“Even if you were late reporting it to me, why did you take this position?”
“It was the General’s command. “
“The Prince?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Kuhn stared at Elena with a monotone expression. Carlisle had told Kuhn to keep it a secret, and so he spoke his prepared words.
“You came close to danger at the Second Prince’s party. The General ordered me to guard you more closely.”
“But that’s in the past. And His Highness knows that I don’t need a guard this close—”
Elena paused. Kuhn didn’t know about her swordsmanship abilities, so he wouldn’t understand what she meant. She exhaled. Kuhn, sensing that something dissatisfied her, quickly continued.
“The General was also concerned about the safety of your family. I don’t believe it’s unreasonable to be prepared for any situation.”
Carlisle had ordered only Elena be rescued in an emergency, but Kuhn had to twist the truth in order to persuade her.
“My family?”
Elena thoughts mostly went to Mirabelle. Herself, Derek, and her father were all trained in the sword, but Mirabelle be in considerable danger if she was not protected. Elena didn’t think anyone would harm Mirabelle, but she suddenly felt her hairs prick on the back of her neck.
‘If anyone touches my sister…’
Just imagining it made her clench her teeth. After meditating on it for several minutes, she finally nodded.
“If Sir Kasha will keep Mirabelle safe, then I will not complain about your employment at Blaise mansion.”
“…I understand.”
Kuhn knew he was lying here. He didn’t mean to keep Mirabelle safe, and added a few extra words.
“It’s not just the Young Lady. I will also look after the safety of the family members.”
“No, please pay special attention to Mirabelle. She’s the most vulnerable one of the family.”
Kuhn was forced to nod at Elena’s insistence.
“…I will.”
It was an odd situation, that Carlisle cared about Elena, and Elena cared about Mirabelle.
“But you’ve met Mirabelle before, haven’t you?”
“When do you mean?”
Kuhn was surprised by Elena’s words. She must have found out what happened in the palace.
“You met Mirabelle when we traveled from the south towards the capital.”
Kuhn had once saved a sick Mirabelle. He disappeared in her sleep, but she had clutched tight to the memory of the man that looked like her teddy bear. It was then that Kuhn realized what event Elena was referring to.
“Ah, you mean then?”
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“Is there anytime besides that?”
“…No. The Young Lady hasn’t mentioned it, so she likely forgot.”
Kuhn knew that Mirabelle remembered that meeting, but there was no reason to tell Elena the truth, and even if she asked, he would only give it a vague explanation. Elena, however, didn’t press further, as it had taken place a while back.
“I suppose so.”
As their heads and voices were lowered in close conversation, Mirabelle and Mary were approaching from a distance. Finally, Mirabelle reached the pair, breathing heavily.
“What—what were you two talking about? “
Mirabelle’s eyes were full of curiosity, and Elena shook her head.
“I didn’t say anything. This is our first time meeting so there’s nothing for us to talk about.”
As Elena pretended to be oblivious, Kuhn nodded. To Mirabelle, however, it looked like the two were having an intimate conversation from the distance, but she had nothing to say after they denied it.
Mirabelle enthusiastically situated herself between the two. Although she had never felt jealous of Elena, she would be disappointed if Kuhn liked her better. Elena and Kuhn stared at Mirabelle between them, while Mary lifted up the picnic basket with one hand and wiped the sweat off her forehead with the other.
“I’m not sure if we got everything because we were in a rush. Where do you want to have tea?”
Elena cleared her thoughts and answered.
“The weather is lovely, so let’s go to the garden. Is that alright with you, Mirabelle?”
“Yes, I like the idea.”
As Elena watched Mirabelle give her usual sunny smile, Elena erased from her head the strange air she had felt. She was content that her sister had someone that could keep her safe. Elena could overlook the fact that an outsider infiltrated the mansion, as the benefits were greater than the losses. She knew that more of Carlisle’s men were watching the area as well, but she overlooked it for the sake of Mirabelle’s security.
*
*
*
Kuhn was not able to go to his assigned room in Blaise mansion until the sun had fully set.
Kkiiigeu–
He opened the door and entered the room, to find another man already inside. Kuhn had anticipated it, as the servants shared rooms in pairs. The man was occupying the upper bunk bed when he looked up at Kuhn’s entrance. He had a face that looked far too respectable to just be a servant, and he was smiling.
“Hello. I suppose we’re sharing this room.”
“…”
Kuhn approached the lower bunk without an answer. Nevertheless, the other man did not give in.
“Since we’re going to know each other for a while, we should share our names.”
He extended his hand as if to ask for a handshake first.
“My name is Batori Coven. And yourself?”
Kuhn glanced at Batori’s hand and ignored it. Then he turned around and spoke in a low voice.
“Kuhn Kasha.”
Batori smiled as if he were amused to hear the cold man speak.