"What is this nonsense going on here?"
Rielia spoke, her voice mixed with disgust and astonishment.
"Milady?!"
Isabel asked, startled by Rielia's sudden appearance.
"Oh, Isabel… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
Rielia said with an awkward smile—then suddenly, her expression changed.
"Is that Baron Jerma?"
"Yes, that's right. He's the commander of the second division."
"But… why is he hitting that man like that?" Rielia muttered in confusion.
"That's the new knight, a commoner.
But even so, he possesses remarkable skill… skill almost on par with the sons of nobles!"
That explains a lot…
Rielia thought to herself.
The baron must feel humiliated that a commoner was assigned to his unit.
"But to show his anger in this way…"
She murmured as she looked at the knight taking the blows helplessly.
"My lady! A noble girl like you shouldn't be watching this!"
Isabel spoke nervously.
"It's fine, Isabel. Did you forget that I go through the same thing?"
Rielia said with a smile that hid an unseen, dark ache behind it.
Isabel couldn't find the words to reply.
"I want to go out for a bit!" Rielia suddenly said, running toward the door.
"Don't tell me you're—"
Isabel shouted, but Rielia had already left.
---
Rielia ran quickly toward the training grounds.
As soon as she arrived, Baron Jerma released the knight he had been striking, and the latter collapsed to the ground.
Silence fell among the knights who had been mocking him just moments ago.
"Lady Rielia…"
The baron muttered in surprise.
"What is happening here, Lord Jerma?"
Rielia asked, her sharp gaze fixed on him.
"I'm merely training the new knight, as you can see, my lady."
The commander replied with a forced smile, but Rielia's expression didn't change, causing unease among the others.
"Oh? But… why does it look more like you're beating him rather than training him?"
She said calmly, but there was a spark of defiance in her eyes.
The commander tensed, at a loss for words.
"Sorry for the interruption, anyway… may I speak with the knight for a moment?"
All eyes turned to the battered knight struggling to stand.
"B-but, my lady…"
The commander stammered nervously.
"Is there a reason I can't?"
She said sharply, making him step back.
"N-no, of course not!"
He replied, trying to maintain his composure.
"Then, if you'll excuse us."
Rielia said, turning away and motioning for the knight to follow her.
He obeyed without hesitation.
---
"I… I really want to thank you, my lady…"
The knight said shyly, sitting across from her at a small table in the corner of the garden.
"For what?"
"If it weren't for you, I might not be alive right now… you saved me from the commander."
He spoke while lowering his head.
"There's no need for that."
"But I want to repay you somehow!"
The knight insisted earnestly.
Rielia was about to refuse, but suddenly stopped—as if an idea had struck her.
"Alright, if you insist… I have a small favor to ask."
"I'll do anything you ask!"
"I want you to be my escort."
"What?! But… that's too much for someone like me! I'm just—"
"Not at all… but I do have one small condition."
"What is it?"
"You mustn't ask questions or speak about anywhere I go. Just follow me silently."
"What?!"
"Being my escort means you'll receive a promotion. No one will dare belittle you again.
But in return, you'll be my secret keeper."
"But…"
"You don't have to answer now. You have five days to decide."
She said with a faint smile, standing up to leave.
The knight remained seated, staring at her in confusion—torn between fear and admiration.
---
"I feel like I just caught a golden fish."
Rielia murmured with a small smile, feeling a hidden sense of satisfaction.
She was afraid of going out alone, since her father would never allow her to leave without a knight watching her every move.
Any other escort would report everything to her parents immediately.
But now… she'd found someone who could cover for her—and she'd also gotten a brilliant idea for her next article.
Two birds with one stone.
"My lady!!"
Isabel called the moment Rielia entered the room, her face filled with both anger and worry.
"I'm sorry, Isabel…"
"My lady, please don't go to places like that without warning—and don't talk to dangerous people like Commander Jerma!"
"Don't worry, I didn't do anything reckless. I just asked him to ease up on the training and helped the knight, that's all."
"Even if that's all… Lady Rielia's heart is far too kind. She needs to set some limits!"
"I promise, I won't do it again."
Rielia said with a gentle smile.
Isabel's expression softened into a warm smile—but then she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh! I promised to help the maids! I'll see you later, my lady!"
"Good luck, Isabel."
Rielia said, watching her leave with a soft expression.
But her heart tightened with guilt.
She wasn't lying because she didn't trust Isabel…
She was lying because she feared Isabel's constant worry.
Ever since she was born, Isabel had been like a second mother to her—the one who never left her side, even in the darkest times.
"I'll have to lie… a lot more."
Rielia murmured quietly, narrowing her eyes with silent regret.