Chapter 58.

His face moved closer to my ringed hand and rubbed it, pleading.

“I won’t do it again. I was wrong, forgive me once, Master.” The large, hard ruby made a tiny sound as it touched his soft skin.

Why not just take the ring and rub it directly on it.

Then, it would be a relief from the uneasiness of not knowing when I’ll be choked, and that would be free, wouldn’t it?

But looking at my calm face, Ikris just wagged his tail.

Is it naive or cunning ……?

I looked at the black rope he wore around his neck and moved my hand hard away from his face before placing the ring on the table.

Before casually leaving, I cupped his face in my empty hands.

“Ikris.”

Looking into the inorganic-like pupils, I commanded.

“From the moment I gave you the sword, you are my knight. I am your only lady.”

“Don’t always forget that fact.”

That guy always had eyes. So I narrowed my eyes and smiled, not sure if it was empty words or genuine.

The gray eyes that looked at me became hazel for a moment.

“Yes, master.”

[Favorability 54%]

The favorability flickered up.

Finally! It’s finally more than half. I smiled with satisfaction and immediately lowered my hands that were cupping Ikris’ cheeks.

“Well, then now, I’m going to ask you to do what you need to do.”

Then slipping the ruby ring that was sitting on the table back onto my index finger, I held out my hand to him.

“Please escort me to the first floor.”

Ikris grabbed my hand gently, as he always did.

While being escorted to the first floor by Ikris, I met the Duke and the butler who had just walked out.

“Dad.”

They walked towards the porch and stopped in their tracks when they saw me descending the stairs.

“Good afternoon.” I guffawed and greeted them first. But Duke just stared at me and didn’t answer after a long time.

“…… Dad?”

“Ahem.”

Surprised, I called out to the Duke again before he coughed dryly and spoke.

“That’s wearing something.”

“What is it?”

Instead of answering in a polite manner, he immediately accused, in an attitude that made me wonder.

“What’s wrong with my dress code?”

I possessed myself to dress demurely and neatly in order not to be talked about, so that’s the original Penelope’s preferred style of dress.

The Duke, not knowing why he was so dissatisfied, smacked his lips and said.

“How can a noblewoman who hasn’t had her bar mitzvah yet be like this ……”

“It’s a breezy afternoon, miss! It’s so beautiful today, especially since the dark gown matches the pearl earrings.”

At that moment, the butler suddenly interrupted the duke and quickly complimented me. As expected, there was an eye for it.

“Really? After painstakingly dressing up many times, I’m glad the butler said so. But are you alright?”

I smiled as bright as a flower. The butler replied.

“Of course, the eyes can’t stand your beauty.”

“Thank you, butler. Thanks to the butler, I can spend the rest of my days happily.”

“Ahem!” During the monotonous conversation, the Duke revealed an uncomfortable expression.

‘Hmph! Now, please say hello politely.”

I secretly looked at the duke and hummed in my heart. I don’t know if he sensed my thoughts, but the duke quietly changed the topic.

“Why did Ikris come down together?”

This time his aim changed. Squinting at Ikris was not a good sight. I shrugged.

“He’s my escort. Asked him to escort me to the palace.”

“Talk about escorting! It’s been a while since the families have been together, so stop running away. Your brothers have decided to escort you themselves.”

“Between family members ……?”

“Yes.”

Deadly news. Confirming the Duke’s answer, my smile froze.

Ha. It’s been water under the bridge from the start ……

The thought of four people traveling to the palace in a carriage is already suffocating.

”It’s so hard to feel better.”

Unaware of my mood, the butler readily agrees.

“But miss is wearing high heels today, it will be inconvenient to move around, how about the duke personally escorting to the carriage.”

“Well, indeed. It’s troublesome.”

“I’m fine ……”

I wanted to retort with a proper smile. But the duke suddenly extended his hand.

“What for, why don’t you shake it. There’s no time.”

Not even a second had passed before he waved his hand in urgency.

‘Didn’t you say it was troublesome?’

I really don’t know what kind of rhythm to match. It was breathless, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Ikris.”

It was so hard to call him, it was a little embarrassing. I turned back to him and whispered.

“Stay honest until I get back.”

“If you’re obedient, I’ll reward you.”

He didn’t answer anything and looked at me with a subtle expression. After a while, he nodded gently and released his grip on my hand.

[Favorability 55%]

Only a 1% rise in favorability, and the marvelous eyes staring at me.

Why does it seem like I’m smiling ……

While extending my hand to the Duke, I suddenly had this thought.

Boarding the carriage under the duke’s escort, the two male masters inside were already seated.

”Why don’t you two sit next to each other ……”

I looked at them facing each other and felt frustrated.

The duke’s carriage had room for four, which was spacious, but I arrived late so I had to sit next to one of them.

I looked at the two people alternately and was silent for a while.

[Favorability 22%]

[Favorability 25%]

Surprisingly, Derrick’s favorability, which was 20% not long ago, went up by 5%.

Is it the aftermath of practicing the stone bow that day?

Not favoring Ikris and fleeing in a hurry seems to have had the effect of raising favorability.

In addition, unexpectedly, Leonard’s favorability also rose.3% difference.

“Don’t sit down yet.”

With the Duke’s urging, I wasn’t troubled for very long. I quickly sat down next to Derrick. Leaving personal feelings, goodwill comes first.

Both pairs of azure eyes turned to me at the same time. In an instant, the expressions of the two people changed subtly.

That instant.

[Good Feeling -2%] [Good Feeling 20%]

[Favorability +2%] [Favorability 27%]

The favorability of two people suddenly changed. The one who went down 2% was Leonard, and the one who went up 2% was Derrick.

“Hey, what’s with your clothes?”

I watched the opposite changes above their heads, and as expected, that guy Leonard, who was sitting across from me, started to pick a fight.

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? Blood on your head, stinky girl. Where did you learn to be bad. Simply take it off.”

“The last party was a rare occasion to be human, as usual.” Following Leonard’s sarcasm, Derrick also taunted with hard words.

Ah, why are you moving on again with something that’s no big deal!

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with my gown, so I looked down and checked. Because of the v-neck, it shows my collarbone, but it’s not bad. It’s nothing special either.

“Stop it.”

I retorted with some aggravation, and the moment I opened my mouth, the Duke boarded the carriage.

“It’s just a good match, why so picky.”

“Ha. Was that sincere, Dad.”

I laughed heartily as I watched him suddenly turn toward me. Of course, he was also the first to accuse me.

“Ah.”

Looking at the Duke with surprised eyes, he smacked his tongue in a ‘tsk’ and turned his head.

“Depart.”

Then as if nothing happened, he knocked on the carriage wall.

Soon after, the enchanted carriage set off noiselessly. If expected, a breathtakingly quiet atmosphere took over the interior of the carriage.

So why don’t you sit individually ……

In order not to run into Derrick, I sighed as I leaned close to the window. Until I reached the palace, I leaned against the window without moving, as if reliving a nightmare from the past.

The first person to break the silence was, surprisingly, the Duke.

“Ahem, did you guys even get an amulet when you went to the hunting competition?”

Suddenly everyone focused their eyes on him, and Leonard asked in confusion.

“…… What amulet?”

“Ah, wasn’t there something that wished you safety?”

“…… Like this.”

The Duke seemed to be fiddling with his clothes. The sons’ eyes shot that way. I didn’t think much of it, so I looked over. Suddenly eyes widened.

It was ……!

“Why is it an instantaneous magic tool?”

Derrick, who wasn’t saying a word, suddenly spoke up. I panicked. Because the Movement Magic Tool I gave him a few days ago was hanging squarely on his chest like a medal.

‘Why? No matter how easy it is to dismantle, who puts a charm on their clothes blatantly?’

The master of the weapons dealer said, “Because it’s something that can be attached to the body stealthily, it’s more popular.”

The behavior of the duke who seemed to be showing off was absurd.

Plus that had a purpose, so it was only given to the duke secretly. Of course, there was no Leonard or Derrick.

But isn’t that how the human psyche works, if I’m the only one who didn’t get it, it’s annoying and aggravating.

Not to mention, showing off to those damn guys if ……

I don’t know why, but I’m anxious inside, and Duke will explain with an excited expression.

“A few days ago ……”

“Dad.”

I called out hastily. The eyes were focused on Duke and I was embarrassed.

I stifled the reason for calling him.

“I don’t know who gave it to me, but it’s a good match.”

“Yeah.” The duke smiled happily at my words. I sighed and persuaded the duke.

“But for safety, please hide it in your clothes. What if someone sees it and says something rude?”

For example, the chief of Eckhardt is a coward who wears a magic amulet at a hunting convention and is afraid of someone hurting himself.

Obviously misinterpreting my words, the damnable Leonard said as if he understood.

“Yes, it would be an honor if there were rumors that Chief Eckhardt is old and ready to throw himself into the government.”

“Get off and take it down!”

At that moment, the Duke burst into a rage.

“What kind of sinister person gave my daughter such a gift, I must see his face!”