Chapter 58

Leasis shuddered as she walked through the endless corridors. The mansion, as big as a palace, was like Hizen. It seemed to lead her somewhere, using unknown power.

Then suddenly, Leasis stopped walking. She breathed in nervously as she looked at the corridor blocked by a wall with nowhere to go.

Some strange things caught her eyes. On the blocked side, people should not approach, but the frame had bigger scratches than anywhere else.

When she scrutinized the quiet hallway, she noticed an unusually pale wall. She slowly put her hand on it.

A cold brick, touched by her fingertips, slipped in. Subsequently, a magnificent sound, like something cracking, rang through the hallway.

Leasis blinked at the unknown iron door exposed by the bricks. The door frame and rings were quite dusty, so it did not seem to have been used in a long time. She pushed the iron door out of curiosity.

The outside scene unfolded with the sound of scratching iron. Perhaps it was a secret door to the outside, but there was a clear sky and a peaceful garden underneath it.

It was simple compared to the mansion of the Duke of Armada and the Imperial Palace, but it was full of affection. She smiled as she scanned the garden full of fragrant flowers. The waist-length little fountain and two small wooden swings were also cute.

She approached one of the old wooden swings. There were scratches here and there, and the rope was a little broken.

She fiddled with her hands and took a deep breath. She felt strange as if she had put a stone on her chest.

“Lady, are you awake?”

She saw an old gentleman standing in front of the white mansion that was shining brightly under the sun. Dressed in a neat suit, he stared at her.

Confused by his gaze, she smiled awkwardly.

“Good morning.”

“Ah… Good morning. I’m Otrin, the butler of Count Dratius-nim.”

Otrin’s gray eyes deepened after gracefully greeting her with a trembling voice. He shuddered after carefully examining her red hair, ruby eyes and innocent face.

Surprised Leasis rushed off. She looked at Otrin and asked.

“Hey… are you okay?”

“Yes.”

Otrin, who barely came to his senses, nodded. Looking closely, he could see her slightly crumpled uniform. It was similar to the clothes worn by knights who had visited the mansion when serving the previous owner.

Otrin stretched his shoulders and tightened his shaky legs. He returned to his usual form and spoke in a low voice.

“You’re a knight.”

“Yes! I’m still a trainee.”

There was a silence between the two. She stared at the old swing and said.

“The swing is very cute.”

“…”

“If I were a little smaller, or if it were a little bigger, I would have ridden… Ah. I’m sorry.”

She wiggled her hand regretfully and smiled at Otrin. Otrin smiled sadly, as he saw her smile as bright as the sun.

If the red-haired girl who used to walk around this mansion in the past had grown up, she would have been as beautiful as this knight.

Otrin gave strength to his heavy lips.

“Excuse me, can I… ask for your name?”

“Oh, my name is Leasis.”

Otrin was shocked as if he had been hit with a hammer. As he remained silent, Leasis scratched her head and said embarrassingly.

“Are you surprised? I think the name is a bit undeserved for me.”

“No, it’s not. It… suits you well.”

Otrin struggled to find his coolness, and led her somewhere.

The two arrived in front of the dining room of the mansion. On the other side, Hizen was walking, looking around.

Leasis’ eyes opened wide. It had been a long time since she last saw Hizen in the morning. His blond hair under the sunshine and his simple daily clothes were all blindingly shiny.

Wearing a simple shirt and pants, not a uniform, he was cooler than usual. As soon as she saw Hizen, she ran happily and tried to call his name.

But this time, Hizen was faster. His slightly larger blue eyes contained all of her, and blood rose to his neck.

“Leasis!”

“Yes, yes?”

“Where have you been?”

Without an answer, Hizen walked hurriedly. He grabbed Leasis by the shoulders and scrutinized her. He had not been able to see her well yesterday because it was dark, but he was worried she was hurt or scratched.

Leasis opened her red eyes wide. She had never imagined seeing Hizen worried in his own house.

Otrin, standing next to her, took a few steps back, looking embarrassed. Hizen was the only one who kept his pace.

“You’re making me… unable to take my eyes off of you for a second.”

Hizen sighed and relaxed his grip on her shoulders. Unpredictable, she always picked his feelings up and let go. All his nerves were on her.

“Are you all right, Count-nim?”

Hizen nodded roughly and coughed for nothing. He was a little embarrassed to shout early in the morning.

He avoided looking at her, opened the dining room awkwardly, and Leasis looked at him blankly.

Hizen, who had already entered, said in a more excited voice than usual.

“What are you doing? Not coming in.”

Leasis went into the dining room with Otrin. The clean interior displaying white-colored furniture caught her attention. It was neat without any decoration, so it felt like Hizen. It was familiar and warm.

What kind of food did Hizen eat here? Does the house know his childlike taste?

“Sit down.”

“Ah… yes!”

Sitting at the long table, Hizen crossed his legs. He glanced at her with a napkin on her thighs. He could clearly see her looking at the dining room with her mouth open.

It’s been a really long time. Just the two of us. I don’t know how long it has been since we had a meal together like this. Hizen called the chef, with the corners of his mouth rising.

He said more than ten dishes she liked in his memory. Steak cooked with vegetables, steamed seafood using pungent spices, potato soup with a deep taste, etc. Leasis liked them, but Hizen did not enjoy them.

Leasis could not have known that. After looking at the room, she turned her eyes to Hizen. His collarbone, which was revealed by the two loosened upper buttons of his shirt, looked particularly strong. She woke up looking at the beautiful curve.

Crazy! It was not the time to enjoy Hizen leisurely. She was not Hizen’s direct maid, but a knight of the 1st Division of Imperial Knights.

“Count-nim, I have to go! The morning cleaning…”

“Sit down.”

“Yes?”

“Eat first and explain.”

Hizen did not like the thinned lines on Leasis’ face. Yesterday when he saw her, at the shadow-killing training, or at the gladiator tournament. She kept drying up.

Leasis sat down at his gaze, as cold as a snowstorm. Just in time, the servants brought a plate full of food to the table.

Hizen put all the dishes on her side.

“Eat.”

“But Count-nim hasn’t…”

“I’m fine, so you eat first.”

Wary, Leasis began to eat the seafood first. Hizen glanced at her, picked up a plate of steak and put it on his side. Then he cut the meat to make it edible and put it back on her side.

He did the same for the other dishes. Everything that needed to be cut or trimmed went through Hizen’s hands. Leasis said it was okay, but he refused.

The butler and the servants, who were looking at the scene, doubted their eyes. It was their first time seeing the cool-headed and indifferent Hizen take care of someone like that.

Besides, she was so sweet when wiping her lips with a napkin. She did not seemed used to it.

Was she a lover? Otrin warned the maids as they started murmuring. If Hizen had a lover with his personality, it was best to watch quietly.

The meal ended in a friendly atmosphere. Leasis smiled joyfully. It was good to eat delicious food with Hizen. Hizen brought up the main point as a servant was bringing warm tea.

“Why were you in front of the Imperial Palace yesterday? What happened with the Knights?”

As expected, Hizen was quick-witted. Leasis smiled awkwardly, admiring his precise judgment.

Hizen grabbed a cup of tea and said low.

“Tell me what’s going on.”

“It wasn’t a big deal.”

“Were you outside of the palace because it wasn’t a big deal? Don’t tell me they’re trying to get you out of there…”

Hizen knew that the 1st Division had been bothering her, that but she had endured it. But he did not expect them to kick her out in the middle of the night.

When Hizen’s expression became brutal, Leasis waved her hands.

“No. I’m getting along with the knights these days. The Vice Commander is now accepting my greetings, and Furgin-nim is helping me clean up.”

“Leasis.”

“Yes?”

Instead of getting angry, Hizen smiled charmingly. He raised a cup of tea and asked in a calm voice.

“Shall I find it out myself?”

His lack of playfulness informed her that he was serious. Leasis sighed over the white tablecloth. It was better to deceive ghosts than to deceive Hizen.

In the end, Leasis had no choice but to explain the situation. The operating expenses of the knights that was stolen, her designation as a prime suspect, and the angry Commander and Vice Commander who kicked her out. Of course, the truth that Furgin lied because he needed the money for his father’s medical expenses was removed.

The more Hizen listened, the darker his face became. He sighed at Leasis, who had finished speaking. He could not believe she had been kicked out without witness or proof. He knew that Schwalnon was an incompetent man, but did not expect him to go against his nerves like this.

In particular, he could not forgive Karma, the Vice Commander. Hizen could not contain his anger and put down his teacup loudly.

He got up right away.

“I’m going out for a while.”

“What? Then I’ll…”

“You stay silent until you’re ordered back.”

“No!

This time, I…”

You really don’t listen. Hizen slightly pressed her red head like before. Leasis was quick to understand, but sometimes she was frustrating. In that case, it was efficient to treat it with action rather than words.

Surprised, she raised her head and heard the soft voice of Hizen.

“Listen. We will have dinner together tonight.”

Hizen’s voice heard up close was overwhelming for her heart. She looked down in embarrassment in a dizzying mood.

Hizen lowered his head slightly and smiled at her trembling eyes.

“I’m looking forward to it.”