Taking Care of the Knight Girl Isn't Easy

After two weeks of looking after Leah, Si-hyun reached one clear conclusion.

"There's no bigger princess in the world."

Si-hyun sat on the sofa, sipping his coffee as he swept back his messy hair. He gazed quietly at Leah, who was sprawled out on the kitchen floor a short distance away, staging her own little protest.

"Huuu... Si-hyun...! Are you really not giving this body any pudding today...?"

"You've already had seven. You can't eat that much pudding in one day."

"Ugh...! You're too much...! Th-this unfair treatment calls for a formal protest!"

"Sorry, but there's no complaints department in this house, so it's no use."

Leah was the type of girl who threw a tantrum at the slightest thing that didn't go her way. This was already an improvement, thanks to Si-hyun's relentless efforts to drill basic manners and common sense into her bit by bit. She'd been even worse before.

The basics had been sobbing and pouting, but it escalated to locking herself in the bathroom, burrowing under the covers in the corner of the bed and glaring, and more. They might seem cute at a glance, but after dealing with it several times a day, it was enough to make anyone's head explode.

—

"Leah, from now on, let's agree that when you have a complaint, you just lie on the floor in a big X. That's it."

"Then you'll grant this body's demands?"

"Not exactly... but let's unify your complaint methods into one. I've seen over thirty different ones in just two weeks. It's hard for me to keep up."

"Hmmm... Fine, but in exchange, promise to give lots of pudding!"

Three days ago, after a dramatic negotiation with Leah, they'd finally settled on one standard way to express dissatisfaction. It hadn't reduced her tantrums, though.

Man, it's impressive how I've gotten used to this household chaos in just two weeks. I'm a champ.

—

Si-hyun had reached the enlightened stage where he could ignore Leah's pouting and sulking, calmly sipping his coffee.

"Hic...! I-I'm a knight, so... I w-won't cry...! I can express my discontent with dignity— *hic!*"!

Before he knew it, Leah had crawled under the sofa, sniffling as she stared up at Si-hyun. Her little body trembled with the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠effort of holding back tears.

Both Luna and Leah... Looking up at me like this from below? The destructive power of a cute girl gazing up is way too strong...!

Si-hyun pretended not to care, closing his eyes and taking a sip of coffee. If he kept staring into those teary purple eyes, he'd cave immediately.

"Sniff, *hic*...! I-I won't move a single step from this living room until Si-hyun looks at me...!"

—Patpatpat!

Leah scurried back to the living room floor and flopped down in her big X again to resume protesting.

About thirty minutes passed like that. Sniff, sniff.

By the time the kitchen floor was damp with Leah's tears, Si-hyun stood up and approached her. The girl was curled up on the floor, sobbing softly.

—Thud.

Si-hyun sat down beside her and spoke gently to the girl.

"Leah, look over here for a sec."

"*Hic*...! N-No. This body doesn't want to see the likes of Si-hyun...!"

"Is it because I won't give you pudding?"

"Th-that too, but... It feels like Si-hyun doesn't treasure this body. You scold me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠all the time... and you're always just teaching me this and that... ."

In truth, Leah had been building up a lot of resentment lately. She was a powerful ghost story and a knight, yet Si-hyun treated her like nothing more than a spoiled brat.

"If this body could just use its power, humans would recognize me as a fearsome ghost story and tremble in fear... But for some reason, I can't use my strength... ."

"......"

Leah wiped her tears where Si-hyun couldn't see.

—Tap.

Suddenly, something cold touched her cheek.

"Hyah... ? S-Si-hyun?"

"It's your favorite vanilla pudding, Knight Leah. Chilled nice and cold—should be extra tasty, right? Haha."

"But you said no more pudding today... Why are you giving it to this body again...? Did I do something good?"

Si-hyun had always rewarded her with pudding when she did well or cleverly applied what he'd taught her. Since he'd never given her any otherwise, the girl couldn't understand this sudden treat.

—Pat pat.

Si-hyun patted Leah, who stared at him with wide purple eyes full of confusion, and answered.

"Haha, this pudding isn't for doing something good."

"Then why...?"

"Just because I don't want to see you cry anymore. That's the only reason."

"You hate seeing this body cry...?"

"It's not hate—my heart hurts. Weird, right? Why does it hurt when you're the one crying? Haha."

"I don't... really get what that means... ."

"It's okay. You don't have to understand now."

—Stroke.

Si-hyun smiled faintly and gently stroked her hair. In that moment, an unfamiliar emotion began to well up in the girl's chest.

Again... this feeling... The strange sensation every time Si-hyun touches this body...

Her heart felt like it was turning soft and jiggly, like pudding. An emotion she'd never felt before.

It's weird... A ticklish feeling... Just like when Si-hyun first gave this body its name.

She should shove away this rude hand daring to stroke a knight's head. Leah grabbed Si-hyun's arm with both hands to push it away, but her strength failed her. Deep down, she wanted him to keep going.

"Si-hyun... Why do you take care of this body?"

"Huh? When you're clinging to me begging for care, you don't ask—why now?"

"J-just curious...! You promised to teach me whatever I'm curious about!"

Leah looked up at him with shining purple eyes. Faced with the girl's earnest gaze, Si-hyun pondered how to respond.

Hmm, can't say it's for the reward money or the apocalypse stuff.

Even a simple, worldly girl like Leah would be hurt knowing he was caring for her for such mercenary reasons. But outright lying with some other excuse wasn't good either.

Lies pile up and get hard to manage. Better to rephrase it honestly.

—Flash!

"Hyah?! S-Si-hyun?"

"The floor's cold—come here, Leah."

Si-hyun scooped up the girl from the floor and laid her neatly on the bed.

"Curious why I take care of you and treat you so nicely?"

"Ugh... Like those white-robed researchers at the guild? Do you want this body's great power...?"

"Not at all. I'd want to be with you even if you had no power."

"......Why?"

Why? Obviously because if Leah had no power like Luna at first, it'd be easier to handle the apocalypse without being scared shitless!

...He couldn't say that, so Si-hyun went with a convenient excuse.

"Well... 'cause you're pretty? Haha."

"You think this body looks pretty...?"

"Of course. You pout a lot more than you smile, but even that's cute once you get used to it."

"C-calling a knight cute is rude...!"

Just a guy's words that he wanted to be with her because she was a pretty girl.

"I know you're a knight, but in front of me, I wish you'd just be your normal girl self."

"Why...?"

"Because that's the real Leah only I get to see. I like that pure side of you best. Haha!"

As she was. Not as a knight or a ghost story—just the girl as she truly was. He said it plainly.

"You're a tomboy who throws tantrums a lot, but I like you that way."

"......!!!"

The girl was too stunned by Si-hyun's sudden confession to think straight.

S-Si-hyun fell for this body at first sight...?!

Of course, it wasn't a confession—just Si-hyun glossing over things—but to pure Leah, the effect was tremendous!

"Hmph...! Y-you won't tempt this body with words like that! A knight mustn't waver before any seduction— Mmph?"

"Hehehe, your mouth says no, but your body's honest."

Si-hyun scooped some pudding onto a small spoon and fed it to her.

"What are you— *nom nom*, doing?! This body is talking— *nom nom*, you can't just— ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠*om nom*... ."

"Keep eating it up like that, and your protests lose all credibility."

"Ah...?! P-pudding's sweetness is incredible! This body kept eating without realizing...!"

"Feeling better now, milady knight?"

"Hmmm... A-a little better, maybe... Not sure."

Si-hyun wiped the pudding from the corner of Leah's mouth with his finger. Every touch of his soft, warm hand felt like spring sunlight tickling her cheek, melting her heart.

Si-hyun is so mysterious...

The fluffy bed and warm blankets. Savoring the aftertaste of sweet vanilla pudding, Leah blinked sleepily without realizing.

It's weird... This body feels... lighter and lighter...

Today's piled-up emotions, tantrum, tears, and grievances all felt faint now. As the weight in her chest melted away like snow, drowsiness naturally overtook her.

"Si-hyun... This body's eyes keep closing... ."

"Oh yeah, the sun's already set? It's early, but I'll tuck you in first, Leah."

"Ugh... You're not sleeping...?"

"What kind of guardian falls asleep first? I'll put you to bed and crash right after, so don't worry."

—Pat pat.

Si-hyun gently stroked her hair to help her relax. Leah, eyes half-closed, stared at him intently and clutched his clothes.

"Si-hyun... No goodnight tonight...?"

"Haha, you miss it if I skip now?"

"Ugh... Can't sleep without it."

Of the four greetings Si-hyun had taught her, Leah especially loved the last one.

"Leah, let's meet again in your dreams tonight."

"Ugh...! Si-hyun, we'll meet again in dreams...!"

Feeling the sweetness of the pudding and the warmth of Si-hyun's hand, Leah slowly closed her eyes. As if "let's meet again" were a lullaby, she fell into a deep sleep almost instantly.

"Sweet dreams, Leah."

Once Leah was fully asleep, ding! The Notification Window appeared, whispering softly in Si-hyun's ear.

"If I left her alone, she'd cry all day—what was I supposed to do? I had no choice. Cut me some slack."

"Ahem, we'll worry about that later... Notification Window, let's talk."

Si-hyun carefully perched on the edge of the bed so as not to wake Leah.

"About the mengmang-grade ghost story, Noblesse."

While Leah slumbered sweetly in Si-hyun's arms.

In the briefing room of Dawn's Light Guild, a beautiful girl with striking blue eyes was venting her displeasure at a man.

"So... why'd you come to Korea?"

"It's been a while. First time since New York, right? Hope you've been well. Victoria Crawford, master of Eden Guild."

"Answer my question. Chris Evans. As master of Eternal Guardians Guild, shouldn't you be in America? Why are you suddenly here?"

"Hahaha, still as prickly as ever. I'm thrilled to see you after so long. As for why I'm here... there's only one reason, obviously?"

A snake-like tongue. The man with emotionless slit eyes and a chilling gaze had come to Korea personally.

"I heard there's a girl here who calls herself a mengmang-grade ghost story but has no power at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠all... Where is she now?"