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Chapter 9
After the introduction, Dellas’s eyes darted back and forth between Helicia and Arpessian.
At last, as if reaching a conclusion, he grabbed the long trailing hem of Helicia’s coronation robe with his small hand and whispered,
“You don’t have to be scared. I’ll help you.”
Hmm… did it look like she was lying out of fear?
Maybe it was because she had spoken too politely. Should she have been more casual?
While Helicia pondered this, Dellas nodded solemnly.
“They say people should help each other in dangerous situations.”
She didn’t know who had said that, but it sounded like a very admirable belief.
If possible, she hoped he would keep that mindset until adulthood.
No—this wasn’t the time for that.
She had brought them together so they could become friends. What if he felt threatened instead?
It seemed to be because of Arpessian’s strong impression.
Helicia carefully examined his face.
To her, Arpessian actually looked quite gentle right now.
He simply had slightly cold eyes.
He didn’t smile often, but that suited his handsome features.
‘If he already looks like this now, won’t people faint when he grows up?’
His frame hadn’t fully developed yet, and there was a huge difference between someone who had gone through war and someone who hadn’t.
The Arpessian she remembered always had broad shoulders, well-built muscles, and a face hardened by pain.
Everything about him had been intimidating.
But she couldn’t exactly rearrange his features.
Not even a god could do that.
‘At this rate, his first impression is completely ruined…’
First impressions mattered too much.
She couldn’t let Dellas form the wrong idea.
There was only one solution.
“Your Highness, may I speak with you for a moment?”
Arpessian, who had been glaring to the side, turned his gaze toward her.
Helicia emphasized brightly,
“Alone!”
◆◆◆
Slipping out onto the terrace, Helicia plopped down on the stone railing, not caring if her coronation robe wrinkled.
The railing was intricately carved with vine-like patterns.
Arpessian stood a short distance away, watching her.
From time to time, he glanced at Lato, who stood nearby.
The sun was already setting.
As Helicia gazed at the dimming sky, she spoke to Lato, who stood guard by the terrace door.
“Lato must be a very sinful man. His Highness keeps looking at you… maybe you’re his type?”
“What are you talking about?”
Arpessian finally snapped back.
In a few quick steps, he approached her.
Since Helicia was sitting on the railing, she had to look down at him.
Looking straight at her, he asked,
“Wasn’t his name Lato?”
“Well, he did help save you too.”
“I figured he wasn’t just an ordinary trainee knight…”
He was oddly perceptive in strange ways.
If only that awareness had shown during the attack.
Taking a step closer, he asked quietly, sulking,
“…Why did you run away?”
Never mind—scratch that. Even after seeing the coronation, he still asked that?
It seemed the idea that she ran because she was the Saintess didn’t even cross his mind.
Helicia stared at him like she was observing a new lifeform.
Bathed in the sunset, he looked faintly red all over.
Perhaps embarrassed himself, Arpessian awkwardly turned his head and cleared his throat.
“I’m not blaming you. If you had revealed you were the Saintess, the royal family would have rewarded you greatly. I’ve never heard of divine power granting that kind of strength, so I couldn’t have guessed.”
“Well, if you look closely, I actually train a lot every day. I climb mountains carrying stones, run around the temple, fall, get thrown, and even practice waltz dancing.”
“Lies. You don’t have any muscle at all.”
Without hesitation, she stretched both arms out toward him.
“No, look closely. It’s there.”
But because of the long sleeves of her robe, only her fingertips were visible.
Confusion filled his gaze.
Helicia smiled mischievously and hopped down from the railing.
Grabbing the stone railing with her small hands, she applied a bit of strength.
Cracks began to spread.
Then—
Crack.
A piece broke off.
Holding the fragment proudly in her tiny hand, she said,
“See?”
Thud… roll…
Arpessian’s gaze followed the fallen piece as it rolled across the ground.
Looking around, he seemed to realize they were completely alone.
The terrace was so isolated that even if she lightly knocked him on the head, no one would notice.
Brushing off her hands, Helicia smiled brightly again.
“This isn’t important. I actually have as many things to say to you as the speed a bean sprout grows.”
Standing tall, she spoke clearly,
“First, from now on, don’t step forward in situations like attacks. And don’t use a sword that looks like it belongs in a children’s hero game.”
Without hesitation, she grabbed the sword hanging at his waist.
If he didn’t have a sword, he wouldn’t try to fight.
Arpessian hurriedly held onto the scabbard, but she easily pulled it away.
Even calling it a struggle was generous.
His eyes wavered.
His sharp gaze softened instantly.
“I… lost my sword…”
Oh please.
Anyone would think he had lost his country.
The sword itself looked poor, but his resolve was sincere.
Where should she even begin teaching him?
Etiquette, refinement, swordsmanship, physical strength—he lacked everything.
Even the fact that she could take his sword so easily bothered her.
Compared to him, Lato—just two years older—was far more reliable.
He could even carry her while running.
Aside from height, Arpessian wasn’t much different from her.
‘Still, he has determination. That’s not bad. The rest can be taught.’
Hiding the sword behind her back, Helicia said,
“If you promise to only draw your sword when absolutely necessary, I’ll give it back.”
It would be better to instill this mindset early.
Arpessian tilted his gaze sharply.
“Today’s attack was one of those necessary situations.”
“So you’re saying you’ll do the same thing again if it happens?”
“Yes.”
Standing upright, there was a strange dignity about him.
Helicia blinked, staring at him.
The tip of the sword she was holding lightly tapped against the ground.
Without skill, going into a battlefield was just asking to die.
Oh God, please don’t let this empty-headed confidence become my future problem.
Still smiling stiffly, she asked,
“…Really?”
“Yes.”
“For sure?”
“Yes.”
“Absolutely?”
Gripping the sword tightly, Helicia slammed it into the ground.
Crack!
With a rough sound, the sword embedded itself into the stone.
A cold breeze passed between them.
After a brief silence, Arpessian glanced at the cracked ground and finally spoke,
“…Probably.”
As Helicia tightened her grip on the sword, he quickly added,
“You were in danger. So if that situation happens again, I’ll step in to save you the same way.”
