Sigrid

Beramund asked in surprise, leaning forward in his chair. Sigrid tilted her head and said,

“No, it wasn’t impossible. I rented a studio in the 3rd District, and kept my food expenses under 3 kerbs a day……”

“3 kerbs?! What can you buy with that?”

“Plenty of potatoes—”

“You can’t just eat potatoes! Why on earth?”

Arkana, also hearing this for the first time, exclaimed in shock,

“The 3rd District of the capital? But— the security there is terrible—”

“I thought knights should live frugally.”

At Sigrid’s answer, Beramund opened his mouth, then closed it. He had thought this before, but she was truly like someone from 200 years ago—no, even people from 200 years ago probably didn’t live like this.

‘She’s supposed to be a spy?’

Beramund was dumbfounded. Assigning such a rigid knight as a spy would be like saying “Please catch me.” He sighed deeply and made a subtle hand signal to Sigrid.

It was a sign language used on noisy battlefields and during covert operations. Though not commonly learned, he believed Sigrid would know it.

Sigrid narrowed her eyes as she watched his hand signals, then responded with ‘Understood.’

The three got out of the carriage upon arriving in the capital. As Arkana said he would return the borrowed carriage and drove off, Sigrid invited Beramund into her house’s garden and asked,

“What is it you want to discuss in private?”

“Serios wants to see you.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Yes, you saved his life. Of course he wants to meet you. When would be good? He wants to keep it as quiet as possible.”

Sigrid fell into thought for a moment. She hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to want to see her. After all, she had only done her job.

Or—

“I suppose he finds me suspicious.”

“Well—”

Beramund made a strange sound and smiled. Taking that as confirmation, Sigrid nodded.

“I understand. Please let me know when it’s convenient. I’m available anytime for a summons from the imperial family.”

“Alright. And—”

Beramund reached out and lightly embraced Sigrid’s waist. While Sigrid briefly pondered ‘Should I consider this an attack or sexual harassment? Should I counterattack?’, Beramund smiled and said,

“You helped all day, don’t I get a reward?”

“Didn’t you help because you wanted to be friends?”

“Yes, so will you be my friend now?”

Beramund leaned in slightly. After staring into his close eyes for a moment, Sigrid replied,

“That’s up to Alkerto.”

“Why does it depend on that guy?”

“Because whether to make friends or not is Alkerto’s decision.”

“Uh— wait a minute.”

Beramund was at a loss for words.

“Wait, did you think I meant I wanted to be friends with Alkerto?”

“Isn’t that right?”

Sigrid was also surprised. Beramund said, deflated,

“No, why would I want to be friends with someone I don’t even know? Of course I meant you.”

“You want to be friends with me?”

Sigrid’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. Beramund looked at those large eyes with a touch of amusement.

“Sigrid, your eye color is really beautiful.”

Flustered, Sigrid blushed.

Friends? He wants to be friends with me? Beramund Lunatil? With me?

And he even complimented my eye color?

“Won’t you be my friend?”

It was the first time she had been asked to be someone’s friend. For reasons she couldn’t understand, it was an exciting prospect, and Sigrid felt elated. But she soon regained her composure and said,

“I’d appreciate it if you’d let go of me first.”

Beramund obediently released Sigrid’s waist.

He had gotten what he needed anyway.

“This is the first time I’ve been asked to be friends, so I’m not sure how to respond. May I think about it and decide later?”

Sigrid responded seriously. Beramund nodded.

“Sure, take your time to think it over.”

With that, Beramund left Sigrid’s residence with a smile. Before going home, he planned to stop by a clothing shop. He needed to start preparing his outfit for the ball now.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

Morris put his hand to his forehead after hearing Sigrid’s words. Seeing even Morris react this way, Sigrid really started to worry.

“Will Alkerto be angry?”

But why would he be angry?

Sigrid couldn’t understand. Morris said with a groan,

“I thought you had talked to Alkerto. I mean— I’m a noble, so Alkerto’s pride wouldn’t let him accept my help, but you, you’re different, Sig. Ah, I don’t know.”

“But—”

“Wait, stop.”

Morris raised his hand to stop Sigrid and said,

“Don’t tell me anything about Alkerto’s financial situation or his family or any private matters.”

Sigrid’s sunset-colored eyes looked puzzled for a moment before she nodded. Morris smiled and said,

“Alkerto and I are friends. We’re friends, but Sigrid, I’m a noble.”

At those words, Sigrid said “Ah” and seemed to understand to some extent.

‘I used to envy Morris secretly too.’

She had envied Morris for being born a noble. But now that they were friends, she didn’t envy his noble status at all.

“Even between friends, there are things you don’t want to talk about or reveal.”

Sigrid nodded slowly at Morris’s words.

“For Alkerto, those things are, well, his financial situation and family matters.”

Not directly pointing out ‘poverty’ was typical of Morris’s way of speaking. But the explanation was sufficient, and Sigrid understood. Then she asked,

“But I don’t care about any of that at all.”

“I know.”

The idea of Sigrid judging friends by their financial status was unimaginable. After all, she herself had lived practically in extreme poverty. Morris reached out and lightly tugged Sigrid’s cheek, saying,

“But not everyone thinks the same way. ‘If it were me’ shouldn’t be the center of your thinking. Though, in the end, people can’t help but think from their own perspective. Even as I say this, I might be making plenty of mistakes somewhere without realizing it.”

I’m not in a position to lecture, Morris thought with a wry smile. But those words alone were helpful to Sigrid, who nodded repeatedly and said,

“No, I understand what you mean.”

She might be ignorant, but she wasn’t stupid.

“Then should I apologize to Alkerto?”

“Well, why don’t you just talk to him honestly?”

At those words, Sigrid blinked and looked at Morris.

‘That’s exactly what Arkana said.’

“But I don’t want to hurt Alkerto’s feelings.”

“He knows you, so he won’t be that hurt.”

Morris said, nodding his head. If someone else were to say to him,

—You seem busy even as the second son of a viscount’s family.

That would clearly be sarcasm. That’s how he would understand it. But if Sigrid said it, it would be genuine concern. He knew that. And Alkerto would know it too.

“Alright.”

Encouraged by Morris’s words, Sigrid stood up. If Morris said it was okay, then it must be okay!

“I’ll be going then.”

“Okay.”

Morris wanted to go with Sigrid, but his presence would only hurt Alkerto’s pride more. And there might be things they couldn’t say because of pride.

“Thanks, Morris.”

Sigrid said with a bright smile, and Morris shook his head.

“It’s nothing.”

“Well, Lowengrin said saying thank you and sorry never hurts.”

“No, you don’t need to be that honest……”

Morris started to say, but then just chuckled.

“Want me to lend you a carriage?”

“No, I came on horseback.”

“I see.”

Morris escorted Sigrid to the entrance. Echo—Sigrid’s horse—was ready, having been brushed and looking happy. As Sigrid mounted her horse, she asked,

“By the way, were you invited too?”

“Where?”

“To Viscount Alsekidna’s ball.”

“For now, yes.”

At those words, Sigrid nodded and said a brief “See you later” before setting off on her horse. There was some distance between Morris’s residence and Alkerto’s house. After about ten minutes of brisk riding, Sigrid arrived at Alkerto’s house.

Knock knock—

Alkerto raised his head at the sound of knocking.

“It’s Sigrid—”

“Ah, come in.”

Alkerto approached the door and quickly undid the chain with one hand.

Click—

The door opened and Sigrid entered. Her tense expression was evident, making Alkerto curious as he let her into the house.

“What’s the matter?”

Alkerto asked as soon as she entered, closing the door. It had been a while since he’d seen Sigrid with such a serious face, making him wonder if something big had happened.

Sigrid’s gaze, about to speak, turned to Alkerto’s arm.

“You’ve taken off the sling?”

“Hm? Oh yeah, it’s almost completely healed now.”

“That’s good.”

“Yeah, it healed faster than I expected. So, what brings you here?”

“Well, you see—”

Sigrid swallowed.

“I went to your house.”

Alkerto’s eyes narrowed slightly. Sigrid thought she might as well finish quickly now that she had started.

“I thought since your arm was hurt and you couldn’t take care of your family, it would be helpful if I, as your friend, went to help. So I got your address from Morris— and went to help with some housework.”

“To my house?”

“Yes.”

Sigrid watched Alkerto’s reaction closely, clasping her hands together.

“Did I ever ask for your help?”

“No, but—”

“Did I seem like someone who couldn’t even take care of his own family properly?”

At those words, Sigrid’s eyes widened.

“No!”

“If not that, then what?”

Alkerto’s voice was low and cold. Having only seen him always smiling cheerfully, Sigrid thought this was the first time she had seen this side of him. She spoke slowly,

“I don’t like it when Alkerto is struggling because his family is having a hard time.”

Alkerto’s eyebrows furrowed even more.

“You’re my friend. If your family is important to you, then your family is important to me too. And helping isn’t difficult, and even if it was difficult, I would have helped.”

“Because they’re my family?”

“Yes.”

Alkerto looked at Sigrid silently. His face contorted. He let out a long sigh.

“You don’t do pity.”

“Why would I pity you?”

Sigrid asked in surprise. Her surprise made Alkerto burst into laughter. Still laughing, he said,

“Because my house is poor?”

“Poor…? Is it?”

Sigrid pondered seriously.

“But you have a house, a field, you go to school, and you eat proper meals?”

“I see your standard for poverty is extreme destitution.”

As he spoke, Alkerto gestured to a chair.

“Sit down. For drinks— I only have cheap tea.”

“It’s probably better than the tea I used to drink.”

At those words, Alkerto laughed again. Sigrid sat down obediently. Alkerto quickly brewed some tea, placed a cup in front of Sigrid, and sat down across from her.

“I’m angry.”

At Alkerto’s words, Sigrid flinched and cautiously looked at his face. His blue-green eyes smiled slightly.

“I’m angry at you, and I’m angry at myself for being angry at you.”

“Are you very angry?”

“Well.”

Alkerto fidgeted with his cup, lost in thought. He raised his eyes to look at Sigrid.

Sigrid doesn’t judge.

So Alkerto opened his mouth.

“You know, I like to have fun.”

At those words, Sigrid nodded and said,

“I’ve found it fun too, now that I’ve tried playing around lately.”

Playing with Marie-Chez and Lowengrin was really enjoyable. At her words, Alkerto laughed again and continued,

“But I have family to support. Because I had a bastard of a father.”

The phrase ‘bastard of a father’ might have shocked nobles if they heard it, but Sigrid nodded. She had seen many such fathers during her time in the poorhouse as a child. She had seen an enormous number of them while living in the 3rd District as she grew up.

“The kind of father who beats his children, drinks, does drugs, makes them sell their bodies.”

Alkerto laughed.

“It wasn’t that terrible. No, maybe it was similar? Considering the drinking and gambling, it might have been similar. But he was kind to his family.”

Sigrid tilted her head.

“Is drinking and gambling being kind to family?”

“At least he didn’t hit us, and he said he loved us. Then he suddenly died, leaving only debt behind.”

Alkerto tapped his cup. Watching the surface of the tea ripple, he continued,

“Until then, I lived as I pleased. My money was all mine. But when faced with the immediate need to pay off debts or risk my half-sisters being sold off one by one, what could I do? I had to pay. Well, I managed to scrape together enough to pay off the debts, but as a result, my finances have taken a hit until now.”

“I see.”