Chapter 4
A long time ago, while reading martial arts novels, I remember thinking something like this: I wish I could leap 100 meters in a single step and run across rooftops like those characters. Of course, I knew it was impossible—but it was still a small dream of mine. I’d even had a few dreams where I could fly.
And now… it had become reality.
I was flying through the air in the arms of the male lead I had been rooting for! For a moment, I completely forgot that we were being chased by assassins and found myself grinning foolishly.
It wasn’t something I achieved on my own, but still…
The wind hitting my face kind of stings a bit.
Dayvin was moving at an unimaginable speed, running across rooftops. I worried briefly that I might be too heavy, but the arms holding me didn’t waver in the slightest. He landed lightly on the red-tiled roof without breaking a single tile and then continued stepping across to the next rooftop just as gently.
At some point, I realized it—and my eyes widened.
Even if you combined the weight of two adults, it would easily exceed 100 kilograms… yet not a single roof tile cracked as he ran.
Unbelievable…!
Before long, the endless stretch of rooftops ended, and a wide street came into view. The commoner district was behind us; ahead lay the noble residential area, where buildings weren’t as tall.
Seeing that there were no more rooftops to step on, Dayvin spoke:
“I’m going to jump down soon, so please hold onto my neck tightly.”
“O-Okay!”
Wrapping my arms around his neck felt a little embarrassing, but I pretended not to notice and held on anyway. The faint scent of him made my cheeks warm, but Dayvin didn’t seem to notice at all. Instead, he leapt high into the air.
“…!”
For a moment, it felt like being launched into the sky on an amusement park ride. As my body floated upward, I could clearly see the nearby Miller estate, other noble residences, and even the imperial palace where the emperor lived.
Wow!
My eyes went wide.
Then, after reaching the peak, we began to fall at a terrifying speed. It felt like riding a thrilling roller coaster.
This is amazing—I love this kind of thing!
Just before landing, the speed became frightening enough to make me flinch, but—
Thud!
Dayvin landed safely.
The moment we touched the ground, laughter burst out of me. Seeing me suddenly laugh like that, Dayvin blinked in confusion before gently setting me down. Even after standing on my own two feet, I kept laughing for quite a while.
Watching me, Dayvin smiled softly. Then, as I gradually calmed down, he gently brushed my disheveled hair back into place.
Once I regained my composure, I thanked him.
“Thanks to you, we avoided a pointless fight. And for bringing me here—thank you. Are your legs okay?”
Considering the impact from that height, I expected some strain, but he replied calmly:
“Yes, I’m fine. There’s no need to worry.”
Even though our combined weight must have exceeded 100 kilograms… If something that heavy fell from that height at such speed, even a car might get crushed—but the male lead’s legs were perfectly fine.
Still, I smiled brightly, feeling like I’d just gotten off an exhilarating ride.
“That really relieved my stress. It was fun!”
At my words, Dayvin let out a quiet chuckle.
“You used to enjoy it before as well.”
“Oh? Really?”
So the original Anise had experienced this too?
Then maybe he’d do it again next time…?
I looked at him with sparkling eyes full of expectation. Seeming to understand my thoughts, Dayvin gazed at me warmly and said:
“If the opportunity arises, I’ll do it for you again.”
“Great!”
As I replied cheerfully, his smiling expression suddenly hardened. His eyes sharpened as he turned his gaze back in the direction we came from.
Seeing that look, I finally remembered why we had fled like that.
“…Are they following us?”
“We’ve escaped their encirclement, but it seems they realized sooner than expected that we broke through. We should get inside quickly.”
“Okay.”
Dayvin extended his hand.
“You must be tired. Let me carry the fruit bag.”
After handing it over, I entered the Miller estate grounds with him.
The estate where Anise lived with the main characters was a two-story building, but it was extremely spacious, and the land itself was vast.
The first Count Miller, who earned his title through great achievements, had a keen eye for business. At the time, most nobles preferred modest townhouses in the capital and weren’t very interested in large estates. But he bought as much land as he could, believing it would benefit his descendants one day.
And now, that descendant is me!
Smiling as I walked through the expansive garden—
Click.
I heard something trigger beneath my feet.
Ah. I stepped on it.
My body froze in terror—but thankfully, nothing happened.
Beside me, Dayvin had already caught an incoming arrow with his hand.
“Are you alright?”
Catching a flying arrow—something I thought only existed in novels and comics.
“Y-Yeah. Thanks to you.”
Still stiff, I forced a smile.
Without him, I would’ve been killed just now.
Looking at the hem of my dress dragging along the ground, Dayvin said:
“It seems your dress triggered the trap. Please be careful.”
“Mm…”
Lifting my skirt slightly, I carefully made my way toward the mansion.
This was why I had told Mr. Smith not to visit. After constant assassination attempts, traps had been installed all over the estate.
As soon as we reached the entrance, I let out a sigh of relief. There were no traps beyond this point.
Wiping the cold sweat from my forehead with a handkerchief, I heard Dayvin speak in a concerned tone:
“I’m here with you, so you don’t need to be so tense…”
“…I know that logically, but it’s not that easy.”
Opening the front door, I stepped inside. A vast hall greeted me.
On the first floor, the large hall was the center. To the left was a reception room for guests, and to the right was a corridor leading to the kitchen and dining area.
Straight ahead stood a grand staircase leading to the second floor. At the center between the split staircases hung a massive painting depicting a god blessing humanity.
The god’s name was Havranis, the state religion of the empire. Judging by that painting placed so prominently, the first Count Miller must have been deeply devout.
No matter how many times I saw it, the mansion was far too large for Anise to live in alone.
Whoever built it probably never imagined that only one descendant would remain.
Even though I had returned, the mansion was quiet—no one came out to greet me. Most of the servants had already left.
Now, only Dayvin, Lana, and the chef Jean remained.
Perhaps hearing the door, Lana emerged from the kitchen.
“Miss, you’re back?”
“Yeah, I’m back.”
I smiled, and she beamed brightly in return.
As the original heroine, Lana was a striking beauty, with radiant blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes.
Dayvin handed her the fruit bag.
“Lady Anise requested fruit shaved ice.”
“Ah, yes. Understood! I’ll make it perfectly for you, Miss!”
Lana casually took the bag with one hand.
Watching her, I smiled.
I could barely carry that with both hands.
As expected of the future genius swordswoman heroine—Lana was incredibly strong.
