The pickpocket went crazy, but the young woman, who at first glance looked like a girl, was persistent. She hung around the man's leg like a red dog.
“Gimme ma mani! (Give me my money!)”
“This bitch is real!”
In the end, the pickpocket, whose eyes rolled back in pain, raised his hand. The woman reflexively closed her eyes tightly.
Puck!
“Kkeok.”
At that time, a dull sound sounded and the man's body tilted. The woman opened her eyes in surprise and relaxed her jaw. The pickpocket lay sprawled on the floor in a grotesque position, his thighs in tatters.
"Eh?"
The woman frowned in puzzlement. What she bit was his thigh, but why did that kid faint?
'Scourge? Is it heavenly punishment?'
“Are you okay?”
While the woman was tilting her head, she heard a voice above her head. Only then did the woman notice that there was a person in front of her and raise her head.
'Crazy.'
As soon as she saw the other person's face, admiration came out from within her. Fine silver hair flowed from under the deeply pressed hood. Although it was a dark alley, the brilliance of her golden eyes was clearly visible.
“Get up first.”
After witnessing a blindingly beautiful woman, she murmured absentmindedly as she held the hand held out to me.
“...Angel?"
"Hmm?"
Sylvia, who had used the ghost to stun the man, let out a curious voice. Her blue eyes were strangely sparkling as she looked at her.
'...Puppy?'
The same goes for biting a man, and the other for seeing an illusion of a tail wagging. Sylvia thought the woman looked somewhat like a puppy with red fur, and she helped the woman to her feet.
"Ma... Leah! Why are you here!”
At that time, Jeffrey came running from the other side of the alley. He was breathing heavily as if he had wandered through the alley for a long time looking for a pickpocket. Sylvia looked around calmly.
“I’m lost.”
“That right in front of you?”
“Didn’t you see me in the forest last time? I’m not good at finding my way.”
“No, how can you survive in this dangerous world like that?!”
“...That’s true, but I feel a little bad.”
Sylvia frowned. When he saw that she was okay, Jeffrey let out a sigh of relief.
“...Jeffrey?”
At that time, the woman looked at Jeffrey and muttered blankly. Her blue eyes, which had been sparkling with life only a moment ago, were frozen as if in shock. Sylvia tilted her head at the fairly informal call.
“Do you two know each other?”
There was silence for a moment. In an unknown atmosphere, Jeffrey sighed softly and opened his mouth in a businesslike tone.
“...This is the daughter of the Marquis of Philia Saicrine, madam. I saw her several times while assisting my lord.”
“You are the daughter of the Marquis of Saicrine?”
Sylvia looked at the woman in front of her with new eyes. Now that she thinks about it, although the woman still has a youthful feel, a subtle cuteness flows from all over her, including her fine red hair.
‘She resembles the Marquis. I don't know unless I look closely.'
Meanwhile, the woman, Philia, narrowed her brows and muttered as if she was displeased with something.
"Lady? But a little while ago, it was definitely Leah...”
“It’s an alias.”
"Ah. So you're the Duchess of Belfort.”
Philia shook her head as if she understood. But she still seemed uncomfortable.
'What?'
Sylvia, who had read the subtle prickly expression, firmed her lips. Jeffrey, who had an unusually cold expression, bowed his head politely.
“Please go back now, Ma’am.”
“The Lady is...”
“I met the guard on the way here and explained the situation to him, so he will be here soon. He can pick her up there.”
Sylvia was embarrassed and kept her mouth shut. Strictly speaking, there was nothing wrong with what Jeffrey said. Philia had not formally requested to visit Belfort Castle, and this was a market, not a castle. There was no reason for Sylvia to step forward and take Philia to the castle. The problem of pickpockets would be dealt with by the guards.
'Do you resent me because you are a loyal family of Belfort?'
For now, that was the only reason why Philia would be uncomfortable with her. However, what was strange was that, unlike Rubia, Philia's eyes were filled with emotional hostility when she looked at Sylvia. Sylvia was at a loss as to what to do.
“I was absent-minded, so the introduction is late.”
Philia lifted the corners of her lips unevenly. She looked somewhat sullen. With a sharp smile, she bowed to Sylvia.
“I am Philia Saicrine, Duchess. I am also the childhood fiancée of the Duke of Belfort.”
"...What?"
At those words, Sylvia's face distorted slightly.
“Philia?”
Upon hearing the news, Randall hurriedly came out to the castle to meet her. He looked quite surprised. Philia, who was walking with Sylvia and Jeffrey, smiled happily and ran over to him as soon as she saw him.
“Hey! I’m here!”
“Ugh.”
She hugged Randall tightly as if strangling him. Randall quickly supported Philia with both hands, fearing she might fall, but he whispered in fright.
“What, why are you like this all of a sudden? Are you crazy?”
“Keep quiet and smile. If you don’t want to get hit.”
“...?”
Philia gritted her teeth and whispered. Randall forced the corners of his lips to lift, but he couldn’t hide his nervousness. Philia clicked her tongue and shook her head at that awkward appearance.
“No, you’d better not laugh. That would be better. Even an earthworm would laugh more naturally than that.”
“...What do you want me to do? Get down.”
Randall flinched at the whisper and threw her away. Philia flinched, asking if he dared to throw her away. However, the conversation was so short and brief that Sylvia saw the two of them just smiling happily and embracing. Randall pushed Philia away and turned to Sylvia. He hesitated for a moment, perhaps because of what happened last night, but soon smiled softly and greeted her.
“Are you here, Ma’am?”
“Yes, I’m back.”
Fortunately, Sylvia greeted him with an attitude that was not much different from her usual attitude. Randall sighed in relief and deliberately grumbled at Philia to erase the awkwardness.
“By the way, where in the South are you going? You didn’t even have an escort.”
“What does it matter to you? It was just fun, no problem.”
“Oh? I’m glad you had such a pleasant trip. I’ll have to contact the Marquis of Saicrine. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see his daughter.”
“...Sorry, I made a mistake. Please hide me for a moment. I have no strength left after coming all the way up here from the south. I need to build up my stamina again to endure my father’s nagging.”
Philia quickly backed down at Randall's words, raising her eyebrows slightly. It was the same reason she had followed Sylvia and Jeffrey to Belfort Castle.
"I would like to pay my respects to the Duke and take refuge at Belfort Castle for the time being. Would it be okay if I returned with you?"
Philia was Randel's childhood friend since birth and the daughter of the Marquis of Saicrine. It meant that she was in a position where she could easily make a request of this level. So Sylvia returned to the Belfort Castle with Philia. It was the Duchess' duty to welcome guests who requested to visit the castle. However, when Randall showed a friendlier side to Philia than she had expected, her mood sank.
'It's good if the kids get along well. It's not like Randall is officially neglecting me, so it doesn't matter.'
Sylvia rationalized her sinking mood like that. Randall, who had been harassing Philia while also looking after Sylvia, looked worried when she looked unwell. Just as he was about to ask if she was feeling unwell, Jeffrey spoke first.
“My lord, the Lady might catch a cold, so why don’t we go inside?”
“Ah. Yes. Everyone, let’s go in. Philia, you go find Wilcott.”
Randall took off his coat and placed it around Sylvia's shoulders.
“Let’s go in, Ma’am.”
"Yes."
Sylvia glanced back, holding onto her coat to keep it from slipping down. Sure enough, Philia was looking at them with a stern expression.
‘...Is it because of Randall?’
Once again, Sylvia sighed deeply and went into the castle, feeling complicated. By then, the sun was already setting. Randall had finished all his work during the day, so he and Sylvia went into the room early. After changing clothes, Sylvia leaned against the headboard and asked.
“I see you’re very close with Marquis Saicrine’s daughter. I heard she was your fiancé when you were younger.”
“Ah... Is that how you see it?”
Randall chuckled as he remembered the absurd situation from earlier. Philia and Randall had grown up together like siblings since they were young. Now, Randall had grown up so much that Philia and he were quite a bit taller, but when he was young, he was even shorter than Philia.
"Yes. Still, I can't let her die at the hands of the Marquis of Saicrine, so she'll have to stay here for the time being. When social season starts, she’ll have to go home whether she likes it or not.”
Then they heard Wilcott's voice.
"Master. Do you mind if I come in for a moment?”
“Oh, I’m leaving.”
From the corner of his eye, Randall saw that Sylvia was lying down covered in a blanket, and spoke softly. Randall muffled his footsteps and went out, closing the door behind him. Wilcott bowed politely.
“We gave the Lady of the Marquis of Saicrine the room she always stayed in.”
"Good job. Please take care of her for the time being.”
“Don’t worry.”
Sylvia lay down with her back turned and buried her face in the pillow as if covering her ears. The faint conversation outside the door was blocked by the pillow and could no longer be heard.
Sylvia closed her eyes and quietly calmed her breathing. It's probably not because of Randall that she keeps feeling like she's on the inside... It shouldn't have been.
That night. A black shadow slowly moved along the outer wall of Belfort Castle. The place where the shadow was headed was the knights' quarters located in the corner of the castle, beyond the back garden.
'Is everyone in?'
Philia, the master of shadows, hid in a corner of the castle and glanced at the outdoor training ground. However, in the outdoor training area, there was not even a shadow of a person except for a training scarecrow. She bit her lip.
'I should have come out earlier.'
Is it because it’s been a while since I visited Belfort Castle?
It was too late for her to get out because the people who had taken care of her when she was young came all at once and started nagging her.
"The South!"
"Where!"
"Go to the battlefield!"
"Hey!"
'Ugh, I thought my back was worn out.'
Philia still felt a tingling sensation in her back and shook her shoulders. Anyway, the area around the knights' dormitory was extremely quiet. Philia looked around her, her eyes shining.
'...Let's go a little closer. Did you say it was a room on the third floor?'
She hid herself among the bushes and approached the knights' quarters. This was when Philia, hiding behind the scarecrow, was counting the windows on the third floor. A hand suddenly appeared behind her back and grabbed her shoulder.
“Aaaah...!”
"Shh."
Philia, who was about to scream reflexively, stopped when she heard a familiar voice. When she turned around, she saw a familiar person looking down at her.
“...Jeffrey.”
Navy blue hair, black eyes. Eyes so gentle that they look like those of a puppy at first glance. Everything was just as Philia remembered. Except for the fact that his expression towards her was bitterly cold. Jeffrey Siders, the youngest member of the Belfort Knights, opened his mouth with a cold expression.
“What are you doing here at this hour, Lady of the Marquis of Saicrine?”
“I met the guard on the way here and explained the situation to him, so he will be here soon. He can pick her up there.”
Sylvia was embarrassed and kept her mouth shut. Strictly speaking, there was nothing wrong with what Jeffrey said. Philia had not formally requested to visit Belfort Castle, and this was a market, not a castle. There was no reason for Sylvia to step forward and take Philia to the castle. The problem of pickpockets would be dealt with by the guards.
'Do you resent me because you are a loyal family of Belfort?'
For now, that was the only reason why Philia would be uncomfortable with her. However, what was strange was that, unlike Rubia, Philia's eyes were filled with emotional hostility when she looked at Sylvia. Sylvia was at a loss as to what to do.
“I was absent-minded, so the introduction is late.”
Philia lifted the corners of her lips unevenly. She looked somewhat sullen. With a sharp smile, she bowed to Sylvia.
“I am Philia Saicrine, Duchess. I am also the childhood fiancée of the Duke of Belfort.”
"...What?"
At those words, Sylvia's face distorted slightly.
***
“Philia?”
Upon hearing the news, Randall hurriedly came out to the castle to meet her. He looked quite surprised. Philia, who was walking with Sylvia and Jeffrey, smiled happily and ran over to him as soon as she saw him.
“Hey! I’m here!”
“Ugh.”
She hugged Randall tightly as if strangling him. Randall quickly supported Philia with both hands, fearing she might fall, but he whispered in fright.
“What, why are you like this all of a sudden? Are you crazy?”
“Keep quiet and smile. If you don’t want to get hit.”
“...?”
Philia gritted her teeth and whispered. Randall forced the corners of his lips to lift, but he couldn’t hide his nervousness. Philia clicked her tongue and shook her head at that awkward appearance.
“No, you’d better not laugh. That would be better. Even an earthworm would laugh more naturally than that.”
“...What do you want me to do? Get down.”
Randall flinched at the whisper and threw her away. Philia flinched, asking if he dared to throw her away. However, the conversation was so short and brief that Sylvia saw the two of them just smiling happily and embracing. Randall pushed Philia away and turned to Sylvia. He hesitated for a moment, perhaps because of what happened last night, but soon smiled softly and greeted her.
“Are you here, Ma’am?”
“Yes, I’m back.”
Fortunately, Sylvia greeted him with an attitude that was not much different from her usual attitude. Randall sighed in relief and deliberately grumbled at Philia to erase the awkwardness.
“By the way, where in the South are you going? You didn’t even have an escort.”
“What does it matter to you? It was just fun, no problem.”
“Oh? I’m glad you had such a pleasant trip. I’ll have to contact the Marquis of Saicrine. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see his daughter.”
“...Sorry, I made a mistake. Please hide me for a moment. I have no strength left after coming all the way up here from the south. I need to build up my stamina again to endure my father’s nagging.”
Philia quickly backed down at Randall's words, raising her eyebrows slightly. It was the same reason she had followed Sylvia and Jeffrey to Belfort Castle.
"I would like to pay my respects to the Duke and take refuge at Belfort Castle for the time being. Would it be okay if I returned with you?"
Philia was Randel's childhood friend since birth and the daughter of the Marquis of Saicrine. It meant that she was in a position where she could easily make a request of this level. So Sylvia returned to the Belfort Castle with Philia. It was the Duchess' duty to welcome guests who requested to visit the castle. However, when Randall showed a friendlier side to Philia than she had expected, her mood sank.
'It's good if the kids get along well. It's not like Randall is officially neglecting me, so it doesn't matter.'
Sylvia rationalized her sinking mood like that. Randall, who had been harassing Philia while also looking after Sylvia, looked worried when she looked unwell. Just as he was about to ask if she was feeling unwell, Jeffrey spoke first.
“My lord, the Lady might catch a cold, so why don’t we go inside?”
“Ah. Yes. Everyone, let’s go in. Philia, you go find Wilcott.”
Randall took off his coat and placed it around Sylvia's shoulders.
“Let’s go in, Ma’am.”
"Yes."
Sylvia glanced back, holding onto her coat to keep it from slipping down. Sure enough, Philia was looking at them with a stern expression.
‘...Is it because of Randall?’
Once again, Sylvia sighed deeply and went into the castle, feeling complicated. By then, the sun was already setting. Randall had finished all his work during the day, so he and Sylvia went into the room early. After changing clothes, Sylvia leaned against the headboard and asked.
“I see you’re very close with Marquis Saicrine’s daughter. I heard she was your fiancé when you were younger.”
“Ah... Is that how you see it?”
Randall chuckled as he remembered the absurd situation from earlier. Philia and Randall had grown up together like siblings since they were young. Now, Randall had grown up so much that Philia and he were quite a bit taller, but when he was young, he was even shorter than Philia.
Furthermore, Philia had a very active and aggressive personality, so whenever they fought when they were young, he would always get hit. Philia and Randall were more like bad siblings than good siblings. Today, they were somewhat friendly since they had not seen each other in a long time.
Randall shook his head with a hollow laugh.
“We’re friends who grew up together, so it’s not surprising that we seem that way. Our parents were close, so we only talked about being engaged as a joke, but in reality, we’ve never even gotten engaged.”
"Is that so?"
“We’re friends who grew up together, so it’s not surprising that we seem that way. Our parents were close, so we only talked about being engaged as a joke, but in reality, we’ve never even gotten engaged.”
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Still, I can't let her die at the hands of the Marquis of Saicrine, so she'll have to stay here for the time being. When social season starts, she’ll have to go home whether she likes it or not.”
Then they heard Wilcott's voice.
"Master. Do you mind if I come in for a moment?”
“Oh, I’m leaving.”
From the corner of his eye, Randall saw that Sylvia was lying down covered in a blanket, and spoke softly. Randall muffled his footsteps and went out, closing the door behind him. Wilcott bowed politely.
“We gave the Lady of the Marquis of Saicrine the room she always stayed in.”
"Good job. Please take care of her for the time being.”
“Don’t worry.”
Sylvia lay down with her back turned and buried her face in the pillow as if covering her ears. The faint conversation outside the door was blocked by the pillow and could no longer be heard.
Sylvia closed her eyes and quietly calmed her breathing. It's probably not because of Randall that she keeps feeling like she's on the inside... It shouldn't have been.
***
That night. A black shadow slowly moved along the outer wall of Belfort Castle. The place where the shadow was headed was the knights' quarters located in the corner of the castle, beyond the back garden.
'Is everyone in?'
Philia, the master of shadows, hid in a corner of the castle and glanced at the outdoor training ground. However, in the outdoor training area, there was not even a shadow of a person except for a training scarecrow. She bit her lip.
'I should have come out earlier.'
Is it because it’s been a while since I visited Belfort Castle?
It was too late for her to get out because the people who had taken care of her when she was young came all at once and started nagging her.
"The South!"
"Where!"
"Go to the battlefield!"
"Hey!"
'Ugh, I thought my back was worn out.'
Philia still felt a tingling sensation in her back and shook her shoulders. Anyway, the area around the knights' dormitory was extremely quiet. Philia looked around her, her eyes shining.
'...Let's go a little closer. Did you say it was a room on the third floor?'
She hid herself among the bushes and approached the knights' quarters. This was when Philia, hiding behind the scarecrow, was counting the windows on the third floor. A hand suddenly appeared behind her back and grabbed her shoulder.
“Aaaah...!”
"Shh."
Philia, who was about to scream reflexively, stopped when she heard a familiar voice. When she turned around, she saw a familiar person looking down at her.
“...Jeffrey.”
Navy blue hair, black eyes. Eyes so gentle that they look like those of a puppy at first glance. Everything was just as Philia remembered. Except for the fact that his expression towards her was bitterly cold. Jeffrey Siders, the youngest member of the Belfort Knights, opened his mouth with a cold expression.
“What are you doing here at this hour, Lady of the Marquis of Saicrine?”
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