I never thought I’d experience a situation like a morning drama. I didn’t want to get involved in strange incidents due to secrets of birth or anything like that…
Whether she knew of Ban’s stiff expression or not, the woman slowly walked toward Ban.
A smile began to spread across the lips of the woman who carefully examined Ban’s face, and her face that had looked cold as ice melted softly as if spring had come.
“Indeed, their words and actions were no exaggeration.”
“…”
“I was rude. My name is Leila Etwiss. I work and learn by the side of Duchess Lebesi.”
Does she mean a lady-in-waiting? Or a maid? Since he had even less interest in the nobles in the game, he had no idea who this Leila who came to find him was, but anyway, it was certain that Duchess Lebesi had sent her. Ban made an effort to manage his expression and slowly bowed his head in a light nod.
Though he didn’t know the exact etiquette, as a Holy Knight he had learned that showing courtesy and consideration to ladies was a basic virtue and accomplishment, so he offered his own polite greeting.
Leila Etwiss was a sophisticated-looking beauty with glossy brown hair and blue-gray eyes. Though not dressed extravagantly, she wore a sky-blue dress made of fabric that was clearly soft and luxurious at a glance, and the pin decorating her hair sparkled as a small jewel caught the light.
To briefly summarize Leila’s impression, she could be called ‘a noblewoman dressed up as if she weren’t a noble.’ She exuded a mysterious atmosphere that made it impossible for anyone to treat her lightly.
Of course, Orma, who had been beside Ban, paid no heed and looked Leila up and down with displeased eyes while being on guard, but regrettably, Ban didn’t notice.
“Won’t you introduce the knight?”
“…My name is Ban.”
Though it was an unwilling face, he did say his name. Then Leila, who smiled with eyes curved more gently than before, extended the back of her hand to Ban. It clearly looked like she was demanding a knight’s courtesy toward a lady, but Ban stood upright pretending not to know with a slightly furrowed brow and said:
“Even if I commit a discourtesy due to my lack of learning, please forgive me with your lady’s generous magnanimity. Then, would you please clear the way?”
“…Why didn’t you come to Lebesi Castle?”
Everyone was waiting for you to come. At the voice that sounded disappointed, Ban tilted his head diagonally and just blinked his eyes.
…Is there even a reason for me to go there?
“When I haven’t even been invited, is there a reason to visit the castle?”
“Aha…”
Even though there must have been many who gasped in surprise every time they saw him, he pretended not to know and hadn’t visited Lebesi Castle. Leila’s eyes shone as she looked at Ban, who was polite but coldly drawing a line.
How many riffraff had come claiming to be the Duke of Lebesi’s lost son until now? Yet the man before her eyes who looked ‘real’ to anyone appeared with a beautiful and sacred bearing like a painting and was saying he had no particular connection to Lebesi.
How could this be… The real son of the Duke of Lebesi was far more dazzling and mysterious than Leila’s imagination, and though he probably hadn’t received much education, he appeared elegant and noble. Even his attitude of mysteriously drawing a line only stimulated her, and wasn’t unpleasant or annoying.
This man was certain. This man was surely the next Duke of Lebesi, and there was nothing lacking for him to become her fiancé as well. Leila suppressed her excited and swelling emotions with effort, smiled brightly, and opened her mouth.
“Then if I invite you, are you willing to accept?”
“…”
“The Duchess of Lebesi has invited the knight. Though it may sound sudden, she hopes to share conversation and dine together this evening.”
“I’m sorry, but I must respectfully decline the Duchess’s invitation.”
“That’s quite a fast answer… Is it because of your companions? You may visit together if you wish.”
Leila said so and glanced at Orma who wore a dark robe pulled down. Though his face wasn’t visible, judging by his tall height and build, she thought he might be Ban’s fellow knight. Of course, even through the robe she could feel sharp eyes, so it seemed he found her displeasing… But still, she would become Ban’s fiancée, so how devoted could a mere colleague, acquaintance, or friend be?
“Do you really intend to refuse the invitation? The Duchess will be greatly heartbroken. The Duke treasures his frail wife dearly, so if the disappointed Duchess were to collapse, he would close the port for several days and devote himself to nursing her.”
The words delivered with a troubled smile as if regretful had thorns in them. It was sharp enough that one could tell with just a little thought that it was a threat.
Since Ban stood out so much in Gillia, the story that he had visited the port management office had already spread everywhere. There was no need to investigate separately or attach people to him. When his purpose to leave Gillia and board a ship to go somewhere was so clearly visible, was there any reason not to touch it? At the threat that if he refused the invitation they would close the port so he couldn’t move, Ban let out a long sigh inwardly and opened his mouth.
“…May I speak with my companions for a moment?”
“By all means.”
It was a gentle answer, but the leisure felt within it was unpleasant for no reason. Ban sharply turned his head away from Leila and headed to the back of the building, far away from her, together with Orma.
What should he do about this troublesome situation? Even without saying it, Orma would absolutely tell him not to go to the castle. He had even boasted that he wouldn’t do what Orma disliked, and Ban wasn’t particularly inclined either.
How did he get involved in something no different from a waste of time? What if they really close the port if he refuses the invitation? He said there’s a ship to Yeru in two days, but if that’s canceled, the next ship…?
Contrary to Ban’s expectations filled with complicated thoughts, Orma’s lips barely visible under the robe were boldly raised. However, if one looked closely, his trembling lips seemed to have had something touch his nerve, as if struggling to suppress rising anger, so Ban hurriedly apologized and tried to soothe Orma.
“Ban.”
“I’m sorry, Orma-nim. The situation has become complicated…”
“What do you think of that woman?”
“…Pardon?”
“Is she pretty? Is she beautiful? Do you like her?”
What kind of question is this all of a sudden? Ban was bewildered and then realized that the target Orma was talking about was ‘Leila Etwiss’ and answered with a dumbfounded face.
“Objectively she seems to be a beauty, but she’s not to my liking.”
“Objectively a beauty? So she is pretty?”
“…”
Did I say something wrong? At the strange sense of foreboding, Ban rolled his eyes. Orma seemed exasperated and took a breath by himself saying “Ha!” while fuming.
“Then am I prettier, or is she prettier?”
“Orma-nim, what is that…”
What kind of bullshit is that… Why are you suddenly trying to have a beauty contest with a strange woman?
When Ban was bewildered, unable to grasp anything at all, Orma came closer to Ban and pushed his face forward. His beautiful golden eyes blazed burning with jealousy, but Ban, who didn’t notice, just blankly looked up at Orma’s sculpture-like handsome face. However, Orma coldly and fiercely pressed for an answer like a witch from a fairy tale facing a mirror.
“Answer.”
“…Orma-nim is more handsome.”
“Not handsome, I asked if I’m pretty.”
“Pardon? Ah, yes… You’re prettier.”
His God is satisfied even with this insincere answer. …Though I don’t know what meaning there is to the question, if his mood improves with just this, it’s fortunate…
“You should have seen that woman sending me cheap looks.”
“What? Did she pick a fight with Orma-nim? Did she dare disrespect you?”
“No. In front of me, she acted arrogantly as if you were hers.”
“…?”
Am I following this conversation well right now? Did I understand correctly…?
Ban looked up at Orma with a dubious face, but Orma, who was busily thinking about something with displeased eyes, raised both hands and cupped Ban’s face.
Look at my Apostle, so obedient and docile even with such a sudden action. That woman who acts presumptuously as if she’s already become Ban’s fiancée when nothing has been revealed yet would never know, right?
“…Hup!”
That even when I suddenly kiss him, Ban just flinches in surprise but soon relaxes his body and willingly gives his breath. If that obstacle weren’t there, I wouldn’t care about anything and would continue devouring Ban. Orma, who chewed on a mouthful of curses inwardly, soon pulled away his lips and looked down at Ban, who was panting in confusion, and said:
“Let’s go, to that damn Lebesi or whatever it is.”
“…Pardon?”
Orma’s golden eyes blazing with strong possessiveness sparkled and drew out the seal engraved in Ban’s eyes. Responding to it, Ban’s eyes that began to be dyed in a mysterious color sparkled more brilliantly than any jewel in the world.
Look at this. That woman, Lebesi, and the other stupid humans all look equally dim-witted, so I should clearly let them know.
That you’re mine and mine alone, not Lebesi’s or anything else’s.
