The Knight of Clingy Young Ladies

027.

“Acquaintances, aren’t we?”

The color wasn’t exactly red, but rather scarlet verging on a bright hue.

Although I’ve never actually seen it, it resembles what’s commonly referred to as ruby.

It was almost a lavish comparison, as if gemstones were embedded in her irises.

Still, this description seemed apt.

The ruby glistened brightly in the slightly dim room as it stared at Kalen.

“So, it wasn’t the head of the family who called me?”

“Are you talking about the person who summoned you here?”

“I thought it was Grand Duke Hiart.”

“Hmm.”

A soft, gentle tone of voice.

It had the power to make listeners feel naturally at ease, but Kalen couldn’t shake off an uncomfortable sense of wrongness.

“Maybe I could be the head, right?”

“I haven’t heard that the Grand Duke stepped down from his position.”

“Oof, cold much?”

Swish—

The sound of the woman’s garments brushing past, followed by the ruby lazily flashing.

“Like that time.”

Her deep, burgundy hair swayed as though responding to her eyes.

Then, the woman approached Kalen.

There wasn’t much difference in height, but Kalen was slightly taller.

Lakatus had intended to prepare the return of the Dranunus family with the help of Hiart’s power.

However, plans went awry when Hiart changed his mind.

Kalen was what was asked for as a condition to provide strength to the plan again.

It was naturally understood to be the intention of the Hiart family itself.

Yet Kalen found the situation strange.

If it was the will of the Hiart family, it should have been the patriarch who summoned him.

Still, upon arriving at the mansion, the person Kalen encountered was not the head.

If everything including this was part of Hiart’s intention, it was fortunate, but if it wasn’t…

Kalen narrowed his brows slightly and asked.

“So, was it this Young Lady who called me instead of Hiart?”

Perhaps it could have been a basic verification question, but now, it was undeniably important.

Because if it wasn’t Hiart’s intention, it might also mean he wasn’t obligated to support the Dranunus family after completing this task.

“You seem worried. Afraid Hiart might not help Lakatus?”

“That’s precisely why I’m here.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Though Kalen’s attitude could be considered a bit rude, considering that he didn’t know exactly who this woman was.

Makbel—a person responsible enough for command—guided Kalen here. Thus, it wasn’t conceivable that someone inferior in rank would be here.

The woman smiled faintly.

“By the time you leave, my intentions will become those of Hiart.”

“Civil war.”

People describe Hiart’s current situation as an internal conflict.

While it’s absurd to claim a detailed understanding of the closed and independent northern situation, it was tense enough to gauge just from what little had leaked out.

“Ah. So, you are aware?”

“Is that why you summoned me?”

“Very perceptive~”

The woman gently tapped her chin with her index finger, her eyes curving naturally.

“Curiosity, I’d say. Perhaps necessity? There’s a civil war underway, but I lack allies. I needed capable people.”

A Hiart heir wouldn’t be lacking in ability to gather talents.

Most of the northern powerhouses were a part of Hiart’s circle.

But it was a civil war.

If she’s fighting someone of equal or higher standing, it makes sense.

“So, I was a little puzzled, but then I remembered.”

Through her gracefully curved eyes, the ruby flashed.

The ruby was pointed at Kalen.

“Ho there! From the southern territory all the way to the north, riding solo despite the impressive escort. Hmm… Heard you’re the personal aide to the great Archmage. But it seems you’ve learned some magic too~”

The movement of the finger tapping her chin finally stopped.

“With the civil war worsening, I couldn’t even get a good night’s sleep, so I sought your help.”

“I heard that by the time I leave, your intentions will be considered those of Hiart.”

“Huh?”

Kalen felt a chill run down his spine.

Contradicting her innocent appearance, her mind was meticulously calculating to an unfathomable degree.

His willingness to assist the Dranunus family would only be proven when he accepted this invitation.

Furthermore, having already entered the Hiart mansion, escape by his own strength without Blamia’s intervention would be difficult.

Thus, he was trapped in the situation, lured by this proposal.

Though roundabout, the woman’s message was simple: “Help me.”

She implied that her intentions would represent those of Hiart, which meant her victory in the civil war was guaranteed.

“By the time you leave” meant Kalen’s contribution was expected towards that success.

It was a truly inescapable, flawless trap.

Calling him on personal grounds instead of Hiart, the situation was manipulated to the point where refusal was impossible.

She needed Kalen’s help so desperately, that she used deception if necessary.

Still, the one unknown was whether Kalen could contact Blamia.

Perhaps this too was a calculated gamble, part of the flawless trap.

A step beyond—a step ahead.

Attempting to fathom her intentions dragged one deeper into a labyrinth of complications.

Realizing her intention or not, as Kalen remained silent, the woman spoke up.

“Your instincts are pretty sharp, aren’t they?”

A complement implying how cleverly intricate this trap was.

She realized Kalen was seeing through her strategies, and she understood that too.

“Can’t give you too much time, though?”

Nonetheless, the power was still in the other side’s hands.

The woman gradually tightened the invisible string around Kalen’s neck.

An ordinary person would’ve already felt suffocated.

But there was one oversight.

Kalen didn’t shy away from risky gambles either.

“No.”

“What?”

“There’s no reason to help.”

The civil war situation was more severe than anticipated.

After all, from the outside, it was impossible to grasp the full depth of the situation in the north.

Whether it was just signs of an impending civil war or whether it was already in full swing, it was unclear.

In such a situation, she needed Kalen’s strength.

The string wasn’t tied solely to Kalen.

Anything could happen.

There’s no knowing the peril he might encounter while aiding her in the civil war, nor can she guarantee fulfilling her promise even if she triumphs.

A situation where too many uncertainties were expected.

Kalen’s gamble was asking for a valid reason.

“Even if I can’t escape from the mansion, I might be able to flee elsewhere and join another faction.”

“…”

“How can I trust something built on lies from the beginning?”

The woman began once again tapping her chin with her index finger.

“Let’s introduce ourselves first—”

“Serasie Hiart. The eldest daughter of the Hiart family, isn’t that right?”

“Hrm~”

Men over women.

Swords more than magic.

Serasie Hiart, eldest daughter of the Hiart family and a sorceress.

It wasn’t hard to deduce.

A woman of such stature, where a civil war victory would directly grant her the house.

Most importantly, her unique burgundy hair was widely recognized.

At their first meeting, when it was only that clue, she couldn’t be sure, but now it was clear.

She was famous for her magical skills even in the north.

Though it’s been some time since her coming-of-age ceremony, her mastery of the second tier of magic solidified her reputation.

Even someone like her finds it fascinating.

What is a grand duke?

No one escapes the tension such authority brings.

Especially Serasie, who knows how to wield her refined dignity.

Even the most promising young men from the great families cannot hide their tension in her presence.

But the young man before her didn’t tremble or panic.

Instead, he calmly read her intent and even counterattacked.

Serasie herself had noticed that Kalen perceived her need for his assistance.

The moment that thought crossed her mind, Serasie shed her facade.

This type of person fared better with straightforward confrontation.

It was, surprisingly, more convenient.

Far easier to trust than those dripping with hypocrisy and machinations.

And that was what Serasie had been yearning for.

She was sinking deep into the swamp of betrayal and insecurity.

Too soon to be definite,

But this was the first person who hadn’t approached her with flattery or trust as a mere facade.

“Tell me your name.”

“Kalen.”

“Would you care to make a promise with me?”

Serasie wiped the faint smile off her face and turned her body.

“You won’t betray me, and once everything is over, I will honor my promise.”

There were two problems.

The risk involved in entering the civil war, and the chance the promise might not be kept afterward.

The first issue had a solution.

Kalen’s physical condition was the reason.

Blamia had said his frailty was extreme.

To deal with the mysterious dark phenomenon in his heart, there was only one way—advancing in hierarchy.

Participating in the civil war was dangerous, but it also provided numerous opportunities for real combat.

Given his condition, it was the right choice to leap in.

“Why should I trust this promise?”

“Maybe, conscience?”

“If you’re going to joke—”

“I’m serious.”

Kalen hesitated in speaking.

Serasie’s ruby eyes had sunk into a profound depth.

“The truth is, after the civil war ends and you return to inform Archmage Blamia, you’ll be able to force me to honor the promise, right?”

This contrasted sharply with her previous playful smiles,

Making her sincerity almost eerie.

Rather, it was obstinance that shone in her gaze.

The risk weighed more on her side.

She relied solely on Kalen’s intentions, while Kalen had leverage over her.

It was sound reasoning.

Kalen needed only to inform Blamia once the civil war ended.

Unless it were all four families, even the Hiart family alone was formidable enough to handle.

Serasie was the anxious party here.

Not betraying her depended entirely on Kalen.

Delving further, Kalen wondered why she sought his help so fervently.

Their brief encounter earlier seemed lacking in some way.

Even if she were beneath her opponent in terms of being a woman or a mage or caught up in a civil war,

It seemed unlikely she lacked anyone trustworthy.

It piqued his curiosity, this insistence on bringing him in as her protector.

“Why?”

“What about?”

“The previous explanation feels insufficient. Is that truly all the reason?”

What lingered in the ruby-eyed gaze wasn’t just obstinacy or venom.

Most of it was accurate.

The steely-eyed determination of someone with ideals and convictions.

But only because it was Kalen,

Only Kalen could perceive something else within those eyes.

Loneliness.

The void Eliana had shown the first time they met—such emptiness reflected in Serasie’s ruby-like eyes.

Did it stir something in his heart?

With all reasons aligning to help her rather than Hiart,

Kalen, having already decided to aid Serasie, unconsciously questioned aloud.

“Reason…”

With her index finger, Serasie lightly tapped her chin.

A pleasant smile had reappeared on her face.

“Hmm?”

A strong refusal—she didn’t want to elaborate.

“Can I assume you’ve accepted my offer?”

“Who’s your opponent in the civil war?”

“Our good-for-nothing older brother, and possibly Father?”

“You mean you’re in a civil war against the head of the family?”

“Since they’re turning a blind eye to the civil war, it’s fine to view it that way, isn’t it?”

Indeed, she held a high rank.

Kalen slowly nodded with that thought in mind.

“I accept.”

“Thank you. So, would you like to go back today?”

“Isn’t it dangerous to leave you alone during a civil war?”

“The situation here in the mansion hasn’t escalated to the point of open confrontation yet. It will, soon enough, but for now, I’m safe.”

“Understood.”

Thus, a precarious-seeming promise was made.

Kalen exited the room, following the guidance of Makbel, as summoned by Serasie.

Creak—

The sound of an ancient door closing accompanied her mutter.

“Reasons…”

The faint murmur of Serasie lingered.

Everything was shrouded in mysteries.

Why, after appearing so determined to refuse, had she suddenly changed her attitude?

What to make of that extraordinary calmness for his age?

Even though she revealed her weaknesses to gain his trust, why couldn’t she disclose the true reason?

Why had he looked at her with such an expression?

Truth be told, trust didn’t matter.

Since the world lacked such a thing anyway,

There would come a day when she would cast that young man away with her own hands.

Serasie collapsed onto the bed, covering her eyes with her forearm.

The conclusion was drawing near.

There was no time to revisit old wounds.

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