I couldn't concentrate at all, but the time passed steadily.
Two hours later, I was able to finish Elsa's tutoring safely.
When I saw the missing flyer, my nerves were weakened, so I hurried back.
Then I ran into Bram, who had just returned home.
"Hey, would you like to go out for dinner? I bought some meat on the way."
He averted his gaze and stuttered.
I wasn't an aristocrat anymore, but he still seemed to be having a hard time with me.
However, it was a little strange that he was willing to recommend meals.
As I was worried, Bram averted his eyes again and added.
"I'm not very proud of it, but I know how to cook quite well."
Perhaps it is a polite statement.
If I really asked him to serve rice, he would feel uncomfortable.
Besides, I was a little sorry to share meat with so many younger siblings.
"Nope. I'm not hungry right now. I just take it with my heart."
I thought he would be happy, but for some reason, he looked a little disappointed.
Did I decline the favor too quickly?
I added excuses in hopes that he wouldn't get hurt.
"Now I want to go back and rest. I had some work going on today."
"Work?"
I whispered to Bram in a low voice so that his brothers would not hear.
"Missing flyers with my face on them were scattered around."
"Uh, has the search already begun all the way to the south?"
"It looks like that. It might be dangerous to show my face."
Bram's naive shyness was stained with worry.
He seemed a little hesitant, then said cautiously.
"Shall I take you there? It's getting dark, and if someone who sees the missing flyer recognizes you, it's a big deal."
"I'd be grateful if you could do that, but... Aren't you tired? You just came back."
His face turned red as if he was embarrassed, and he shook his head quickly.
"I'm not very tired. After all, it's not too far from the headquarters."
I thought about it for a while and nodded.
As he said, it might be a bit dangerous to go out alone at a time like this.
I was also reluctant to refuse his favor twice.
"Then, please take care of me."
"Yes, Hilda."
Even though he was the one who took care of me, his reply was very polite.
Afterwards, Bram hurried around the shopping cart he had brought with him, tidying it up, and telling his brothers and sisters who were crying out of hunger.
Anyway, I had just returned, so I didn't need to wear any clothes to go out.
He was ready in no time and led me to the door.
"Go, let's go."
"...That's right."
He was just taking me to the headquarters right in front of me, but he had a lot of enthusiasm.
I wondered when they would be comfortable with me.
Despite being so awkward, Bram was quite chatty along the way.
I kept talking to him so that the conversation wouldn't be interrupted.
"How are you doing these days? You're staying at the headquarters."
"Not bad. I feel safe there. But..."
"But?"
I swallowed hard and thought for a moment as I looked at Bram, waiting for my words.
I don't know if I can tell him honestly. The thought was not long.
"I'm a little nervous. I think I look weird."
"Hey, strange? Not at all..."
"Thank you for saying that, but it must seem strange. I don't do much and am occupying the cadre's quarters. I think that spread the rumor that I was Rodrick's lover?"
"Yes!? Who is it?"
As if he hadn't heard anything about my rumors, he asked, widening his Innocent brown eyes.
I thought it was a funny reaction.
"I think that's what most of the mercenaries think. Rumors don't spread just because one or two people are muttering. That's why so many people are spreading rumors."
Did I talk about it for nothing?
His natural gait became strangely stiff.
No, it has become stiff in public.
My left arm and left leg went out together, and my right arm and right leg went out together.
I was going to tell him not to take it too seriously, but he asked first.
"The rumor... Are you serious?"
"It can't be... Rodrick is definitely grateful to me. He's a very grateful and grateful person. But I don't have any more feelings for him."
"Oh..."
"I hope this rumor will subside quickly. To do that, I have to show that I have the skills..."
If I were able to carry out the high-grade quest safely, the rumors might subside.
At the very least, those who complain about enjoying privileges by shaking their heads at their boyfriends will disappear.
"Do you want to explain that you're not?"
"Huh? You?"
"I have nothing to do with the general manager, but it's so unfair to have such rumors. I'll go around explaining it myself."
When I saw his determined face, I burst out laughing.
"No, you don't have to. It's my and Rodrick's business, but it would be more suspicious if a third party came forward and explained it."
I giggled and kept laughing because it was a funny opinion.
I should say that it feels like watching a young and Innocent younger brother.
As if I thought I had been ridiculed, I saw Bram's shoulders slump.
I added that he would not be disappointed.
"Thank you for your care. But this kind of thing is meaningful only if I solve it myself."
"Is that so? Then even if I cheer from the side..."
As he continued, he suddenly stopped.
Then he began to look around with a shrewd gesture.
"Huh? Why is that?"
"Wait a minute. This way."
Without explaining, he led me into a dark alleyway.
I was confused, but his momentum was so unusual that I followed him silently.
After that, Bram hid my body in his arms and began to wade through the narrow streets.
After going on for a while, he stopped for a moment and explained why.
"Someone was following us."
"...Who followed you?"
"Across the street. At first, I thought it was because of my mood, but the same person kept following me at a distance."
The back of my head became eerie.
'Are you looking for compensation?'
Some people might have recognized my face from the flyers posted nearby.
Was it not enough to just change the color of my hair and eyes?
Bram lowered his voice to me, who was tense and urged.
"I think it would be dangerous to go out on the main road. Let's go back to the headquarters through the alley like this."
"Yes."
We had been chatting in a relaxed manner until now, but we hurried to the headquarters with our mouths shut.
Fortunately, Bram knew the route well, so it was not too late.
At the main entrance of the headquarters, we ran into Rodrick as he was coming out.
"You were late today, and I was going to pick you up... Why is your face like that?"
Seeing my pale face, Rodrick immediately asked.
Then he stared at Brahm.
"...Bram?"
His gaze on Bram was sharp.
His face was full of suspicion, so I immediately explained it.
"There was someone following us. There was a missing person flyer in the next town looking for me, and maybe he was the one who saw it and followed me. Anyway, thanks to Bram, I was able to come safely."
"A human being who saw a flyer and followed him... Do you have an impression?"
I didn't see it properly, so Bram replied.
"I couldn't see it because his face was covered. He had short-cropped red hair and was a tall man. His body shape was similar to mine."
Rodrick nodded and patted me lightly on the shoulder.
"You must have been scared. I'll collect all the flyers first, and I'll look for the red head, so let's go into the inn. Bram, you can go back too."
Bram bowed his head.
After that, he glanced at me with a worried look and went home.
As he left, Rodrick took me by the shoulder and led me to the headquarters building.
"Do I have to accompany you in person?"
"You want to accompany me to Bram's house for tutoring?"
Did Rodrick have the time to do that? I looked at him curiously, and he nodded.
"I can't do it because I'm anxious. What if the Grand Duke takes you back? He really managed to bring you back."
"That's it. You must be busy..."
I knew firsthand how busy he was as the leader of the mercenary group.
It was ridiculous that someone so busy would act as an escort just because he was worried about leaving me alone.
"Don't worry, I'll be careful. I don't want to give up my hard-earned freedom easily."
Even though I said that, the subtle anxiety on Rodrick's face showed no signs of going away.
His grip on my shoulders was tense and tight as he led me to my accommodation.
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