The Guardian Knight of Affection-Starved Young Ladies

20 – The Boy and the Winter Island (04)

021.

“Ah. Miss.”

The central square of Mland City.

Outside the most peculiar and largest teahouse there.

Kalen hurriedly approached Eliana, who was struggling to walk out.

Eliana still seemed awkward walking.

Well, it wasn’t surprising since she had been bedridden for seven years.

Although she had recently visited various places, Kalen was always with her.

Only then did Eliana find stability, exhaling a breath.

“…Kalen.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Kalen.”

“Miss?”

“Kalen…”

On the way back to the carriage.

Kalen, finding it strange that Eliana kept repeating his name, hurried towards the carriage.

During the journey to the north, only Kalen could be by her side, so he drove the carriage.

There was no particular need for that now.

The professional coachman of the Lakatus family skillfully began to drive the carriage.

Confirming the departure of the carriage, Kalen met Eliana’s eyes.

“…”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, not really…”

It was a lie.

Just as Eliana showed an unusual obsession with Kalen.

Naturally, Kalen stayed by Eliana’s side.

Reading her mood through her expressions was not difficult.

In Kallen’s view, Eliana was clearly displeased with something.

“Did someone upset you?”

“No…”

“Did someone approach you too familiarly?”

“No… Ah, that might be it…”

In any case, it was a no.

As Kallen, who had no clue, sighed, Eliana slowly turned her head.

It was quite a dramatic change.

It was rare for Eliana to avoid eye contact first.

Wasn’t she always the one to match eye levels first?

Now, Eliana was clearly turning her head.

But her cheek was slightly red.

“Kallen…”

“Yes, my lady.”

“…I have a question.”

A question.

Kallen thought Eliana was upset.

Could her curiosity have turned into a complaint? Kallen waited calmly for her to speak.

“…Why do you call me ‘my lady’?”

“Yes? Well, my lady…”

“Mhm.”

That “mhm” was undoubtedly versatile.

It could mean affirmation, denial, or even a desire to hide her feelings.

Only Kallen could understand it perfectly; anyone who didn’t know Eliana well would find it impossible.

And to Kallen, it was clearly a denial now.

“My name…”

“…”

“Call me by my name… Kallen…”

In Eliana’s mind, the scene at the tea house was vivid.

Eliana, Eliana, Eliana.

What was my name that they kept calling out like that?

The conversations with Kallen, which used to make me so happy, had become so tiresome.

No matter how briefly I answered, my name was constantly called.

It wasn’t for nothing that my father said surviving in society was difficult.

Still, since this helped Kallen, I tried my best.

Anyway, a thought came to me.

Even with people I just met, they called my name so eagerly.

Why didn’t he call my name?

Thinking about it, it was true.

He always addressed me formally as “Miss.”

Even though my name, Eliana, was right there, it was never called.

My thoughts went back to when I first met Kallen.

I remembered when Kallen told me to speak informally.

What was it again?

Kallen had said that our relationship felt uncomfortable.

Indeed, Kallen didn’t seem to like the coldly defined relationship of a lady and her escort.

Feeling pleased that we seemed to agree on this, I made a decision.

I would make Kallen call my name and speak informally.

My cheeks flushed again.

– Holding the warmth in my cheeks.

“I’m not ‘Miss’…”

I hoped to hear my name in Kallen’s calm voice.

It would be the same syllables as the women in the teahouse, but it would surely sound different.

Eliana was certain of it.

“…Eliana.”

As soon as Kallen said my name.

I turned my head again.

I was afraid my expression wouldn’t be pretty, but even so, I wanted to be called while looking into his eyes.

“`

“…Again.”

“Lady Eliana.”

“…”

As expected.

It was exactly as I had imagined.

*

Eliana’s debut into society at an early age.

Through Ekklesia, one of the most prestigious gatherings in society.

It became quite a surprising topic of conversation.

A world dominated by magic.

It is normal to barely enter the first rank a year or two before the coming-of-age ceremony, even at the earliest.

The deeper you delve into magic, the more profound it becomes.

Skipping one or two years entirely and debuting early in society was tantamount to social suicide for a young lady.

But the person in question was the young lady of Rakatus.

What made her so different?

The impact Eliana, who was even a year younger than the youngest lady in the Ekklesia salon, brought was tremendous.

The reason was clear.

Because she was outstanding.

In every aspect, she was overwhelming.

Beauty and appearance.

Etiquette and dignity.

Atmosphere and personality.

And finally, magic.

What particularly became a topic of conversation was her magic.

Despite her young age and early debut, she had the skill to handle the first rank to some extent.

Her aptitude was also a noble natural attribute.

Even though she had not been learning magic for long, her talent was dazzling.

How many reach out for such talent?

The struggle of flowers to become a shining star is so ugly.

Considering her growth, it was not an exaggeration to expect her to reach the second rank by the time she had her coming-of-age ceremony.

“`

There is one more thing.

The image.

If the previous magical skills were exciting and anticipated topics.

This one was often dismissed as a lie.

However, the source of the commotion was none other than Ecclesia.

Ecclesia, where Daphnis LeCalin resides.

The idea that it was a mere rumor was absurd.

The commotion that started from the Ecclesia salon spread to other social gatherings in Mland.

Then to the gatherings in Peltz and Clamenia.

Eventually, it caused a stir throughout the entire social circle.

Those who claimed to have seen it were all from the Ecclesia salon.

It is uncertain whether they intended to elevate the prestige of their salon.

But if what they said was true, they wanted to see it at least once.

Those who heard about the breathtaking scenery of Eliana’s image began to dream of such thoughts.

A plateau covered in snow.

Serene yet noble, cool sunlight.

Majestic canyons and clear water.

Would that be the feeling when beauty overwhelms the brain?

Those who saw Eliana’s world all spoke of ecstasy.

In the midst of this, there was also a rumor about the silhouette of a man.

But those who knew even a little about the image dismissed it as nonsense.

In the end, Eliana’s debut in the social circle was considered a success.

Given such a result, it would be natural to be happy.

“Kallen.”

But Eliana herself could not be happy at all.

The reason was the words Kallen had just said.

Because he mentioned parting once again.

“My lady… Eliana.”

“Kallen.”

Her mind went blank, and her breathing became rapid.

It felt like a disease that had disappeared was flaring up again, and my eyes were filled with fear.

However, Kallen showed no sign of backing down.

Why, why, why.

Are you trying to leave me?

Kallen is my only guardian.

I want him to stay by my side for life, and only look at me.

Thinking of a life without Kallen made everything seem futile.

I don’t want to imagine a room without Kallen,

I don’t want to imagine a mansion without Kallen,

I don’t want to imagine a garden, a world without Kallen.

All those things have meaning because Kallen is there.

He spoke of parting again.

Just as a terrible headache was about to come.

Kallen’s calm voice echoed in my ears.

“There is medicine.”

A voice that was calm as usual, and somewhat blunt.

But because of that, it was reassuring, a voice that I liked very much.

Kallen rummaged through his bosom while maintaining eye contact with me, and took out a small bottle.

The transparent bottle contained nothing.

“Come to think of it, I never told you about this.”

I didn’t quite understand what Kallen was saying.

But if I tried hard enough, I could hear it.

Kallen put the bottle aside and took off his top.

-Thump, thump, thump.

Naturally, the heartbeat from that time came to mind.

What I saw was the area around his chest, dyed black, and the lines spreading out like cracks.

Nothing had changed.

“I have been suffering from a disease for a long time, Eliana.”

“…”

“Like your disease, nothing has been revealed, and we don’t know the solution either.”

“`

“…”

“At least with the medicine, there is hope for recovery, and the pain is lessened.”

“…”

Kallen picked up the empty bottle again.

“But, it’s all gone.”

“…”

“To get more, we have to go back and receive it. Eliana.”

A bottle like mine, pain, lessened suffering, hope.

There wasn’t a single word that didn’t pierce my heart.

Why don’t they know?

Those were things they once held within themselves.

Things they could overcome and possess because Kallen came to them.

Something felt like it was rising up to my throat and blocking it.

It was just a feeling.

Eliana slowly caressed Kallen’s body.

“Was it… not because of me…?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Thank goodness.

A slight sense of relief flashed through my mind.

But soon, it was unpleasant.

The moment I acknowledged that relief, one reason to hold onto Kallen disappeared.

Now, I wanted to cling to Kallen out of guilt.

It just hurts.

Kallen is in pain.

They say they can’t do without the medicine.

They say to get the medicine, they have to part from me.

I didn’t want to part.

I didn’t want Kallen to be in pain.

Kallen protected me.

“`

Who will protect Kallen?

I would do it countless times if I had to.

But I couldn’t bear to see Kallen in pain.

Stay together.

Let go.

At the crossroads of two extremes, where I couldn’t possibly choose.

My head ached as if it would split open.

And the choice I made was…

Crunch-

With the sound of something being bitten.

Drip, blood flowed from between Eliana’s lips.

“Cough! Cough!”

Eliana exaggeratedly coughed, wiped her mouth with her palm, and checked.

Then she showed her palm to Kallen.

Her outstretched hand was trembling pitifully.

“I’m in pain… Kallen…”

A trembling jaw and voice.

Under the excessive burden, Eliana, who had given up thinking, chose to return to the time when she could comfortably rely on Kallen.

Would he scold her? Or be disappointed?

Kallen had done so much for her.

Yet, she couldn’t let him go even though he was in pain.

How selfish would she seem?

Just imagining Kallen withdrawing his kindness from her made her feel like she couldn’t breathe.

But even if she died, she didn’t want to lose Kallen.

Haa, haa.

Her breathing was labored, and her tongue hurt, making it hard to think clearly, but she saw something vividly.

Srrk-

Kallen, who had been frozen for a while, took action.

Eliana, who flinched reflexively, slowly observed Kallen.

Kallen, as usual, remained calm, but with a gentle smile on his face.

He began to wipe her hands and mouth.

That touched something within Eliana.

The trembling subsided, and her breathing returned.

Even though it was clear to anyone that she was being stubborn.

Kallen continued to care for her until the end.

Like a prince drawn on Winter Island.

She was so grateful for that.

And she liked it.

She still hated it madly, but she didn’t want to let go.

If it was just for a while.

If it was just for a very short while.

If she needed medicine from Kallen to stay with him-

Feeling the cloth touch her skin, Eliana gave up trying to meet his eyes.

The taste of blood flowed from her bitten tongue, but she didn’t care and hugged Kallen.

Her head slowly turned from side to side.

“Will you come back…?”

Whether it was the blood from her mouth that smeared on Kallen’s body.

Or something like water flowing from her eyes.

Eliana hugged Kallen and didn’t let go.

With tightly clenched lips, blood mixed with something flowing from her eyes and dripped onto her chin.

“If Eliana doesn’t forget me.”

“…”

It was the moment when Kallen finally finished the suspicious deal.