You're Wearing a Skirt! Don't Jump on the Roof!! Everything's Visible!?
We'd arrived in the city center. But...
"Oh, who's that young lady? Did we have a beauty like that in our territory?"
"Isn't she some noble miss from the capital? Look, Kalian young master is escorting her."
"My god, check out that dress. She's like a goddess."
All the eyes of the people passing through the streets were glued to Seria, who was walking right next to me, practically stuck to my side.
Normally, when she wore her dark blue uniform and trailed silently behind me with a blank expression, she gave off this intimidating "untouchable ice-cold bodyguard knight" vibe that made folks steer clear. But today was different.
A light sky-blue dress, her black hair swaying gently, and cheeks just a bit flushed with shyness. A passing merchant uncle stared in a daze and ended up spilling his entire crate of apples. Young guys were slamming their heads into trees but couldn't tear their eyes off her.
"Y-Young master. People keep staring. Did I do something wrong? Is my skirt flipped up or something?"
Seria whispered anxiously, clutching my sleeve tight. She had no clue why she was drawing all the attention.
Well, she spent every day rolling around the training grounds without a moment to check a mirror, so it wasn't surprising she lacked some self-awareness.
"Nah, you didn't mess up. It's just 'cause you came out looking extra eye-catching today."
I grumbled a bit gruffly for no reason and pulled her closer to my side. For some weird reason, I felt irritated. I didn't like other guys drooling over my bodyguard like that. Was this that so-called possessiveness you hear about?
"But you told me to dress like this! You even specially asked Head Maid to prepare it!"
Seria's eyes went wide, looking all indignant.
"Oh, right, yeah."
I scratched the back of my head, feeling awkward.
"Ahem. Anyway, today you're not on knight duty—you're just my childhood friend out for a stroll. Got it? If someone stares, don't glare them down scary-like. Just ignore 'em."
"......I'll try."
Seria pouted her lips and nodded. We left the stares behind and headed toward the heart of the city center.
"Let's hit that cafe first. It's too noisy out here."
The spot where I stopped was the territory's newest high-end dessert cafe. Ever since the shampoo business started bringing in cash, fancy shops like you'd see in the capital had been popping up. This one, Sweet Rose, was the hottest of them all.
Sleek interior straight out of capital trends, display cases packed with jewel-like cakes and tarts.
"Welcome, Young Master Kalian! Right this way to the VIP seat."
The owner came rushing out barefoot to guide us to the prime window spot.
"Y-Young master. This place is......"
Seria's eyes widened as she looked around the cafe.
"Pick whatever you want. My treat, to celebrate your day off."
I handed her the menu, and she gulped before taking it. But then her eyes bugged out at the prices.
"Y-Young master. These prices...... One strawberry parfait costs as much as our weekly snack budget? H-How can I eat something this expensive?"
"It's fine, it's fine. I've got plenty of money. No big deal."
"B-But still......"
"No nagging. It's your day off, right? Knight mode off."
I ignored her protests and ordered a ton of sweets.
"Boss! One strawberry parfait, one chocolate fondant cake, one macaron set, and two cups of black tea!"
"Got it~!"
Moments later, the table was loaded with dazzling desserts. A parfait piled high like a mountain of fresh strawberries, a fondant cake that oozed thick chocolate lava the moment you poked it with a fork.
"Here, dig in."
"......Can I really eat this?"
"If you don't, I'll eat it all."
"N-No!! I'll eat!!"
At my threat(?), Seria gingerly scooped a bit of the chocolate fondant and popped it in her mouth.
"......!"
Her eyes nearly popped out. She looked like she'd conquered the world.
"Mmm~! Young master, this is so good! The chocolate just melts in your mouth!"
"Slow down, you'll get a tummy ache."
"The parfait's amazing too! The strawberries are super sweet!"
Seria inhaled like a storm, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. Watching her, I couldn't help but grin.
I should've taken her out like this ages ago.
She'd spent her whole life on edge, always protecting me. From now on, we should go on these dates more often.
"Heh, messy eater."
I propped my chin on my hand, smiling as I reached toward her mouth.
"Huh? Mmph!"
Seria froze mid-bite of parfait. I gently wiped the white cream from the corner of her lips with a napkin.
"Eating with cream all over your lips. You're not a kid."
"......"
The instant my fingers brushed her, Seria's fork stopped dead. Her chewing halted. Her red eyes darted around lost, then her face flushed redder than the cherry on the fondant cake.
"I-I can wipe it myself!"
She snatched the napkin from my hand and scrubbed her mouth furiously. Head bowed, ears beet red.
Cute.
I inwardly cheered and sipped my black tea. This was the fun of teasing Seria.
-
After polishing off the desserts, we hit the markets again. Her steps seemed lighter, belly full.
"Seria, accessory stall over there. Let's check it out."
We headed to the street vendors. Accessories sparkled in the sunlight. But Seria's gaze lingered on practical, simple designs rather than flashy gems.
Then something caught my eye.
"Hey mister, how much for this?"
I picked up a silver hairpin from the corner of the stall. Simple and elegant, topped with a small, transparent blue mana stone fragment.
"Oh, young master has good taste. That's crafted from top-grade silver mined in the northern mines. It'd look perfect on the beautiful young lady beside you."
The merchant's smooth pitch made Seria flinch and step back.
"N-No, I don't need anything like—"
I ignored her, paid the man, and stepped up to Seria. Gently brushing aside her side bangs, I carefully pinned the silver hairpin in place.
"......Young master?"
She looked up at me.
"Yeah, suits you perfectly."
I nodded, satisfied. The blue mana stone fragment contrasted beautifully with her red eyes, enhancing her looks even more.
"This......"
"Day-off gift. Stop wearing that ratty old blue ribbon all the time. Mix it up sometimes."
Seria tentatively touched the hairpin. Her lips quivered, then bloomed into a smile bright as spring flowers.
"......Thank you, young master. I'll treasure it forever."
"Don't get all mushy. If it wears out, I'll buy another. Use it freely."
I turned away, feeling sheepish.
"Alright, picnic by the lake next? Head Maid packed sandwiches."
"Yes! Let's go!"
-
"Young master, what kind of sandwiches? Lots of egg?"
Seria chattered beside me.
"Obviously. Head Maid stuffed 'em full of your favorites. We'll spread a mat by the lake and eat."
"Head Maid's the best!"
Seria beamed. The new silver hairpin sparkled in the sun. She seemed in high spirits, practically bouncing as she walked.
We left the city bustle for the quiet path to the lake. Lined with trees budding light green leaves—a peaceful, drowsy spring afternoon.
Then, in an instant, that peace shattered.
Clop-clop!
"Huh?"
Hooves? No—frantic footsteps charging from behind at insane speed. No time to turn.
A small, nimble shadow in a black cloak whooshed between us.
"Eek!"
Seria's short yelp rang out. In the shadow's wake, the silver hairpin was gone from her hair.
"......Huh?"
I blinked blankly, brain lagging. Seria touched her bare side hair, frozen.
"Just now......"
Her voice trembled.
"Did that guy...... just steal my hairpin?"
"Uh...... yeah, looks like it? Pickpocket, I guess."
No sooner had I spoken than a chilling aura erupted from Seria. The breezy path felt like the Siberian tundra.
"......How dare."
Her head turned slowly, mechanically, toward the fleeing shadow. Then she hit super saiyan mode.
"Steal a gift from my lord?!"
Boom!!
Wh-what?! A cannon shot? Seria vanished. The ground where she'd stood cratered, cracks spiderwebbing out.
I looked up. There she was, in her sky-blue dress, atop a distant rooftop.
"Hey! Seria! Hold up!"
I yelled in panic.
"You're wearing a skirt! Don't roof-hop!! Everything's visible!?"