Guardian: Derek Walker 19
"Then, good night. You've worked hard today."
Rita clasped her hands politely and bowed deeply beside the bed where Walker lay. Her posture was impeccable, without a single flaw—something even the maids at the temple could learn from. Every time she showed such grace, Walker's desire to claim her grew even stronger.
Rita had no idea that Phallaks wasn't the only one eyeing her with greedy lust. Thanks to Walker's Deception skill, it was nearly impossible for her to see through his intentions. If anything, the more she looked at him, the more she liked this man.
His looks are a bit off, but... he's so polite, warm, and kind. And he runs a huge trading company, right? No wonder he's successful—he's a good man.
Rita wasn't just a little mistaken about Walker; she was way off base. But from her perspective, it was understandable. The Walker she saw always spoke politely, never made unreasonable demands, and was her savior who had protected her from the village chief by putting his own body on the line.
Even when her sister and lover had misunderstood him and wrecked both his arms, he magnanimously forgave them. And he was a benefactor to the village too. Of course, Luna the maid and Kelly the bodyguard were the ones actually fighting the orcs head-on.
From Rita's standpoint, she couldn't see Walker in a bad light even if she tried. On top of that, Phallaks's sleazy appearance only boosted Walker's image by contrast. His words had lodged deep in her heart.
Rita slipped out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her, then bowed once more toward Walker's room. She headed to the room next door, assigned to her. But then she heard light footsteps. She knew who it was just from the sound.
"Drobin?"
You always recognize your beloved lover, even from their shadow. Sure enough, Drobin appeared in the hallway with his steady gait. His face was clouded with worry.
"Rita..."
"Drobin, something's wrong, isn't it? You look pale. Is it that knight Phallaks?"
That was the only thing he could be worried about. Rita's guess hit the mark.
"Yeah. That son of a bitch Phallaks made an outrageous demand."
"Outrageous? He didn't ask for money, did he?"
"Yeah. Protection money. No matter how young they think I am, they can't be ignorant enough not to know our village has never paid that kind of thing! He's clearly looking down on me and trying to scam a quick profit."
Rita's expression hardened as she watched Drobin speak with a stiff face.
"And the amount is a whopping 10 gold. It's insane. The territory army has a duty to protect us—they already take so much in taxes. We're barely scraping by dealing with orcs every day. Damn it!"
Drobin usually held back his rough language in front of Rita, but this time he couldn't swallow the curse.
Rita looked at him with pity. With the village chief suddenly gone, Drobin was already bursting at the seams just defending the village from orcs. And the territory army that came to help turned out to be corrupt officials—it was natural for his frustration to show.
"10 gold is a lot, but if we explain to the villagers, maybe we can scrape it together?"
"He threatened to withdraw the troops if we don't bring it by tonight."
"No way..."
The sun had already dipped low. Phallaks's demand was essentially an impossible shakedown. People who pulled stunts like that usually had ulterior motives. Rita realized Drobin's worry wasn't just about the money.
"So, instead of protection money, he demanded something else?"
"Yeah..."
Seeing Phallaks's reaction toward her earlier and Drobin's demeanor now, she could guess what it was. Rita smiled, contrasting Drobin's dark expression.
"I see."
"Y-yeah. Rita, that bastard pointed to you. He's throwing a banquet tonight and wants you there..."
Drobin slumped his shoulders in defeat. He hadn't felt this furious even when he missed his first hunt.
What kind of fiancé was he? Right now, Drobin was a weak man who couldn't even protect his own fiancée. He felt like trapped prey.
"Rita... I didn't say it, but if you go, something bad will happen. That guy's definitely seeing you as a plaything. No, you can't go. I'll figure something out."
Rita gave a faint smile at his words. Words have incredible power to move emotions. Even if they were just words, the mental shift they caused was real. Rita drew courage from Drobin's plea.
"Thank you. But if we don't meet his demand, won't our village be in trouble?"
"For orcs, we have Lady Luna and Lady Kelly. With their power, we can protect the village without those territory troops."
"True. But the orc attacks won't end this year. Since we settled in Allen Village, we've fought them every year. Antagonizing them long-term isn't wise."
In the end, the weak must bow to the strong—that's the fate of the powerless. Rita pointed it out. Drobin knew it too, but he had no intention of handing her over to that scum.
"But Rita..."
"Drobin, don't worry. I'm your fiancée. You promised to marry me... you haven't forgotten, right?"
Rita asked with a smile. Of course, it was a promise he could never forget.
"Of course not."
"Even if I... go through something painful, you'll still love me, right?"
Drobin's heart sank at her words.
"Rita..."
"Drobin, answer me. Give me courage."
"Rita... you're my eternal fiancée. No matter what happens to you, that never changes."
"That's enough. Thank you, Drobin."
Rita said it with a sun-like smile. It was strangely off-putting, and it tore at Drobin's heart.
"I guess I have to go."
She brushed past him with light steps. He felt her soft lips on his cheek.
"Rita..."
"My first time is forever yours. You know that, right?"
Rita said it with a bright smile. Drobin touched his cheek where her lips had been and murmured hollowly.
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Rita walked slowly down the opposite hallway. Drobin reached out toward her back but couldn't stop her in the end.
He was a villager, youth squad leader, and acting chief. Too many duties and chains bound him.
"Rita..."
His hollow cry echoed in the hall. As if hearing it, a door suddenly opened.
"What's going on?"
"W-Walker, sir."
Derek Walker stared into Drobin's eyes with a bored expression.
"Walker, sir..."
His words echoed in her mind. As Rita walked the dark village path with her small lantern, she pictured the burly merchant. But she quickly shook her head to dispel the image.
"No. I can't burden Walker anymore. I've caused him enough trouble already."
The other man was a territory army centurion. Crossing him would hurt Walker badly as a merchant too. Clinging to him would just add more burden.
"Yeah. Just endure this once. Father said hardships you must bear always come in life."
Unconsciously, she touched her lips, which had just brushed Drobin's cheek. Would lip-to-lip have been better? Come to think of it, though engaged, they'd never kissed.
Drobin and I... we're more platonic than I thought.
Facing this situation made her realize a chaste romance wasn't always ideal. But it was far too late for regrets. Rita shook off the stray thoughts and quickened her pace.
"Sis!?"
Then Bianca's voice rang out. Rita looked up and saw a lively brown-haired girl approaching from the opposite direction, holding a small lantern to pierce the night.
"Bianca! What are you doing out so late!?"
"What else? I'm on night shift for patient care today. Heading to the hall. Lots of injured today, so us girls are taking turns nursing."
"Oh, right? Tough job. Sorry I'm resting easy while you're working."
"Resting easy? Sis, tending to that man... er, that gentleman must be hard too."
Strictly speaking, she was the root of the problem. Bianca's voice trailed off guiltily.
"Anyway, weren't you supposed to sleep at Granny Junayd's? Where are you off to this late?"
"Oh... just taking a stroll."
"A stroll? Hmm. Lantern at night for a stroll? Suspicious. Meeting up with Drobin for some fun!?"
Bianca giggled at her amusing imagination. Her dutiful sister probably wouldn't, but even quiet cats climb the stove first—who knows.
Rita shook her head at Bianca's wild guess.
"N-no."
"Then where?"
Rita couldn't tell Bianca the truth. She'd definitely try to stop her.
"I said, a stroll. Needed a mood changer before bed. Just some light exercise."
"Hmm... fishy~"
"Anyway, good luck. I'll head out first."
Rita hurried off before Bianca could say more. Bianca watched her sister's back.
Sis was great in every way, but terrible at lying. Actually, not a flaw—sis rarely lied at all.
"Something's up. Really with Drobin?"
Her interest piqued. Night nursing duty was three girls including her.
"A little late's fine, right? Hehe. Sis, why hide from your little sis?"
She stealthily followed, extinguishing her lantern to avoid detection, tailing her sister's light.