episode_0009

“This is unbelievable. You can’t just lay something so precious on the floor like that!”

With a look of disbelief, Ruper thrust the leather towards me.

“If this really is a gift from the princess, and you handled it carelessly, then it’s all your responsibility!”

Upon hearing his reprimand, I smirked.

“Right. One shouldn’t handle gifts carelessly.”

I accepted the leather from him.

Subsequently, I carefully laid it back on the ground.

“But what if it was being used for its original purpose all along?”

At my cryptic remark, Ruper furrowed his eyebrows.

“It has a different purpose?”

“Yes, they say it’s proper etiquette to have a Samid leopard skin placed at the entrance.”

The unexpected significance of the leather left Ruper speechless.

He then gazed blankly at the princess’s gift placed at the office entrance.

However, the leather was already covered in dirty boot prints.

Seeing his shock, I approached him personally.

Gently, I patted his shoulder.

“It’s okay. I’ll keep this mishap a secret.”

“Really?”

Ruper quickly lifted his head, his throat trembling.

“But there’s a condition.”

“A condition…?”

Soon, the senior’s face turned cold.

Swallowing deeply, he awaited my proposal.

“Well, it’s nothing major. Let’s switch our duties around a bit.”

I grabbed the patrol badge hanging from his arm.

And with a defiant gesture, I tore it off.

“Hand over the patrol duty to me.”

Patrol duty.

At first glance, it seems like a tedious task.

Having to roam around the northern waterworks all morning.

Strangely, most of the patrol positions are held by non-commissioned officers.

Because they enjoy a special benefit that no one interferes with—the absence of ‘odd jobs.’

Patrollers spend their mornings casually checking their patrol cards at the market, and their day’s work is done.

“Why should I hand that over to you? As a newcomer, you should start with odd jobs, naturally!”

Reluctant to pass on the duty he had barely received from his seniors, Ruper muttered to himself.

“If you don’t want to, then don’t. In that case, I’ll have to report this unfortunate incident to the princess.”

He looked down at the leopard skin with a regretful expression.

Then, as if soothing a wounded child, he gently stroked it with his palm.

“Mia, Senior, what did the secretary say about this leather earlier?”

“Lady Lydia spent the whole day ‘deliberating’ before choosing it,” Mia replied naturally, as if understanding my intentions, with cat-like eyes.

“Ugh… deceitful brat…”

Ruper clenched his teeth.

“Why are you like this? Weren’t you the one who dirtied it first?”

Still feeling wronged, I personally rolled up his uniform sleeves.

Revealing various vein marks and bruises on his forearms.

“If you don’t like this either, untie them yourself. Like a knight would.”

Traces of long training.

Seeing those marks, Ruper twisted his body, shivering.

“Oh… alright! Just take it!”

Finally freed, he staggered back, rising to his feet.

Only then did I give him a bright smile befitting a newcomer.

“Alright then, Senior. I understand that I’ll start patrolling duty from tomorrow.”

Ruper didn’t respond to my words.

He simply clenched his hands tightly and headed towards the entrance.

“Let’s go, Mia! It’s almost time to clock out!”

Ruper slammed the door behind him.

The sound reverberated throughout the corridor.

“Senior.”

At my firm call, Ruper abruptly stopped in his tracks.

Slowly, he turned his trembling head.

“Are you saying you kicked that door with your foot just now?”

Perhaps due to ingrained fear.

Ruper vigorously shook his head, denying it.

“No! It swung open because of the wind!”

“Please be careful. Princess Leia installed that door herself.”

Only then did Ruper hurriedly inspect the door he had kicked.

After a quick examination with his fingers, he strode down the corridor with a composed expression.

Mia glanced back briefly while following Ruper.

With a slight smirk at the corner of her mouth, she casually waved her hand.

“See you tomorrow, Vail.”

The senior slowly closed the door instead of Rupert.

The fading sound of two pairs of shoes.

Listening to that sound, I sat on the sofa.

“What, did a dog-like guy come in? Thinks he’s made it big just because he received some favor from the princess?”

Beyond the wall, faint whispers of Rupert could be heard.

Alone, I chuckled softly at his gossip.

He’s right.

It’s not about making it big.

I’m just a lowly knight of the Su Bang Sa.

As time passes, such attention will naturally fade away.

“Seems like there’s a separate place for trust. Maybe I should ask Dad to take care of it separately….”

Wasn’t even your own revenge done with your own strength….

Even when he was leaving, he was awe-inspiring.

After all signs of popularity had completely disappeared.

I lay completely sprawled on the sofa and closed my eyes.

“Well, expensive things do have their appeal.”

Sleep involuntarily poured over me on the sofa more comfortable than the dormitory bed.

I briefly surrendered to the pouring comfort.

—

How much time had passed?

Darkness had already fallen in the sky tinged with sunset.

Sounds of citizens leaving work.

The rattling of vendors’ carts could be heard.

I opened my eyes drowsily at those sounds.

The golden clock pointed to 8 o’clock in the evening.

Normally not one to take naps.

To oversleep for over three hours.

Perhaps it’s because of my old body that I sleep a lot.

I got up with a stiff waist and poured water into a teacup.

And as I absentmindedly gazed at the water surface.

I abruptly stopped all movement.

The calm tea water was shaking ever so slightly.

I looked towards the office entrance.

Certainly, no sound could be heard in the corridor.

However, the gradually increasing subtle signs.

Someone was deliberately approaching the office while muffling any noise.

‘A knight?’

No.

What kind of knight would hide their presence and approach like this?

‘It’s more akin to a rogue or an assassin.’

I calmly searched through my memories.

‘Was there someone capable of sending an assassin after me at this time?’

Then suddenly, Rupert’s foolish face came to mind.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that face.

‘Has he already sent mercenaries?’

To plan revenge straight away within a few hours.

With that kind of determination, he might as well have trained in mana.

I picked up the sword leaning against the wall with a dry tongue.

And quietly headed towards the entrance.

—

A light knocking sound.

They’ve been sneaking up silently all this time, and now they knock… It’s quite suspicious.

With my hand on the sword hilt, I slowly opened the door.

Ready to retaliate immediately if they attacked.

But…

The figure before me was surprisingly diminutive for a mercenary.

Moreover, she was alone without a single companion.

“Who are you?”

Soon the door was fully open.

Gradually, the golden chandelier in the office illuminated the corridor.

‘A woman?’

Her face concealed by a white robe.

Below that, a blouse and skirt clinging tightly to her body caught my eye.

Clutching a basket delicately in both hands.

The contents of the basket were covered with silk.

I furrowed my brow at her appearance.

I sensed magic emanating from the robe worn by the mysterious woman.

‘Seems like there’s a spell of recognition impairment.’

That’s why I didn’t hear her footsteps earlier.

While calmly analyzing the opponent.

The mysterious woman, whose identity was unknown, spoke up.

And in that moment.

I released the grip on the sword hilt in my hand.

“I saw the office lights on, so I came in.”

I knew the owner of that voice.

Lowering her robe with one hand, her graceful silver hair gently flowed down her chest.

“Your Highness?”

I asked in a loud voice unintentionally.

In response to my question, she smiled subtly.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t expect you to come here in person.”

I bowed my head in apology.

She laughed lightly, covering her lips with a fist.

“It’s okay. I heard you might be working overtime on your first day, so I came to offer some encouragement.”

Carrying the basket, she walked gracefully into the office.

It feels as natural as being in one’s own home.

“May I come in?”

She had already entered the office and placed it in the middle, asking softly.

I carefully replied with a smile to her question.

“Of course.”

Cautiously scanning the corridor, I closed the door.

Did she come all this way alone…?

Placing the basket on the table, Irina looked around the office lightly, still carrying her luggage.

“The office is beautiful. I thought it might be shabby.”

“It’s thanks to the princesses’ care.”

At the mention of ‘princesses,’ Irina’s expression faltered.

Soon her gaze shifted to the vase on the table.

The golden rose inserted in that vase.

Irina tapped it lightly with her finger.

“I see….”

Seemingly displeased with the rose, she bent the stem and hid it inside the vase.

“Thank you for yesterday.”

Pointing to the brooch on her chest, Irina spoke.

I nodded in response to her words.

“I just did what needed to be done.”

“No, if it were someone else, they would have bragged about it, wouldn’t they?”

Irina smiled bitterly and sat at the table.

Placing the basket on her lap, she continued, “So I came to express my gratitude.”

I cleared my throat and approached her.

Looking down at the basket held by the princess, I asked, “May I ask what this is?”

“Oh, this?”

Approaching me as if she had been waiting, Irina gently removed the silk covering the basket.

Red and vivid peels.

Firm and plump flesh.

‘Northern winter apple….’

A representative fruit of the capital available only in December.

Commonly seen in markets, renowned for its taste.

“I often go to this market. I bought some on the way here.”

Glancing at Irina’s legs briefly, I noticed her slightly torn white stockings.

Even a faint trace of dirt.

She still goes to the market alone.

Silently, I picked up an apple.

Our figures reflected on the smooth apple peel.

I used to eat it often in my past life.

I always told her that one was enough for our meals together.

But truthfully, it was a lie to save the princess’s finances.

Getting closer to Irina.

While still carrying her luggage, she looked up at me.

The princess’s face that met mine was smiling brightly.

“It’s a gift to commemorate becoming an official knight.”

“Thank you….”

I wiped my mouth lightly with my sleeve.

Then, I took a bite in front of Irina.

“It’s sweet.”

Though it’s still a bit unripe, it tastes nostalgic.

As if going back in time for a moment.

“Um… about that, the veil.”

Turning my head at her call while savoring the taste, Irina slowly asked me, holding her hands together.

“Why did you choose here instead of the palace?”

A face wounded by pride.

Her once fair face turned as red as the apple she brought.