Chapter 20

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Ed’s heart had been racing since morning. Today, he might finally get to see Lucy.

Ever since returning to the castle, Lucy had been constantly on Ed’s mind.

Was it because she was a witch?

No.

Was it because she had saved his life three times?

Not that either.

Ed simply missed Lucy.

Her shimmering white hair, calm red eyes, and her indifferent voice lingered in his thoughts.

He thought of Lucy the moment he woke up and until the moment he fell asleep.

Though he was still young and didn’t fully understand, it was akin to the symptoms of a crush.

No matter how much the people in the castle praised him as a hero, or how his father gifted him a magnificent sword and armor, none of it brought him much joy.

He wanted to know what Lucy was doing.

Was she catching fish by the river? Or was she handling terrifying undead? Or maybe she was lying on the grass, taking a nap?

It didn’t matter what she was doing.

Ed just wanted to see her.

But he couldn’t go to her.

After Hoff’s attempt on his life, security had been tightened.

Now, Ed was constantly under guard and couldn’t leave the castle freely.

This would likely continue until the mastermind behind Hoff’s actions was uncovered.

The vassals believed there was definitely someone behind Hoff.

Someone who had ordered Hoff to kill Ed.

Who was the mastermind?

The vassals seemed to have their suspicions, but Ed had no idea.

Not knowing frustrated him.

He wouldn’t be able to see Lucy until the mastermind was revealed.

Frustration and longing.

Ed’s face grew darker, and he often sighed or stared blankly out the window.

Someone noticed his state.

“Is something troubling you, Young Master?”

It was Theodore, the newly appointed bodyguard knight.

Ed had two other bodyguard knights, but they were middle-aged and reserved, rarely speaking to him unless necessary.

Theodore, however, was relatively young and lively, often engaging in conversations with Ed.

Ed preferred it that way.

“You haven’t been looking well lately, Young Master.”

At Theodore’s words, Ed nodded.

“Actually, I’ve been troubled.”

“What’s troubling you?”

“Well…”

Ed decided to confide in Theodore.

It felt like it might ease his frustration a little.

“I’ve made a commoner friend recently…”

“A girl?”

“Yes.”

“I knew it!”

“…Huh?”

“Never mind, please continue.”

Ed told Theodore everything, except for the fact that Lucy was a witch.

Though there wasn’t much to tell.

He spoke about how beautiful Lucy was, how indifferent her expressions were, and how much he wanted to see her again.

“Hmm.”

After listening, Theodore smiled meaningfully and looked at Ed.

“There’s a way for you to see that commoner girl.”

“Really?”

Ed unconsciously clung to Theodore.

“…Could you let go of my clothes, Young Master? These are expensive.”

“Ah, sorry.”

As Ed let go, Theodore chuckled and spoke.

“There’s a banquet coming up, isn’t there? To celebrate and honor your victory over the monster.”

“Yes.”

“Invite her to the banquet.”

“Who…?”

“The girl you mentioned.”

“Ah, but… she’s a commoner. Can I really invite her to the banquet? I don’t think Father would allow it.”

“Normally, he wouldn’t. But this banquet is in your honor, Young Master. Lord Leyton is overjoyed that you defeated the monster. He’s even boasting about it to other nobles and the royal court. If you ask now, it’s entirely possible.”

After hearing Theodore’s words, Ed immediately went to his father.

“Father, I’d like to invite my commoner friend to the banquet…”

“Do as you wish.”

His father readily agreed.

“By the way, Baron Bolton will be visiting the castle soon. He must have heard the rumors about you defeating the monster. Haha. If he asks how you did it, explain it in detail. A little exaggeration won’t hurt.”

“…”

His father seemed in high spirits.

And Ed was also happy to have gotten permission.

Ed quickly prepared the invitation and told Theodore.

“Theodore. I’d like to go myself, but I can’t leave the castle. And if I just send the invitation, she might not come. She probably doesn’t even know the way. So…”

“I’ll go.”

Theodore took the invitation without hesitation.

“I’ll make sure to bring her back.”

◈

Lucy left the house.

She had decided to attend the banquet at the Leyton family’s castle.

“…Are you sure you’ll be okay, Lucy? There will be many nobles at the castle…”

Her grandfather seemed quite worried, but Lucy nodded calmly.

“I’ll be fine.”

As long as there was no mushroom dish, she didn’t care.

“I’ll be back.”

“Alright… Take care. Sir Knight, please take good care of our Lucy. She’s still just a child who doesn’t know much…”

Her grandfather bowed respectfully to the knight who had delivered the invitation.

The knight smiled.

“Nothing will happen. This child has been invited as the Young Master’s friend, so she’ll be treated accordingly…”

“Let’s hurry.”

Lucy urged.

The knight gave an awkward smile and mounted his horse.

Then, he reached out, placed Lucy in front of him, and held her tightly to keep her from falling.

“I’ll bring the child back safely after the banquet, so don’t worry too much.”

“Ah, understood. Lucy, take care.”

“I’ll be back.”

The knight set the horse in motion.

Clip-clop. Clip-clop.

“Is this your first time going to the castle?”

The knight asked.

Lucy nodded.

“I see. Are you nervous?”

“Not really.”

“You’re brave. Your name is Lucy, right?”

“Yes.”

“Nice to meet you, Lucy. I’m Theodore. Even though I’m a knight, I hope you won’t treat me too formally. I quite like children. Especially cute ones like you.”

“…”

“Ah, um, I mean, not in a weird way. I just genuinely like them.”

Lucy remained silent.

For some reason, a certain undead creature came to mind.

“Ahem…”

Theodore awkwardly cleared his throat and fell silent.

Theodore was usually talkative, but Lucy didn’t seem interested in conversation.

In such a situation, it felt a bit awkward to keep talking.

It was strange for a knight to be cautious around a commoner girl, but Theodore decided to stay quiet until they reached the castle.

“…We’re here.”

They finally arrived at the castle.

Lucy dismounted and looked up at the castle.

A massive stone structure rose as if piercing the sky, and flags fluttered in the wind atop the walls.

“Impressive, right? This is the Leyton family’s castle.”

Theodore spoke proudly, but Lucy showed little reaction.

She simply nodded indifferently.

‘…She’s a peculiar child.’

Theodore felt another wave of awkwardness.

Commoners were usually overwhelmed by the grandeur of the castle, either falling silent or widening their eyes in awe.

But Lucy only looked slightly curious, not particularly impressed.

“Shall we go in?”

Following Theodore, Lucy stepped through the castle gates.

Inside, many people had gathered.

Nobles in lavish clothing were chatting in small groups.

As Lucy entered, the nobles’ gazes turned toward her.

A doll-like girl with white hair and red eyes, dressed in commoner’s clothes.

She looked somewhat unusual in the eyes of the nobles.

“…Who is that child?”

“She looks like a commoner…”

“Ah, is she the one Young Master Ed invited?”

The nobles whispered among themselves, but Lucy paid no attention.

She simply walked forward with determination.

Theodore forced a bitter smile as he watched her.

She didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by the nobles openly staring at her.

What exactly is this child?

“Ah—! You’re here!”

Just then, a voice called out.

Looking up, they saw Ed running toward them.

The smile on Ed’s face, which had been gloomy lately, was now beaming.

“You really came! I was worried you might not…”

At that moment.

Ed, who had been running, tripped.

“Oof!”

Ed tumbled forward.

His body lifted into the air before landing with a thud at Lucy’s feet.

“Ouch…”

Ed grimaced and looked up.

His nose was almost touching Lucy’s toes.

“…”

Lucy bent down and looked at Ed.

A hint of concern flickered in her eyes.

“Are you okay?”

Lucy asked softly.

“…!”

Ed’s face turned bright red in an instant.

He scrambled to his feet, brushing the dust off his clothes.

“Ah, ah… I’m fine! It doesn’t hurt at all!”

Ed laughed awkwardly.

His face was still as red as a tomato.

“…Your knee is bleeding.”

“Oh, it’s fine! It’s just a scratch! It’ll stop soon!”

From a distance, servants began rushing over to check on Ed’s injuries.

And from one side—

‘So that’s the child…’

Someone was secretly watching Lucy.

A bald, overweight man.

It was Groose.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Anything to escape the mushrooms, even if the exit is filled with children-loving knights…