It was an ordinary day, just like any other. The weekend hade, and as nned, I started my physical training with Adelia. Since Nicole was not around, there was no need to go to the training field, and the likelihood of Hiriya being there was very high. There was no need for intense exercise, and there were plenty of ces to work out even if it wasn’t the training field. So, it was while I was roaming around the academy, warming up and increasing my stamina.


    “Why are you here, Bitch?”


    Coincidentally, I ran into Hiriya while we were both jogging for basic stamina training. Surprisingly, she was dressed in ordinary workout clothes, but they were all in a sky-blue color that oddly suited her. It was a situation where I had just left the tiger’s den to avoid the tiger, and I happened to run into the tiger outside. It was a situation that could be described as extremely unlucky.


    As I looked at Hiriya’s face, filled with a mixture of difort and disgust, I observed Adelia’s reaction. She was the most important one in this situation. And as if on cue, despite my previous attempts tofort her, Adelia’s sky-blue eyes were shaking vigorously. She, who hadn’t even broken a sweat while jogging, was now dripping with cold sweat.


    I’ll say it again, the trauma deeply ingrained in one’s heart cannot be fixed, no matter how much you want to.


    “Sister.”


    “Ah.”


    Nevertheless, it seemed she had improved from before as she regained herposure when I patted her arm. At the exhibition, there were three of them, but now it was just Hiriya.


    Adelia, who had regained herposure, looked at Hiriya, who was lost in thought, and swallowed hard. Then, with an expression that was hard to tell whether she was smiling or crying, she quietly spoke up.


    “Ah, hello. It’s been a while since the exhibition…?”


    “… …”


    Even when Adelia extended her hand for a handshake and greeted her, Hiriya remained silent. Instead, she turned her gaze toward me, as if demanding an exnation of what was going on.


    I had a strong feeling that the situation was about to getplicated, but she was a foreign princess, and I was Lord Yeongsik. There was a clear ss difference, so I had no choice but to exin.


    “Dame Cross is currently assigned as a knight of the Michelle family. Right now, she’s my personal bodyguard and attending the academy.”


    “…A personal bodyguard?”


    Upon hearing the answer of “personal bodyguard,” Hiriya made a surprised expression and then nced between me and Adelia alternately. Adelia tensed up every time their gazes met.


    Then, Hiriya scratched her chin, deep in thought, and soon, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. I wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but I had a gut feeling that it wasn’t a very favorable situation.


    “Well, this works out nicely. Come with me to the practice grounds.”


    “What?”


    “I saide to the practice grounds. We have some catching up to do as long-lost acquaintances.”


    While saying that, Hiriya spun her body around. I watched her retreating figure as she walked towards the training grounds, but my gaze soon shifted to Adelia.


    Adelia, holding her left arm with her right hand, seemed to have understood the meaning of “sparring” that Hiriya mentioned, as she trembled visibly. It appeared that past memories were resurfacing.


    <i>‘Is she suggesting a sparring match, perhaps?’</i>


    There was no reason for her to ask Adelia toe to the training grounds for anything else. The problem was that Adelia had a history of severe beatings, which she had suffered under the guise of sparring.


    No matter how much stronger she has be since then, the deep-rooted feelings of powerlessness and fear remained an issue. Like an elephant with a thin rope tied around its ankle since childhood, past horrific memories haunted her.


    “Why aren’t youing?”


    “Oh, yes. We will follow you soon. Adelia Noona?”


    “… …”


    Adelia didn’t seem to have any intention of moving from her spot, as if she were unable to respond to my call. She didn’t just hesitate, she swayed as if she might run away at any moment.


    The confidence she had disyed earlier hadpletely disappeared, reced only by a fearful creature. I looked at her with a sympathetic gaze and gently took her hand.


    When I held her hand, she flinched and looked at me with a surprised expression. At the same time, her trembling body gradually calmed down.


    “It’s okay. I’ve told you before, I’m on your side, noona.”


    “… …”


    “Don’t be scared because you will regret itter. You can’t just run away like this, right?”


    Adelia gradually felt reassured by the words that were delivered with a kind smile. Her body’s trembling hadpletely subsided, and her contracted pupils were gradually returning to normal.


    Before long, even her panting breath, which had been hurried, returned to its usual rhythm, and even the corners of her mouth lifted. With that, she even added some strength to the hand I was holding.


    She smiled at my face and quietly expressed her gratitude.


    “…Thank you.”


    “What’s there to be thankful for? Let’s get going.”


    “Yeah.”


    Adelia must have calmed down too. I held her hand affectionately and followed behind Hiriya. Adelia, whose footsteps had been reluctant to part, now walked ahead with ease.


    If a stranger were to see us, it would look like lovers holding hands affectionately and going somewhere. Adelia even seemed to want to subtly express her desire as she yfully squeezed my hand.


    Originally, we had simply held hands, but she started cing her fingers one by one between mine. However, she hesitated to cross a certain line and only inserted her index and middle fingers between mine.


    “Hmm…”


    Hiriya, who was leading the way, looked at us with a subtle expression, then soon shed a wicked smile. Adelia and I were both taken aback.


    “You seem to be getting along well. To the point where one wouldn’t think of you as a bodyguard and a master.”


    “Uh, this is…”


    “No, there’s no need for an exnation. Such entertainment is quitemon among the nobility. I can understand it.”


    At the moment I was about to exin, Hiriya raised her hand, as if indicating her understanding. I’m not sure what exactly she understood, but it’s definitely not a favorable interpretation.


    Then, she shifted her gaze to Adelia and spoke in a mocking tone.


    “It surprisingly suits her quite well. In the end, she’ll just keep begging and get rejected, though.”


    “… …”


    Crack!


    Hiriya’s words were like a blow to the gut. I could vividly feel the strength in Adelia’s grip on my hand. It was practically an insult. If it weren’t for our social ss difference, I would have had every reason to punch her in the face for such a severe insult.


    Moreover, Adelia was a bastard child, so those words must have felt like a dagger stabbing deep into her chest.


    <i>‘Wow… quite impressive.’</i>


    How can someone have such a vulgar personality? I knew she was uncouth, but I never expected her to say something like that so brazenly in front of us.


    In my heart, I wanted to immediately reveal my identity as Xenon, and have her kneel, and beg for forgiveness. But it’s not the right time yet. To strike back magnificently, I need to build up my advantages step by step.


    Above all…


    “…You.”


    Adelia’s mood was unsettling. Just a moment ago, she seemed to be trembling with fear, but now she was trembling in a different way.


    Anger. Yes, it was anger.


    She, who had always shown signs of anxiety whenever she faced her family, was now clearly disying anger. It was the first time Adelia had shown such anger, and it felt unfamiliar.


    Nevertheless, without saying anything, Hiriya gave a sinister smile that could make her beauty fade and started to taunt.


    “That expression, it’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Well, in the end, you’ll cry and beg, won’t you?”


    “… …”


    “Did you say Isaac? I rmend not getting too close to that woman. It’s before you get disappointed.”


    Was she so eager to receive a punch in the face? Hiriya left with only those words, turning around and taking her steps again.


    I watched her go with an astonished expression, then shifted my gaze to Adelia.


    Her face was still filled with anger, but also somewhat uneasy. She was watching me cautiously, and traces of her struggling with herself were evident, even the grip on our sped hands loosened. Perhaps she had realized once again after hearing Hiriya’s words. That she was just a bastard with someone else’s blood or something like that.


    Moreover, she was being scorned by her family, and she could even cause harm to those around her. There was a high probability that she was thinking like this.


    <i>‘Some people are really something…’</i>


    Even though she was kind, she was too kind. Her family environment was beyond terrible, reaching the level of absolute chaos. The fact that such a person had emerged itself spoke volumes about her nature.


    If she had been born as an ordinary noble’s daughter, she would have grown up to be a mischievous and innocent youngdy. Her only misfortune was meeting the wrong family.


    However, where there’s misfortune, there must also be luck. As Hiriya moved away from her, I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.


    “Noona, can I make a proposal?”


    “What… proposal?”


    “If you defeat that woman…”


    When I referred to her as “that woman” instead of Hiriya the princess, Adelia widened her eyes in surprise. But the words that followed were enough to startle her even more.


    “I’ll do whatever you want.”


    “W-What? Whatever I want?”


    “Exactly.”


    I grinned and then whispered softly into her ear.


    “Do you think I don’t know what you desire?”


    “…!!”


    At the same time as those words, Adelia’s body jolted. Her grip on my hand grew stronger.


    I slowly pulled my face away from her ear and faced her. Adelia, with her facepletely flushed and looking utterly bewildered, caught my eye.


    In front of me, she used to be confident and self-assured, but seeing her act so nervously like this… I don’t know how to describe it, but she looked really cute. I guess all girls in one-sided love are like this, but Adelia is especially different.


    “If you’re going to hide, hide properly. It’s so obvious.”


    “Well, but you… with Lady Marie and Princess Cecily…”


    “I know. I can’t immediately ept Noona’s feelings. Instead…”


    I hesitated for a moment, then gently brushed her cheek with my hand. When my hand touched her cheek, Adelia shivered again.


    To fully ept her, as I said, it will take time. I need to reveal my identity, and most importantly, I need Marie’s permission.


    The possibility is very high since Cecily was epted, but Cecily is the princess of Helium. So Marie willingly epted for many reasons.


    However, Adelia’s situation is quite different. She may have great martial skills, but she has a major w in being a bastard child.


    Whether she bes a member of the Ters royal family to eliminate that w or remains my personal knight will depend on her choice.


    “I’ll decide after seeing Noona’s choiceter. So, please bear with it until then. Okay?”


    “… …”


    “You must win no matter what if you want to receive what Noona desires.”


    People need a clear sense of purpose to develop passion and determination. Adelia was no different in that regard.


    Adelia responded enthusiastically with a gentle voice and a soft smile as I encouraged her while brushing her cheek.


    “I’ll definitely win!”


    “Yes, you will.”


    I wonder what favor she will ask of me.


    Trantors note:


    Ehew… New semester started so I quit my internship… It sure feels like shit, exchenging one busy for another.