Chapter 3 (1/2)
The next day, Kynemeia stared blankly at the boy sitting in the underground prison.
“…Why?”
“I got caught.”
As Eian stated that in a cutesy voice, Kynemeia turned her head, palming her face in both hands.
What’s with this brat? Is he that determined to be coiled up in resentment against me?
It was uncertain whether he knew what she was thinking of or not but Eian merely smiled and asked,
“You gonna kill me?”
“No!”
Kynemeia held onto the bars tightly. The prison guard was in the midst of explaining how the boy trespassed into the fief again. After he’d been barred by the knights, he simply strolled into the prison on his own legs without any particular act of raising a white flag.
‘What is it? Does he want me to kill him?’
“Just release him…”
At Kynemeia’s orders, the prison guard entered the cell and as soon as he unlocked the shackles, Eian jumped up. As she studied that obnoxious guy who kept on committing mischief, the middle of her forehead crinkled.
‘This should be the last, right? This should really be the end!’
That was what she thought. Until she kept discovering Eian in the underground prison for a week straight!
* * *
Looking at Eian who’d become all chummy with the guard and were even sharing snacks together, Kynemeia could only lean her forehead against the wall.
“Are you perhaps harbouring some malice against me? Maybe you resent me or…”
“Me? Have we ever met before, though?”
“No way.”
“Then there’s none.”
Eian smiled sweetly as he fixed her tousled hair. She’d been asleep and immediately ran over here after waking up, so she’d just brushed her hair haphazardly with both hands.
Then what is it? She rolled her eyes. Right now, he wasn’t shackled and the prison was unlocked, allowing him to come and go as he pleased. Eian exited the prison on his own feet and stood in front of her.
“Then why do you keep getting yourself caught?”
The nonchalant Eian bit into an apple and munched on it relaxedly.
“Young Lady, I heard you’re looking for a bodyguard knight?”
“No.”
“I heard from Mister Guard, though.”
“Oh!”
The prison guard gasped, wearing an expression of shock.
So he told him…
The knight who was acting as her bodyguard was about to retire soon, so she was in the midst of searching for a new one. There’s only been some talk of it but to think that the rumour has reached the underground prison already…
How rapid. Kynemeia inclined her head, a sulky expression etched on her face.
“And so?”
“I’m volunteering myself. As a bodyguard knight.”
“Is the Magic Tower inactive?”
“As you can see.”
“Even though you’re a Rikasha?”
“It’s because I possess outstanding talent.”
“What if I don’t allow you to be my bodyguard?”
“I’ll just show up at the underground prison again then.”
“It’s a temporary position.”
“That’s just right.”
Just right?! Why! Maybe I should’ve said that it was lifetime employment.
I can probably change what I said just now but what if he says ‘it’s just right’ again? As the terrifying imagination arose in her mind, she found she couldn’t open her mouth with ease.
‘Right, let’s not say anything that I can’t take back. But letting THAT be my bodyguard?
I feel like just standing beside him makes the resentment float around. Should I tell him to defeat our knights if he wants to be my bodyguard?’
‘No, I can’t. That obnoxious munchkin would definitely defeat the knights of our castle…!’
And it was more terrifying to know that the obnoxious guy actually possesses the ability to do so.
‘Eventually, it’ll be like digging my own grave. And Kynemeia isn’t supposed to be that stupid. But I’m sure he has a hidden intention.’
Even if she glared at him in suspicion, Eian simply kept on smiling without care.
‘There won’t be an answer if we continue having a staring battle like this.’
“Fuu—”
‘And isn’t there something else I should be doing right now?’
“Alright…”