The Lady's Escort Knight
"Come on in."
After finishing my bath, I headed to the parlor, where Tiabel was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Lady Roze Tail greeted me alone.
"You look much better now that you're cleaned up."
"Thank you for your consideration. Not to brag, but I have no idea when the last time I bathed was."
"Out of pure curiosity—what did you usually do to clean yourself?"
Her unexpected question drew a wry smile from me.
"On rainy days, I'd strip down in some deserted spot and scrub as hard as I could. That was it."
"Shouldn't have asked."
I'd answered honestly, and now it was her turn to flash a wry smile. The woman who'd been so unflappable suddenly looked like she'd made a mistake—it was kinda funny.
"Anyway, you called me here alone, so I'm guessing it's about my future arrangements?"
I didn't like beating around the bush, so I cut straight to the point. Her eyebrow arched slightly.
"Sharp as a tack. I like that."
"When you've got nothing else, you've gotta have wits about you. There's that saying: born with just street smarts, and you'll always scrape by."
"Can't argue with that."
Her expression seemed to say, I know how to pick 'em. Honestly, I still didn't get why she'd gone out of her way to bring me into the Roze Tail household. But I figured she'd clear that up now.
"As I said earlier, I brought you here because I thought you could have a positive influence on my daughter."
"I'm not exactly anything special."
"You may not be a genius, but everyone has their strengths. Spotting and utilizing them—that's the hallmark of good talent scouting."
Being called "talent" tickled me a bit. Sure, no one's perfect in every way, and no one's worthless in all. But if you asked whether I had something special enough to influence a noble lady like her... I'd say I dunno.
"You've talked with her, so you know—my daughter's a bit soft for a girl her age."
"Soft, maybe, but not weak."
Words matter. Calling her "feeble" sounds like her head's screwed on wrong. I knew it was a bit rude to correct her, but I did anyway—and her eyes went wide for a split second.
"Heh, taking her side over her own mother?"
"Nah, just saying what I saw. Back there, three girls were bullying her, but she stood her ground to protect the pendant her mom gave her. That was cool."
"...I see. Then maybe I need to rethink my view of her."
Hearing that her "feeble" daughter had fought to protect a gift she gave her personally—must've stirred up some thoughts. If that's all it took to satisfy her, great. If she saw something in her daughter because of me, I had nothing more to say.
"Anyway, what kind of influence were you hoping I'd have on her?"
"Simple. You seem bold, with a tough edge to you."
"Yeah, well..."
I nodded, stifling a chuckle that slipped out.
"I like that. If a kid like you became her friend, she might toughen up a bit—get a little more grit."
"Hmm. That might be tough. People's personalities don't change overnight."
Sure, you're the company you keep, but still—I tilted my head, doubting one guy like me could reshape Tiabel that much.
"Not expecting miracles. Truth is, that's secondary. What I really want is for you to guard her side."
"Ah."
"To put a label on it: her bodyguard knight."
"Bodyguard knight, huh..."
The word "knight" felt a tad lofty for me, so I scratched my cheek. I'd figured she just wanted a toy for her lady to play with. Turns out her expectations were higher: change Tiabel, protect Tiabel. For a guy who'd planned to juggle and eat scraps, it was a heavy ask. But on the flip side, it meant she thought highly of me—so I'd take it positive. Big expectations? Rise to 'em.
"Plus, you seem to have real talent for martial arts."
"Talent's a stretch. Just quicker on my feet than kids my age."
"That's what talent is. And manifesting mana at your age? Faster than most girls."
Mana? The random word made me clench my fist, summoning a faint ripple, and ask back.
"This?"
"Yes. Looks like you haven't heard the term before."
"Figured it was some special power, but didn't know the name."
Makes sense. Lately, whenever I pushed my strength, it'd surge unconsciously. Fantasy world, unknown forces—sure, but actual mana? Who knew.
"No worries. Knowledge can be taught. So—want to learn the sword from me?"
"The sword?"
"I'm just a has-been knight on the tail end of first-rate, but you? I see bigger potential. Train under me, and I might unlock it."
Disciple, huh. Maybe that's the real reason she picked me. A protégé she'd raised herself guarding her daughter—nothing more reassuring for a mom. And for me? Sword training plus room and board? Sweet deal.
"Sounds good. Can't hurt."
"Hm... Fair warning: the Roze Tail training is brutal."
Backing out now? Nah. "Quit" wasn't in my vocab—except maybe for kimchi-making season.
"Bring it on."
"The more I see, the more I like you."
I grinned cockily, cracking my knuckles with a pop. No matter how rough, it couldn't top that hellhole brothel life.
"So, how should I treat Tiabel? You said 'friend,' but that's vague."
Tiabel was big-hearted enough to roll with it, but normally, a slum rat like me couldn't even meet her eyes. If I was here as her bodyguard, I needed to know the protocol. Her simple answer came quick.
"Call her 'Miss' like the other servants, and use polite speech. Anything over-the-top will just make Tia uncomfortable."
"Got it."
Made sense. We'd just been buddy-buddy, calling each other by name. Too formal would feel weird. That level hit the sweet spot.
"That covers it. Go find Tia—she loves flowers, probably in the greenhouse by now."
"Yes, Lady Roze Tail."
Flowers, huh. Cute hobby. I stood, bowed, and left the parlor, heading to the mansion's greenhouse as directed.
＊
Tiabel was alone in the greenhouse, lost in the flowers. Spring was blooming full force, turning the vibrant garden into her personal playground and sanctuary. Nothing beat inhaling the multicolored scents or watching petals dance on the gentle breeze.
"Having that much fun, Miss?"
"Eek?!"
Someone shattered her peace, and she jumped like a startled rabbit. Turning, she saw Aren—freshly scrubbed, no longer caked in grime and dirt.
"Oh, it's you, Aren... 'Miss'?"
"Yeah, that's the deal. Starting today, I'm your bodyguard knight. Gotta show the proper respect."
"Bodyguard knight..."
A girl assigning a boy to protect her felt a little embarrassing. But Tiabel couldn't hide her bubbling joy. The guy she'd secretly fancied was suddenly calling her "Miss" with polite flair! It stirred a strange feminine urge to conquer.
"Th-then... could you call me Tia Miss?"
The words probably slipped out from that thrill. She wanted him—the one guy—to use the special nickname only her mom used. When others called her "Miss," she craved something unique from him.
"Tia Miss? Sure, if that's what you want."
"Hee hee..."
The request accepted, she grinned like an idiot, feeling all too easy.
"So, what do you think? Looking cleaner now, right?"
"C-clean...?"
Then Aren asked for her opinion, and his long-ignored appearance filled her vision.
"Ah..."
A gasp escaped as she scanned him from head to toe. His bangs trimmed just a bit, sharp eyes with a mischievous glint hit first. Then the pale skin hidden under grime. Lower still: a chiseled jawline, hollow cheeks adding a decadent allure. Just a plain white shirt and simple pants—no frills. But his striking features made it all shine.
Was Aren always this handsome?
She couldn't look away. It wasn't just good looks. He seemed to glow alone in the world. The pretty greenhouse blurred, colors fading as every hue converged on him. How to explain this phenomenon?
As the pure thirteen-year-old pondered, a question swirled in her mind.
"...Miss? Why are you staring like that?"
"N-nothing! Really...!"
"Doesn't look like nothing."
"Q-quiet! If I say it's nothing, it is!"
Aren's voice snapped her back, and Tiabel shook her head furiously, raising her voice in denial. Deep down, she knew. It wasn't nothing. Her burning face, pounding heart—she wasn't that clueless. But she wouldn't admit it yet. Otherwise, she'd never face him again.