MPAWD 71

Chapter 71

Before Lucy could even grasp the situation, a sharp sound of metal clashing came from outside the shop.

“Who’s there!”

When Shan swung his greatsword, the man before him narrowly parried the blow.

“This place greets guests rather violently.”

“Do guests nowadays go around leaking killing intent?”

Shan glared at the man and swung his sword again.

“Kyaaah!”

The customers inside the shop screamed in terror at the sudden battle breaking out outside.

“M-My lady, what on earth is happening?”

Anna, who had been sorting inventory, rushed out in shock.

Lucy, just as clueless, shook her head with wide eyes.

“I don’t know. Shan suddenly ran outside and then…”

To check, Lucy carefully stepped to the door, cracked it open, and peeked out.

A cloud of dust had risen from Shan’s strike, but soon the figure facing him came into view.

“D-Dino?”

The opponent crossing swords with Shan was none other than Dino.

“Shan! Put your sword away—he’s someone I know!”

Lucy ran outside and shouted.

Hearing her, Shan reluctantly withdrew his blade, still glaring suspiciously, and stepped back.

“Lucy. I knew you’d be here.”

Dino, after casting Shan a cold look, tried to approach Lucy, but Shan immediately blocked his way.

“It’s all right, Shan. He’s my friend.”

“Friend? Hah, sure. Let’s call it that.”

Dino gave a small, mocking laugh at Lucy’s words.

“Dino! What on earth is going on? And how did you even know to come here?”

Had he pieced it together from just a few clues, the same way she had? But then, why?
It wasn’t as though Anna had been in contact with Dino. Lucy was puzzled.

“When I went to find you, you’d already run off to see Anna first, it seems.”

“Wait—you came all the way here to find me?”

Lucy had considered the possibility that Dino might come by while she was away, but she hadn’t imagined he would chase her this far.

“Well, I was curious how Anna was doing too.”

Dino glanced sideways at Anna, who hesitantly stepped out from the shop.

“Dino, it’s been a long time…”

“Glad you finally got to meet the mistress you’ve been pining for.”

At his mocking tone, Anna frowned slightly.

“Since this ‘rough welcome’ seems over, I suppose I can go inside now?”

Throwing a look at Shan, Dino stepped into the shop.

He swept his gaze over the frightened customers and gave them a bright smile.

“Oh dear, I must have startled you. It was just a bit of rough play between old friends meeting again after a long time. Nothing to be so tense about, lovely ladies!”

Dino winked playfully.

The tense women blushed at his words, finally letting out sighs of relief.

Once the chaos had settled and the customers had left, an awkward silence hung in the shop.

Dino slouched into a chair, tilting his head, watching Shan.

Shan stood silently at the counter, glaring back.

“My lady, aren’t they about to fight again? Say something.”

Anna whispered nervously to Lucy.

Lucy sighed and stepped forward to Dino.

“Anna told me—you helped her settle down here. I was planning to head back tomorrow, so I almost missed you.”

It was Anna who responded.

“My lady, you’re leaving? Tomorrow already?”

“I’m sorry, Anna. I was just about to tell you. I’ve been away too long already. By now, everyone must be worried about me.”

At this, Dino let out a dry laugh.

“And I’m not worth worrying about? I struggle all the way here, and the moment I arrive, you say you’re leaving?”

“I… I didn’t mean it like that.”

Lucy trailed off, flustered.

“I’m dead tired from the trip. I’ll need to rest here for a few days. So you stay until then too.”

Dino was even more selfish and overbearing than before.

Lucy was at a loss for words, but since she herself wasn’t ready to part just yet, she decided to stay another day under that excuse.

On their way home after closing the shop, Shan leaned in and murmured to Lucy.

“I don’t know how you know him, but be cautious. That man reeks of danger.”

Reeks of danger? Did he have some special ability to sniff out people’s nature? Lucy tilted her head.

“He may be reckless and rough around the edges, but he’s not a bad person. He once saved Anna and me when we were in danger.”

But Shan only frowned deeper, glaring at Dino walking ahead of them.

That evening over dinner—

“Anna, your cooking hasn’t changed. Still tasteless as ever.”

Dino criticized bluntly.

“How rude—to say that to someone who cooked with effort.”

Shan set down his spoon, speaking coldly to Dino.

“Would you rather I choke it down in silence? If no one tells her, she’ll keep making food like this.”

Anna pouted, glaring at Dino in dismay.

“Dino, that’s too harsh. We haven’t seen each other in ages—why are you being like this?”

“I’m only saying it for Anna’s sake. Who else would give her such honest advice if not me?”

Lucy knew Dino had always been self-willed, but now he seemed even more warped.
She felt a headache coming on already.

‘Maybe I should’ve just said I was leaving after all.’

Dinner ended in an uncomfortable silence.

That night, Dino came to Lucy’s room.

“Dino?”

“You’ve had too many people hovering around you. We haven’t had a proper talk. Mind if I come in?”

He leaned against the doorframe, pointing inside.

Just then, Shan’s door across the hall flew open. He stepped out, eyes sharp on Dino.

“Does your bodyguard have no respect for his mistress’s privacy?”

Dino sneered.

“Shan isn’t my servant. He’s just dutiful about his mission.”

Lucy gave Shan a small nod to show it was fine.

“If anything happens, call me.”

Shan shot Dino one last look before retreating back inside. Dino’s face twisted.

“‘If anything happens’? He makes it sound like I’d harm you.”

He clicked his tongue in irritation.

“He didn’t mean it that way. Shan’s just… stiff like that.”

“You two seem close. But if he’s not your knight, then what? What mission is he on?”

Dino stepped inside, glancing around the room.

“He’s a skilled mercenary. I personally hired him.”

Dino tilted his head, puzzled.

“You’re a count’s daughter now. Why rely on a mercenary for protection? Are they mistreating you too, like Baron Diallo did?”

His eyes flashed with sudden anger.

“No! Not at all! They’re the ones who cherish me most sincerely.”

“…Good. Then that’s a relief. But tell me—what happened that you’re suddenly the daughter of Count Rayford?”

He sat in a chair and asked.

Lucy told him everything—how, after parting ways with Dino in the village, she ended up working as a caregiver at the Rayford estate, and how the secret of her birth was revealed.

Dino listened quietly, though he threw in the occasional interjection.

“So that’s it. You weren’t Baron Diallo’s real daughter. Makes sense—you’d never do such vile things if you were.”

He nodded as if finally satisfied.

“And what about you, Dino? How have you been all this time?”

Lucy asked at last.

“Were you even curious if I was alive or dead?”