~Chapter 10~
A few days had passed since Deminic appeared out of nowhere and disappeared just as abruptly.
One day, Bellona found herself staring blankly at a young man she bumped into—and thought, Yeah… this life isn’t going to be easy either.
“This place is dangerous, miss.”
The person blocking her path as she hurried down the alley looked way too familiar.
“…Why are you here?”
A short, dry laugh slipped out of her.
Bellona had left the Rosentine carriage on the main street, pulled her hood low, and entered a back alley to find the information guild.
“Sorry? I’m not sure what you mean….”
Brown hair, brown eyes.
Nothing special about his appearance—except if she mentally replaced that brown with the golden hair and eyes she remembered.
Then he became someone she very much knew.
Ruils.
The temple’s promising young paladin.
“You know me?”
“No. I don’t. I must’ve mistaken you for someone.”
The moment their eyes met under the edge of her hood, Ruils froze. She quickly pushed the hood lower, but his gaze followed her like he was hypnotized.
Seeing him again dragged up memories she didn’t want.
He was the one who had cut down her maid, Rose—who’d turned into a mindless puppet from dark magic. Ruils had labeled her “evil” and killed her instantly.
“There was still a chance! The priests could’ve tried something with holy power—anything!”
“I’m sorry, Lady Rosentine. Evil must be eliminated immediately. Those are the temple’s rules.”
He was sincere and stubborn.
He always put the temple’s orders first.
They came too late to save anyone—because they were busy protecting a temple that wasn’t even in danger.
“I know you swore loyalty to the temple.
But maybe try figuring out what kind of place you’ve pledged yourself to.”
Bellona had thrown those resentful words at him out of pure grief—wanting him to hurt the way she did.
“People like you… I hate the most.”
Even after that, he remained the temple’s strongest potential weapon against Deminic—and the type of person Bellona hated above all.
“Don’t just follow orders blindly. Try using your head once in a while.”
“I… I’m sorry.”
When Bellona held Rose’s cold dead body and cried endlessly, that brown-haired boy—barely grown out of childhood—had helped her dig a grave for Rose with his own hands.
She had mocked him then, calling him fake.
Back then, in her first life, she was so sure she would never forgive him.
But now…
Blinking away the past, Bellona saw not a radiant golden-knight paladin, but just a normal young man with brown hair.
Even his clothes were plain enough that no one would guess he was a temple apprentice knight.
Even the sword at his waist looked ordinary.
“You look like a sheltered young lady. If you keep going, it might get dangerous.”
“I think we should both mind our own business.”
She really didn’t want to talk to him. She stared at the ground and tried to walk past, but he moved to block her again.
“I’ll escort you to somewhere safe.”
“You?”
“I’m capable enough.”
“Find a different lady who’ll be touched by your chivalry and accept your escort.”
She meant it sarcastically—but Ruils turned bright red and looked away, like he’d misunderstood it completely.
Probably imagining some cheesy romance between a noble lady and a knight—like those springtime stories nobles loved.
“I-I wasn’t… I didn’t mean it like that…”
“I know you didn’t. Don’t worry.”
Whether past or present, he was still the same—acting without thinking, overflowing with well-intentioned but useless kindness.
Bellona understood he meant well—but just thinking about the old Ruils, who swallowed temple teachings without question, made her stomach twist.
And strangely, it had been a long time since they’d held a real conversation.
I didn’t think he’d already returned to the capital. Did Deminic changing things cause a ripple?
She’d always avoided him, so she hardly ever ran into him in recent loops.
“Go help someone who’s actually lost. Not me.”
“I just… hope the person in front of me stays safe.”
He tried to act calm, but the tips of his ears were still bright red.
Any ordinary noble lady would find that shy, handsome reaction adorable.
Bellona did not.
Why was he here? Why now?
Then she noticed the bundle he was carrying—and remembered.
Ah. Right. His mother…
He had a mother who would soon die.
Already gravely ill, with no cure left, and Ruils—the only family she had—was doing everything he could to care for her.
No wonder he was here like this.
Regular shops didn’t sell good medicine cheaply.
With the tiny wages he gets from the temple, there’s only so much medicine he can buy…
Knowing too much was always the problem.
Talking to people softened her without meaning to.
And before she knew it, she started thinking he might actually be useful for what she needed today.
So after hesitating, she gave him a small nod.
“If you follow me… you’ll have to do something for me.
You still want to escort me?”
She’d come alone on purpose—no family guards.
Her father’s people were useless for what she needed today.
But Ruils was different: he wasn’t involved in what was about to happen, and he might actually help.
She didn’t need brute strength—just someone whose identity she could use if necessary.
“Is it something that harms a person?”
Of course he’d ask.
His consistency was infuriating.
“No. The opposite.
I need to protect someone.”
Bellona intended to appoint a new successor to the Rosentine family today.
So I need to move quickly.
She didn’t bother checking whether Ruils was following—she just walked ahead at her own pace.
“If it’s not rude… may I ask why you’re going to the information guild?”
His calm voice came from beside her.
Bellona tightened her hood and answered flatly:
“No. I don’t want to answer that.”
“You said you need to protect someone, so… your intentions aren’t bad, right?”
Bellona stopped walking.
As always, with sharp instincts, Ruils barely avoided bumping into her.
“…Deciding things so confidently like that… it’s not a good habit.”
“I apologize.”
His kind brown eyes immediately softened, accepting the criticism.
Bellona sighed internally. Getting angry at someone like him only made her feel petty.
So she started walking again and spoke:
“Since I said I’ll accept your help anyway… listen first, then decide whatever you want.”
She didn’t have time for pointless bickering.
She had someone she needed to find as soon as possible.
Then something flickered at the edge of her vision.
Maybe she imagined it—but it felt like she’d seen someone.
“What’s wrong?”
Ruils looked in the same direction, but there was no tension in his eyes.
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
If even Ruils didn’t sense danger, then no ill intent was nearby.
Bellona shook off the strange feeling of being watched and continued onward.
They reached an old wooden door. Bellona didn’t even knock—she just pushed it open.
The inside was dark and empty, except for something like a counter.
She walked straight in without hesitation.
Ruils followed close behind.
“What business do you have here?”
A huge, scarred man stood up slowly.
Beside her, Ruils immediately reached for his sword.
“Don’t draw that, Ruils.”
She nudged his arm to stop him.
Ruils froze, eyes widening, and the tension slowly left his big, rough hands.
“H-how did you know my name…?”
Oh no.
Bellona’s face twisted in embarrassment.
Knowing too much always created unnecessary problems.
