𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐣𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐥
The party I attended only on the first day of the Founding Festival also ended after just one day this year. I was told not to go out by Rene, and I don’t feel suspicious for doing something different this year.
I took care of my mother, talked a lot with the family, went to the town below the castle, and chatted with friends after a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed my week off and slowly regained my composure.
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When Rene came after the departure of the royal brother, I think I was quite confused when asked if I had a stomachache. The fact that Rene was there at that timing means he’s under the royal brother.
Rolf, who took me to the balcony, is the same, and if Rolf is there, Edgardo is probably also with the royal brother.
I should have realized it with a little thought, but that night had too many intense events, and it took quite a while to sort them out.
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I return to the dorm, change into a negligee, and crawl into bed.
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“Work starts again tomorrow. What should I make for tomorrow’s meal? Maybe a kid’s meal to uplift the lord Knights’ spirits. A kid’s meal for dinner. I have to make plenty of mayonnaise for the Lord Knights.”
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I saw a Lord Knight at the Founding Festival party, and the moment he noticed me, he muttered, “Mayonnaise, mayonnaise, mayonnaise.” It was a bit of a horror.
Mayora-sama apparently can’t eat mayonnaise at home, so I’ll prepare plenty. He’s been happily reporting that he’s learned various arrangements and taste changes recently. It’s heartwarming, like Thor.
Next is to see if Rene is safe after that, apologize to Edgardo about Thor, and thank Roa-sama for the dress. . . after that. . .
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“Miss Norchev. Please wake up.”
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I’m gently shaken and slowly open my eyes. In the dim light cast by the moon, there’s a man I don’t know.
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“Ahh! . . .Mmm!”
“Calm down. It’s me. Roa.”
“Mmm?! Mmm! Mmm!”
“I’ve changed my appearance with magic tools. Please don’t scream. We’ll be found by the enemy.”
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My mouth, which was covered, is gently released, and I glare at the man claiming to be Roa-sama. Roa-sama has brown hair and brown eyes, and among the handsome knights, he has a calm face.
The man in front of me now is dashing, with black hair and deep green eyes. His body is also bigger than Roa-sama’s.
But those eyes. . . the way he looks at me. . . somehow, he feels like Roa-sama.
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“Okay, I won’t scream. In return, answer my questions.”
“Understood. But we don’t have time. We might be killed if found by the enemy.”
“Um, then, what did Roa-sama gift me?”
“A dress and shoes, a blue flower. The flower is the one that Miss Norchev has displayed there. Along with the flower in the bottle is. . . a letter from the royal brother that I passed on, perhaps?”
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I don’t understand the situation, but we mustn’t waste even a little time. Still, his voice conveys his concern to calm me down. His gaze is serious and kind.
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“. . .You really are Roa-sama.”
“I’m glad you understand. Sorry for the suddenness, but my enemy will be here soon. Miss Norchev is also being targeted, so I need you to escape with me.”
“I’m being targeted?!”
“Put whatever you need in this magic bag. Once you’ve donned the cloak, we’ll depart.”
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A pitch-black cloak is handed over, and I look up at Roa-sama.
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“Do you have anything to do while I finish preparing, Roa-sama?”
“Not particularly.”
“Please put everything from the kitchen on the first floor, including the recipe notebook and books and everything in the refrigerator, into the bag. I have a magic bag borrowed from Lord Edgardo, and I will put it all in there! Thank you in advance!”
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I hesitated for a moment but then quickly dashed out.
Opening the closet and vanity, I packed all my belongings without leaving anything behind. I turned on the robotic vacuum to suck up the dirt while I put on my shoes and draped a cloak over my negligee.
They might have a magical device that can track someone by their hair, so I also put the robotic vacuum into the magic bag. I tie up my hair to avoid leaving any traces.
Lastly, I checked to ensure nothing was left that could indicate Alice Norchev had been there, then I rushed downstairs. I turned on the robotic vacuum in the bathroom and toilet and started putting everything into the magic bag. After cleaning, I put the robotic vacuum into the magic bag and hurried into the kitchen.
While checking the kitchen, I am surprised to see Roa-sama coming out of an unused guest room on the first floor, followed by a small figure in the same black cloak as mine, but there’s no time to ask questions.
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“Roa-sama, everything is ready!”
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Stepping outside, I was startled to see a gathering of people. Arthur, Edgardo, Rolf, and Rene were all there, vigilant and not in a mood to be approached.
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“The enemy?”
“No sign of them.”
“Let’s go. This way.”
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I started running after the leading Arthur. Rene was at the rear, Edgardo to the right, Rolf to the left, in a formation that seemed to protect Roa-sama, and a bad premonition began to take over my heart.
Roa-sama said, “My enemies are coming.” Could it be that Roa-sama is the target?
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Despite my anxiety, I can’t ask the others who are on high alert, and after just a little running, I’m out of breath, with no leeway to speak idly. Not at all.
A lord knight who exercises and a noble lady who has only done standing work can’t possibly run side by side. Roa-sama glanced at me and gave an order.
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“Rolf, Edgardo. Carry the two of them.”
“Understood. Alice, hold on tight.”
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Rolf, who was close by, stopped, slipped his hands under my knees and armpits, and lifted me up. It was a fireman’s carry.
I was carried on Rolf’s shoulder, not around the internal organs but just below the chest, with my knees and shoulders supported. It’s a mild fireman’s carry, but a bit uncomfortable.
The small person in a black cloak and hood deep over their head was picked up by Edgardo. As soon as this happened, the speed of running increased, and the scenery rapidly changed.
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“Everyone, stay alert.”
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When we arrived at the lake where Roa-sama and I had previously relaxed, Roa-sama issued a brief command. While I was still amazed by how accustomed he seemed to giving orders, Roa-sama crouched down and did something. A trapdoor appeared in the ground, and Arthur entered it with his sword at the ready.
After a while, a hand emerged as a signal, prompting us to quickly follow. The secret underground passage had a distinct, stifling aroma—moldy and damp, with stale air.
Once everyone was in and the door closed, dim lights spaced at regular intervals lit up along the walls. It appeared that magical lighting devices had been installed.
Carrying ourselves or being carried, we relentlessly moved through the long passage. When we reached a dead-end, Roa-sama opened a door above us, and Arthur scouted ahead.
Arthur signaled that no one was around, and we took turns climbing the ladder. Once outside, we found ourselves not in the royal castle but in a town below it.
I felt my face go pale.
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. . .We had just passed through a secret tunnel. One probably known only to the royal family and a select few nobles.
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Could it be that the lake Roa-sama had taken me to was extremely important, a place one shouldn’t visit recklessly?
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“Alice, sorry, but I’ll need to carry you again. Please bear with it.”
“I understand.”
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This isn’t the time to be pondering such matters. I’m being carried by Rolf because I’m slow. The best I can do now is to reduce air resistance and be easy to carry.
I am cargo! I must cling to Rolf tightly but not enough to choke him!
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We sprinted through the town, repeatedly entering various shops and secret underground passages. At the third house we reached, Roa-sama let out a sigh of relief.
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“Let’s take a short break here. We’ll depart in 10 minutes.”
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Despite being told it was a break, everyone remained tense, keeping watch. I was out of breath even though I had been carried.
A person in a hood descended from Edgardo’s shoulder and casually stood up. A bell-like voice rang out.
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“Everyone, thank you for bringing me, whom you could have abandoned, this far.”
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It was a woman?! I thought she was small, but seeing Edgardo carry her with ease, I assumed she was a young boy.
Though her face was still hidden under her hood, she stood dignified despite what must have been a draining journey.
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“I will take my leave here. In the castle town, I have prepared several hideouts for times like this, so I will hide there. I will go there alone. Please prioritize your own safety above all else.”
“But. . .”
“I don’t wish to be a burden any longer.”
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After stating this firmly, she relaxed her tense aura.
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“I am truly grateful for everything up to this point. My house will not hesitate to assist you. Please. . .please stay safe.”
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She asked for our current location, bowed deeply, and quietly exited through the back door. The room fell silent instantly.
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“Uh. . .should I also excuse myself? Since I’m a burden. . .”
“Miss Norchev, you can’t. You’re targeted and have no safe houses. I’d explain, but we’re short on time.”
“Understood. I’ll aim to be a professional piece of cargo until then.”
“Professional cargo?”
“Easy to carry, aerodynamic, and capable of running or throwing a punch if necessary.”
“. . .Haha, even in times like this, Miss Norchev stays positive.”
“Since there’s little I can do, I have no choice but to stay positive.”
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The tension in the air relaxed slightly, and Roa-sama smiled faintly. Unaccustomed to this side of Roa-sama’s face, I didn’t know where to look.
Roa-sama smiled at me again and then stood up swiftly.
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“It’s time to depart.”
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This time, while being carried by Arthur, we passed through several more houses and secret passages. In the midst of tension so palpable that even breathing felt hesitant, we arrived at what seemed to be a mansion through a long secret passage.
Unlike the earlier speedy movements, we advanced quietly to avoid making any noise and entered a single room.
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“We should be safe once we’ve come this far. It’s likely that our pursuers lost track of us along the way. Miss Norchev, can you stand?”
“Yes, thank you.”
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Arthur set me down gently, but my legs felt unsteady, and I struggled to stand. Just when I felt like I might sit down, Arthur supported me.
Despite having run and acted as a scout for a long time, Arthur didn’t seem as out of breath as I was. In his arms, my strength seemed to drain away.
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“I’m sorry. . . You must be much more tired than I am.”
“I’ve trained for moments like these, so don’t worry about it. It’s a perk, you know, a perk.”
“Fufu, what do you mean by that?”
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Arthur’s usual banter reminded me of normalcy.
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“Thank you for your support. I can stand now.”
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As I let go of Arthur’s arm, I finally had the opportunity to look around the room. It was spacious and luxurious, much like a suite in a high-end hotel.
The windows were large, and elaborate embroidered curtains hung over them. There was a large sofa and a table. The room was decorated in white, gold, and purple, giving it an air of nobility. Given the multiple doors, there were likely more rooms beyond.
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“Um, where is this. . .”
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Before I could ask, one of the doors opened, and a cute girl in a maid’s outfit emerged. She had loosely waved blonde hair tied into twin tails with black ribbons, big eyes with long eyelashes, and red lips.
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“Everyone, I’m so glad you’re safe!”
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Surprisingly, she had a huskier voice.
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“As a precaution, please look around the surroundings. We’ll take a short break.”
“Understood.”
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The miss maid left, and we all sat on the sofa. Fatigue washed over me instantly, and my head spun.
Roa-sama reached out, squeezing my hand tightly. It felt like she was telling me to calm down, and I nodded with a soft throaty sound.
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“Roa-sama, where is this. . .”
“This is a noble’s school. We’ll hide here, gather information about the enemy’s intentions, and collect evidence. Miss Norchev, I want you to stay here.”
“A noble’s school? Thor is here. . .?”
“From now on, Miss Norchev, I want you to become a young lady who has come to study here from another country.”
“Huh?”
“We will be your attendants.”
“Huh?”
“We’ll gather information while in disguise. Miss Norchev, will you cooperate?”
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What? What is Roa-sama talking about?
Roa-sama, still holding my hand, gently lifted it. He handled it as delicately as if it were a precious treasure.
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“. . .I’m glad we made it here, Miss Norchev, safe and sound.”
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As he whispered sweetly, my entire body froze. Roa-sama’s resolute face drew closer to my upturned hand. In the palm of my hand, a faint warmth burst forth.
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