Ch.2Irene Yuris (2)

“Hey, Evan!”

“Ah.”

I was momentarily dazed by that emotionless gaze looking at me with languid eyes, pen in hand.

As I blinked at the shouting directed at me, the knight shot me a fierce glare, clearly displeased.

“…I’m sorry.”

As I bowed my head to her, still giving me that impassive stare, the knight cleared his throat and spoke.

“This is the person you’ll be serving from now on. To show such behavior from the start, I’m utterly ashamed!”

“It’s fine. He doesn’t look that old anyway, so he might just be surprised.”

Her gesture dismissing the matter naturally exuded dignity. Her age clearly wasn’t much different from mine.

Her face still showed youthful features. No one would find it strange to consider us the same age.

Yet admiration filled the knight’s eyes at her elegant movements, which seemed so natural to her.

“I present to you the future Shield of House Yuris.” When those words left the knight’s mouth, her face hardened.

Though her expression remained as impassive as before, I could notice a crack that momentarily crossed her face.

The reason she disliked that title probably had something to do with her father.

I felt a bitter taste in my mouth.

To see such an emotionless expression on someone probably the same age as my current body, practically a young girl still far from adulthood.

For me, who sincerely sympathized with her situation, it wasn’t a pleasant sight.

Strict training since childhood, never whining like other children because of it.

Never throwing tantrums or asking for things—that’s why she wore such an expression.

Her face, always acting the part of perfection, returned to complete impassivity.

When those deep blue eyes regained their light, her red lips parted.

“So, what is your name?”

As her voice cut through the silence and reached me, I flinched and raised my bowed head.

Name? For a moment I almost couldn’t answer, but remembering the writing I’d seen on the side of the bed earlier, I calmly opened my mouth.

“Evan Fried, my lady.”

“Evan, I see. A son of Count Fried.”

A son of a count. Well, of course—someone serving the eldest daughter of a duke should have a verified background.

Better a proven identity than some random person. The knight’s earlier words about “serving from now on” floated through my mind, but I straightened my posture, thinking it better to consider that later.

Meanwhile, I became curious about House Fried, essentially my place of origin.

Considering it was never mentioned in “The Rose’s Thorn,” it was probably a minor house despite its count status.

Still, I must have had decent skills to be a knight candidate for a ducal family.

After finishing my thoughts and refocusing my gaze, I once again met those blue eyes.

“…I’ve heard much about your reputation. They say you’re a genius who appears once in a century.”

“A genius?”

I waved my hand, genuinely hearing this for the first time, and the corners of Airine’s mouth moved slightly.

Though surprised by how her previously straight lips curled upward at the corners, I quickly composed myself and spoke.

Genius—a familiar term whose meaning I clearly understood.

Someone with talent who could achieve greatness worthy of remembering their name even by simply following the efforts others make.

Perhaps this body possessed such talent?

Barely restraining my mouth from twisting, I bowed my head, and Airine spoke again.

Surprisingly, faint emotion mixed into her previously monotone voice.

“You’re modest. I like that you’re not arrogant despite reaching such heights at your age.”

“I’m glad you approve, my lady. What are you doing? Stand up straight.”

Huh, I suppressed a laugh and closed my mouth.

Heights—though the romance fantasy world didn’t specify exact standards for martial prowess, I could gauge the level from characters who appeared in the story.

For instance, the Emperor had reached mastery, the highest level in swordsmanship. In magic, the Tower Master had reached the ultimate level of 9th circle.

But people generally used the term “reached heights” only when someone attained a certain level.

So, my body’s swordsmanship was probably just below master level.

Expert level, most likely. I deliberately kept my head bowed to hide my surprised face.

Now I understood why Airine had called for me.

A sword genius—when a knight introduces such a person to a duke’s child and says they’ll be serving them…

“The reason I called you today is because I intend to entrust you with my protection.”

Skipping pleasantries and getting straight to the point, I bowed my head to her.

Protection—I tried to recall Airine Yuris’s guard knights but immediately realized I couldn’t remember.

She was a villain, after all, and her past only briefly appeared.

When the story explained that she was a villainess and what power she held, it was just a few paragraphs.

I knew nothing about Airine Yuris’s nanny, maid, knights, or family.

She wasn’t the protagonist, so these details weren’t covered.

The air entering my lungs felt cold, despite the hot weather with blazing sunshine.

Just as I managed to exhale through the inexplicable tightness in my chest, she continued.

“Of course, I’m not asking you to take on guard duties immediately. Sir Chris here will help you. After gaining experience for a few months, you’ll officially become my guard.”

“But I won’t step in unless it’s an extremely urgent situation. You must resolve everything yourself, and your judgment will determine the young mistress’s life.”

Be careful.

I frowned briefly at those words that seemed to crush my lungs, then nodded.

It felt heavy. Such a sudden responsibility couldn’t be welcome. Yet, I wanted to do it.

Didn’t I know nothing about Airine Yuris?

A strange curiosity seemed to whisper to me.

If those tears I shed sympathizing with her situation had brought me to this position…

“I will protect you with my life.”

Before returning to my original world, a short time would be fine, wouldn’t it?

My bowed head felt heavy, and her words to me felt infinitely light.

“I’m counting on you.”

Was she sincere? My face momentarily contorted as I kept my head bowed.

#

When told to step outside the room, a maid approached from a distance and handed me a long cloth bundle.

I received it with both hands in the solemn atmosphere, and the maid spoke in a calm voice.

“This is a sword. As you are now a guard knight, the Duke personally bestows it upon you. May your gratitude be dedicated to the Iron Blood.”

“Understood.”

Iron Blood was House Yuris’s spirit. From an ancestor’s dying words that even their blood must be like iron to protect against all enemies of the Empire.

“My Iron Blood rejects you.”

I recalled what Airine had said when she first met the protagonist.

The beginning of all tragedy—for the protagonist, it was the start of an opportunity to change her status.

If she hadn’t said those words, could she have avoided losing her head so miserably on that execution platform?

As I stared blankly into space, the door opened with a clunk.

“Let’s go, Evan.”

“…Yes.”

My eyes widened momentarily before returning to normal as the response left my lips.

Unlike the dresses others wore, hers was a simple navy blue with minimal decoration,

yet when Airine wore it, it seemed to shine as brilliantly as if embedded with countless jewels.

They say the clothes make the person—perhaps that saying was true after all.

I attached the sword from the bundle to my waist, and Airine spoke as she looked at me.

“It suits you well.”

“Thank you.”

After staring at me for a moment, Airine began walking and continued speaking.

“Today is just a simple outing. Unless we’re extremely unlucky, nothing special will happen. So, I hope there won’t be any mistakes.”

“Yes.”

Seemingly pleased with my concise answer, she said nothing more and walked forward.

With a snap, the guard captain, noticing her departure, bowed his head with disciplined posture, and Airine, accustomed to such gestures, nodded once in acknowledgment.

Then we continued walking.

The ducal residence wasn’t just for show—stepping outside the mansion revealed streets bustling with countless people.

I almost turned my gaze to take in the medieval streets out of curiosity, but quickly remembered my role as a guard and sighed softly.

“…Hah.”

What exactly should I do from now on?

I realized when I gripped the sword earlier that I could handle it skillfully.

The slight resonance felt when holding the hilt, that sensation of every cell in my body responding, causing a momentary thrill.

But apart from that, my future situation seemed utterly bewildering.

Should I continue acting as a guard while looking for a way back?

But even the possibility of finding such a way seemed so remote that I couldn’t hastily decide anything.

For now, I should focus on being a guard.

I thought while tapping the sword at my waist.

I still had no clues to help me return to my original world, and having suddenly entered this body, I should probably spend time adapting for now.

“……”

Suddenly, I realized Airine had stopped.

Her expressionless face, just like before, was staring at something.

Following her gaze, I saw numerous young noblewomen.

“Oh my, this is certainly—”

“This is a brooch made by designer Lev from the capital. It looks so luxurious just by looking at it.”

“This is a sapphire necklace made by Fania. I can’t believe it!”

Women gathered at the store, noisily chattering and eyeing the displayed accessories.

She was just quietly watching these young ladies who looked exactly her age.

As if she existed in a completely different space from those noblewomen.

In the bustling, noisy street, only she remained silent.

“…Let’s go.”

She moved on indifferently, and I followed her.

But that look in her eyes as she watched those noblewomen caught my attention, making my steps feel heavy.

What briefly reflected in those no-longer-wavering eyes was, unmistakably, longing.