“Now, I have a successful career in the guards . I’m the second corps deputy captain… I also have a bit of money and influence . So, well, I thought I could help you out . Even so, I’m just a commoner so I probably won’t get promoted further than this . ”

“You’re so amazing . I’m so jealous of you . Not even a month has pa.s.sed since I’ve been able to tell people my opinions like this . But, it’s so much fun to talk to people on equal terms . I really enjoy it…… So, I really want to continue with my current lifestyle,” I stared into d.i.c.k-san’s deep-wine coloured eyes and said earnestly .

Yes, a month hadn’t even pa.s.sed since I’ve lived while being sensitive to people’s expressions and just kept my head down .

And this time, my expectations as a n.o.ble was swirling around in the Royal Palace, and I must serve the royal family alongside the higher ranked n.o.bles . I will be met with jealousy and ill-will .

I breathed and added, “Even you couldn’t tell I was a n.o.ble straight away, could you d.i.c.k-san? I’m just a half-baked n.o.ble . In fact, it’s more fun for me to work as a commoner . Even though I’m like this, I was trained properly as a n.o.ble . I couldn’t go against my training…”

d.i.c.k-san patiently listened to me .

My chest hurt when I realised that I was being treated as an actual person .

I carefully picked out my words, “I decided to be prepared . I would like to continue my life here, but I have been taught as a n.o.ble to serve His Highness Ludens . If I do so, then I think I can become Ayesha without any complaints from anyone . ”

“You look happy now… . I see, so you’ve already decided . His Highness Ludens does whatever he wants but he is amazing . I’m sure he put a lot of thought into this before deciding that you would be of use to him . ”

“I’ve been thinking about this ever since you started talking, but are talented people treated better?”

“Well, of course . In my case, I was promoted to a higher position because I protected the lives of some big shots in the guards . ”

“Then, I will also protect His Highness Ludens . Oh yes . d.i.c.k-san, please teach me how to defend myself . I’ll, probably, be in a lot of danger . I want to return here alive . ”

His Highness Ludens thought of me as a useful p.a.w.n and I was also someone who he could easily get rid of . Even if I was gone, no powerful person would look for me .

I would definitely become a target for those who wanted his affections if they notice that I am often around him . They’ll definitely notice me .

A woman who stayed by His Highness Luden’s side would probably be thought of as his mistress, since he was a good-looking and talented n.o.ble .  It’ll be fine if we get her… If they thought like that, then they’ll probably attack me . It was also possible for them to approach His Highness so that they could get to me .

I’m really great . I can’t believe that I’m determined to serve His Highness Ludens .

Mother, being a n.o.ble is troublesome . You understand why I chose to be a commoner, don’t you?

My hands had stopped moving before I’d even noticed .

Petals fell onto the scarf .

―― *PAT*

He patted my head gently .

“You’re amazing . You’ll become a good woman, Ayesha . Well, you’re not my type though… They gotta be busty and have a nice jiggle to them, if you know what I mean . ”

(I don’t feel like he’s complimenting me . Even though I should have been complimented since I haven’t in a long time…)

◊♦◊♦◊♦◊

d.i.c.k-san was very helpful .

d.i.c.k-san was very helpful .

He knew when I had spare time and taught me how to defend myself . He always taught me in the front yard, near the cherry trees .

“Ayesha, how were you taught to defend yourself?”

“I was taught that if I felt endangered by men around me… then I should kick them between their legs . ”

d.i.c.k-san looked at me as if I was pitiful and shook his head .

“That’s no good . They might a.s.sault you more . ”

“Eh . ”

“Aim for their eyes, neck and joints . The back of their hands is fine too . Attack with the intention of tear off things that can’t be trained . Step on their feet with all your strength . Run away as soon as they flinch . Anyway, just run away . ”

d.i.c.k-san’s lessons continued .

I have to pay attention to the dangers around me even while at the guards’ building . He said I’ll attract the attention of men or something… Thankfully, I was protected because I was Roberto-sama’s acquaintance, under Bobles-san’s protection and being taken care of by d.i.c.k-san .

There were certainly an overwhelming number of men here .

“You’re too careless . You think too lowly of yourself!”

Ah, d.i.c.k-san’s language towards me is getting worse .

I hugged d.i.c.k-san under the pretence of practice . Bobles-san watched us from afar whenever I was taught how to defend myself . I was pretending because it would be a disaster afterwards .

I bent down, took his shoes and kicked him in the s.h.i.+ns .

I bent down, took his shoes and kicked him in the s.h.i.+ns .

“Ouch, argh,” d.i.c.k-san said .

“Ahaha,” I laughed .

Time pa.s.sed peacefully .

◊♦◊♦◊♦◊

These short five days pa.s.sed in the blink of an eye as I worked at the dining hall, practiced self-defence and spent time with Emery-san and her children .

My gorgeously embroidered scarf was sold for 10,000 G . “Is this the rumoured scarf from the Royal Capital?” The person who brought it was very happy . It seemed that they hadn’t produced enough to circulate them to the surrounding regions . It was unfortunate that I could only make 2 .

I got 40,000 G from working at the dining hall . This amount was a combination of the work I did before going to the Royal Capital and the work I did in these 5 days . I only worked at breakfast and I also got staff meals, and I am only an a.s.sistant, so this was probably enough .

… If I put money aside for the inn and carriage and put a little into the guild for savings, then I can buy a dress with the amount I was left with . I wasn’t poor enough to sell the ring for cash yet .

I gave Bobles-san and his family as well as d.i.c.k-san a handkerchief with their initials on it as a farewell gift .

I felt bad since I could only do this much every time I left .

The other thing I could probably do now was only to bow and say thank you .

If I had a little more time, then I could have also helped them take care of the fields . Helping out at the dining hall and taking care of fields were both things n.o.bles didn’t do .

The other thing I could probably do now was only to bow and say thank you .

If I had a little more time, then I could have also helped them take care of the fields . Helping out at the dining hall and taking care of fields were both things n.o.bles didn’t do .

Last time, I had secretly left the guards’ building, but this time a lot of people were seeing me off . There were a lot of guards working in the morning .

The secretary, Marche-san drove me in the wagon all the way to where the carriages were . d.i.c.k-san was also with me for some reason .

“It’s so lonely to eat in a dining hall without Ayeshchan!”

“Ayeshchan, your meals were delicious!”

Erm, I didn’t make any of the food myself .

I could hear a lot of regret in their voices and it was embarra.s.sing .  I’m really glad I worked here . I’m really grateful to the Master of Hen Inn .

“It was a short time, but thanks for working here . Come here again to work once you finish with your work at the Royal Capital . ”

Spiraea thunbergii’s were blooming near the guards’ building . I burnt the image of the fresh, vivid white flowers into my mind . The wind that was. .h.i.tting my body was no longer cold .

I bowed deeply at everyone .

I left everyone with a smile so that they wouldn’t worry about me .

(I’m fine!)

I boarded the rustic wagon and didn’t look back because I was filled with regret .