Chapter 161

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Lady Iren, and as always, she still shines brightly like a knight. Maybe it’s because of the training she just finished, but the slight sweatiness suits her well.

Before I know it, I find myself smiling out of pure joy at seeing her again. It makes me realize how deeply tied I am to her.

Of course, if you were to ask if that bothers me, the answer would be no.

“Lady Iren. Sorry for surprising you without saying anything beforehand.”

“Uh….”

“There’s something I need your help with today… Lady Iren?”

A few times I call her name, but she seems spaced out for some reason. Her expression isn’t very good either. Did something happen?

I check her face carefully and ask.

“Lady Iren.”

“Yes?! Ah, ah… uh, S-Swoen. Oh, you’re here… hmmph.”

“What’s wrong? You don’t look so good…”

“No, no! Nothing’s wrong. It’s just… um… I was just surprised by your sudden appearance, that’s all… yes, I’m fine.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

“By the way…”

Iren comes closer and whispers.

“Who is that person?”

Iren silently looks behind me at Miss Ilian Al Caskey.

“Oh, that.”

And just as I’m thinking about where to start explaining, I’m interrupted—

“Swoen, are you introducing someone? Like… maybe another woman you’re engaged to, similar to Miss Reika?”

“Huh? No!”

Caught off guard by this unexpected word, I wave my hands in panic—but she seems stuck in some kind of panic mode, muttering under her breath like she can’t believe it.

“I was already shocked when I heard about Miss Reika, but surely not…!”

“Lady Iren, calm down.”

I place my hand on her shoulder. Only then does her trembling settle down.

“It’s a bit complicated to explain… but there’s no engagement involved.”

“Really…? Are you sure?”

“That’s right.”

“…Okay.”

For some reason, Iren’s behavior today is hard to read. She’s usually straightforward, making her easy to understand, but now she feels strangely unfamiliar.

Anyway—

I explain our relationship and what has happened so far with Ilian.

“So… you’re saying this is the younger sister of your roommate who went missing?”

“That’s correct.”

“A pleasure to meet you… I’m Ilian Al Caskey.”

After hesitating for a while, Iren finally greets her with an incredibly kind smile.

“My apologies for the late introduction. I’m Iren Julieat. If you’re an Al Caskey, then you must be General Irian’s kin?”

“Yes, our young patriarch and older brother.”

With that brief introduction done—

“So, what do you plan to do?”

“We know she’s somewhere within the territory, so we’ll continue searching. But we’ll likely need your help, Lady Iren. And since these kinds of things require discretion…”

“It would indeed be best if Lord’s ears didn’t hear about this, right?”

“Yes.”

Since I explained everything, she seems to have understood without much trouble.

“In that case, I’ll help as soon as my duties are over today. Does that work?”

“Seems like the best option.”

I glance at Ilian.

She nods, understanding there aren’t many other choices.

“Just wait a moment, Ilian. I’ll finish up quickly and return.”

“No, really… thank you so much for helping.”

Later, when Iren leaves, Iolynne quietly asks me.

“Is that Lady Iren?”

“Yes.”

“At first, I thought she was glaring at me and seemed really scary, but she’s actually quite kind…”

Suspicious?

‘Was she?’

I didn’t particularly feel that way, but people perceive things differently, so I let it slide.

“Um… Are you and Lady Iren a couple?”

“Huh? What?!”

Now both Iren and Iolynne have dropped unexpected words in front of me.

“It’s just… the way you two look at each other is so intense…”

Her hand goes to her cheek as she speaks with sparkling eyes—but I shake my head slightly.

“It’s not a bad story for me, but I’m not sure about Lady Iren.”

“Is that so…?”

“Yes. She doesn’t think too deeply about anything outside of battle.”

They say disappointment can be avoided by not having high expectations. Rather than rushing into a proposal and ruining our relationship, I’d rather approach her safely and surely when the time is right.

But… does my expression in front of her stand out even to a third party like Iolynne?

‘I guess I should tone it down.’

I’ve heard men who swing around too much aren’t very popular. With such thoughts in mind, I spent the time until her training ended.

* * *

At the same time…

“…”

Thump, thump.

Iren stops her steps heading back to the training grounds and leans against the corridor. Her face feels hot from the emotions she just experienced… as if a whirlpool is forming inside her heart.

Ever since learning that Swoen had marriage talks with Reika…

Whenever he brings a new woman, she feels an emotion she has never felt before in her life. Just moments ago, if Swoen hadn’t calmed her down, she might have lost her sanity.

‘Why am I acting like this…?’

This isn’t like me. It’s also inappropriate for a knight.

Even if Swoen introduces any woman or enters into romantic relationships, Iren should support him as his sword and shield. Personal feelings shouldn’t interfere with this.

But…

Why can’t I simply uphold him with unwavering loyalty and instead get caught up in these troublesome emotions?

‘I should only focus on what I learned from Father.’

To move solely for the purpose of protecting someone—that’s what she learned from her father, Caphka. Of course, the “someone” her father envisioned was the Brance clan’s children, but now that someone is Swoen. Even if he doesn’t choose her romantically, even if he marries others, she will live her life dedicated to protecting him. That’s her most certain compass.

Despite reaffirming this…

Why won’t my heartbeat calm down?

‘Swoen…’

Do I want to be his knight?

Or… do I want to be his woman?

‘Ah!’

Slap!

Iren smacks her cheeks with both hands.

Alright, now I feel more composed.

‘First, let’s handle what Swoen asked of me.’

Hiding the turmoil in her heart deep inside, Iren resumes her steps toward resuming training.

The girl who grew up trained to protect someone… through meeting Swoen, is gradually yet surely transforming into a woman.

* * *

“Are you still living in the dorms?”

“Hmm. I’ll probably move to the residence Lord gave me next week.”

“Understood. I’ll join once things settle.”

“Got it.”

After finishing her mission, she headed to the accommodation for preparations, and we were greeted by another familiar face.

“Oh, Lady Iren…! Er… Is Sir Swoen here too?”

“Hello.”

Reika, after Valentine’s Day, hasn’t trembled nearly as much in front of us and now engages in fairly normal conversation.

“Miss Reika? Were you waiting for us?”

“Yes. There was something I wanted to show Lady Iren… d-di…d?”

“?”

Reika’s gaze lands on Ilian standing behind me with a blank expression.

“…?”

“Eh…?”

“What’s wrong, Miss Reika?”

“Um, isn’t that person… a woman?”

“Ah, this is Ilian Al Caskey.”

What is this?

When Iren saw Ilian, she froze briefly, but she didn’t seem this flustered.

“…Isn’t this person… male?”

“Miss Reika!”

“Kyaaaah!!”

I grab both of Reika’s hands and ask.

“Have you seen Miss Ilian somewhere before?”

“S-S-Sir Swoen…???”

“Calm down, Swoen!”

Thanks to Iren calming me down, I realize I acted a bit too strongly.

“Sorry, but… didn’t you mean ‘this person is female’ implying you’ve met them before?”

“Um, w-well, t-that is… I-I…”

Oh dear.

We thought she had improved after just a few minutes… but she’s reverted to her usual ‘shy mode’.

I gently stroke the hands I held and speak.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to pressure you… please just tell us honestly. Your information might be extremely helpful right now.”

“Helpful…?”

“Yes! Extremely helpful!”

Upon hearing my words, her trembling pink eyes slowly calm down, and she nods enthusiastically with renewed determination.

“If it helps… I’ll do anything!”

Great.

Let’s hear what Miss Reika has to say.

* * *

“You’ve seen her before, you say?!”

Excitedly, Ilian approaches Reika.

“Yes, yes! In the market alley… a few days ago, I saw someone who looked exactly like her…”

The date she mentions overlaps with when I shared a room with Ilian, which coincides with Zenis being absent.

“It must be my brother!”

“Calm down, Miss Ilian.”

Even as I calm her down, I feel embarrassed recalling how I treated Miss Reika earlier.

“Sorry, but could you tell me when exactly you saw this person?”

“Um… a few days ago, in the market alley.”

“Do you remember where?”

If Reika points out the location, we can narrow down the search faster.

“Yes…! I think I can recognize it if I go there.”

“And do you remember the appearances of anyone accompanying them?”

In response to Iren’s question, she confidently nods.

“Yes. They were very distinctive, so I think I’d recognize them immediately.”

‘Maybe this will go smoother than expected.’

I thought about investigating every civilian home in the territory with Iren using patrols as an excuse, but if Reika pinpoints the location, we’ll find him much faster. Plus, knowing who was with him means the game is practically over!

I take Reika’s hand again and express my gratitude.

“Thank you, Miss Reika. You’ve been a great help!”

“N-no… it’s nothing. Hehe… if I could help, t-then… I’m glad…”

Reika smiles shyly while bowing her head. Looking at her like this, she’s truly a cute woman. Regardless of whether she’s a mage or not, she’s adorable in her own right.

“Then, let’s depart immediately. Miss Ilian, you don’t have to come.”

“No… I should follow—”

“No.”

I explain the situation to Ilian.

“If we encounter someone looking exactly like Senior Zenis while narrowing down the area, it might cause unnecessary trouble. It would be better for you to return to the manor, Miss Ilian. We’ll make sure to bring good news.”

“Ah…”

Realizing her presence might hinder rather than help, Ilian quickly agrees.

“Understood. Then, Sir Swoen… everyone, please take care of my brother.”

After sending Ilian off,

Once Iren finishes her reconnaissance preparations, we set out following Reika.

It’s been a while since we last worked together after the day Eishias Army punched a hole in Einhardt Castle’s walls.

* * *

Following her lead, we inspect the market alleys inside Einhardt Castle.

True to its status as the Capital City, there are quite a lot of people bustling around, and several fascinating street vendors catch the eye.

“This way!”

The spot Reika points to is one of the darker, less sunny corners. Despite the lively atmosphere elsewhere, this place gives off a somewhat desolate vibe. Nonetheless, Iren strides confidently ahead. I whisper to Reika,

“Miss Reika, remember what I told you?”

“Yes!”

She nods vigorously. I instructed her with two things:

First, if she sees any familiar faces—those who were with Zenis—she should pinch my arm.

And second—

Knock, knock, knock.

“The first house. Is anyone home?”

Iren’s voice rings out as she knocks on the door. Reika and I stand tensely beside her, watching the entrance.

After a few minutes…

“Who’s there?”

A male voice responds from the other side.

“Patrol squad. We have a few questions regarding an incident nearby. Would you mind stepping out to talk?”

Without changing her expression, Iren smoothly lies according to my instructions. Her tone is so convincing that I might have fallen for it too.

Soon enough, the door creaks open, revealing a rather burly man.

“What?”

At the sight of this big guy—

“…!”

Miss Reika pinches my arm.

‘Already??’

No need to look further; we hit the jackpot on the first house.

*