“Come with me.”
Justyn headed toward the training grounds, knights in tow.
What is he planning? Ries scanned the area warily, and right then, Ketir—standing beside him—picked up a wooden sword.
“……”
Ries quietly slipped out of Justyn’s arms. He figured it was a good time to offer a temporary farewell to the knights about to face his master.
What happened next was exactly as expected.
“Gah!”
“Urk—!”
“Uwaaah!”
People were flying. Ries sat daintily on the sidelines, watching the chaos unfold.
Of all opponents, it had to be Justyn. When Ries first saw him in the office, he noticed the faint fear in the knights’ expressions. They may have shown up out of duty—or because Count Barmark ordered them to—but the terror of the curse hadn’t left their eyes.
No wonder their hands stiffened the moment they took up their swords. Justyn likely understood their fear too—not that he was the type to go easy on anyone.
After a beatdown too one-sided to even call a spar, Justyn sheathed his sword and muttered,
“They’re all the same.”
“……”
Brutal.
Ries simply rolled his eyes, but Justyn unexpectedly turned the choice over to him.
“Ries. Is there anyone you prefer?”
“…Mya?”
I get to choose? Ries looked up at him, unimpressed. Just then, one of the female knights—who had been lying flat on the ground—shot up her hand and shouted,
“I’ll give my life to protect the noble kitty! Please, let me be your student!”
Ries immediately pointed a paw at her.
She had striking rose-colored hair and eyes like summer foliage. Her raised hand trembled pitifully, but even that was enough to catch his attention.
She was the first person he’d seen who didn’t flinch before Justyn. Well—excluding Ketir, of course.
—Quite the fire in her. Not bad.
Even Sefiut, who’d been silently observing until now, gave her a rare word of approval. And more than that—
She feels right.
It was just a hunch, but Ries had no doubt about it. How to describe it? He mulled it over for a second.
Her aura feels clean?
…It felt like someone should ask if he believed in mystic energies. Pushing that thought aside, he turned back to Justyn.
The irritation on Justyn’s face was fleeting. Without taking back his offer, he gave a small nod—and instantly, the knight’s face lit up like a kid unwrapping their dream present.
“Thank you so much! I swear I’ll protect him with everything I’ve got!”
“You should be thanking Ries.”
“Ah! You’re right! Thank you, Lord Ries! Even if it costs me my life, I’ll protect you to the very end!”
Her eyes sparkled with such intensity it was almost overwhelming. And then came the dramatic vow of dying for him.
I really don’t need you to go that far…
Ries suddenly felt a heavy weight on both shoulders.
Meanwhile, Ketir was off to the side, rounding up the other knights still sprawled on the ground and struggling to keep up with the sudden turn of events.
“The escort’s been decided. You’re all dismissed—return to your duties.”
“W-Wait, that’s it? Just like that?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“No, seriously, what the hell…”
Two of them looked especially bitter. Maybe they were upset the role had been given away with just a paw gesture—or maybe they had other, less pure motives for wanting to be the escort.
“If you have complaints, feel free to bring them directly to the Duke.”
That shut them up fast. They clamped their mouths shut and scurried off, clearly lacking the guts to argue with Justyn.
And so, the female knight was left standing alone.
“You’re really going to teach me?”
“As long as you do your job well.”
“Absolutely!”
Still not the slightest bit intimidated. The excitement of learning swordsmanship from Justyn had completely smothered any fear she might have had.
“Oh! I’m Melissa Yukalt. I only joined recently, and already I get to serve someone this small, cute, lovely, and angelic…! This is the highlight of my entire life! I’ll remember it forever—and I’ll even carve it onto my tombstone!”
Melissa Yukalt. Ries made a note to remember her name.
…Even if just hearing her drained his energy.
A grave epitaph? Seriously? That’s terrifying.
Melissa didn’t seem the least bit bothered that she’d just been assigned to guard a cat. On the contrary, her eyes were practically bursting with hearts.
Guess she’s a hardcore cat lover.
Her taste was clear as day. Feeling awkward under her starry-eyed gaze, Ries turned his head away.
“Should I start the escort duty today?”
“If Ries wants it.”
“If you wish it, Lord Ries, I’ll begin protecting you right this second!”
As it happened, Ries had been thinking it was about time to explore the mansion anyway. Seeing his ears perk up, Melissa beamed like a proud parent.
“Lord Ries… used to stroll around the estate quite a bit, even back in the capital. You’ll just need to stick close and make sure nothing dangerous happens.”
“A walking kitty, so rare you’d need three generations of good karma just to see one…! I accept! I’ll make sure not a single strand of fur is harmed!”
Ketir’s offhand comment only made her even more fired up.
Then she suddenly bowed and offered,
“If you’d like, I could show you around the Duke’s estate! I haven’t been here long, but I’ve got connections and know the place inside and out!”
Did she hear the rumors about me being a spirit beast? Her offer came so naturally, Ries couldn’t help but wonder.
But he didn’t get the chance to answer.
Justyn suddenly stepped in, coldly cutting her off.
“That’s my job. You’re dismissed for today.”
“A-Ah, of course. I understand. If you ever need me, please don’t hesitate to call.”
Even Melissa—who’d held her ground this whole time with her unnervingly strong social energy—seemed a bit shaken. Her expression flickered between disappointment and a hint of fear.
“I-I mean, if you ever have some free time, maybe… um, we could train… together…?”
“Fine.”
“Thank you!”
…Okay, maybe she’s fine after all. Bold enough to bring up sword training with Justyn of all people? That was something else.
With a crisp salute, Melissa vanished like the wind. Ketir smoothed down his windswept bangs and muttered,
“In every sense of the word… unique.”
Couldn’t argue with that.
Still, at least she didn’t seem like one of Count Barmark’s pawns. That was something. Though, of course, she’d need to be watched more closely to be sure.
“Are you really planning to entrust Ries to her? She doesn’t seem like someone the Count would manipulate, but that alone isn’t enough to make her trustworthy.”
Ketir clearly shared the same reservations. But Justyn only gave him a very pointed look.
A chill ran down Ketir’s spine.
“…Your Grace?”
“I’m asking you.”
“……”
Years of experience had trained Ketir to recognize the signs.
My workload is about to explode again, isn’t it…
His gut instincts never missed. With a heavy sigh, Ketir closed his eyes and gave a solemn nod.
“A few days should be enough. I’ll keep an eye on her, see what she’s really like. I’ve imbued my aura into Ries’s collar, so nothing serious should happen.”
“Good. Don’t overdo it.”
“I know this is a bit sudden to say, but I’ve always deeply respected you, my Lord.”
The switch-up was instant. At the mere suggestion of less work, Ketir caved completely and bolted before Justyn could say another word.
Ries rolled his eyes. Sure, they’d talked about trust and aura and all that, but his mind was still stuck on something Justyn had said earlier.
“That’s my job.”
The way he stepped in to cut off Melissa’s offer to give a tour—Ries’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Sensing the unspoken plea, Justyn hesitated for a moment.
“…If you don’t mind me being your guide.”
“Mya~oung!”
Ries nodded eagerly. A personal tour from the Duke himself? That was a rare treat. Even if Justyn had spent years in the capital, this mansion had once been his home—he’d definitely know his way around.
And lately, it really did feel like he understood Ries better and better. Ries swished his tail in satisfaction…
…and a few minutes later, he understood exactly why Justyn had said, “If you don’t mind me being your guide.”
