TCRDG 09

Seniel opened and closed his mouth like a fish, stammering as he asked me,

“Noona, wait… do you really think I modeled for that picture? You think that’s actually me?”

“Yes.”

“This is crazy. No, Noona, it’s something they just imagined and drew on their own.”

“But it looks exactly like you?”

“They must’ve seen my face from afar or something. My body… anyway, I’ve never done anything weird like what you’re thinking.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Then what’s all this debt about?”

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, not ready to let go of my doubts.

“Noona, you really… don’t have any prejudices, huh. You just believe it like that. I can’t hide it anymore. I’ll tell you everything.”

Seniel realized I wouldn’t be convinced by vague excuses and prepared himself for a serious conversation.

“Actually, I almost died a few times on the battlefield. Each time, the person you saw—he saved me. That’s the debt I’m talking about.”

“You almost died?! You never told me that! You said you were in the 2nd Prince’s direct knight order, that you were mostly in the rear and only moved in during important moments?!”

I remember how worried I was when I found out late that Seniel had gone to war six years ago.

I thought he would live a comfortable life after being adopted into a noble family, and if he was going to war, it would’ve made all that effort pointless.

When he came back safely, I held onto him and demanded answers, but Seniel reassured me that it was just a symbolic deployment to earn some merit and wasn’t dangerous at all.

I believed him because a prince’s direct order wouldn’t be stationed on the dangerous front lines, and all the rumors seemed to match.

Now, Seniel rubbed my stiff shoulders and arms, sensing my shock.

“I didn’t want you to worry. I’m fine now, aren’t I? It’s all in the past.”

Even if it was in the past, the fact that I almost lost Seniel made my heart sink.

“I couldn’t tell you because of his position… but the person who saved me was His Highness Vidler de Gloire, the 2nd Prince.”

Now I understood why Orbis and Seniel had been so reluctant to talk to me about any man.

I blinked quickly, trying to wrap my head around the situation.

‘So the prince came here to get the Great Blade’s map?’

Suddenly, the appearance of a prince made things much more complicated. I decided to just listen to Seniel for now.

“Why would the prince personally come to see you? Aren’t there plenty of knights?”

“Because I’m not just a regular knight. I’m the unofficial vice-captain of the unit. I’m the closest to His Highness.”

All this time, I believed the reports that said he was an ordinary knight. Turns out, none of those reports had been accurate.

Another wave of shock hit me.

The fact that Seniel, whom I thought was just a rank-and-file knight, was the vice-captain and even the prince’s closest aide—it made my head spin.

“The unit I’m in, the Black Eagle Knights, recently became an official part of the royal forces, so it’s a bit complicated now. I’m preparing to take the entrance exam to formally join the royal guard.”

“…Are there any more surprises I should expect?”

“That’s really all now. Ah, feels good to get that off my chest.”

Watching Seniel feel relieved all on his own made me seriously consider smacking the back of his head. Instead, I pointed to the postcard.

“Then what about this?”

“You may not know, but I’m kind of popular. So stuff like that goes around. It’s embarrassing though.”

Seniel then explained in detail everything he had experienced during the war, as if he was frustrated by the misunderstanding I had.

Of course, I could tell he was intentionally skipping or omitting some parts.

Watching him open up, I briefly considered whether I should share my own story too.

But mine wasn’t something I could tell yet. It was a story I hoped Seniel would never find out, so I swallowed it back down.

The next morning.

Still half-asleep, I blinked open my heavy eyes when I heard a knock at the door.

Seniel entered and sat at the head of my bed, speaking gently.

“Sorry to wake you, Noona.”

“It’s okay. Are you leaving now?”

“Yeah. I’m going to the palace to meet His Highness. If things take long, I might be gone for a few days.”

“You’re not doing anything dangerous, right?”

Sensing my worry, Seniel pulled the blanket up to my shoulders and patted me lightly.

“No, I’m just looking for someone.”

“…Be careful.”

“I’ll leave this with you. It’s a brooch that represents our knight order. In the capital, you can use it to pay for things instead of money.”

“Why are you giving me this?”

“So you can buy whatever you want while I’m gone. I’ve never really bought you anything, have I?”

He emphasized “whatever,” which made me want to tease him. I smiled and sat up.

“Really, I can buy anything?”

“Of course. I can afford it. I work under the prince, remember?”

“Then maybe I’ll buy your postcards…”

“Noona!”

I reached out and smoothed the furrow between Seniel’s eyebrows, which had crumpled like paper in protest.

Later.

After seeing off Seniel and Orbis, I sat in the living room and held the brooch up to the light.

It was in the shape of an eagle with one wing spread—fitting for a knight order called the Black Eagles.

When I flipped it over, I saw the letter “S” engraved on the back—Seniel’s initial—and traced it with my finger.

“I should buy some new clothes.”

Yesterday, I noticed how out of place my old clothes looked among the people of the capital.

I prefer to stay unnoticed wherever I go, but these clothes were definitely drawing attention.

After a quick wash-up, I headed toward the center of the capital.

Unlike the plaza I visited yesterday, a left turn led me into an alley full of boutiques.

There were so many shops that I hesitated, then stopped in front of one that seemed popular with a steady flow of customers.

[Armand Boutique]

A navy-blue dress in the corner looked comfortable and practical, so I stepped inside.

“Welcome.”

The clerk glanced at me and looked unsure whether to serve me or not.

Then, after taking in my worn clothes, she turned her head. She clearly decided I wasn’t a paying customer.

Which was fine by me—I preferred browsing alone anyway.

The first floor had a variety of reasonably priced outfits anyone could buy.

I browsed quickly and decided to go with the simple navy dress I’d seen first.

“Excuse me.”

The clerk trotted over when I called.

“Yes. How would you like to pay?”

I handed her the brooch Seniel gave me—and her expression immediately turned pale.

“Oh my! I’m terribly sorry, but would you mind waiting just a moment? I’ll call the Madam.”

She looked extremely flustered as she ran upstairs to fetch the boutique owner, who had been dealing with another customer.

The Madam came down with a reluctant look, but her face changed just like the clerk’s when she saw the eagle brooch.

“Oh my goodness! How did you…? Where did you get this?”

She sounded like she was just curious, but I could read the suspicion in her eyes as she examined me.

I didn’t reply. Instead, I frowned and stared back.

The Madam panicked a little and began explaining quickly.

“We actually know the faces of everyone who uses the eagle brooch. So it was surprising to see a young lady we didn’t recognize.”

Then she put on an obviously fake, salesy smile.

“It’s such a pleasure to have someone as beautiful as you shop at our boutique. If you don’t mind, may I ask your name?”

She clearly wanted to figure out my background and social status.

I was about to ignore her and just ask for the total when she flipped the brooch over—and her eyes widened.

“Wait… isn’t this Sir Seniel’s brooch? The ‘S’ here…”

The moment she said Seniel’s name—

Everyone in the boutique turned to stare at me.

Not just on the first floor, but also on the second, third, and even the top Royal floor.

‘What is with all this attention?’

While I blinked in surprise, the Madam asked again.

“This is Sir Seniel’s brooch from the Black Eagle Knights, isn’t it?”

I immediately sensed that saying “yes” would lead to a huge hassle and quickly scanned the room.

Everyone in the store was inching closer while keeping their eyes glued to me.

It was painfully clear now that Seniel’s popularity—described in reports and by Erivel—wasn’t an exaggeration.

“Young Lady, why aren’t you saying anything? Where did you get this? Please answer!”

I decided I needed to get out of here. I quickly hung the dress back on the rack.

Then I snatched the brooch from the Madam’s hand.

“I’ll come back later.”

“Wait! We just want to—!”

I felt the Madam grab at me, but I shook her off and dashed outside.

The clerk and Madam chased after me, but there was no way they could keep up.

I only stopped once I’d put plenty of distance between me and the shop. My heart was still pounding.

“I shouldn’t have taken the brooch out.”

I sighed in regret as I walked on—and then my stomach growled.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t eaten breakfast.

Looking around, I spotted a restaurant that looked promising.

The smell of broth was irresistible as people slurped soup at the packed outdoor tables.