episode_0054

Ian, this nobleman was truly a man who became more incomprehensible the more you saw him.

Just by watching him speak while handing over a new uniform immediately, one couldn’t help but tilt their head in confusion.

“…Lord Ian? Didn’t we agree to go together last time?”

Cecilia asked with a slightly puzzled tone. Of course, it wasn’t that she felt disappointed about not being able to have a private date with him. It was just a simple question.

“Come to think of it, until the promised date, you might continue to receive uncomfortable attire and various stares, so I thought about it and placed an order right away. It arrived today, and rumors spread within the mansion that you and I went somewhere alone, which wouldn’t be good for you, so I didn’t mention it.”

“How do you know my body measurements and size?”

“I happened to find out last time. I was sorry about that.”

“…”

Recalling the embarrassing incident made her blush unintentionally, yet Ian’s immediate acknowledgment of his mistake regarding her commoner background while sitting in a nobleman’s position without discrimination was significantly different from the nobility she knew.

The person she had firmly believed to be a wastrel until now was acting in a way she couldn’t comprehend.

Where did the man who used to harass women without shame go?

He now seemed to cherish his subordinates, delicately watch over them, and become so kind. Recently, rumors about him had spread throughout the knight order. He would show off the rare Ora Blade that only a few knights could wield, easily teach various efficient magical techniques, gradually improving his reputation and image among mercenaries, albeit slightly.

The more she heard about him, the more he seemed like a completely different person.

And a vague thought began to form in her mind.

“Why does Ian treat me so specially?”

In the past, she would have immediately understood his intentions.

It must have been because of her peculiar figure.

But she had heard that he already had a great lover. Though she was a maid, judging by her appearance and first impression, she was undoubtedly noble. She was probably a fallen noble with a high probability.

Yet, would he flirt with other women?

It was something she couldn’t imagine him doing now. In fact, seeing him experience such a situation with her and not resorting to threats or other means to avoid it, but instead showing signs of ‘respect’ and warm consideration towards her, even when he occasionally acted clumsily to make himself look good, made her wonder if he was really the same wastrel as before.

Though she hesitated and borrowed clothes from others due to not having casual wear, even that felt a bit frustrating.

The questioning glances for not wearing formal attire also felt like needles poking at her back.

Each time without making any demands, Ian shielded her and treated her well. Watching his actions, she couldn’t help but wonder what he truly desired.

The Ian she knew never extended such kindness without a reason.

“The person who always looked at me with eyes full of lust and desire every time he saw me.”

She felt a slight annoyance remembering his previous behavior, but that didn’t help her dislike or view the current Ian negatively. Instead, it felt like a feeling of being indebted each time she received help.

Honestly, Cecilia, who took over the position of the former knight commander and defeated the nobles, may have a somewhat favorable reputation among commoners and knights. However, in the eyes of other nobles, she would simply be seen as ‘a commoner who luckily rose to a high position.’ There would be no other evaluation beyond that. In reality, Cecilia’s achievements were overshadowed by the shadow of the former knight commander, so many people were unaware of them.

Because there were those aiming for higher positions among the nobles, it was obvious that they looked down on themselves with a sense of disdain.

And there was no need for them to approach someone like Cecilia in a friendly manner.

In fact, even Dylan, who used to visit her every day, reduced his visits to the point where they met secretly once in a while for training, and the second son, Cain, started avoiding her and even evaded meeting her.

However, Ian. He, on the contrary, treated her even better and interacted with her warmly in front of others without any hesitation.

Even though he was a wastrel like herself, she observed his efforts to establish good connections with influential people to make himself closer to her, even if only slightly.

This person is trying to help me. It was evident without needing to be explicitly stated that he had provided her with various forms of assistance.

“Do you know that our knight commander slew one of the twin-headed dragons with the Orla Blade? It is not well-known due to being overshadowed by Hans, the former knight commander, but she was the one who saved him from almost certain death.”

“Oh… That’s a story I haven’t heard before. As far as I know, Hans, the knight commander, was the one who beheaded the dragon…”

“No, it’s just that…~~”

He boasted about the new knight commander’s achievements to various figures from noble families and merchants who visited their house.

All the things she did went unnoticed or ignored, even though they were known.

With that face, smiling and eagerly sharing her accomplishments with others even in unfamiliar places.

How could one dislike a man who treats her so well?

Compared to truly malicious nobles, the past events were almost trivial.

Moreover, considering the wrongs done, including plotting against her and possibly being expelled from the family, why is this man making more effort to treat her better?

-…Lady Cecilia, what are your thoughts on Ian?

-You mean Sir Ian? In short… to enemies, he is endlessly ruthless, but to those on his side, he is deeply affectionate and once he starts treating you well, he never stops. Also… I think he is excellent and warm in various ways. If he doesn’t turn directly against you, he won’t kill you right away; he has a kind of mercy and wisdom… a person with some compassion, shall we say.

-He was called a wastrel in the past. Of course, now I also think he is a very good person, but… it’s a bit strange.

-Strange, you say?

-There was no reason for him to suddenly start treating me well. It wasn’t a gaze expecting something from me, nor was it the sinister look I had seen before. He just started being kind to me at some point. If he wanted something else later, I would have noticed by now… but it doesn’t seem to be the case.

-Lady Cecilia. Seeking reasons in human kindness is improper.

The atmosphere changed.

At the end of the warm voice of the saint, a hint of coldness could be felt, to the extent that even she, the knight commander, felt a slight pressure.

-…I apologize.

– You don’t need to say that to me. Perhaps even Ian Gongja wouldn’t think he treated Cecilia for no reason. Simply put… Hmm, this is a story I know about another couple, but they say that when you love someone, you don’t usually expect anything in return; you just treat them well. If Cecilia is right, then that’s what I think.

– …Yes?

– I’m not sure if he harbors feelings of affection, but he definitely holds some other emotions. Have you ever experienced something that could foster a different kind of fondness with Ian Brothers recently?

– …

Suddenly, the scene flashed through her mind, and the Knight Commander’s steps involuntarily faltered as her gaze dropped to the ground.

She knew very well that she was not one to readily accept a villain just because her life had been saved for one reason alone.

Though she was inwardly surprised at the idea of directly lifting the curse of a demon and summoning the renowned Maiden of Justice to the mansion, if the holy maiden who, even after her life was saved, unflinchingly spoke the ‘truth’ bestowed upon her by the gods in favor of Ian Gongja, then everything made sense.

– Ian Brothers, at least, isn’t treating you well out of a desire to push you away. If you want to repay that kindness, taking a step closer, approaching, might be a form of repayment in itself.

True to her role as the Maiden of Justice, she spoke piercing words that accurately pierced through the tangle of her heart.

Taking a step closer… towards him?

A nobleman?

Daring to do so as a commoner herself?

With such doubts in her mind,

The maiden seemed to illuminate her thoughts as she gazed directly into her eyes with shining orbs.

– You are the one who approached first. I won’t oppose rejecting someone out of fear, but… wouldn’t it be more disrespectful to vehemently rebuff someone who has already humbly bent down and entered?

– Such a… simple matter…

– Truly, human relationships are simple if you think about it. The more reasons you have to doubt, the darker the path ahead becomes. When I believed in my god to save me, He threw Himself in front of me to rescue me. At that time, I didn’t understand why He saved me… but now I do. Ultimately, it all starts with the willingness to understand each other’s intentions.

– …

– Ultimately, when Cecilia approached Ian Gongja even a little, did he seem like someone who would fiercely push her away?

– No… he didn’t.

– Then, do you appear to be someone who pities yourself, trying to bolster your pride just because you’re a commoner?

– Absolutely not.

Quietly observing her, the maiden pointed to a mirror on the opposite side and added:

– Look. Cecilia. From the moment you strongly feel negative emotions when I speak about Ian, it’s already too late; all preparations have been made.

“…”

Silently, Cecilia in her attire looked at her reflection in the mirror.

Her outfit was made of a special material that fit perfectly and comfortably, without any extravagant embellishments. Somehow, it knew that she didn’t prefer overly flashy designs, blending sky blue, navy, and black colors tastefully to exude a somewhat subdued atmosphere.

The snug black leather short pants accentuating her figure, the design exposing her white thighs, and the long boots worn beneath, seemingly emphasizing her thighs, were slightly embarrassing, but compared to her previous attire, it was somewhat better, so it was acceptable.

Rather, it was a design that he liked… No, if he noticed something about her and unconsciously ordered it custom-made like this… it might be quite nice.

No, what am I thinking right now? Cecilia shook her head vigorously and averted her gaze from the mirror.

Could it be because she was wearing comfortable clothes that fit perfectly and didn’t make her feel suffocated for the first time in a long while? Deep down, she felt somewhat uplifted.

Absolutely not. Absolutely not. It wasn’t because she was about to meet Ian.

Convincing herself like that, she visited his home office.