Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: They Say That Household's Guard Knight Wears a Ribbon on His Head (3)
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Pippin had been buried in the Duke's Castle library lately.
The Duke's library didn't mean only I or Dahlia could read there. As long as it wasn't one of the forbidden books the Duke had specified, the servants could browse freely too. It was just that they had no time for it, and none of them could read anyway.
But Pippin was different. He had time to spare, and thanks to Kaku's teachings, he knew how to read. Add in his unusual interest in magical beasts, and the Berserker had turned into a total bookworm.
As soon as I stepped inside the library, the familiar scent of books wafted over me. A smell I'd encountered in my previous life. Something primal and simple that somehow made me feel more sensitive.
It wasn't nostalgia for the past, but all the unresolved grudges from back then had clumped together like snot, buzzing in my head.
It's fine. I'm Sierra now.
My little sister is alive, and I still have plenty of chances in this life.
Reassuring myself, I ventured deeper into the library. Faint sunlight filtered onto the wide desk. Pippin sat there in perfect posture, like something out of a textbook, absorbed in his reading. And behind him stood someone I never would have expected.
"Dahlia?"
Hearing my voice, Dahlia turned her head. She nodded at me in greeting, then went right back to what she was doing.
She had dragged an extra chair behind Pippin, climbed onto it, and was yanking at his hair.
Or not? Pippin didn't look like he was in pain.
Drawing closer for a better look, I saw Dahlia was gathering his short hair with all her might and braiding it. She was twisting the ridiculously short strands with fierce determination. Impressive tenacity.
A boy reading books on a warm afternoon, with a little girl playfully fussing behind him. The cozy scene put me on edge. My heart sank.
Come to think of it, Pippin was one of the male leads.
No way—was this guy trying to steal Dahlia away as her first-love neighborhood big brother type?
Dahlia! It's too early for first love! A kid's first crush is plenty with dinosaurs!
I rushed over and scooped Dahlia up. Even as I pulled her down, she clung to Pippin's hair without letting go. Such persistence.
She had all the makings of a Duke's Lady, destined to achieve grand goals above all else.
"Ow, ouch, ow ow ow!"
His hair finally yanked free, Pippin set his book down and clutched his head. Only after the victim flailed around for a while did Dahlia release her iron grip.
Her lips pursed out in concentration, her cheeks puffed round like dough.
"Brother. Hello. Good morning."
"Morning was hours ago."
"......"
Ignoring me, Dahlia brushed off her clothes. Watching her tidy up, I glanced at Pippin—and what a sight.
I'd thought it was just his hair, but no. His face, arms, clothes—everything was covered in crayon scribbles. Apparently, he hadn't stopped her once while she was at it.
Knowing Pippin's personality, he probably hadn't played along amiably. He'd just let her be.
The fact that Dahlia had doggedly tormented him despite his lack of reaction made her seem all the more remarkable.
"Dahlia."
I knelt to meet her eyes, pointed at Pippin, and used a stern tone.
"No matter if you're the Duke's Lady, you can't toy with people like that. You should've at least asked permission first."
At my words, Dahlia tugged at Pippin's clothes. Pippin, who had been undoing the twisted braid in his hair, looked down. Dahlia stared up at him and declared firmly in her usual curt, blunt pronunciation.
"Okay to play with Pipi?"
"Pipi? Oh, me? I'm Pippin, remember."
"Okay?"
"Sure."
Dahlia turned to me triumphantly.
I shook my head.
"No way, period. Let me rephrase: even with permission, you can't toy with people. It's undignified."
"What's dignity?"
"Cool stuff."
"What's cool?"
"Stuff that makes you feel good when you see it."
"Why is feeling good good?"
"Well......"
"Why?"
I picked Dahlia up and plopped her back on the chair.
"I'm the type who changes my mind a lot. Go ahead and play."
Dahlia started climbing onto the chair, then grabbed my clothes and clambered up me like a monkey instead. Suddenly holding her, I sighed and straightened Pippin's hair. He was gazing at me with a somehow forlorn expression.
"Wasn't it uncomfortable?"
"It was."
"Then why'd you just sit there?"
"Because she's a young lady. The Duke's little sister. And she's still little."
Even as he said it, his hair was getting yanked again.
"Hey now. Dahlia. No."
"Dahlia dressed Pipi."
"This isn't dressing him up. You wrecked him."
"......"
Pretending not to notice Dahlia's shock, I flipped through the book Pippin had been reading. Something about magical beast ecology—looked boring just from the cover.
"Interesting?"
"Yes!"
It was the brightest expression I'd seen on him lately.
"I had no idea magical beasts came in such varied, vibrant colors. Among the flashy-furred ones, I like the Honeysucker best. Its chest fur is white, and it has these flower-like tendrils on its tail to lure prey, but actually, the green feathers are poisonous..."
"Yeah, yeah. Sounds fascinating."
"The Cactusk is an amazing beast too. It's this huge cactus with a mouth that stores venom..."
"Don't care. I'm here to talk about something else."
Pippin looked a little crestfallen.
"What's up? Need to butcher meat? I'll grab the tools."
"No, nothing like that."
I patted his shoulder once, then finally got to the point.
"I'm making you my official guard knight."
"......Pardon?"
"It's sudden, I know, but tomorrow you'll receive the bishop's blessing at the church. No better place to spread the rumor that I've got a proper guard knight now. We should get you all spruced up today. You can finish the magical beast compendium tomorrow. No one's taking your books, so relax and come along."
"Me......"
Pippin blinked his eyes wide.
"I'm becoming your guard knight, Master?"
"...What?"
It was an absurd question midway through.
"Then why do you think I brought you here?"
"I thought you called me to look at magical beasts together."
"You idiot. Even if simple is best..."
There was no point getting baffled at his blank, innocent face all by myself.
I shoved Pippin out of the library. Outside, the servants ready to doll him up were already waiting. Thanks to his connection to me, Dandel held an unspoken high status among them. Conveniently, Dandel was there, making it easy to relay orders.
"Master Duke, you've arrived. Long time no see, Pippin."
"Dandel. Turn Pippin into the handsomest guard knight possible. Wash him clean right now, fix that eternal bird's nest hair. Have the knight's uniform tailored and ready by tomorrow."
"Got it! Come on, Pippin! I even picked out a uniform that should fit you perfectly."
Pippin just went "Uh, uh..., yes" in bewilderment.
"Then we'll transform Pippin into your guard knight as ordered, Master Duke."
"Thank you for trusting us with him."
Dandel and the servants bowed politely and led the way. Pippin dawdled cluelessly in front of me until the servants dragged him off.
Facing those innocent eyes that still hadn't grasped what was happening, I waved.
"Earn your keep."
Dahlia, who'd followed us, waved at Pippin too.
"Pipi not coming back?"
"He'll come back even cooler."
Out of worry, I grabbed Dahlia's tiny shoulders and stated firmly.
"Even if Pippin turns into a handsome big brother, you can't fall for him. Got it?"
"Why?"
Because that guy's destined to ditch you and wag his tail at the heroine. If that happens, I'll chop his head off.
Swallowing those words deep in my throat, I smiled. I'd just have to lie my way out.
"Pippin already has someone he's marrying."
"Mm."
Dahlia pretended to be uninterested, then tugged my clothes.
"Then when's sister coming?"
"Sister?"
"The sister Pippin's marrying. When's she coming?"
"......"
Pippin's fiancée. The heroine, probably. Makes sense—heroine Anemone is older than Dahlia. Calling her "sister" isn't wrong.
Realizing that, I declared firmly.
"She won't. I'll make sure she can't."
"Can't me and sister play together ever?"
Dahlia gaped in shock with her little mouth,
"But my crayons are in the library. Wanna draw."
Then she changed the subject on her own whim. The nonexistent mystery sister vanished from her interests in an instant.
***
The next afternoon, I headed to the church with a small entourage.
Unexpectedly, Dahlia came along too. Seeing everyone dressed up and heading out, she must've thought it was a grand outing. I'd wanted to leave her at the castle, but she clung to her nanny wailing she had to come, so no choice.
Dahlia wore a neat green dress with a light cardigan over it, clutching her doll as she tagged along.
Her anger at being nearly left behind hadn't faded, so her expression was fiercely sullen. If she grew up like this, she'd be a villainess for sure. That's the vibe.
Still, our conversation was delightfully simple.
"Dahlia mad?"
"Not mad."
"Wanna eat snacks at church?"
"Yeah."
"What kind you like best?"
"Bunny ones."
"What if no bunny ones."
"......"
As Dahlia's face darkened menacingly, Alberto whispered to me.
"You'd better stop teasing her, miss. It's an important day—if she bursts into tears, it'll be trouble."
"Fine, fine."
When we arrived at the church, Bishop Horay was already out front to greet us. Wearing a tall hat like a chef might, he hurried toward me.
"Duke Gluttony!"
It felt like seeing a long-lost child over the holidays. Bishop Horay seized my hand and shook it.
"I've been waiting."
Not for me—for the donation, probably.
Still, I flashed a friendly smile and pretended to be thrilled by the bishop's welcome.
"It's an honor that you'd come greet us personally, Bishop. Come on, Dahlia. Say hello."
Dahlia pinched her skirt with both hands and curtsied lightly. Her expression stayed grumpy. It was so cute, I lamented there were no cameras in this world.
The bishop took Dahlia's hand, gave it a gentle shake, then turned to Pippin.
Now properly groomed, he looked every bit the sturdy, handsome knight. His usual dazed expression even came off as stoic and serious, thanks to the clothes.
Worried he'd ruin the image we'd built, I'd warned him not to speak.
"And who's this behind you...?"
The bishop's eyes widened as he asked. I clapped Pippin on the shoulder and grinned.
"My new guard knight."