"Request?"Shido raised a brow, sensing she had something more in mind. Climb also leaned in slightly, listening closely, uncertain of what Princess Renner might ask.
"You see…" Her voice softened, tinged with sorrow. "Most of my guards were killed in the battle, defending the carriage from the bandits…"
Her gaze drifted to the fallen bodies nearby, eyes shadowed with pain.
"I'd like to ask you to escort us to E-Rantel," she continued, steadying her tone. "There would be an Adamantite adventurer group that would receive us, so if you're fine with that, I will pay you handsomely."
"Of course, I'll gladly accept this request." Shido paused for a moment, considering it before giving a decisive nod. He didn't have any money of this world so accepting her request is a good way to get some money.
His acceptance caused Princess Renner's eyes to light up with obvious relief and elation.
"Really?! Thank you!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with gratitude.
"I'm also heading to E-Rantel, so there's no need to be so thankful, Princess," Shido responded with a soft smile, trying to downplay it.
"Mnn." Princess Renner gave a small nod, her expression softening. She stepped a little closer to Shido, her hand gently resting on her chest as she spoke, her voice quieter now, more sincere. "I'm still grateful that you'll stay with us until we arrive in E-Rantel."
Her tone wavered as she glanced at the fallen guards before looking back at him. "If Acheval-san hadn't arrived in time… I'm afraid everyone would've…" She trailed off, her face paling as the gravity of what could have happened sank in.
Climb and the other guards stood off to the side, their faces shadowed with guilt. They had failed in their duty to protect their princess, and the loss of their comrades in the ambush weighed heavily on their hearts.
Shido, however, seemed to brush off the tension in the air. "Well, you don't need to worry anymore," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "I'll protect you along the way, Princess." Shido may have done it consciously or subconsciously but Shido placed his hand gently on Princess Renner's head and began to softly caress her hair.
His sudden action stunned everyone, including Princess Renner. No one would dare to touch a Princess recklessly, including Climb since they would be punished by the King.
Normally, Princess Renner also wouldn't allow herself to be touched by anyone even Climb. But now, her hair was being caressed carefully. If it was another person, Princess Renner would likely move away from that person and wait for evening to assassinate him.
Yet, as Shido's hand gently caressed her hair, she didn't pull away. Rather, the warmth of his touch seemed to soothe something deep within her, a feeling she hadn't realized she missed. The sensation of his palm against her hair reminded her of the gentle care her mother had once shown her when she was a child.
For a moment, she let go of her crazy side and only indulge in this warm feeling.
"I'll be in your care, Acheval-san." After a while she finally opened her eyes said softly, her voice steady but with a faint, warm smile, as though she found comfort in the act.
Shido simply nodded, his expression neutral but sincere, before he finally let go of her hair.
He had to say that her blonde hair was incredibly soft, smooth to the touch and held a subtle, pleasant fragrance. As he pulled his hand away, he couldn't help but briefly admire how it glistened in the light, framing her innocent, beautiful face. With that serene smile of hers, it was easy to see why Climb had fallen so deeply in love with her.
Seeing the interaction between the two, Climb couldn't help but clench his fist tighter. He felt jealous since watching the both of them together felt like his heart was stabbed by thousands of needles.
Still, when he looked at them smiling at each other, even though he didn't want to admit it, Shido and Princess Renner looked good together. Shido was handsome, strong, someone who could easily capture the attention of countless women. And Princess Renner, despite her pureness, was the kind of person who would likely be drawn to someone like him.
Climb took a deep breath before he exhale and slowly loosen his hands. He thought back to his situation that Princess Renner was someone that he could never reach in this lifetime. He was just someone that she pitted and took care of him. He should be happy with just staying by her side and protecting her without waiting for her to return his affection.
Climb's gaze lingered on Shido, his eyes narrowing as he observed the other man. Shido had everything that Climb didn't have, he was handsome, charming, elegant, and graceful. He seemed like the perfect match for Princess Renner, a contrast to Climb's own shortcomings.
'Take care of her, Acheval-san.' he thought silently, the words heavy in his mind.
If Shido knew what Climb was thinking, he would not know how to react since Climb was thinking too much. Shido might even scold him since Princess Renner was too much of a Yandere for him. Only Climb would fall for such a crazy woman.
And with that, they started to prepare for departure towards E-Rantel. Firstly, they buried the bodies of their comrades and also buried the bodies of the bandits.
With the bodies properly laid to rest, the group set out toward their destination. The sun hung high in the afternoon sky, casting long shadows as they began their journey. They would likely arrive in E-Rantel by evening.
Shido and Climb rode side by side, exchanging words as they traveled. Climb had given Shido one of the horses that belonged to a fallen guard, knowing it would be faster to travel by horseback. Despite it being his first time riding, Shido adjusted effortlessly, the horse responding smoothly beneath him.
As they rode, Shido was full of questions, his curiosity about this world apparent in every word.
Climb, though surprised by the questions, was happy to oblige. The quiet and serious knight explained the details with a deep sense of duty. He spoke about the kingdom's politics, the different noble houses, the tension between regions, and the ever-growing influence of E-Rantel as a major hub. He also touched on the challenges the kingdom faced from the monsters and other threats in the surrounding lands.
...
Inside the carriage, Princess Renner sat with a quiet, unsettling calm. Her fingers gently tapped against the armrest, her eyes narrowing as she peered through the small gap in the window.
"...Acheval Dreissen," she murmured to herself, a eerie chuckle escaping her lips. "Fufufu... Even if you reject me, you'll still be mine."
Her voice was laced with a chilling certainty. "It would not be long."
As she watched Shido and Climb talking happily outside, a eerie smile slowly curled onto her lips. It was a smile so odd that anyone who might have seen it would have second-guessed whether it truly belonged to her. The beauty of her face remained, but her smile was one that could send a shiver down anyone's spine.