PLML 19

CHAPTER 19

As soon as Theoris saw Jaina, he handed her a thick stack of papers.

“What is this?”

“Please take a look.”

Jaina opened the first page.

<1. Agris Jane 2. Hans Kin 3. Prina Anz 3. Godo Renji …….>

From number 1 to 101, portraits densely lined up with people’s names. Under each portrait were details like height, weight, blood type, hobbies, and aspirations. Seeing all that, Jaina recalled an audition program she once liked.

‘But why do all their faces look like that…?’

They said you shouldn’t judge people by their looks, but every single one looked pretty unappealing. Jaina couldn’t find anyone she liked.

“Choose one.”

“Huh?”

“Is there no one you like?”

Well, if you ask whether there’s anyone I like…

Jaina glanced once again at the paper, then at Theoris’ face. Only then did Theoris, understanding what she was thinking, chuckle.

“I mean knights.”

Jaina, who was looking at the profiles as if selecting a government candidate, blushed.

“I know that too!”

She got annoyed at herself for being so nervous, but Theoris just smiled quietly.

“No one chooses knights like this. Usually, you line them up and pick after seeing them in person.”

“If you want, I’ll arrange that for you.”

“No, I don’t want that. It’s too much trouble.”

“I thought you’d say that.”

With his slightly cheeky smile, Jaina pouted and turned to the next page. All the details about Knight No. 1, Agris Jane, were listed in detail—family background, history, and graphs quantifying physical strength, muscle power, speed, and loyalty.

“But why knights all of a sudden?”

“I thought you might need a bodyguard knight.”

“I don’t really need one. I’m just going to stay home anyway…”

“You never know. There might be a sudden reason to go out again, like last time.”

Jaina quietly closed her mouth.

Knowing Theoris, she figured he’d even put a watch on her without her knowing.

Letting her choose a knight herself was probably his way of respecting her wishes.

“Give me some time to think.”

“Understood.”

Jaina took the heavy stack of papers and went back to her room.

‘Huh? Cotton Candy isn’t back yet.’

She assumed Cotton Candy would have come back first and be lounging on the bed, but she wasn’t there. Usually, she wouldn’t worry, thinking Cotton Candy would come back on its own, but leaving Poppy behind made her uneasy.

Feeling anxious, Jaina headed back to the breeding facility.

“Huh? Poppy? Cotton Candy?”

Contrary to Jaina’s worries, Poppy and Cotton Candy had already become friends. Or rather, it was an awkward kind of friendship. Cotton Candy was lying comfortably on Poppy’s back, as if lying on a bed.

When Jaina called, Cotton Candy lifted its body lightly. Cotton Candy made a soft squeaking sound, and Poppy obediently lowered its head. Cotton Candy stepped on Poppy’s head and rolled down to snuggle in Jaina’s arms.

‘They were growling at each other earlier, so why are they so calm now? Well, at least they’re friends.’

“You’re good kids. Our Poppy, Cotton Candy. You two have to get along from now on.”

“Woof!”

“Kyuah!”

Cotton Candy flipped over in Jaina’s palm, making a cute crying sound.

“Wait, Cotton Candy. Open your mouth.”

“Kyu?”

Jaina pulled out a black furball from Cotton Candy’s mouth. It was a bit short but definitely Poppy’s fur.

“Cotton Candy, you can’t bite Poppy’s fur!”

Jaina scolded, and Cotton Candy sulked, curling up and nodding.

Cotton Candy was still young, so Poppy was very forgiving. Considering Cotton Candy wasn’t hurt at all despite pulling out fur…

After that, the two went on walks together. Judging by their size and personalities, Jaina thought Poppy was tolerating Cotton Candy because it was still young. But no.

Cotton Candy often bit Poppy or climbed on its back to bother it. Although Cotton Candy was small and its bites didn’t hurt much, Poppy always yelped and acted overly dramatic. But Poppy never hit or bit back at Cotton Candy.

“No, Cotton Candy. Don’t bother Poppy.”

“Kyu?”

Jaina separated Cotton Candy from biting Poppy’s tail. Cotton Candy blinked innocently, pretending not to know anything.

‘I’m not falling for that anymore.’

“If you keep doing that, I’ll get mad.”

Cotton Candy’s ears drooped in a devastated expression.

“You won’t do it again, right?”

“Kyuung.”

Really, it might look like a monster, but it acted just like a puppy.

While Jaina was making Cotton Candy and Poppy reconcile, Homel, who had been standing at a distance, suddenly came close to Jaina. Seeing his serious expression unlike usual, Jaina sensed something was about to happen.

She lowered her voice.

“What’s wrong?”

“I sense someone nearby.”

Homel quietly grabbed the sword at his waist.

‘Oh right. Poppy and Cotton Candy.’

Whether they knew the situation or not, Poppy and Cotton Candy were rolling and playing together.

“Poppy, Cotton Candy, come here.”

Hearing Jaina’s voice, Cotton Candy jumped off Poppy’s head and rushed over.

Well, tried to rush over.

Just as Cotton Candy leapt to snuggle with Jaina, a gloved hand suddenly grabbed the back of Cotton Candy’s neck. Cotton Candy squeaked and struggled with its legs.

“Is this creature named Cotton Candy?”

With long, light purple hair that resembled the night sky just after sunset, and golden eyes shining like stars, a small boy with a youthful face, about chest height to Jaina, held Cotton Candy and asked her.

9. Jaina Does Not Hold Back

Cotton Candy looked at Jaina and made soft whining sounds.

“Little one, don’t hold so tight. It hurts.”

At Jaina’s words, the boy’s eyebrows twitched. With a displeased expression, he said:

“Little one?”

“…A child?”

“Asins.”

“Huh?”

“A. Sin. S.”

When Jaina repeated, the boy slowly spelled out the name as if teaching a child how to read. Only then did Jaina realize the boy was telling her his name.

“Alright, Asins.”

“Asins-nim.”

Jaina sighed internally.

Since Homel was aiming his sword and on alert, it was clear he wasn’t an ordinary child, so she couldn’t be careless.

“Well then, Asins-nim. Will you please let go of that creature?”

“Let go?”

What’s the problem now?

“Asins-nim, could you please let go of that creature?”

Only then did Asins smile satisfactorily and release Cotton Candy. Cotton Candy fell to the ground and rolled over once, then jumped into Jaina’s arms. Jaina gently petted the startled Cotton Candy. Seeing this, Asins clicked his tongue.

“I never thought I’d see a mature monster acting all sweet to a human.”

Jaina was at a loss for words at Asins’ comment, which sounded like something an old man would say.

He must be out of his mind. Otherwise, he wouldn’t call such a small monster a mature one.

“Are you a bodyguard?”

Homel answered Asins’ question.

“I am a steward.”

“I see. I have business with the child over there, so please step aside for a moment.”

“No.”

“Huh?”

Asins looked displeased.

“Do you not know who I am?”

Jaina had thought since earlier that his tone was like a grumpy old boss. Those who say “Don’t you know who I am?” are always the worst.

Homel wasn’t the type to entertain nonsense, but surprisingly answered politely.

“I do know. Didn’t you just introduce yourself as Asins?”

“Good. Then step aside. It’s an order.”

“Archduke Arcana has ordered that no one be allowed near the Archduchess. Though she was once part of the royal family, she now belongs to the Archduke, so I cannot obey your orders.”

Upon hearing Theoris’ name, Asins’ expression brightened.

“Teo, is that child here?”

Hearing someone else call Theoris by his nickname didn’t sit well with Jaina.

‘This isn’t the time to worry about that. I should think about how to get out of here…’

At that moment, a black crescent flew from afar toward Asins. A huge roar shook the ground and dust rose. Jaina felt a familiar hand wrap around her shoulder and turned her head.

“Teo.”

“Are you alright, Jaina?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Jaina wiped the sweat on his forehead, as if he had come in a hurry.

“Teo, it’s been a while.”

Amid the dust, Asins smiled leisurely. A faint yellow aura shimmered around him. Although Theoris’ sword strike must have hit him directly, he wasn’t even dusty, let alone hurt.

‘Judging by his tone, they seem very close…’

“Don’t call me that.”

“Weren’t you the one who first allowed the nickname?”

“That was then, but not anymore. Only Jaina may call me that.”

Saying something so embarrassing with no change in expression.

Asins’ face twisted.

“You’ve finally lost your mind.”

“Unfortunately, I’m sane.”

“A sane person points a sword at me?”

“Didn’t you threaten my wife first, Asins-nim?”

“Hah.”

Asins laughed bitterly, then smiled relaxedly.

“Alright, since we’ll meet again soon, I’ll leave for today. Child, see you next time.”

Yellow sparkles swirled around Asins, and soon after, he disappeared. Only after some time did Theoris lower his sword.

“Theoris, who was that child?”

Knowing both Theoris and Homel and seeing Homel behave respectfully suggested he was someone from the royal family. But among the royal family members Jaina had memorized from books, there was no one who looked like that.

“A dog of the royal family.”

“Huh?”

“It’s a long story. Let’s go inside first.”

(To be continued)