Tempting, Yet Not So Easily Swayed

After regaining consciousness, Ayato realized he was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling.

“Where… am I? Ugh!”

Suppressing the pain, he forced himself to sit up. His body was wrapped in white bandages, some of his wounds still fresh and bleeding through.

His eyes were caught by a faint glimmer of light filtering through the white cloth that covered the view outside the window. Beside the bed stood a small table crowded with a water jug and several rolls of clean bandages. A metal basin sat filled with murky water, tinged with red.

His nose caught the pungent mix of herbal medicine and the metallic stench of blood, dragging the pain in his body back to the forefront of his mind.

“Haah… I actually survived, huh…”

He let out a long sigh, relief flooding him for a fleeting moment.

Knock… knock…

The sound of knocking echoed, as if it had been waiting for him to awaken.

“May we come in?”

“Ojou-sama, please, allow me instead—”

“I told you, I want to do this myself!”

Those voices… I’ve heard them before.

“Please, come in…”

With his permission, two beautiful women stepped into the room where Ayato lay.

“Forgive us for disturbing your rest. One of my maids said you should have awoken by now.”

The woman with chestnut-brown hair and sky-blue eyes bowed slightly, elegantly lifting the hem of her dress. The crimson gown that wrapped her figure shone vividly, embroidered with thin golden lines that shimmered faintly in the light, a clear sign she was no ordinary person.

A pair of golden earrings hung from her ears, each set with a delicate crimson crystal that gleamed softly. Around her neck rested a necklace—simple in design, but no less luxurious. Though they seemed like nothing more than ornaments, there was a faint aura about them, as though they concealed protective magic within.

Her long hair was left loose, falling neatly down her back, adding to her dignified yet graceful presence.

“Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Selphira Lunareth—first daughter of Baron Lunareth. May I ask you to tell me your name in return?”

Ayato froze, uncertain, before answering. He clearly wasn’t used to such formal speech.

“I-I’m… pardon me, but I’m afraid… I cannot remember my name.”

“You… cannot remember?”

“To be honest, I—I cannot recall much of anything after being stranded in the forest. Even my own name.”

“I see… what a shame.”

Selphira looked slightly disappointed, unable to learn the name of her savior.

But what could I do? My true name… would sound far too strange in this world. These furnishings, these ornate decorations… even without full memory, I can tell none of this is familiar to me. Which means… I mustn’t speak carelessly!

“B-But you may call me V!”

“V?”

“Y-Yes, just V… hng…”

Why is the woman behind her glaring at me like that?

“M-My apologies… but may I ask the name of your companion, Selphira-sama?”

“Companion? Ah, Elyn! Introduce yourself!”

“Understood. My name is Kaelyn Duskbane, personal guard to Selphira Lunareth Ojou-sama!”

Like I said, why you keep glaring at me!

“Haa~, I think that’s enough formality for now.”

“O-Ojou-sama!”

“Oh come on, Elyn, staying formal even at home is exhausting!”

“But still, Ojou-sama!”

“You agree with me too, don’t you, V?”

“Y-Yes…”

“You…!”

That glare just keeps getting sharper!

“Anyway, let’s not stay too long. We only came here to personally thank you, V.”

Selphira lowered her head slightly as she spoke her gratitude. Beside her, Kaelyn panicked, crying out, “O-Ojou-sama! You mustn’t bow your head like that!” But Selphira ignored her.

“Thank me?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, we returned safely after being swarmed by monsters!”

“Ah, that time…”

“Come on, Elyn, you should thank V too!”

Pressed by her mistress, Kaelyn reluctantly obeyed. After steeling herself, she gave a short bow, lowering her body with one hand placed against her thigh in respect.

“I extend my deepest gratitude for your aid that day. Because of you, we minimized casualties and ensured Ojou-sama’s safe return.”

“My, as stiff as ever, isn’t she, V?”

Why does she keep asking for my opinion!?

“I should also thank you, for treating the injuries I sustained after the battle. Thanks to you, I can look forward to tomorrow.”

“Hee, nicely said.”

“You’re welcome! But still! Your ice magic was amazing! You raised an ice wall around our formation so easily! How did you do it? I’ve studied a bit of magic myself, but your capacity is far beyond mine! How can you wield ice magic like that? Do you have a gri—hey, why, Elyn!?”

“Selphira Ojou-sama, remember, we did not come here to interrogate him.”

“Ah, that’s right. Sorry! You’re still in recovery. I’ll ask you again later!”

Haha, at last I’m freed from her endless questions… though I doubt I could’ve answered them even if I tried.

“But before we go, I have a little proposal for you!”

“Proposal?”

Ayato and Kaelyn both spoke at once, equally puzzled.

“V, would you become my personal guard?”

“Eh?”

“Eh…?”

Ayato and Kaelyn turned to each other, speechless at Selphira Ojou-sama’s sudden declaration.

“Ojou-sama… are you serious?”

“Of course! V already proved he could wipe out a horde of monsters in an instant! With his ice—fwoosh, fwoosh!”

“But still, Ojou-sama, you mustn’t make such rash decisions!”

Exactly! Even I don’t know how to react to this! A soldier, maybe—but a personal guard?! Ugh, my head…

“See! Even he looks uncomfortable with your sudden request, Ojou-sama!”

“Is that true, V?”

Selphira’s face searched for Ayato’s answer, tinged with disappointment.

“M-My apologies, Selphira Ojou-sama, but in my current condition I cannot give you a proper answer… C-Could you allow me time to recover first, and then I will respond?”

Ayato’s breathing grew heavy as he tried to steady himself, but sudden pain flared from his wounds, forcing a pained groan from his lips.

“Are you alright?” Kaelyn quickly supported him as he nearly collapsed. Ayato weakly muttered, “Thank you…” before continuing:

“And… if possible… may I ask for your help in allowing me to stay here until I’ve fully recovered? I promise I will repay the cost in the future.”

Selphira and Kaelyn exchanged glances.

“What are you saying, V? Even without asking, of course we’d do that! Right, Elyn?”

“Indeed. At the very least, it’s the least we can do to repay the debt we owe you.”

Both women looked at Ayato reassuringly, as if telling him everything would be fine.

“Tha…nk you…” Ayato whispered faintly before losing consciousness again.

Kaelyn gently eased him down from her shoulder and shouted, “Servant! Servant! Quickly, summon the physician!”

Meanwhile, Selphira Ojou-sama gazed at Ayato, quietly awaiting the answer he would eventually give to her proposal.