The Guardian Knight of Affection-Starved Young Ladies

19 – The Boy and the Winter Island (03)

020.

When it comes to the cities that are the center of society, three places are often mentioned.

Peltz, Clamenia, and Mland.

They were outstanding in many ways, befitting their reputation as the most prosperous cities in the empire.

Moreover, it goes without saying that the characteristics of each city played a significant role.

Among them, Murland had the symbolism of being the capital.

If you were a descendant of a noble family, you would visit it at least once.

Whatever it was, others also aimed for Murland first, making it easier to get what they wanted.

It was only natural that various social gatherings were formed around the prominent nobles gathered in Murland.

Another small society was created within the society.

Murland was the center of the Claire Empire continent.

Regardless of location, renowned nobles from all over gathered here.

The walls they built were indeed solid.

Those who became the center of the social world understood well the position they were in.

They received intense education from their families. Wherever they went, they had to elevate their dignity gracefully.

Although it was called a social gathering, it was not unusual for it to become a space where fresh young girls could chat freely.

Pretty flowers and a cute atmosphere that stimulated the girlish sensibility.

Even in the midst of that, they maintained elegance and manners.

Centered around the various social gatherings thus formed, Murland was filled with luxury and high-end specialty shops that catered to the tastes of such nobles.

The role of the social world, which had been limited to women, spread to men, and places dealing with men’s products also increased.

The dazzling streets and the even more dazzlingly dressed noble descendants.

Regardless of how great the nobles were, to the commoners, it was just their world.

And-

If there was something special, there was something even more special.

In the case of Murland, it was the Ecclesia Salon.

A tradition limited to women only. Backed by the giants of the north, Hiatt, and the southeast, Lakatus.

A gathering that exerted overwhelming influence in the social world.

Even at the lowest, it was at the count level.

Among them, if it was not a top family, they could not even dare to apply.

It was said that even those called ‘flowers’ in their own area were mostly filtered out.

The huge square that occupied the center of Murland.

No, it should rather be called a temple.

Whether they wanted to give a grand and noble feeling, the exterior of the teahouse was somewhat unfamiliar.

Those affiliated with Ecclesia were blooming conversations in such a teahouse.

“Lady Richesa, your magical skills seem to be improving day by day~. I wish I could follow even half as well…”

“Please don’t flatter me too much, Lady Daphnis… I heard that you have mastered the highest level magic of the first rank this time.”

“It was just luck. Ah, Lady Aileen, the other day…”

Their voices were delicate, yet not unpleasant to hear.

It was a clear indication of how careful they were with even a single word.

Discussing their knowledge of magic was also a matter of such significance.

From the beginning, those of lower levels couldn’t even use magic, so they raised their standards in every aspect.

All these little things come together to create their reputation and authority.

“By the way, did you hear that, everyone?”

“What is it, Lady Daphnis?”

At that moment, when laughter was in full bloom.

The lady who first spoke lightly clapped her hands to draw attention.

It was natural for the other ladies’ interest to be drawn.

Daphnis was known for her exceptional information-gathering skills in the Ecclesia Salon.

She would bring up even the events that happened this morning.

And the topics were always full of interest.

It was impossible not to be intrigued.

“I heard some news yesterday, and I couldn’t believe it even after hearing it. So I brought it to discuss with you all.”

Moreover, the stories that Daphnis brought up with such weight,

were not to be taken lightly.

“It seems that Lady Lacatus is returning.”

Silence fell for a moment.

Even the ladies who adjusted their postures were stunned by those words.

Well, of course.

Where did Ecclesia’s fame and authority originate?

It was because the ladies of the north’s Hyat and the southeast’s Lacatus had always been the representatives of the salon.

Even during the days when the Dranus family was thriving, it was the same.

If anything, their reputation had only grown, not diminished.

However.

The situation was a bit different now.

Neither the northern Hiatt, nor the southeastern Lakatus.

Currently, neither of them show up at the Ecclesia Salon.

At least Lady Hiatt had the excuse of ‘not being interested.’

Lady Lakatus’s whereabouts were unclear.

When the owner is absent, a substitute is necessary.

It was no exaggeration to say that the Ecclesia Salon was currently being run by Daphnis and Belle.

If we delve a bit deeper, there was one more person… but that was an undisclosed fact.

Now, that side was more familiar.

Then, without any warning,

One of the two owners of the Ecclesia Salon was returning.

No one in the salon could easily bring it up.

“…What do you think?”

Daphnis subtly smiled and observed the atmosphere.

The most important thing was Belle’s intention.

Seeing no change in her expression, it seemed she had no particular thoughts.

It was a relief.

Daphnis wanted to make the Ecclesia Salon her own.

She didn’t like the idea of handing over the salon she had diligently protected and nurtured to someone else.

“Excuse me, but where did you get such information, Lady Daphnis?”

Clink-

The teacup elegantly clinked.

As Daphnis turned her head while maintaining her smile, Belle was sipping her tea.

In fact, asking for the source of information was extremely rude.

It was akin to asking, ‘Can you take responsibility for that statement?’

There was a fundamental trust.

If one was a member of Ecclesia, they wouldn’t engage in the lowly act of spreading unverified, uncertain information.

A solid trust built by name and authority.

Belle had touched that unwritten rule.

However, no one pointed it out.

The first reason was because it was Belle.

The second reason was because Belle’s words were reasonable.

No matter how much faith precedes, the information brought is absurd.

Since the social world usually holds coming-of-age ceremonies, if one is not yet of age, they must convey the news.

That is, if they are certain to join that salon.

As mentioned, Ecclesia belongs to Hyat and Lacatus.

It was hard to believe that the young lady of Lacatus, who had never appeared without a word until now, was coming.

Daphnis answered, secretly biting his molars.

“…Although it’s not direct, I think it’s basic to be curious about what each family is doing, right?”

“Yes.”

“Moreover, it’s Lacatus? I personally received reports on the procurement of educational materials and several etiquette teachers. And most importantly, a girl who had not been seen within Lacatus has revealed herself.”

Daphnis stared intently at Belle’s face and said.

“Is this enough?”

“Thank you. Daphnis.”

The atmosphere between the two.

The young ladies caught in the middle could only watch.

Both were smiling, but that made it even scarier.

It was a situation where it wouldn’t be strange if one side stood up.

Click-clack-

Towards the corridor connecting the entrance of the teahouse and the square.

Thud-

The sound of quiet footsteps was heard.

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere, already chilled by the nerve war between Daphnis and Belle, became even colder.

The sound of walking was naturally louder.

The footsteps stopped in front of the door.

Everyone’s gaze turned simultaneously.

Knock-knock-

A young lady sitting by the entrance carefully opened the door.

Eventually, two people came inside.

One of them was even a boy.

“What,”

Before Daphnis could say anything to stop them.

The boy turned his head, looked around for a seat, and took the girl who came with him to an empty seat.

Did a man dare to come in here?

Could that girl not walk on her own?

More importantly, who were they to knock on the door of the Ecclesia Salon?

While such questions were swirling in his mind.

What caught his eye was the girl’s unreal appearance.

Would it look like that if clouds were dyed in the sky?

Somehow, he thought it might not be as beautiful as that.

Moreover, her behavior was different.

Although she still seemed clumsy, it rather suited her, giving a noble yet delicate impression.

The two people who suddenly barged in.

One of them even sat down.

It was Belle’s question that broke the silence.

“Who are you?”

“Lacatus…”

A clear and pure voice rang out.

“Eliana Lacatus…”

One of the two owners of the Ecclesia Salon found her seat.

*

Daphnis looked at the boy standing beside him.

The situation was so incomprehensible that his mind froze for a moment.

As the situation began to clear up, something caught his eye.

‘What, what is this…’

Could he be her fiancé?

His appearance was enough to naturally raise such a question.

Even compared to the lady who introduced herself as Eliana Lacatus, he did not fall short.

If he was such a person, it was only natural to assume he was at least a fiancé.

“Ah, even if he’s a fiancé, a man here…”

“Oh. I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”

The boy gave Daphne an awkward smile.

There was something cute about that look, a feeling different from his mature appearance.

Hair with a dark hue.

A calm and composed tone.

The boy’s appearance began to fill Daphne’s retina.

And in Daphne’s eyes, the boy whispered something to Lady Rakatus, who had come with him.

Lady Rakatus nodded slightly and made eye contact.

At the moment the boy was about to leave,

Daphne impulsively shouted,

“Wh-what’s your name!!?”

Daphne herself didn’t realize why she did that.

A voice that rose so high it cracked, lacking in refinement.

A question blurted out in a shout due to embarrassment.

In that moment, all sense of decorum and elegance was forgotten.

“Kallen.”

The boy’s name was Kallen.

*

“Wow! So, Eliana, you learned first-class magic not long ago, and you’re already that good?”

“…Yes.”

“How is the garden of Rakatus? It’s so famous, I’ve always wanted to visit…”

“…I think it’s nice.”

Rakatus.

That Rakatus.

Not only was he a new person, but there was no way not to be curious.

Even Eliana’s somewhat indifferent expression had something that piqued curiosity.

“The coming-of-age ceremony, you said it’s not yet?”

“…Yes.”

Even Bell, the most stoic personality of the Ecclesia Salon, was participating in the barrage of questions.

“Excuse me, Lady Daphnis.”

“…”

“Lady Daphnis?”

“Ah, ah. I’m sorry, Lady Richeza.”

It was Daphnis who was unusually quiet.

She had been sitting there blankly since earlier.

It was a stark contrast to her usual self, who would try to set the mood somehow.

No wonder she was voted the most feared person by the young ladies who first entered Ecclesia.

Only Richeza, who was closest to her, quietly tugged at her sleeve and called her.

But even then, the response was lukewarm.

Richeza, who was sociable and friendly with the other young ladies, was also very perceptive.

Surely, it must have been the sudden arrival of the young lady from Lacatus that upset her.

Richeza sighed inwardly.

Indeed, seeing Daphnis like this was tiring, but…

What could she do?

Even such a side of Daphnis was adorable.

Richeza smiled and spoke as if it was nothing.

“The young lord who came in earlier, isn’t he handsome?”

A typical interest for any young lady.

In fact, Richeza had no interest in such things.

Playing along with Daphnis’s mood was no big deal.

It should have been like that—

“…Uh, uh-huh.”

“…?”

“I think… so…”

“…”

That day, Richeza saw a face behind the mask that she had never shown in front of others.

It was fortunate that no one noticed Richeza because all attention was focused on Lady Lakatus.

Even Daphnis, who was right next to her, had a slightly different focus.