It was a strange thought that I never had before. Even if it was possible, Kyle was not suitable as an escort.

Its like trusting a cat with a fish.

I shook my head.

Its not that I dont like it, but youre busy enough with the Great Duchy, and I dont want to disturb you. Ill just take the sentiment.

Ho Ho Ho I thought I should laugh, but I didnt. It was too pretentious for me to think of it.

You dont have to just appreciate the sentiment. Ill do it if you want.

Oh, my God. Kyle refused my refusal, even though I refused politely.

My head suddenly started pounding, because of Kyles personality, it was obvious that he would somehow stick to this as a once-in-a-lifetime job.

If I didnt solve this

For the first time in the Empires history, we may enjoy the luxury of an Archduke escorting an Archduchess as a guard.

Perhaps it will find its way in the history books. No, that could not happen, I would rather die that find it recorded for everyone to see.

With those ominous and sinister thoughts, I hurried to settle down the conversation with Kyle.

No, Im really fine. Im really, really good.

Also, Ive already concluded my conversation with Sejan, its not something I can go back to.

I dont care

Oh, how about this? What if the Archduke teach me swordsmanship?

Swordsmanship?

This is it.

I didnt miss Kyles subtle reaction, slightly different from my first refusal.

Yes, swordsmanship. The biggest reason I asked Sejan to escort me was because I wanted to learn swordsmanship from him. I thought I should be able to protect myself.

But if you teach me swordsmanship, Ill ask Sejan to escort me from time to time, except when were all moving together, only on special occasions, what do you think?

I corrected from time to time to special occasion while speaking, because Kyle frowned at the first part.

Do you hate that Im using Sejan as my escort?

Anyway, that would reduce the time spent with Sejan, so there would be nothing to be uncomfortable about. Furthermore, I also urged the point of learning swordsmanship, which would be a good reason.

Lastly, one more thing.

I think improving my sword skills is the biggest thing I wanted from having an escort. So, it would be nice if the Archduke could take over it.

I was told that the purpose of having an escort was to learn swordsmanship. In some other words, Kyle was asked to play the most important role of being my escort.

After spilling out words like a mastermind, I took a quick look at him.

Id like you to move on from this now. Please move on. Move on. Move on.

Unintentionally, I was chanting in my mind. Did my earnest wishes come to reality? Fortunately, his irritated expression disappeared without a trace.

Thats fine.

As I was able to finish the conversation with his words of permission, I was so relieved that I could control my fast beating heart.

Okay. So, when we reach the temple, would you be able to start teaching me swordsmanship?

Kyle looked puzzled when I reached out my little finger at him while talking.

Do you not know the meaning?

I almost laughed out loud. He looked like a child at times like this.

I opened my mouth while smiling.

It means, to make a promise.

A promise?

Yes, so Ill show you how to do it. Give me your little finger.

Well, look at me. Come on.

Kyle hesitated and slipped his little finger out. I gently cross my little finger on Kyles. As soon as our finger touched, he showed signs of flinching and tried to untie his finger from mine.

Cold

Its fine, so stay still.

Its cold, but tolerable for the moment. For some reason, Kyle immediately fell silent. I murmured quietly at the rare sight of a gentle Kyle.

When you put your little finger with mine, it means youre promising. I immediately added an explanation.

In fact, I wanted to tell him the 4 steps of making a promise in Korea; pinky promise, stamp, signature and copy, but I decided to give up. I was already feeling embarrassed.

Okay, I promise.

Kyle, who was curiously looking at his little finger, quickly accepted.

After the promise, I took off my little finger. Silence came. A little ticklish silence.

As a result, I couldnt tell you about the shortcut.

I thought about talking about it, but I gave up again. Somehow, I didnt mind this silence.

***

After our talk, the carriage ran for a long time. As the sun began to set, we moved to a nearby villa. Once we reached the villa, I scanned the surrounding through the window, it looked like a cabin.

Its cute compared to the Great Duchy, but its bigger than I thought.

One could say it was the top quality cabin. The villa was quite elegant, blending harmoniously with the trees and grass that grew thickly around it.

Huh?

Now that I could see up ahead, there were knights in front of us ready to meet with our party. It seemed they had been waiting for us to arrive.

Stop, lets get off here. Kyle said dryly.

As soon as we stop, Kyle who saw the scene, got out of the carriage. I looked at Kyles back and found the coachman coming this way, while I was getting ready to get off.

What?

Suddenly, someones hand popped out in front of the carriage door. It was Sejan.

Sejan, whats this hand? I asked rather bluntly.

What? Its only natural as your escort. Sejans eyes didnt waver while his hand was still waiting for me.

What a strange and lively escort is he?

Well, there are times when the escort would do that, but Sejan, was not that kind of person, was he?

I looked at Sejans hand quietly, wondering what he was up to. His gloves, which must have been white, were red colored.

If someone sees you, they might think were going to die together.

This might suit Sejan.

You dont really mean that.

Speaking of, whose blood always covered Sejans clothes and body?

It seems like I would like to know but didnt really want to know, the curiosity seems to end with more curiosity

A hand popped out from the other side of Sejan, deepening my doubts.

It was Kyle.

Huh? Why did you come back? Didnt you go first?

I wanted to ask with a rather absurd look.

Archduke, what are you doing?

Get off.

What?

Take my hand and get off.

Whats wrong with him all of a sudden? Last time, he didnt say much when the coachman dropped me off.

Huh? What happened to your noble Highness? Youre not supposed to be doing this. It was Sejans voice.

I think he had a similar idea to me, but it was obviously more sarcastic than what I would have said.

Kyle frowned at Sejans words.

Ill do it from now on, so dont worry, guard.

Its not a guard, its a personal escort, your Highness, and this is what the escort is supposed to do. I dont think even a dragon doesnt know about it.

Thats ridiculous. Do you think it makes sense to have an escort do such thing? And why does dragon come out of your mouth?

Surely. I hope the word dragon would not come out of my mouth. I dont really like it.

Sejan, do you think I cant kill you?

No. No way. Oh, but are you trying to kill me? Id be honored if youd kill me by yourself, your noble Dragon Highness.

Have you finally gone mad?

What do you mean? Didnt you know that I was crazy?

In a crisply frozen atmosphere, sparks erupted from the eyes of the two, Kyle and Sejan turned to me without missing a moment. Then again, they stretched their hands toward me.

Hold on.

Hold on.

Moreover, the two even made similar remarks at the same time.

Do you like this situation?

The two glared at each other again in a terrible mood, and then, both turned at the same and looked at me.

Kyles expression of unspoken blackmail and Sejans smile of unspoken temptation.

It was clear that I was being asked to choose between the two. Each others order meaning to vote for them in a last attempt.

What the hell are they doing?

That was enough, I was full of it. Honestly, I wanted to grab the back of my pounding head.

The knights, my maid Lily, and the employees from the villa were all looking this way.

I dont think we should take any more time here.

I recited with a calm and cold expression as much as I could to prevent the situation from getting worse.

Im not going to hang onto either of them.

Instead of giving them time to refute, I turned my eyes and glance towards the coachman, Matthias, who was rolling his feet from behind.

Then Matthias, can I ask you to escort me as usual?

Yes? Oh, yes! I got you, your Highness.

Matthias, stuttering, rushed to me. He was probably really nervous at this situation.

When Kyle and Sejan saw him, they stared at the coachmans approaching steps. Matthias was sweating from the vicious looks of the Archduke and the Knight Captain.

Im sorry about that.

However, there was no better way.

I laughed and said to Matthias. Matthias, help me get out of the carriage.

Oh Yes, your Highness.

Matthias face turned into a deathbed because he couldnt cry.

I think we should raise Matthias hourly wage, most likely double it.

No, Im going to have to put up much more looking at Mathias expression. So, he does not run away.