Ch.159Winter Break (3)

Adelia’s arrival at our mansion as a knight guard was completely unexpected. Nicole had mentioned we’d meet again soon, but who could have imagined it would be like this.

Having someone serve as our family’s knight guard isn’t particularly problematic. Dave and Nicole are in the military, and naturally, I’m next in line to become the head of the family. I’m aware of this and preparing for it.

If possible, I’d like to travel the world before Father steps down as head of the family, but who knows what life has in store.

Moreover, every proper noble family should have knight guards. Our family only recently rose from commoners to nobility, and since our territory isn’t fully developed yet, we only had security guards rather than proper knights.

It was awkward to request personnel from the Imperial Palace, as other nobles might perceive it as favoritism toward my father, so that plan was abandoned.

Honestly, there’s a much higher chance of problems arising at the Imperial Palace requiring Father’s presence than issues occurring in our household. That’s because Father is exceptionally strong.

So now that our territory is gradually developing, Father bringing in a knight guard isn’t an issue. Especially with a new little sister on the way, the need for a knight guard has increased.

However, the problem is that the knight guard is none other than Adelia. Who is Adelia?

Setting aside the fact that she’s a hidden royal from the Kingdom of Teres, she’s an exceptional talent who completed all martial arts assistant training at Halo Academy. Someone of her caliber could aim for the Imperial Guard at the highest level, not just a knight guard for our family.

For such a talent to be officially assigned to a rural territory that’s just beginning to develop, and as a knight guard at that?

I couldn’t help but be suspicious.

“Adelia.”

“Yes, yes! Lady Baroness.”

“You don’t need to be so tense. We’ve met at the exhibition before, haven’t we? Feel free to call me Mother.”

“I-I can’t use such a casual title as a knight guard.”

In the guest room prepared for visitors rather than the reception room, Adelia sitting across from us waved her hands in great surprise at my mother’s suggestion.

She truly looked startled, with her eyes wide open and flustered—I’d never seen her like this before.

Meanwhile, Father, sitting next to Mother, asked Adelia in his characteristically solemn voice:

“I heard from Nicole. You served as an assistant instructor together at Halo Academy?”

“Yes, yes sir!”

Adelia answered with her body rigidly straight, seemingly nervous. Sitting right next to her, I could observe each of her reactions.

First, her hands on her thighs kept clenching and unclenching. Her legs were also trembling noticeably—anyone could tell she was nervous.

Even Cecilly hadn’t shown such reactions yesterday. I wanted to hold her hand to calm her down, but the atmosphere made it difficult.

“Don’t be so nervous. It’s making us uncomfortable.”

“Ah! I-I’m sorry…”

“No need to apologize. Anyway, coming to our family as a knight guard… I wonder why someone of your caliber would come to our rural territory.”

“It’s… peaceful, isn’t it? And even though it’s rural, it’s gradually developing. I heard it will grow into a cultural city in about five years.”

“That may be true, but you could gain experience elsewhere during those five years.”

“That…”

It seemed Father was conducting an interview despite having already brought her in. Adelia seemed at a loss for words at Father’s continued questioning.

This might make Father suspicious, but Mother appropriately intervened:

“Dear, she could train under you. She must know how remarkable that is.”

“Hmm.”

Father cleared his throat, seemingly embarrassed by Mother’s praise. Adelia let out a small sigh of relief.

However, crises tend to come all at once. Father didn’t stop his questioning.

“Well, with Nicole’s recommendation, I won’t ask any more questions. But I do want to ask one thing.”

“Yes, yes! Please ask.”

“Are you really a commoner? Your etiquette and table manners seem too refined for a commoner.”

“… …”

Adelia visibly flinched at that question. Old habits are nearly impossible to break once deeply ingrained.

Before entering the academy, Adelia had lived in the Kingdom of Teres, where she would have been educated in basic royal etiquette and manners.

Even as an illegitimate child, she would have needed to know the basics to avoid excessive criticism. It was a struggle to survive.

And those occasional habits were enough to raise suspicion in observers. Above all, her beauty was too exceptional for a commoner.

“You don’t have to answer if it’s difficult. Everyone has their circumstances. Just tell me whether you’re a commoner or of noble birth.”

“… …”

Adelia hesitated for a long time after hearing Father’s question. Her hands on her thighs clenched tightly, and she lowered her head.

Neither my parents across from her nor I could see her face, as her shoulder-length light brown hair covered it like a curtain.

As the moment of contemplation stretched on, Father was the first to end the situation.

“That’s enough. You don’t need to say anything.”

“Ah…! T-that is…”

Adelia quickly raised her head, but before she could speak, Father spoke first.

“Normally, someone with an uncertain past wouldn’t be suitable as a guard.”

At those words, Adelia’s complexion turned beyond pale to completely white.

“But since Nicole earnestly requested it, I’ll let it pass. Nicole told me that despite your playful nature, you can be trusted.”

“T-then…”

“Welcome to the Mayshall Barony, Lady Cross. Please protect our Isaac well from now on.”

“Ah…!”

When Father addressed her as “Lady Cross” rather than by her name, Adelia’s expression brightened like the sun. As always, a bright face suited Adelia best.

“Thank you! I’ll do my best!”

“No need to overdo it. By the way, Isaac. You said you were appointed as a recommended student and will be treated as a third-year starting from your second year, right?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Will you need Lady Cross’s protection then? I’m not familiar with the Literature Department.”

“Hmm…”

As I was about to ponder Father’s question, I suddenly felt an intense gaze from beside me.

When I shifted my gaze, Adelia was staring directly at my face. However, as soon as our eyes met, she hurriedly turned away.

Momentarily puzzled by this suspicious reaction, I focused on my academic plans after winter break.

‘Originally, third-year students are essentially like graduate students…’

Unlike martial arts students, literature students number around 50 per grade, and in the third year, they’re all split up. Each specialization takes about 3-4 students.

It’s practically individual tutoring. Just as the history hall has multiple professors besides Elena, other departments are the same.

Third-year students firmly decide their career paths and seek knowledge by visiting various professors. Even if they haven’t decided on a career, it’s fine—as Professor Virus said during orientation, gaining knowledge alone is sufficient.

After all, Halo Academy is an educational institution that nobles must attend, even if commoners don’t have to. Nobles who will inherit family leadership often just get their diplomas and return home.

So as someone majoring in history, I shouldn’t really need a knight guard, but…

‘Didn’t she say she travels around for research?’

Professor Elena is different from other professors. She’s eccentric.

When something interests her, she first looks for books or visits Alfheim’s holy sites. If that doesn’t work, she travels everywhere until she finds relevant documents.

As an elf, she can teleport everywhere, but for an ordinary human like me, it would be difficult work. Seeing how Cindy occasionally disappears silently for research shows how harshly Elena drives her subordinates.

Moreover, I’ve already been appointed as her recommended student. It’s essentially a declaration that she’ll work me hard as a graduate student.

While she’ll cover all expenses, I’ll still need means to protect myself.

“Normally it wouldn’t be necessary, but…”

“Ah…”

When I said it wasn’t necessary, Adelia’s expression looked like she might collapse at any moment.

“Still, it’s better than nothing. We can prepare for unexpected situations.”

But as soon as I said it was better than nothing, her face lit up as if it might shine. She really doesn’t seem to hide her feelings at all.

Father nodded heavily at my answer and then spoke to Adelia:

“Then Lady Cross will train with me during the vacation and return to the academy with Isaac. Is there accommodation for knight guards at the academy?”

“Yes, there is. It should be free once registered.”

“Good. Let’s do that then. I’ll go ahead now because of work. These days, documents pile up like mountains.”

“That must be tough.”

“I wish you would take over as head of the family soon… but I’ll have to endure until you graduate from the academy.”

“… …”

Father was declaring that he’d pass all his duties to me after graduation. Well, Father is closer to a military officer than a civil official, so paperwork must be overwhelming for him.

Of course, having once held the position of Knight Commander, his administrative abilities must be excellent, but physical work probably suits him better than pushing a pen.

While I was giving a wry smile, Father made eye contact with Adelia once before leaving the room. Now only Adelia, Mother, and I remained in the room.

As soon as Father left, Adelia let out a deep sigh, seemingly freed from the pressure weighing on her shoulders. Feeling sorry for her, I patted her back and joked:

“I’m counting on you, Noona. Oh, should I call you Lady Cross now?”

“Ah, that… I understand, Young… Master…”

“Ugh…”

Being called “Young Master” by someone who was normally a friend’s older sister made me cringe. Adelia seemed to feel similarly awkward, as her expression stiffened and her hands under the table curled up like octopus tentacles.

Mother chuckled at our reactions, finding them cute.

“If it’s too difficult, you can call each other normally when you’re alone. Just use ‘Young Master’ when others are around. And Isaac, you can call her comfortably as usual.”

“So I can call her Adel Noona regardless of who’s around?”

“Of course. That makes it easier to give instructions. Is that okay with you, Adelia?”

“I’m fine with it.”

“Good.”

Mother then began teaching Adelia about the precautions to take while staying at the mansion. Adelia listened attentively with a serious attitude.

First, there’s no need to guard me inside the mansion. Especially, she should refrain from visiting my personal bedroom and must get my permission if she has business with me.

Mother suggested that at the mansion, it would be good for her to train individually or receive training from Father. Adelia nodded in understanding of these basic matters.

“But don’t you need protection, my lady? You’re not alone…”

“Don’t worry about me. What could I fear when the most reliable lion in the world protects me?”

In response to Adelia’s question, Mother gently stroked her belly where Lilly was growing. Adelia looked at her with envious eyes, seeing the love and trust for Father embedded in her words.

Then she turned her head slightly to look at me and said with her characteristically refreshing smile, in a tone close to joking:

“I’ll make you think the same way. You can look forward to it.”

“I already think that way though?”

“Eh…?”

I returned her joke with another joke. Was my counterattack unexpected?

Adelia looked dumbfounded, and then her ears turned bright red. Seeing how only her ears turned red without her face flushing, this must be her usual reaction.

She then pressed her lips together and squirmed before breaking into a smile.

“You’re good with words… Anyway, I’m looking forward to working with you.”

“Me too. Looking forward to it.”

We shook hands after saying we looked forward to working together. Adelia’s hands, covered with calluses from long training, were extremely rough, but that made them all the more trustworthy.

After shaking hands, Adelia burst into a pleased laugh, and I responded with a warm smile. Though the knight guard was unexpected, I could trust Adelia.

“Now that you’ve greeted each other, could you step out for a moment, Isaac? I’d like to talk with Adelia.”

“Huh? Oh, yes.”

“You should start preparing to go to Helium soon anyway. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“Helium? Why suddenly Helium…”

Adelia didn’t know that I would be going to Helium soon. Just as she was about to ask me…

“Adelia.”

“Yes?”

Mother called her, interrupting the question. I watched carefully before cautiously slipping out of the room.

‘So even Adel Noona…’

With complicated feelings in my heart.

******

After Isaac left the room, only his mother Anna and the knight guard Adelia remained. When Anna called Adelia but didn’t speak for a while, Adelia expressed her confusion, but as silence settled after Isaac’s departure, she couldn’t help but feel tense.

Anna was holding her teacup modestly, but there was a strange pressure in her every action. If Hawk had applied pressure as an interviewer earlier, Anna was approaching differently now.

It felt as if she could see through everything. Adelia moistened her dried lips with her tongue, waiting for Anna to speak.

Clatter-

Finally, Anna took a sip of tea and set down her cup. Only the sound of the teacup being placed down echoed in the quiet room.

Anna smiled softly as if savoring the tea, then slowly raised her head to look directly at Adelia. Purple eyes met clear sky-blue eyes.

As Adelia tensed up, Anna spoke in a serious voice:

“Adelia.”

“…Yes, Lady Baroness.”

“Do you like our Isaac too?”

“… …”

Isaac’s mother went straight to the point without any embellishment. As soon as Adelia heard her question, she felt her heart drop.

Seeing Adelia’s bloodless face, Anna seemed to confirm her suspicions and nodded slowly before continuing:

“I had my suspicions. Perhaps he’s noticed too. There’s no reason for someone of your caliber to come to our family, and you’re making it quite obvious. It would be strange not to notice.”

“… …”

“Let me ask you one thing. I’d like an honest answer.”

“… …”

Anna paused briefly, then asked Adelia with intensity in her purple eyes:

“What’s your reason?”

“… …”

“As you know, Isaac already has a fiancée. Marie Housen Reckyless. The only daughter of the Reckyless family, the only ducal house in the Empire of Minerva. They’ve already been intimate multiple times, and they’ll have to hold a wedding ceremony after graduating from the academy.”

That’s not all. Isaac has another lover, Cecilly. However, what’s important now is that Adelia has feelings for Isaac despite knowing he has an official fiancée.

Cecilly personally resolved things amicably with Marie, allowing Anna to accept it gracefully, but Adelia had hidden her feelings and entered as a knight guard.

This could potentially destroy a harmonious family, so unlike with Cecilly, it couldn’t be taken lightly.

“And as you heard earlier about going to Helium, Princess Cecilly of Helium is also dating Isaac. Although it hasn’t been officially announced.”

“What? What do you mean… Why Princess Cecilly?”

When told that not only Marie but also Cecilly was Isaac’s lover, Adelia widened her sky-blue eyes in shock. She had often seen him being affectionate with Marie, but she knew nothing about Cecilly.

However, now that she thought about it, their relationship did seem more than just friendship. Occasionally linking arms or engaging in intimate skinship…

Adelia felt a tightening in her chest but managed to suppress it. Meanwhile, Anna spoke in a calm voice:

“There are circumstances. Depending on your answer, I may or may not tell you.”

“… …”

“Adelia Cross. Why do you have feelings for our Isaac? I’ve already noticed that you’re not a commoner but of noble birth. So I can’t help but be suspicious. You might have approached our Isaac with ill intentions. Please be honest with me.”

Even after Anna finished speaking, Adelia kept her mouth firmly closed for a long time. Instead, as if to prove she was contemplating, her hands under the table repeatedly clenched and unclenched.

Because of this, sweat soaked through, and the thigh area of her clothes became damp. Additionally, cold sweat beaded on her chin after running down her cheeks.

Nevertheless, Anna waited patiently. This wasn’t something that could be rushed; Adelia needed to find the courage to resolve it.

After some time, Adelia tightly clenched her hands hidden under the table and slowly raised her head. Her clear sky-blue eyes trembled as if in an earthquake, and her lips did the same.

“…Lady Baroness.”

“Yes, Adelia.”

“I am an illegitimate child.”

“I know.”

“Of the Teres royal family.”

“…What?”

When she continued, it was Anna’s turn to be surprised. She had roughly guessed that Adelia was an illegitimate child of a noble, but she never imagined she had the blood of a foreign royal family.

There were more reasons for her surprise:

“An illegitimate child of… the Teres royal family? But the King of Teres…”

“Yes. On the surface, he’s famous as a romantic who loved only one woman. It’s also well-known that he has four children despite never taking concubines. But it seems he couldn’t overcome his youthful passions.”

“… …”

“My father… had a relationship with my mother, who was a prostitute, and I was born. These sky-blue eyes prove that I am his child.”

Anna looked directly at Adelia’s sky-blue eyes.

Sky-blue hair, like Hawk’s red hair, is rare in this world. Because of this, it’s commonly referred to as a characteristic of the Teres royal family.

The same goes for eye color. However, since eye color isn’t as noticeable as hair color, she hadn’t realized it.

“I tried everything to be recognized as a member of the family. But all I received was insult and terrible discrimination. Even my siblings whom I accidentally met at the exhibition treated me like a stranger.”

“That’s…”

“It was… so painful. It felt like my heart was being torn apart. I hated them and this world that gave birth to me, showing not an ounce of affection. No matter how hard I tried, they wouldn’t acknowledge me…”

Even thinking about it now made her breathless and unsettled. Her lips and voice trembled, and she wanted to burst out with the resentment inside her.

But what happened next soothed Adelia’s wounds.

“And then Isaac came to me while I was crying alone. He was actually there at that time.”

“… …”

“As you know, illegitimate children are… treated very poorly by nobles. But Isaac gave me his handkerchief and told me not to cry. He said Adel Noona looks prettiest when she smiles confidently. He said he couldn’t help me, but he would stay by my side. It was truly… warm.”

Warm. It was the warmth she had received after her mother and Nicole.

Her mother gave her parental affection, Nicole gave her friendship, and Isaac gave her affection as a person.

Despite discovering she was an illegitimate child, he gave her his handkerchief as if it was okay and comforted her.

Like a downpour on a drought-cracked heart, Isaac’s warm words gave Adelia hope to live.

“So I thought: rather than returning to that hellish place, it would be much better to stay by Isaac’s side, who gave me warm affection. With Nicole there too, becoming a knight guard for the Mayshall family wouldn’t be bad.”

“… …”

“That’s my honest answer. There’s nothing else I can explain. If you say no, I’ll leave.”

Adelia confessed to Anna with a detached expression. There was nothing to hide anymore now that she had been discovered.

Just being near Isaac would make her happy, but if she had to give up that happiness, there would be no reason to live. She would just wander around and eventually die like a stray dog. Or return to the Kingdom of Teres and live like a doll.

The warm “affection” felt from people was like an addictive drug that Adelia couldn’t cut off. If she had to give up that drug, it might be better to end her life.

As Adelia waited quietly like a criminal awaiting sentencing, Anna quietly spoke:

“That’s a relief.”

“Pardon?”

“That you don’t have impure intentions.”

As soon as she heard Anna’s words, Adelia quickly raised her head. Anna was looking at her with her characteristically affectionate smile.

As Adelia looked puzzled, Anna thought to herself:

If Adelia had impure intentions—if she had come knowing that Isaac was Xenon—Anna had planned to send her away. It might be prejudice, but illegitimate children often cause numerous troubles due to their birth.

However, Adelia was focused on Isaac himself and loved him for who he was. Like Marie’s case.

“I’m sorry I can’t give you a proper answer right now. This isn’t my issue but your personal matter, so it’s something you two need to resolve yourselves.”

“T-then…”

“Congratulations on becoming our family’s knight guard, Adelia.”

“Ah…! Thank you! Really… really thank… *sob*…”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Adelia started to sob while trying to express her gratitude. Anna, who had anticipated this, gestured for her to come closer.

Initially hesitant, Adelia slowly approached when Anna nodded to indicate it was okay. Anna then gently embraced Adelia and softly stroked her back.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. Our family isn’t as harsh as your relatives.”

“Yes… *sniff*… yes…”

“And there’s one more thing I want to tell you. It’s also why you must protect Isaac.”

Anna slowly separated from Adelia and faced her directly. Adelia, who hadn’t yet wiped away her tears, looked at Anna with a questioning expression.

Then Anna gave Adelia advice with her characteristically gentle smile:

“A day will come when you’ll have to make a decision. I don’t know when that will be, but can you swear to protect Isaac even then?”

“I swear. No matter what happens.”

Perhaps pleased with Adelia’s determination:

“Good. If your heart remains unchanged then, I’ll speak to Isaac and Marie. To accept you too.”

“Y-you don’t have to do that! I…!”

“But you do have desires, don’t you?”

“… …”

Struck at her core, Adelia’s mouth clamped shut. Her ears also turned red, seemingly embarrassed that her true feelings had been exposed.

Finding Adelia cute, Anna smiled faintly and carefully cupped her face.

“Desires can’t be hidden just by trying to hide them, Adelia.”

“… …”

“Don’t you think you should live the life you want at least once?”

And Adelia…

“…I understand.”

Reluctantly agreed. Finding her cute, Anna gently stroked her head.

‘Surely it won’t increase further from here? I should prepare just in case.’

She thought to herself.