprised.

The Ella in her memories had shimmering golden hair, as if honey had been squeezed out of it. Daisy’s blonde was a shade darker and, most notably, her eyes were green. It was merely a nighttime misunderstanding; in the bright daylight, the differences were obvious.

She thought she had forgotten everything, but the very location of the inn had conjured unpleasant memories. As she quietly cleared her plate, a worker came by with a teapot, filling her empty coffee cup.

“Can I get a refill?”

“It’s complimentary.”

With a refreshing smile, the worker winked at her as he left. Marian nodded after sipping her coffee. She didn’t know much about alcohol, but the coffee tasted indeed good.

At that moment, the worn hinge of the inn’s door squeaked, and three men entered. Their shabby attire indicated they were not here for breakfast, their glances scanning now and again.

The largest among them trudged over to the worker. The other two stood guard at the entrance.

“Where’s the man who used to work here?”

“Um? Unc—uncle is unwell, so I’ll be taking over in the meantime.”

Approaching the grim-looking man, the worker stumbled over his words, frightened. The man grinned with a thick jaw, a look that surely indicated he wasn’t there for polite conversation.

“Hmm… really? I have a few questions.”

The man began inquiring if anything strange had happened recently, questioning if there were any suspicious-looking guests. His imposing figure made him look like a thug, asking questions that could belong to the gendarmerie. But the man’s trouble didn’t end there. It escalated as he expressed a desire to inspect the inn, and when the worker hesitated, the man’s expression shifted dramatically.

“This seems shady. I’ll have to search the place.”

“Th-that wouldn’t be appropriate… eek!”

He grabbed the worker’s wrist with his thick hand. It was more or less an excuse; the worker was a rare beauty in this area, and the sight of her fear sparked the man’s base instincts. The inn’s other patrons averted their eyes, not wanting to be dragged into the unpleasantness.

I set down my empty coffee cup and stood up. Calmly, I approached the man who was holding the worker.

“What are you doing? If you’re thinking of playing the knight, just get lost.”

I only wore my traveling coat since I had changed clothes that morning. If I were in military uniform, maybe he would have quietly left me be, but instead, I sighed softly.

I didn’t bother saying the cliché “let go of her.” If he could be persuaded with words, he likely wouldn’t have created a ruckus. Instead, I gripped the man’s wrist that held the worker tightly, applying pressure.

“Ugh… AAAAAH!!”

The sound of cracking bones echoed as he screamed in agony. Seizing the moment, the worker ripped her wrist free, prompting the two thugs at the door to rush over with alarmed expressions.

“Brother?! What the hell?!”

“This punk, you wanna die?!”

Surrounded by three burly men could make anyone fear for their life, but compared to the demons that relentlessly pursued me in battle, these thugs were boringly slow.

With a swift strike, I knocked the man clutching his wrist out, and domino effect sent one of the thugs who rushed in crashing to the ground. The remaining thug stumbled over as I discreetly tripped him.

“Gah!”

A chair sat perfectly in their path, and the thug slammed his head into it, knocking himself out. It took hardly a blink for the three men to fall like straw dolls.

At that moment, one thug who was covered by the heavy one tried to crawl away, looking up at me and raising his voice in a futile attempt.

“Who the hell do you think you are?! You better remember my face! I’ll take revenge… ugh! UAAAH!!”

I lightly stomped on his noisy head. That was more than enough for him to faint. In an instant, the inn fell into silence.

Leaving behind the bewildered worker, I hoisted the two unconscious thugs over my shoulder and, kicking the large one, tossed him out like trash.

The sight of the three thugs sprawled out in the dirty mud drew the attention of passersby.

“Call the Capital City Gendarmerie. They’ll clean this up.”

“Ah… th-thank you!”

I waved goodbye without answering and left the inn.

 

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