BVWG 42

Beret felt like his eyes were about to roll back.

That sly, snake-like bastard was escorting Lady Asha with that seductive, predatory look — the kind a serpent gives its prey.

And as always, the beautiful lady was smiling sweetly at him. For some reason, that made Beret’s insides churn.

Before he knew it, his body was already moving toward the two. His long legs strode forward in big, determined steps — reckless and impulsive.

Once he stood before them, Beret managed to rein in his irritation and greeted them properly.

“By the grace of the White Dragon, have you been well, Lady Asha? I see Lord Desdemota is with you.”

“I have, thanks to the White Dragon’s blessing. And you, Sir Beret? What brings you here today?”

“Archmage Benvolio has asked me to help the lady with her physical training.”

Beret intentionally emphasized Mor’s title in front of Klepta, trying to make it clear he was here on an important mission.

Childish, perhaps — but he couldn’t resist wanting to put that snake in his place.

Lady Asha’s eyes widened slightly, as if something had just clicked in her mind. Her thick violet lashes fluttered like butterfly wings when she blinked.

“So the person Magician Mor recommended was you, Captain Beret? I feel bad for troubling such a busy man.”

“I should be the one thanking you, Lady Asha. It’s a pleasure to be of assistance.”

Beret didn’t even realize that the smile he wore looked genuinely pure at that moment.

But when his gaze shifted toward Lord Desdemota, the warmth in his expression vanished instantly.

“From here on, I’ll be escorting Lady Esperanza.”

When Beret extended his calloused hand toward her, Desdemota frowned.

“No need. I accompanied her on this outing, so I’ll see her home myself.”

For a brief second, Beret nearly let his killing intent spill out toward that scrawny, snake-like brat. He shouldn’t be feeling murderous toward a civilian…

And yet, that man’s reaction — annoyance instead of fear — was surprisingly bold.

When he noticed Lady Asha hesitating, Beret’s mood soured even more.

“Lady Asha, if it’s all right with you, I’d like to begin your training right away. We don’t have much time left.”

He hadn’t planned to say that — it was pure impulse, a way to drag her away from that snake. Fortunately, his urging helped her make up her mind.

“Klepta, I had a great time today. Since we’re near my family’s estate, let’s part ways here.”

A flash of displeasure crossed Desdemota’s face, but he quickly masked it, sighing with obvious regret.

“Then, until next time, Asha.”

Even their tone was too familiar. They were already on a first-name basis?

The moment Beret saw the man’s back turn, he wanted to smack it hard.

He didn’t even know why he was so irritated, but he forced himself to suppress it.

When Lady Asha finally looked fully at him, his mood eased a little.

“Let’s head in, shall we?”

Beret extended his hand toward her. This time, she took it without hesitation.

While Asha went upstairs to change into her training clothes, Beret found himself sitting in the drawing room with a cup of tea. Somehow, her old nursemaid insisted on serving him personally.

He couldn’t fathom why the elderly woman seemed so interested in him.

From the start, she had insisted on pouring the tea herself, sneaking glances at him with a hopeful, almost expectant look.

Finally, she spoke.

“As a mere servant, this is quite presumptuous of me, but Lady Asha is like a daughter to me. So I must ask something — forgive my boldness.”

Her tone carried such authority that Beret tensed up involuntarily.

“Sir Captain, might you perhaps… harbor affection for our lady?”

Beret nearly spat out his tea.

Coughing violently, his face turned red as the nursemaid hurriedly bowed her head.

“Please forgive the foolish curiosity of an old woman who doesn’t know her place.”

But despite her words, her expression made it clear — she expected an answer.

Beret could only sit frozen, when salvation arrived in the form of Asha herself.

The drawing room door flew open.

“Nanny, what did you just ask the Captain?”

“My lady!”

The old woman looked exactly like a child caught doing something bad. So different from just moments ago.

Asha, on the other hand, understood immediately.

The nanny must’ve misunderstood that time in the alley, when Beret had whispered something to her and lingered for a while. Asha had explained the misunderstanding back then, but apparently the woman hadn’t let it go.

Back then, Beret had only been warning her about a high-ranking incubus…

“Nanny, that’s not it at all. Don’t make him uncomfortable over nothing.”

“I was out of line. I deeply apologize. Please forgive me.”

Despite her apology, the disappointment on the old woman’s face was obvious.

After regaining his composure, Beret hastily escorted Asha out of the mansion — almost as if fleeing.

The place Beret brought her to was a small hill not far from the Esperanza estate. She had expected the knights’ training grounds, so the location puzzled her.

He didn’t speak the entire way there. Judging by his still-red face, that nanny’s question must have been extremely awkward.

“Sir Beret, I sincerely apologize on my nanny’s behalf for her rudeness.”

Even as she smiled apologetically, his expression didn’t relax. If anything, it reddened further. Was that her imagination?

Finally, after a long silence, he spoke — not about the incident, but about training. She was reminded again of how stiff he could be.

“Our first goal is to build endurance. For today, we’ll take it easy — I plan to gauge your stamina by having us climb this hill.”

Even that “easy” exercise quickly turned into a challenge.

If this little hill felt like death, climbing Mount Everest in her past life must’ve been something like this.

While she was gasping for air, Beret’s breathing didn’t falter even once. The difference in their fitness levels was staggering.

Keeping pace with her slow steps, he studied her face.

“Would you like to rest for a moment here?”

Too out of breath to answer, she just nodded.

Beret unsheathed his sword and, with a single clean swing, felled a large tree that was already half-dead. He guided her to sit gently on the stump.

Apparently, she had looked ready to collapse.

Asha, impressed by his effortless display of strength, caught her breath and looked around.

Though just a hill, the dense trees made it feel like they were deep in the woods.

Now that she’d recovered a little, the cool wind brushing between the trees felt refreshing. It cooled her flushed cheeks, making her feel alive again.

Beret watched her quietly before suddenly saying,

“You seemed quite comfortable with Lord Desdemota.”

There was something like faint disappointment in his violet eyes.

Then it occurred to her — as a man from the righteous House of Judizum, perhaps he didn’t think highly of people from the morally gray Desdemota family.

Maybe that’s why he didn’t like seeing her close to Klepta.

“It’s not like we’re that close. Today was only our second time meeting.”

She didn’t owe him an explanation, but his eyes had looked so sad she couldn’t help defending herself.

“For people who’ve only met twice, you two seemed very familiar — using each other’s names so easily.”

Was that something to be upset about?

“We’re the same age, that’s all.”

After a pause, Beret suddenly sat down right in front of her. His ears were turning red — or was she imagining that?

“Then… could you call me by my name as well?”

His violet eyes were filled with quiet sincerity.

“Pardon?”

“Instead of ‘Sir Beret,’ please just call me Beret.”

“Are you sure it’s all right to do that?”

A small, warm smile curved his lips.

“Then, in return, I’ll call you just Asha. That’s only fair.”

“All right, then, Beret.”

He said it was “casual,” yet still added “Miss” at the end. She thought about pointing it out, but let it go.

Whatever makes him comfortable, she thought.

While they were sorting out those trivial titles, her breathing had evened out.

Seeing that she’d recovered, Beret stood up.

“Asha, if we start now, we’ll be able to reach the top before sunset.”

She rose as well, dusting herself off. How long would she have to keep this up before her stamina improved? She was already dreading tomorrow’s muscle aches.

At his urging, she began climbing again, as fast as she could manage.

When they finally reached the summit, Beret — who had arrived a little before her — was busy cutting thick branches and tying them together. In no time, he had built a makeshift ladder.

Still panting, Asha looked at him in confusion.

“Why are you making a ladder all of a sudden?”

Beret smiled warmly at her.

“You’ve worked hard to come all the way up here. You deserve a reward.”

“A reward?”

Without answering, he propped the ladder against the tallest tree and climbed up first, then extended his hand down to her.

His face looked boyish, almost eager — a side of him she hadn’t seen before.

“Don’t worry. I’ll hold it steady. Come on up.”

For something built so quickly, the ladder was surprisingly sturdy.

In such a short time, he’d carved grooves into the wood and fitted the pieces together — he was quite skilled with his hands.

With his help, she climbed up, though it took some effort.

When she finally reached the top, she lost her words.

Spread out before her was a wide, breathtaking view. In the distance, the streets still glowed with the energy of life.

Bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, the town looked peaceful — almost enchanted.

“For a view like this,” she murmured, smiling, “I’d climb any hill.”

A deep, clean feeling washed through her — as if her heart itself had opened.