Ch.2020. My Knight (2)

The market was busier than I expected, filled with people.

Street vendors selling simple snacks and merchants haggling with customers over various fruits.

The cacophony created by so many people at once breathed vitality and life into every corner of the market.

It was completely different from my dark and quiet room where I spent every day.

And for someone like me who found it more comfortable to be alone, it wasn’t really a fitting place.

Looking at the market, memories from the past began to surface vividly.

Wanting to revisit those memories, I quietly began to step into the market.

As I entered, the scenery before me seemed to overlap with the scenery from my memories.

“It’s the first time I’ve been to a place like this since I went to the market with Sister Siabel and Sion long ago.”

I spoke quietly to my attendant who was following behind me.

He was someone who would always listen first and think about whatever I said.

Somehow, my attendant had become the only person I could talk to comfortably.

“With Lady Siabel and Lord Sion, you mean?”

“Yes, back when I was still close with my family, before I shut myself in my room.”

“…I see.”

Though it was more than several years ago, the relationship between my sister, my younger brother, and me was as harmonious as any could envy.

My sister Siabel, who responsibly took care of her siblings from a young age, and my adorable younger brother Sion, who followed me more than anyone else.

Now, every conversation with Sister Siabel feels unbearably burdensome.

And my relationship with Sion has turned ice-cold, unlike the warmth we once shared.

But at least back then, I could definitely say we were close.

“Back then, Sion was an adorable little brother who followed me more than our older sister…”

Why did things become so twisted?

I knew the reason well.

“Everything started falling apart when I hid away in my room.”

Siabel Sianella, strong in self-belief and responsibility, who showed exceptional talent with the sword above all others.

Sion Sianella, intelligent and possessing Divine Power unlike others in the Sianella family, showing outstanding aptitude as a priest.

Between them, I, who couldn’t properly bloom even a single flower, no, not even a sprout, became the subject of people’s gossip.

A deficient girl who, unlike her sister, carried the Sianella name yet couldn’t properly wield a sword.

While Sion Sianella was so proficient in divine magic despite bearing the Sianella name, what could his sister Sione do?

The chattering words that spread became sharper weapons than anything else to me, and the guilt I should bear for the proud Sianella family.

How could someone like me be a member of the Sianella family?

When I could no longer bear the weight of my own name and found it hard to breathe, I hid in my room just to breathe a little easier.

I thought that at least in my room, I wouldn’t have to hear my name being tossed around outside.

I thought I could forget the exhausting days and breathe comfortably.

But even my room wasn’t completely safe.

When I locked myself in my room, the servant I trusted as my only window to the outside world.

I discovered even they were gossiping about me as if it were entertaining.

The betrayal of someone I thought was on my side tormented me like the sharpest dagger.

I no longer wanted to trust people.

“The longer I stayed locked up alone in my room, the harder it became to escape, and I forgot that.”

The room I entered briefly to survive, to breathe, instead became my entire world.

I could no longer trust people outside.

Was it disappointment at my state?

Even Siabel and Sion, who had comforted me until the end, no longer spoke a single word to me, our relationship turning cold.

I was sorry. I had nothing to say.

But now, I don’t know what to do anymore.

My will to live was broken.

All I did was lie in bed, eating sweet foods to relieve chronic stress.

The more time passed, the more lethargic I became, and my appearance grew increasingly unsightly.

“That’s when you appeared, as I was falling apart.”

When I was drowning in the swamp of lethargy up to my chin, a personal attendant named Ray appeared.

Speaking his name made me want to see him a little, just a tiny bit, so I turned around to look at him.

As usual, he was looking directly at me with an expressionless face.

Then I saw the corners of his mouth rise slightly.

“I’m glad I didn’t appear too late.”

Finding that quite amusing, I smiled back.

“Yes, though it would have been better if you’d come a bit earlier, wouldn’t it?”

A small laugh cleared the dark atmosphere.

Right, I didn’t come all this way to dwell on such gloomy stories.

I reminded myself of the reason I brought Ray here.

I matched my pace with Ray and began to slowly look around the market.

“Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

“Hmm… if there’s something I want to eat.”

I looked at a street vendor selling skewered meat in the distance.

I remembered when Sister Siabel bought me such skewers once.

The memory of sharing them with Sion while holding his hand came back to me.

“I’d like to try those skewers. I’ll give you money, so buy one for yourself too.”

“Understood.”

I handed him my wallet.

“I’ll be back quickly.”

“There’s no rush, we have plenty of time.”

He returned shortly with a skewer in each hand.

He offered me the one that seemed to have a bit more meat.

“Please eat. It’s best when it’s warm.”

“Thank you.”

“I should be thanking you for thinking of my portion as well.”

I took the skewer from him and took a big bite.

Unlike the food we ate in the carriage, the juicy, greasy flavor filled my mouth deliciously.

Why is meat always so tasty no matter how much you eat?

Before I knew it, I was left holding just the wooden skewer in my hand.

Ray was staring at me intently.

“Ah, well.”

A noble shouldn’t show such an uncouth appearance…!

Feeling embarrassed for no reason, my words got tangled.

My face felt hot and flushed.

But I couldn’t show my embarrassment… somehow maintaining my expression…

“W-what are you staring at so intently…!”

Good, that sounded more natural, right?

“It’s nothing. If you’d like another one, just say so anytime. I’ll go buy it right away.”

“…I’ll just accept the thought.”

I sighed inwardly and began to tour the market again.

…There are still things I want to say. But I’d rather say them somewhere quieter than the market—

For now, finishing our market tour is the priority.

As I quietly walked through the market, I spotted a modest but charming stall displaying accessories.

Long ago, Sion bought me a small hairpin from such a stall as a gift.

Once again, memories from the past began to surface.

While I was reminiscing about those times, Ray approached me.

“Forgive my presumption, but you seemed to want this. Please stay still for a moment.”

“Eh? What?”

He pushed my bangs to the side and fixed a small hairpin in place.

Hmph.

Annoyed at how he tried to surprise me with that expressionless face again, I pinched his arm.

Only then did Ray slightly furrow his brow and step back from me.

“…That hurts. Please let go.”

“Hmph, next time show some sign before coming so close.”

“I’ll be more careful.”

Only then did I release his arm and grab his wrist to lead him.

Despite claiming he would protect me, he followed along as I pulled him, as if he had no strength to resist.

“Aren’t we moving away from the market area?”

Only then did I begin to feel some resistance from Ray.

He had already worried about coming to the market without Lord Diolia, even wearing leather armor.

He must be concerned about going somewhere with fewer people.

He showed a worried expression that belied his brave goblin-slaying days.

He’s acting strange today.

“Didn’t I ask what I wanted to talk about separately? It’s not something to discuss in the noisy market, so I’d like to speak somewhere quiet.”

“…Understood.”

So we walked away from the market until we reached a place with few people around.

This should be good enough to talk…

I took a deep breath.

“Haaah…”

I hadn’t properly thanked him yet.

I wanted to express my gratitude properly this time.

Thank you for giving me faith when I was falling apart.

Thank you for giving me new hope when I had given up on everything.

Thank you for caring about things you didn’t have to, just for my sake.

“Ray—”

Just as I was about to speak after organizing my thoughts.

*Shing*

“…Ray?”

With an atmosphere colder and sharper than usual, he drew his sword.