Chapter 25

Of course, it didn’t really happen. But I still choose to use such naked words.

This time, although I acted with a clear purpose, when a handless noble lady walks into a dark alley but is not accompanied by a knight to protect her, what can be considered the worst thing in this world can happen to her.

“So you understand, right? Why I want Ikris to be my personal guard.”

” …..”

“I’m sorry for worrying you, brother.”

I said and then teleported past him, who was frozen in place, and walked up the stairs.

Ikris and Emily followed me, the former looking indifferent while the latter stared silently at the ground.

Another way of saying abomination is spectating.

There’s no way I’m going to feel good about the people who work here who would just stand by while Penelope could be in danger.

‘When I think of my current “self” and what I experienced in the original world, it’s even more unlikely that I’ll feel good about them.’

I continued upwards, and the system appeared in front of me once again.

[Attending the festival with Leonard] Failed the quest challenge!

Want to challenge it again?

(Reward: Leonard’s favorability increases by 3% and beyond)

[Accept]/[Decline]

I chose [Decline] straight away.

Ikris followed me like a puppy through the corridor until he reached my room.

He followed me all the way to the door of the room, and I had to speak up in place of Emily who was so shocked by his actions that she forgot to stop him. As he tried to continue following me into the room, he was suddenly startled by the sound of my voice as I opened my mouth.

“Where do you want to follow me?”

Ikris was blocked from entering by me.

“But ……”

He cocked his head and answered without hesitation.

“You asked me to prove my worth.”

I was surprised by the reasoning he’d come to present so well so far.

‘Looks like he really hates going back to the slave market.’

Then I saw the yellow beaded necklace he was wearing.

”A ring.”

That’s when I remembered that I still have such a prop that can make him obey my orders.

But when I raised my head again and saw the [Favorability 18%] above his head, my head instantly became calm and the excitement within me to try it disappeared.

The scene of him destroying the bracelet with his bare hands and killing those people is still starkly imprinted in my heart.

In normal mode, he was a knight who was both polite and had good manners.

Even so, Ikris, who has yet to receive proper training, is still more dangerous than I expected.

I’m beginning to think that the reason behind Ikris’ loyalty to Penelope is because of that necklace.

”I can’t be fooled by his seemingly innocent face. He’s the one who fought off that pack of jackals with just a wooden sword.”

After reminding myself internally, I spoke again.

“This does not include asking you to be a squire in my room.”

“Then ……”

“You heard those conversations just now, didn’t you? I’m bringing you here because I want you to be my valet.”

“Yes.” Ikris nodded in response.

“Your first task is to get everyone in the residence to agree with you.”

“Task ……?”

“I think you know that there is no way I’m going to argue with anyone over someone who has no value to this mansion.”

I said coldly, but I realized that sounded too cold, so I added on.

“I’m sure you won’t let me down, will you?”

Ikris nodded slowly at my question. I seemed to see his gray eyes glittering.

[Favorable Sense 20%]

The favorability changed in that instant.

It was already very close to the 30% favorability of each male protagonist in the initial state of Normal Mode.

”Ugh…… when will I reach 30%? When will I rise more so that I can see the ending ah……”

The thought that I still have a long way to go makes me feel very tired.

“Emily, escort Ikris to the room the butler has set up for him.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Just then.

“Master.”

A dry warm voice started in my ear.

“I will do my best to earn your appreciation.”

I raised my arm, patted his hair that seemed to have grown dull, and Ikris rubbed his head against the palm of my hand as if he was waiting for me to do it.

Still, it wasn’t enough to make all the fear I felt from him disappear, even though he was my only hope of getting out of here.

“Master, I’m really glad it was you who brought me out of there.”

Those words made me determined to proceed with my next plan.

After bringing Ikris back to the mansion, I never left my room, explaining to the outside world that I needed to rest on my own sufficiently.

Derek and the Duke did not kick Ikris out of the mansion after hearing my false explanation that day. They did not order me to do anything while I was in my room, and I did not appear before anyone for several days.

But I heard from Emily that the Duke was recently checking every noble family with “Kruyt” in their full name, and it sent chills down my spine.

Not only that, but I’ve also heard that the training courses for knights have suddenly increased dramatically in both time and difficulty.

”There should be no reason for him to go looking for that “pig”……”

Actually, even if he finds it, it won’t be too much of a problem, but I’m surprised that things seem to be going in a strange direction.

“Ugh! I don’t care!”

I threw the book away and flung myself onto the bed.

The warm afternoon sunlight pierced through the window and glittered harshly in the room.

Luckily, it was able to grant poor me such a small period of peaceful rest after I had cleared the quest to save Ikris.

Even if I slept, ate or read all day long no one would bother me.

‘Rest time is always the best!’

If I could, I would also like Derek to let me rest straight until I see the end.

The servants regularly wash my clothes, clean my room, and prepare food for me. This is my dream-like life!

Knock-…-…

“Phew, miss! Are you still lying in bed? It’s lunchtime now, you should be getting up!”

As I was thinking about this, there was a shout for lunch.

“What’s for lunch?”

I lay in bed watching Emily walk into the room with a tray.

“There is a pumpkin salad and fried chicken thighs for you for lunch.”

“Is that all?”

It was too bland and I didn’t hide my disappointment.

“I told the chef you’ve been craving more spicy things lately, and then he said he invented this particular dressing to go with it.”

“Really?”

Somewhat excited, I immediately got up and out of bed.

I’ve been chanting ‘fried chicken legs’ in front of Emily for the past few days, and it seems to have finally reached the chef’s ears.

“I think your taste in food has changed. You used to not even give a single glance to this kind of heavy food.”

Emily inquired with a quizzical tilt of her head as she arranged the meal.

Though she loathed and despised Penelope, she did serve her for several years as well.

She seemed to be surprised by the change in some aspects of the person she served.

“They always say that tastes for food can and will change as you grow.”

“So they say.”

Emily, who had little doubt about my answer, nodded in agreement and continued.

“Miss, please eat.”

Emily, who was no longer playing any tricks on the food, began separating the chicken from the bones and placing it on the plate.

Thankfully, she took the initiative to handle the action so I could get it without having to do it myself.

“Is the flavor to your liking? Please chew well before swallowing and shouting ooh.”

Even though she was busy handling the chicken, Emily still confirmed my meal from time to time.

I began to wonder if she used to be this kind of maid who would serve wholeheartedly.

But even so, I don’t take it lightly.

She wouldn’t dream of guessing that I’ve been watching her even while eating.

”Never mind …… but this sauce doesn’t taste like the spicy sauce I had before, it should be a little sweeter.”

After I made sure there was nothing wrong with the food, I continued to enjoy it in complete relaxation.

What I wanted to eat was actually the fried chicken I used to go to occasionally with my friends.

The chef’s winning seasoning was just plain spicy fried chicken thighs.

”In the future I should start mentioning “sweet and savory” a lot in front of Emily.”

It wasn’t the flavor I craved the most, but I still ate it as the spicy fried chicken I hadn’t had in a while.

“I’m full.”

As soon as I put down my fork, Emily immediately takes away the plate and serves dessert.

“Miss, the festivities are coming to a close.”

Emily said to me who was eating the melon sherbet.

“Yes?”

“You always go out on the days when the celebration is held. Every time, you would buy a lot of special jewelry and come back. And there wasn’t any special jewelry to catch your eye this time?”

“I don’t remember.”

I was so focused on something that I didn’t pay attention to what the festival actually had.

In that case Leonard had said something similar.

It seems Penelope really does go crazy for jewelry whenever she touches it.

”She must be the most loyal customer in many stores.”

Just imagining that Penelope visiting store after store to buy jewelry makes me feel powerless.

“Oh, yes! The butler says the items you ordered through him from a jeweler have arrived.”

“Ordered? What ……”

“Do you remember that you asked a jeweler to come to the House before the festivities began?”

“Ah!”

I remembered such a thing only after Emily said it. Before that, I had completely forgotten there was such a thing.

“Is it necessary for me to fetch the item now?”

Seeing my expression instantly become serious due to her words, Emily asked me out loud.

I nodded softly.

“Uh, right away.”