Climb approached the carriage just as its door opened with a soft creak. From within emerged an elegant and breathtaking young woman. She stepped down gracefully, with the support of Climb, meanwhile the remaining guards saluted the princess showing their respect.
Shido on the other hand watched the princess closely.
She was a young girl with llong, silky golden hair cascading like sunlight down her back, swaying gently with each step. Her deep blue eyes, vivid and clear like sapphires, radiated warmth and quiet compassion.
She wore a flowing cyan dress, delicately embroidered with silver threads. It clung lightly to her form, enhancing her noble presence while increasing the air of serene purity around her.
As she walked toward Shido, her posture remained composed and noble. Yet the soft smile on her lips made her seem more human than distant royalty like an embodiment of grace.
While Shido was observing the princess, the princess was also looking closely at Shido. Her sapphire eyes lingered on him with curiosity, not the fearful kind shown by the guards, but a deeper, analytical gaze.
'So that's the one who wiped out the bandits...' she seemed to think, masking her thoughts behind a serene smile.
Under the gaze of the princess, Shido activated his scan and peek into her stats and profile.
Name: Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself
Level: 5
Age: 16
Height: 156 cm
Measurements (B/W/H): 76/50/78
Class: None
STR: E
VIT: E
AGI: E
INT: D
CHA: B+
LUK: A
Threat Level: C+
Affiliation: Re-Estize Kingdom
'Although her combat ability is practically nonexistent, her Charm and Luck are off the charts...'
Shido narrowed his eyes slightly, analyzing the absurd disparity in her stats. He looked at her stats for a while before he deactivated it because Princess Renner had already arrive in front of him.
"I am the third princess of the Re-Estize Kingdom, Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself." she said gracefully, her voice was as gentle as her expression. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Acheval-san."
She offered a warm smile as she introduced herself, her eyes never leaving his.
"My name is Acheval Dreissen," Shido replied smoothly, returning the smile with a calm nod. "The honor is mine, Princess."
He gave a slight bow, just enough to show respect without being overly formal.
Renner's smile softened further. "There's no need to be so formal." She then bowed her head slightly in gratitude. "And... thank you, for saving us from the bandits."
The moment her head dipped, Climb and the nearby guards tensed in alarm.
"P-Princess!"
They instinctively reached out, clearly distressed by the act. To them, even a slight bow from royalty, especially to an unknown outsider, was nearly unthinkable.
But Renner didn't seem the least bit concerned, her eyes still calmly locked on Shido's.
"Princess!" Climb wanted to stop her but she simply shook her head.
But Renner gently shook her head, silencing him with a glance.
"Let me bow my head in thanks," she said softly, but with conviction. "If not for him, all of you would have perished. This is the least I can do."
Her words were sincere, or at least, they sounded sincere. The guards clenched their fists and lowered their eyes, both moved by her humility and ashamed of their own helplessness. Even Climb, devoted and proud as he was, couldn't help but grit his teeth in quiet frustration.
"Please... don't lower your head," he said, his voice even. He smiled gently, playing along with the facade.
'She's good at acting.'
Still, he met her kindness with the same grace, matching her performance flawlessly.
"...But." Princess Renner muttered with a trace of hesitation. She looked up at Shido as if wanting to say more, but before she could finish, his calm voice cut in.
"I only did what anyone else would've done," Shido said with a faint, polite smile. "There's no need for you to lower your head for someone like me, Princess."
Renner blinked, slightly surprised, but then a quiet sigh escaped her lips, and her smile returned and more reserved this time.
"...If that's what you say, then." she replied, letting the matter drop with grace, though a glint of curiosity remained in her eyes.
"Acheval-san is right, Princess," Climb added gently, hoping to lift her spirits. "You are royalty, so… you need to be mindful of how others perceive you."
His words earned him a soft smile from Renner, warm and reassuring.
"Alright then," she said, straightening slightly. "Let's talk about what we should do next."
Hearing her words, everyone, including Shido looked at her. He was wondering what this princess was planning.
"Acheval-san, I know this is a bit sudden, but..." She hesitated, then turned to Shido with a hopeful look in her eyes. "Would you consider becoming my personal guard, just like Climb?"
She clasped her hands like she was praying that Shido would accept her offer. Her words stunned the guards especially Climb since he was the only one that usually follow her everywhere and protect her.
But she suddenly offered someone else to be her private guard, right in front of him. This made Climb grit his teeth in frustration. He was not angry with Shido but towards himself. He was too weak, too weak to the point that he thought that he was not worthy of standing beside her again.
However, he wouldn't give up so easily. Climb will train hard to become someone like the Head Knight. With his resolve now solidified, Climb's mind became clear again and continued to walk beside Princess Renner.
'Naiwa! Who in their right mind would want to guard a crazy woman like you?'
Shido nearly shouted those words, the thought screaming in his head. But he swallowed the impulse, forcing a polite smile onto his face instead.
"I appreciate your kind offer," he said gently, "but I still have something I need to take care of." Shido kindly rejected her offer.
Hearing his answer, a flicker of disappointment crossed Princess Renner's face. Her smile turned faint, tinged with a quiet bitterness, though she tried to hide it.
"I... see." she murmured. Then, soft but insistent, she added, "If you ever change your mind, you can always come to the capital and find me."
Though turned down, she clearly wasn't ready to give up so easily.
"I'll bear that in mind." Shido replied with a courteous nod.
"Mnn." Her smile returned, it was only slight but genuine this time, clearly pleased by his answer.
A moment passed before she tilted her head slightly and asked, "By the way, may I make a request of you, Acheval-san?"