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Chapter 32
By then, beside Rune stood not only Ethan’s dearly cherished younger brother, but also—before anyone noticed—a big, lumbering fellow that resembled a yellow dog.
According to Ethan’s report, he was the son of Baron Tutor, who was sponsored by Marquis Este.
“Didn’t he say they’d been close since childhood?”
It was then. Suddenly, something in his chest tightened uncomfortably, as if snagged inside.
At some point, he had quietly thought about why he kept leaving those bothersome people alone instead of driving them away.
He had to find a reason—something even he could accept—for this inexplicable displeasure.
After much consideration, among the few reasons he listed, the biggest one was this: Rune Adeluz Este was smiling.
Whenever he saw that pure, white smile, his own lips betrayed him and curved upward.
The reason his gaze was endlessly drawn to Rune was undoubtedly that very pleasant smile.
And yet…
“So why do I also find it irritating? Am I going mad?”
Kylian let out a hollow laugh, lamenting his own incomprehensible self.
“Strange, isn’t it.”
“What is, sir?”
“Just… how you can feel happy and angry at the same time.”
“Eh? I don’t really understand what you mean.”
At the cryptic words, Ethan frowned and tilted his head in puzzlement.
“It’s nice to look at… but if I just sit there watching, it twists my insides.”
With a complicated expression, Kylian raked a hand through his hair in frustration. Only then did Ethan nod in sudden realization and clap his hands.
“Ah-ha! Sounds to me like there’s something you want.”
“…Want?”
Kylian frowned strangely at that, while Ethan only shrugged nonchalantly.
“Yes. Otherwise, why would it bother you to just watch? For someone without much desire, that’s unusual.”
“……”
Kylian sank into thought, his face growing even more troubled.
What on earth could be so precious that it makes him like this? Ethan wondered as he watched his lord’s serious expression, falling into curiosity himself.
Soon after, Kylian seemed to reach a conclusion and resumed walking.
“You’re wrong, Ethan.”
To feel possessiveness over Rune… ridiculous.
No, from the standpoint of a patron, wishing for Rune’s path to be smooth and straight—that much could be justified.
But however pleasant that smile might be, he had no intention of tolerating the sight of Rune crawling through holes with the likes of them.
“Not for me.”
Rune shook her head at the skewer of grilled chicken being offered to her.
“Ah! Ieoke nawa-seo i-geodo an meok-go ga-myeon dwae-get-nya? (Ah! We came all the way out here, you can’t just not eat and leave!)”
“What are you even saying…”
Seeing Daniel’s cheeks stuffed full and round, Rune burst into laughter and reluctantly accepted the skewer.
She looked helplessly toward Ellen, but he was already silently finishing his third skewer. He only mouthed, what, as if it were nothing.
Honestly, these guys have no worries at all.
She had been seriously worrying about how they would get back without a signed permit for leaving, but looking at these two, her concern seemed utterly pointless.
Rune stared at the well-grilled chicken, swallowed the saliva pooling in her mouth, and gave up.
“Forget it. I’ll just eat first.”
One bite of the plump meat released a smoky aroma and savory juices that filled her mouth.
“Wow, that’s good.”
When Rune murmured wide-eyed, the other two met each other’s gaze and chuckled.
“See? I told you. This lady’s skewers have conquered the whole street.”
Daniel boasted as if it were his own store, while the woman grilling at the stall just shook her head in exasperation.
“Stop your nonsense. Instead, go help that miller’s old man sometime. He hurt his back recently and can’t move at all.”
“Ah, I told the old geezer to take it easy…”
Daniel scratched his forehead awkwardly, then added, “I’ll drop by next holiday. Tell him to just stay put until then.”
After exchanging easy words with the stall keeper, Daniel chattered endlessly as they wandered through the bustling market alleys.
Rune nodded sincerely and joined in from time to time, matching his rhythm.
He seemed far more excited than usual—clearly, being cooped up in the academy had been suffocating for him.
“Well, if it isn’t Danny—still alive, eh?”
A fruit vendor laughed heartily and tossed him a shiny red apple. Catching it with ease, Daniel scrubbed his arm dramatically in disgust.
“Ugh! Gross! Don’t call me that!”
“Harvesting grapes soon—come help out. I’ll pay well.”
“No can do, Fruits. I’m busy studying.”
“Studying my ass. And it’s Flute, you brat!”
“What, Fruits suits you better! Pfft!”
“You little punk—”
Daniel narrowly dodged the man’s mock-threatening hand, laughing obnoxiously.
Every shop they passed, people greeted Daniel warmly or teased him. As he had boasted, he truly seemed to know every corner of Lepium.
“How does everyone know you?” Rune asked.
“Well, you know… just this and that.”
Daniel gave a light laugh and handed her the apple after polishing it on his sleeve.
“Oh! Over there—there’s a weapon shop across the plaza. Want to check it out?”
“Sure.”
Ellen, silent until now, gave a short reply and strode ahead.
“Figures. That sword-freak,” Daniel muttered, clicking his tongue, before grinning and tugging Rune along.
“You’ll like it! The prices are cruel, but the window-shopping alone is worth it.”
The weapon shop truly was another world.
Inside the massive store were not only countless swords and shields, but also bizarre magical tools whose functions were unknown.
Even usually indifferent Ellen’s eyes lit up at the sight of the blades.
“Yes, wider blades definitely suit me better.”
“Agreed. The Federschwert from the academy has good weight, but since it’s thin, it lacks impact.”
Seeing both of them examining swords with sparkling eyes, Daniel shook his head, muttering he never knew he had to deal with two sword fanatics.
He soon spotted a gaudy ornamental sword, grabbed Rune by the wrist, and made a fuss.
“Rune, Rune! When you graduate and join the Light Knights, you’ll buy me a sword like this, right?”
Not a chance. Rune turned away from Daniel’s expectant face, but Ellen’s next words left her deflated.
“Seems the knight order’s benefits aren’t bad. How many are permitted at most?”
Judging by his serious expression, he wasn’t joking. Rune wondered whether to laugh, but as always, the two soon began bickering.
“Heh. Too late, I asked first. Rune~ I’ll be your squire for life, so buy me one! With a sword this pretty, I could even sleep hugging it at night!”
“You creep. Pick something that suits your bulk.”
“What was that?!”
Here they go again. Rune, caught between them, found herself pushed to make a choice.
Of course, with her father still alive, she had no right to actually appoint knights—but sometimes they clashed even over such meaningless things.
“If I had to pick… better a sword freak than a sword pervert.”
She said it just to end the nonsense, but Daniel looked utterly devastated, as if she had betrayed him.
Later, Rune had a hard time cheering him up, and only then realized how much time they had spent browsing. When she finally suggested heading back, the two agreed without much protest.
They left the shop and were crossing the plaza when it happened.
A group of academy students suddenly blocked the path.
“Well, well—what’s going on with Lepium this year?”
The man in front spread his legs arrogantly, adjusting his stiff collar while sneering. His faded blond hair was slicked back neatly, and he pointed them out one by one, chuckling.
“Sickling, pauper, bastard. Quite the sight.”
Rings of various colors glittered on his fingers in the sunlight. Rune frowned deeply at the insolent gesture.
“What the… did a cow lick his hair or something?”
His greasy face was unpleasant enough, but the half-lidded leer made her skin crawl.
“Rune Adeluz Este. I heard you were frail, but you look perfectly fine.”
“You know me?”
“Of course. Marquis Este’s influence in the capital’s long gone, but apparently even the remote northwest backwaters still get acceptance letters, eh? Heh.”
Rune sighed at the man’s petty provocation. Best not to engage him if possible.
“Or maybe you’ve got a wealthy lady sponsor backing you?”
He swaggered closer, eyes roaming over her.
“Come to think of it, that face isn’t bad. You’d make a decent ornament to carry around.”
At that, Daniel’s eyes flashed and he stepped in front of Rune.
“Do not insult the Este name any further.”
“And who do you think you are, you beggar brat! Can’t even keep your eyes up?”
The man jabbed a finger in Daniel’s face, clearly irritated.
“Too much freedom’s made you forget your place? One word from me and banknotes rise and fall, you filthy wretch. Do you still not know your station? Want me to shove you back in the muck where you belong?”
Daniel’s fist clenched tight, his body stiff with fury. One more word and he looked ready to smash the man’s nose.
Rune didn’t know what their history was, but clearly Daniel and this man had no love lost.
Daniel’s back heaved as he struggled to restrain himself.
Sensing the danger, Ellen placed a firm hand on his shoulder and stepped forward.
“There are plenty of eyes watching. Enough.”
The man flinched at Ellen’s cold, steel-gray gaze, retreating instinctively. Realizing he’d stepped back, his face flushed red and twisted in anger.
“Che! Marquis Este’s patronage has tainted the academy, letting lowborn baron brats strut around!”
At the repeated insults toward her father, Rune’s brows furrowed again.
The man arrogantly stepped up and spat at Ellen’s feet.
“Pah! And now even a bastard no one knows where from! You must be the illegitimate son Count Grimaldi brought into his house.”
At that, even Ellen’s composure cracked—his teeth ground audibly.
Rune’s eyes, too, flushed with thin red lines of anger.
With a hardened face, she stepped in front of both Daniel and Ellen.
“From the sound of it… I don’t think I can endure any more.”
