<Chapter 50> 

A few wilted flowers… and a limp hamster, I couldn’t tell if it was dead or just unconscious.

I was left speechless.

‘…A cat that repays its favor?’

Was I the only one relieved it wasn’t a sewer rat?

Behind me, Kei and Cesare, who were also peering into the box, caused a ruckus.

“How dare anyone show such a grotesque thing to the Duchess!”

“This is unforgivable!”

Believing Ferry had staged some sort of terror with a hamster corpse, the two unsheathed their swords.

“Wait a moment!”

Despite my shout, the two immediately charged at Ferry.

It was clearly a surprise attack. Yet Ferry evaded their coordinated assault with natural ease, their swords slipping past like flowing water.

The two hesitated for a brief moment before swinging their swords again, but Ferry flipped backward into the air, effortlessly dodging them. Then, as if gauging my reaction…

‘Oh no.’

“Sir Kei, Sir Cesare! Both of you, stop!”

But it was too late.

As soon as I shouted, Ferry’s figure disappeared. Moments later, Kei and Cesare collapsed to the floor with a dull thud.

“S-Sir Kei? Sir Cesare? What’s… happening?”

“M-M-Madam. D-don’t worry, I’ll protect you, so p-please run away…”

“No, no, this is all just a misunderstanding! Really, it is…”

I sighed as I watched Ferry crouch beside the two fallen men, poking their cheeks as if checking whether they were dead or alive.

Then, out of curiosity, I poked the hamster in the box with my finger.

Its tiny front paw twitched in response, confirming that it was, at least, alive.

‘Well… surviving intact in the pocket of someone who moves that swiftly would’ve been stranger.’

You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?

Feeling sorry, I gently stroked the hamster’s tiny head with my fingertip. Shaking slightly, Monica and Alice stood in front of me, as if to shield me.

“It’s really fine. Please, just go and tell my husband that Ferry has returned.”

When I thought about it, none of this would have happened if my husband hadn’t left me to fend for myself.

Thus, I resolved to leave everything to Temenos.

*  *  *

“Ferry!”

Temenos burst into the room, flinging the door open.

Upon seeing Ferry, he ran to him immediately, arms wide open. Pulling Ferry into a tight embrace, he let out a sigh of relief before inspecting Ferry’s body.

“Are you hurt? Where on earth have you been wandering without a word?”

Watching Temenos dote on Ferry so earnestly, I couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Kei and Cesare, who still lay motionless on the floor.

‘No… it’s not just those two I pity.’

Did this man even realize his wife had spent her wedding night alone in this room?

‘Probably not.’

Glaring at Temenos’ back with widened eyes, I silently willed him to look this way.

Perhaps he felt my burning gaze, as Temenos finally released Ferry and turned to face me.

“Um…”

“……”

Our eyes met.

Temenos wore an awkward expression, clearly at a loss for words. I kept my face completely neutral as I stared at him.

‘Even if you were in shock, how could you leave your wife all alone like that?’

What if the servants start treating the Duchess, ignored by the Duke, with disdain? Will you take responsibility for that?

‘Admit your mistake!’ I shot him a sharp glare.

Perhaps realizing his guilt, Temenos coughed awkwardly and then frowned as he noticed Kei and Cesare lying on the floor.

“Why are those two sleeping here?”

“They attacked Ferry and got taken down.”

“Attacked Ferry? Why would they attack him?”

“They mistook him for an intruder hanging outside the window. Didn’t you tell anyone that Ferry would be assigned as my bodyguard? They knew nothing about him.”

“I planned to introduce him properly upon his return… The window…”

At my mention of Ferry hanging outside the window, Temenos seemed conflicted.

“For now, I’ll take Ferry with me. I’ll process his formal assignment as a bodyguard and return him.”

Temenos then kicked Kei and Cesare awake.

“Ow!”

“Ouch!”

“You two, come with me. Do you have any idea how many people are eyeing the Duchess’ bodyguard position? And you collapse over something like this?”

“But, Your Grace!”

“That man’s skills are… out of this world!”

Temenos had previously declared that Ferry’s swordsmanship surpassed even his own.

So no one knew Ferry’s capabilities better than Temenos. Yet, with a dismissive wave, he silenced their protests and took Ferry and the two men out of the room.

On his way out, Ferry looked back at me with a longing gaze, as if silently pleading to stay. But I feigned ignorance.

‘No matter how adorable you are, a bodyguard dangling from windows isn’t something I want.’

And with that, the commotion ended. Turning to Monica and Alice, who stood frozen in place, I spoke, “Alright, let’s head to the chapel! Time for a divine oracle!”

*  *  *

At the training grounds where retired knights were rolling around diligently…

The retired knights, who were striving to earn the Duchess’ bodyguard position, lit up when they saw Temenos arrive with three men in tow.

More specifically, when they saw Kei and Cesare with their grim expressions.

“Your Grace! Why are those two here?”

“Could it be…”

Temenos, reading their anticipation, indulged them: “From today, Kei and Cesare will also join the training.”

“Hooray!”

“Finally, an opening for the position!”

“How will the new bodyguard be chosen, Your Grace? Do we just need to defeat those two?”

“We’re confident! Just give us the word!”

Kei and Cesare, shivering as if realizing they had become prey, glanced nervously at the retired knights who now eyed them like hunters.

Honestly, Kei and Cesare’s skills were nothing to scoff at. But after their crushing defeat at Ferry’s hands earlier, they couldn’t shake the feeling of being outmatched.

“Are you truly confident?”

“Yes, sir!”

In unison, the retired knights shouted with enthusiasm, their voices booming. Temenos stepped aside, pushing Ferry forward.

“For the record, this man is already confirmed as the Duchess’ new bodyguard.”

“What?”

“Who is he? I’ve never seen him before!”

“Surely Your Grace wouldn’t prioritize blood ties, connections, or favoritism over skill, would you?”

Temenos scoffed at their audacity before smirking.

“His name is Ferry. If anyone here can defeat him, they’ll take the position.”

“Really?”

“You promise?”

“Go ahead. Show me what you’ve got.”

Temenos handed Ferry a wooden sword, adding a firm command: “Stay here and spar with them until I return. Don’t hold back—knock them down.”

Ferry, looking around the training grounds with fascination, nodded confidently.

As Temenos left, he announced to the group:

“One month from now, there will be a tournament to decide the Duchess’ bodyguard.”

“A tournament!”

“Kei, Cesare. You are temporarily stripped of your positions. If you want to reclaim them, perform well in the tournament.”

“But, Your Grace! Who will guard the Duchess until then?”

“Ferry will.”

With a proud grin, Ferry thumped his chest with his fist, signaling for everyone to rely on him. His unwavering confidence only fueled the retired knights’ competitive spirits.

“Humph! Just a kid with guts, eh?”

“Come on, boy! Let’s show you how vast the world really is—! Ugh!”

Temenos clicked his tongue as the first knight went down in a single blow from Ferry.

“You really thought I’d prioritize blood or connections over skill?”

“…No, sir!”

With newfound respect, the retired knights turned serious. Temenos left the training grounds, his mind at ease.

‘At least things will be quiet for a month.’

Above all, he was pleased to have distanced Kei and Cesare from Inosensia.
 

<To be continued>

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