WCMP 25

Perhaps my feelings had shown on my face, because Arvan spoke again.

“I can sleep just fine on bare ground without even a tent, so there’s no need to make that expression.”

What kind of face was I making for him to say that?

“It just feels like I’m the only one traveling so comfortably… I feel bad.”

“……”

“Everyone else is riding horses, and I’m the only one in a carriage. Even sleeping arrangements… honestly, I didn’t expect you to prepare something like this.”

Truthfully, he hadn’t needed to prepare this much at all.

I was genuinely grateful for his consideration.

And the carriage was so spacious that two people could easily sleep comfortably inside.

As I kept nervously twisting my fingers and glancing at him, Arvan met my eyes and slowly spoke.

“…I’m not saying it out of politeness. I truly mean that it’s fine. We’ve camped countless times during the war and spent many nights without sleep. No one will complain about sleeping arrangements like this, so please think only of yourself, my lady.”

The way he spoke—low and unhurried—made it feel as though he were trying to soothe me.

War….

I had momentarily forgotten.

That he was called a war hero.

And hearing him say that made me realize something I hadn’t truly considered before—the reason he bore that title.

He must have endured countless hardships in brutal battles filled with slaughter—things I could hardly even imagine.

To be called a war hero, there must have been innumerable trials and suffering. What the novel had summarized in only a few lines, he had lived through in reality.

Once that thought settled in my mind, I couldn’t think of anything else.

I just felt sorry for him. And saddened.

“I only meant that you needn’t worry so much. If my words have hurt you in any way, I apologize. So….”

For the first time, he wore a strange expression as he lowered his gaze to avoid mine. His long lashes cast shadows that deepened his already intense eyes, making him look even more forlorn.

“…Please don’t make that expression.”

To me, his troubled demeanor seemed almost pitiful.

But that was probably just my melancholic imagination.

So many emotions swirled inside me that I couldn’t even guess what my own expression looked like.

There had to be something about the night that heightened a person’s sensitivity.

“No, please don’t apologize… I’m grateful. But it’s a bit too wide for me to sleep alone. If Sir Adel doesn’t mind, could we share it?”

If I fell asleep alone with this heavy heart, I felt like I’d end up drowning in unnecessary sentimentality.

And I was honestly uncomfortable with the idea of Seirin sleeping alone among the men.

“Since she’s a woman, I thought it might be better if she slept with me instead of the others.”

“That sounds reasonable. I’ll inform Adel. Then, have a peaceful night.”

“Yes, Your Grace. You as well.”

Arvan avoided my gaze until the very end before heading toward the temporary tents.

Watching his back retreat quickly without meeting my eyes made my heart soften a little.

When I first saw him, I’d felt an odd sense of familiarity because he was one of the few normal characters in the original story. And of course, I’d been favorably inclined because of his handsome appearance.

My first impression was that he was the very model of a noble—less a person and more a flawless sculpture….

But seeing him now, he had a cute side too.

The man who looked like he wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed awkwardly tried to explain himself and then fled the scene just because I’d shown a hint of gloom.

He’d seemed like a clumsy young boy.

I smiled to myself.

A little while after Arvan left for the tents, Seirin emerged with a confused look on her face.

As if wondering why she’d been suddenly sent away, she blinked in puzzlement before approaching me.

“His Grace said I should sleep with you, my lady. Wouldn’t that be inconvenient for you?”

“Not at all. I suggested it first. There are only two women here—you and me. The mattress is wide, so I thought it would be nice to share.”

At my words, Seirin glanced at the interior of the carriage, now transformed into a large bed, and nodded.

“Ah… I see. Thank you for being considerate. Shall we wash up briefly before sleeping?”

My eyes widened.

How were we supposed to wash in the middle of a forest?

“Can we wash here?”

“His Grace brought a water bottle enchanted with spatial magic. We can’t shower in the open, but we can at least wash up lightly.”

“Oh… something like that exists? That’s amazing….”

A portable water tank, basically. In some ways, this world was more advanced than 21st-century Earth.

Magic was incredible.

“Magical items are quite rare, after all.”

With a small smile, Seirin rummaged through her belongings and pulled out a white water bottle.

Since there was no basin, we took turns holding the bottle for each other while washing.

After I finished, and Seirin washed up, she stood with water still dripping from her hair, pushing her bangs back.

I quickly handed her a towel I’d prepared in advance.

Was this how a manager felt handing a towel to a handsome athlete?

While I indulged in my silly imagination, Seirin looked at me thoughtfully and spoke in a subtle tone.

“You’ve probably lived your whole life being served, my lady, yet you help me without hesitation.”

“Huh? Is this really considered being served…? We’re just helping each other.”

Did this even count as service? Washing someone’s hair and drying it for them—that might qualify.

As I pondered the definition of “being served,” Seirin wiped her face with the towel and replied,

“His Grace treats me comfortably as well, but he has never offered help like this or suggested sharing sleeping quarters.”

“…Isn’t that just a difference in personality? You’re a noble too, Sir Adel, and you helped me.”

“I may hold a title, but I am far from what one would call a noble. I am simply a knight.”

While talking, we brought out blankets and climbed into the carriage to lie down.

Through the window, the endless night sky seemed ready to pour its stars down upon us.

I turned on my side to face Seirin, who lay beside me.

“Still, you are a noble.”

“Well, not all nobles are the same. In the first place, it’s rare for a noblewoman to take up a sword. Even fewer become knights.”

“Wow… that’s impressive, then. Did you become a knight because you loved the sword?”

What reason had led Seirin, once a noble lady, to go beyond simply training with a sword and actually become a knight?

Curiosity shone in my eyes as I waited for her answer.

“…It’s a long story, but if you don’t mind, I would like to tell you. Will you listen?”

“Of course!”

She began calmly.

But unlike her composed demeanor, her story was anything but peaceful.

It was far from a serene, nostalgic childhood. It was the journey of a girl struggling simply to survive.

Seirin had been born the eldest daughter of a poor baron’s family—living practically no differently from commoners.

Her father, the former Baron Adel, was a man who barely maintained his family’s noble line. Rather than clinging to aristocratic dignity, he valued his family above all.

To provide for them, he worked as a knight under a count, and though poor, they lived together warmly.

But everything changed when her younger sibling was born.

Her mother fell gravely ill after childbirth. The baron spent his entire fortune on treatment, but it was nowhere near enough.

In his despair, a hand reached out to him—his employer, the count.

The count was old, wealthy, and greedy. Having long set his sights on Seirin, he revealed his filthy intentions.

He offered to pay for Lady Adel’s treatment—on the condition that Seirin marry him.

But the baron, who loved his daughter as much as his wife, could not sell his young child to a greedy old man.

He refused.

In response, the count changed his attitude and began threatening him.

As a desperate measure, the baron transferred his title to his daughter, declaring he had no intention of sending her away. But it was useless.

The count tightened his grip day by day, until the baron had no choice but to flee with his sick wife and children.

But a journey begun in haste could hardly be smooth.

His ailing wife struggled with the long travel. With nothing left to their name, they had to sleep in the forest at night with nothing but their bare bodies.

“Then we were attacked by monsters. I thought everything was over. I was afraid—but at the same time, a little relieved. If we died, we wouldn’t have to suffer poverty anymore, nor cower under the count’s threats.”

“……”

“At that moment, we encountered a unit led by Vice-Captain Kal as if by a miracle, and our lives were spared.”

What must she be feeling, telling me this?

Suddenly, I felt afraid.

But Seirin’s lips did not stop.

“I still remember what the vice-captain said. ‘Don’t give up on your life. Struggle to the very end to survive.’ He looked at me as he said it….”

She paused briefly, as if recalling that time, then continued.

“The reflection of myself in his eyes looked so pitiful.”

“……”

“I was ashamed. Ashamed of myself for trying to give up without even attempting anything. And I decided I wanted to become strong—like him. Thankfully, I had some talent with the sword, which I had practiced since childhood. From then on, I devoted myself to it desperately.”

With her eyes closed, unreadable expression on her face, she whispered,

“I vowed never again to entertain the foolish thought of giving up my life. And that I would protect my family—not by anyone else’s hand, but by my own.”

“……”

“That is how I joined the Knights of Canelwell.”

“…Sir Adel, I’m sorry. I made you bring up painful memories.”

I truly didn’t know what to say.

I had asked out of innocent curiosity, and now guilt tightened my chest for having stirred her old wounds.

I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to face her.

“No, my lady. There is nothing for you to apologize for. I spoke because I wanted to. I’ve always thought that someday… I’d like to confide in someone. But it never felt easy.”

Something brushed against my face, and I opened my eyes reflexively.

Seirin was gently tucking my fallen hair behind my ear, smiling faintly.