Cezanne stretched put his arm and pulled Elaine, who was hidden behind Sophia, towards him.
“Dame Sophia, let me introduce you, this is Dame Elaine. You probably recognize her from earlier at the welcoming ceremony.”
“Oh, I didn’t even notice you were there. Nice to meet you Dame Elaine.”
Sophia’s eyes widened as is she really hadn’t known that Elaine was there, even though it was obvious that wasn’t true. Elaine nodded her head without much change in her expression.
“Yes, its nice to meet you, as well, Dame Sophia.”
Sophia’s eyes twitched slightly. Even though it was obvious she wanted to argue, Elaine was unconcerned, which irritated Sophia even more. Without even realizing this face, Elaine continued.
“Would you excuse me then? The vice-commander had called me to the office earlier.”
Elaine then walked away, leaving Cezanne, who seemed to be suppressing his laughter for some reason, and Sophia, who was staring at her intently. Even as she walked away, countless eyes followed her like a swarm of flies.
Rather, she was more concerned about the reason Lowell had called for her. It should be related to becoming Ash’s bodyguard, right?
“It was nice that it hadn’t snowed for a while, but now it’s snowing again.”
Elaine’s gazes turned to the window as she heard one of the knights nearby complaining. White snowflakes were fluttering down like powder. It must have started falling hours ago as the trees outside the window were covered with quite a bit of snow.
She turned around and stepped outside. She still had a bit of time as Lowell had only said that she should come before evening fell. It might have been an unnecessary whim, but she just wanted to feel the snow.
A pure white landscape appeared before her eyes. Something cold landed on her cheek and quickly melted. She raised her eyes and looked up at the sky. A cool, grey sky. It was her first winter since she had woken up. Her first snow.
“Ash, look at that, it’s the first snow.”
“Wow, it’s so pretty!”
“Shall we build a snowman together?”
“Yeah!”
“Okay, lets make it look really nice and show it to your mom and dad!”
In the end, the day after they had built the snowman, Ash had caught a cold. Elaine smiled faintly as she walked through the snow, reminiscing about the past.
Tap, tap, tap
The faint sound of a horse’s hooves could be heard through the snow. As she turned around, she saw a black horse charging straight at her from the snow-covered hills nearby.
“…!”
Even though the large horse was charging straight at her, she stood still and just opened her eyes wide. The horse that was running as if it was going to barreling through her, suddenly stopped in its tracks, right as it was about to hit her. Then, like a gentle sheep, he blinked his clear eyes and nuzzled his head against her shoulder.
She spoke to the horse, unconsciously stroking its neck.
“Hey, why are you alone? Where did your master run of to?”
Animals were always friendly with Bella. Often, you would find them following her in an unusual way, similar to this black horse in front of her.
“…Do you also feel the traces of Bella within me?”
Huff
The horse made a throaty sound. It seemed like the answer was yes, and it made her feel slightly sad.
“Nix.”
At that time, Elaine felt someone’s presence along with a low-pitched voice. Had the owner of the horse come to look for it? Thinking it was so, she turned around and froze.
Hair that resembled the night sky and serene purple eyes. Standing before her was a man, more frigid than the falling snow.
“Ash.”
She called his name in a daze. She was just thinking of him, and he suddenly appeared before her eyes. She wondered if it was a dream, and without realizing it, the hand that was brushing the horse’s mane lost all strength. As her touch slowed and fell away, the horse shook its head in disapproval. Elaine who then came to her senses belatedly lowered her head.
“I greet the Duke.”
He glanced at the dark horse that was begging for her attention, then at the woman. After standing still for a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen Nyx approach someone other than me.”
“This is your horse?”
“Yes.”
Ash took a couple of steps forward, approaching the horse. Nyx, who was pressing into Elaine’s arms, perked up its ears and wagged its tail at Ash.
“Wasn’t your name Dame Elaine?”
Elaine’s eyes widened for a moment at the sudden question. She was surprised he remembered who she was. She nodded her head slowly.
“That’s right.”
“I heard you volunteered to be my bodyguard.”
“…”
“I would advise you in advance, it’s better to quit now.”
He spoke in a casual tone, as if he was asking her if she had eaten yet. She clenched her fists involuntarily. She knew the other knights didn’t want to be his guard, but why was he saying this? Why did she hear those words from his mouth?
“I don’t understand what you mean by that.”
“You haven’t heard the rumors about me?”
“…”
“Looking at your expression, it seems as if you don’t know. I guess you haven’t heard from the vice commander yet?”
“Was this what Lowell was going to tell her when he had called for her? When Elaine didn’t answer, Ash tilted his head.
“The position is not as easy as you think. On the contrary, it’s very dangerous.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
She was already half guessing this, based on the reactions of the knights she had seen in the lobby. A position that even the powerful Philres Knights are reluctant to take, she didn’t know exactly what it was, but she had made the assumption that it would be very dangerous. However, such things were not a problem for Elaine, who possessed powers beyond what was normal.
“It doesn’t matter… Even though you might lose your life?”
“That, too…”
Ash shook his head, interrupting Elaine.
“Your opinion is not important. What is important is proven ability and sound judgement. How many people do you think want me dead? A hundred? A thousand? No, maybe every citizen in this kingdom would welcome it with opened arms.”
“…”
“Do you have the ability to handle that many assassins?”
Assassins. So that’s what it was. They were threatening him to the point that they were a danger to the people around him as well.
His face was calm as he spoke about the people who wanted him dead. Like a person who had been drowned in emotions to the extent that he was now numb. The momentary excitement she had felt upon first meeting him tonight faded. She lowered her eyes, finding it difficult to look him in the face.
“If you’re asking if I can deal with them, they yes, I can.”
“That’s funny. You don’t think you were the only one who offered to escort me up to this point, do you? The others also had blind faith in their abilities, just like you do now. But the result? Everyone died. Everyone, except for those who ran away.”
“…”
“I think that is the wiser choice. It is wrong for someone weaker than me to protect me in the first place.”
Elaine didn’t deny that. Of course, she wasn’t weaker then Ash. It was quite the opposite. She was stronger than him. But she couldn’t reveal that fact. So, instead, she countered with something else.
“But, if you were to judge my abilities from the sparring match the other day, you already know I couldn’t die that easily.”
Elaine said, looking straight into his eyes.
“I will never be taken down by an assassin or anything like that.”
“…”
She was right. Ash knew that Elaine was strong enough. The skills she had demonstrated in the final exam were not something just anyone was capable of. But even so…
The gazes of the two people met in midair. Ash’s eyes narrowed as if he was trying to probe her inner thoughts. It was a persistent and tenacious gaze, yet Elaine’s emerald gaze met his without wavering. He moistened his dry lips.
“Dame Elaine…”
He seemed like he had something to say, but instead closed his mouth without a word and then frowned. Running his fingers through his disheveled hair, he laughed slightly, self-deprecatingly.
“Ha.”
“Ash raised his head and displayed a face that showed none of his emotions. He tilted his head slightly and raised the corner of his mouth.
“Okay, fine. I’ll allow it. Do as you wish.”
“Thank you!”
With a bright face, she lowered her head. Ash continued speaking while pulling on Nyx’s reins.
“But your life is of no use to me, so you can quit whenever you want to.”
Elaine knew even if he said that, he was still being considerate in his own way. He was saying that she didn’t have to feel guilty about quitting, if things got to be too burdensome, she could walk away without any regrets.
Protecting Ash could never be a burden to her. On the contrary, it was such an important job that she would do anything to succeed. She cared about him more than he would ever know.
“No, that won’t happen.”
Elaine shook her head firmly. Then, she belatedly noticed his outfit. He was wearing a black uniform without a coat. The white snowflakes on the black uniform caught her eye. While they had been talking, the snowfall had become heavier.
It was now March, the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It was the boarder between cool and warm. Ash was weak against the cold. Her hand touched his uniform collar.
“Hold on for a minute.”
“…!”
Ash, who was startled by Elaine’s sudden approach, tried to back away reflexively, but stopped when she continued her actions. She meticulously buttoned his collar. Then she brushed the snow from his shoulders. He stiffened at the unexpected action.
A gentle touch containing no aggression. Light green eyes, as gentle as her touch, looking up at him.
“You’ll catch a cold.”
His hand, which she had slightly touched, was cold. Naturally, the memory of putting gloves on the young Ash’s hands came to mind. She regretted not bringing him an overcoat. Even a cape would have been better than nothing.
After checking again to make sure that Ash’ clothes were fastened properly, she still wasn’t satisfied and began to unbutton the uniform that she was wearing. Ash’s eyes widened at the sight.
“What are you doing?!”
He grabbed Elaine’s hand as she tried to take off her uniform. She tilted her head and looked up at him.
“You’re weak to the cold, even your hands are freezing.”
“I’ll be fine, put your uniform back on.”
“But…”
“Hurry!”
When his voice rose, she made a sad face and obediently fastened the buttons again. What was wrong? Its not like she got cold easily anyways.
After making sure she had fastened all the buttons properly, Ash, now irritated, brushed his hand through his hair.
“What kind of person do you think I am? I’m not the kind of boss who is so rude as to steal a subordinated coat.”
“Fine. Instead, go inside. The snow will get heavier soon.”
“…Fine.”
He nodded reluctantly, looking into her stubborn eyes, seeing that she would not concede any more than this. She smiled with satisfaction as she watched Ash respond obediently despite his disapproval. She wanted to stay with him a bit longer, but she hated keeping him out in the cold even more.
She closed her eyes and smiled softly. Ash looked at her face intently. He stiffened and then took a half step back, speaking in a calm voice.
“You really don’t care, do you?”
A strong wind blew between them, messing up Elaine’s hair. Ash’s voice was lost in the wind. Elaine, who couldn’t hear properly, was busy brushing away her messy hair from her face, asked back.
“What did you say?”
“Never mind, it’s nothing.”
After running his hand over his face, he got on the horse. A brief hesitation and he turned his head back to Elaine, speaking quickly as if it was urgent.
“Starting tomorrow, report to my office. I will let the vice commander know.”
After leaving those words, he turned and left, muttering under his breath, looking into the distance at the falling snow.
“What a strange woman.”
Clear eyes that drew attention. A warm body temperature felt under his cold palm. His right hand, which had briefly touched Elaine, clenched.
A bodyguard that he never should have accepted. He felt like a fool, frowning at the sudden feeling of discomfort. He quickly rode his horse in the opposite direction Elaine was.
Without knowing at all what Ash was thinking, Elaine watched his back as he left. Only after the sight of him had completely disappeared, did she begin to leave herself.
