-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: My Sister, My Enemy, Dotes on Me
-----------------------------------------------------------------
What... just happened?
Standing dumbfounded in the middle of the room, I tried to process everything. Meanwhile, Theon, Jena, and the maids re-entered the room and began working busily.
Callista abruptly turned her head and looked at me.
"You're still standing, Harper."
"What... is all of this?"
From the thousands of questions swirling in my mind, I picked one, gesturing towards the marble table and the maids as I spoke.
"The maids, the furniture, the clothes—they're the price for saving Vittori. And..."
Callista shrugged, answering as if it were obvious.
"...the price for helping me is steep, so I'll pay you back gradually."
She gazed steadily at me as she spoke. Her tone was subtly softer than when she addressed Clarissa.
"And this is the interest. Come, sit."
Callista gestured towards the sofa where Clarissa had been sitting. Looking at it again, even the sofa had been replaced with a more luxurious one than the original.
Price, a price, she says.
My mind, which had been full of questions, finally began to grasp Callista's intentions.
She was just as calculating as Theon. She disliked favors without a price, and thus, hated being indebted to others.
So, this is literally a price. The compensation for helping with the Vittori incident.
She probably figures that once this debt is settled, she can go back to hating me with a clear conscience, right?
As I processed her words, Callista pulled the cord again, summoning someone. Following her summons, five knights entered the room.
"Greetings to both young ladies!"
As if they'd practiced, the five bowed at a precise angle and then lined up in a row. Each seemed to be holding something in their arms.
"It seems you'll need a bodyguard too. To prevent the incident at the banquet from repeating. Their martial skills are proven, so choose one from among them."
Callista came to stand beside me and gestured to the man standing furthest to the left among the five.
"Begin."
"Yes!"
...Begin?
Begin what?
The man, who seemed taller than Theon and twice as broad in the shoulders, with piercing eyes and scars across his face, took a step forward, carefully cradling something small and soft in his arms.
"What are you good at?"
"Playing with dolls!"
He extended his arms, revealing a small princess doll.
"See here. This is a popular doll from the Imperial Palace, made by a famous artisan. Its eyes open and close on their own, and its soft blonde hair is just like the young lady's."
He boasted proudly in a bear-like voice.
"Don't sell the doll, introduce yourself."
"If you choose me, I can play with dolls with the young lady all day! In this vast mansion, with no peers her age, the young lady needs a cute friend like this!"
Callista glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. I, who had been intently listening to his introduction, instinctively shook my head.
Sorry. I'm not really into dolls that look too much like people.
The burly man dejectedly stepped back.
"Next, what are you good at?"
"I'm good at playing musical instruments!"
A young knight with long, handsome hair said, but I shook my head.
"There was a maid earlier who was good at playing instruments."
I'm not going to live my life just listening to music, and I don't need two. If I'm getting a bodyguard, I'd prefer someone a bit different.
The young knight, looking wounded, hugged the small stringed instrument he'd brought, while the maid who claimed to play music paused her bed-making in the distance and flashed a smug smile.
Before I knew it, I found myself naturally getting serious about the bodyguard knight audition Callista had arranged.
"Number 3."
Callista called out the next person without hesitation.
Oh?
But the person who came out this time had a very familiar face.
"Number 3, Soyer Marcel!"
Soyer, the Knight Commander of Luperne's 3rd Knight Order, saluted sharply and announced loudly. When I looked at Callista with an incredulous expression, she stated impassively.
"He said if he could guard you, he'd pass his Knight Commander position to a junior. He's my personal recommendation."
"My remaining in the Ducal Family is thanks to Young Lady Harper's grace! It would be an honor to serve you!"
Only then did I recall a recent memory. The day Callista crushed Louis's arm, I had taken the blame for Louis's wrongdoing.
I had only thought of it as repaying a past life's regret, so I hadn't deeply considered how Soyer would view me because of it.
Now that I think about it, I guess I made quite an impression.
Soyer, boasting a physique no less impressive than Candidate Number 1, walked forward and placed a fur hat on my head.
It was a thick, slightly brighter red than Aramis's or Vittori's hair. A dainty pompom was attached to the top.
"I'm good at knitting! If you choose me, Young Lady Harper will never catch a cold!"
Crunch.
Suddenly, the sound of someone biting into a snack came from behind me. When I turned my gaze, there stood Theon and Jena, watching the bodyguard selection process with fascinated expressions.
"Number 3 is good! The young lady has a weak constitution."
Jena said, a snack in her mouth.
Didn't you tell me to be wary of Callista before?
It seemed she was weaker to snacks than she was to me.
I touched the pompom on the fur hat and smiled. From the choice of yarn to the craftsmanship, it was perfect.
"Let's see the next one first."
Female Knight Number 4, tall and pleasant-looking, offered to read me fairy tales, but she was blocked by Theon's opposition and had to withdraw without properly making her case.
"Finally, Number 5. Number 5 is someone who joined the 1st Knight Order very recently. His martial skills are proven, but he claims he's better at looking after children."
Callista, with a seemingly indifferent attitude, turned and introduced the last knight. The man, small in stature and somewhat unsure of himself, hesitated before taking a step forward.
"My name is Sion. I'm just... used to children because I have many younger siblings."
At his introduction, Soyer scoffed. His expression seemed to say, 'Is that all?'
"Hmm, for your information, I also have three younger siblings, Young Lady."
"I haven't been able to do anything significant in the Knight Order... so I thought if I became a bodyguard, I could at least earn my keep."
"If you're not doing your part, you should make an effort, man. Do you think being a bodyguard is easy?"
"I'm also pretty decent at cooking..."
"Oh, I also have a knack for desserts. I can make you beautiful chocolates during the upcoming Asemor Festival."
"...I will work hard."
Despite Soyer's sneers and interruptions, Knight Number 5 steadfastly finished his introduction.
Callista looked at me as if asking for my opinion, but I couldn't answer. I had a strange sense of déjà vu.
Sion. The name sounds familiar.
...Huh?
When I looked up and confirmed Knight Number 5's face, I finally remembered something.
Sion Apensio.
That man, with a name that sounded like a jest, was a talent coveted by every ruler in my previous life.
I had only seen his face once from a distance, so my memory wasn't precise, but the name was unmistakable.
Sion Apensio, the Empire's Spy Master.
He was someone who had briefly stayed with the Luperne Knight Order before leaving.
Rather than adapting to an organization, he had a talent for creating them. He was a big shot who established and operated numerous underground guilds, including the Empire's most extensive information guild.
He, who traded information among various rulers, had been removed for being too dangerous after walking a tightrope between Calein and Callista.
What was astonishing was that in his final moments, he succeeded in extracting all of his close subordinates.
Considering that assassins were sent by both Calein and Callista, it was close to a miracle.
To think I'd see him here, the man who once reigned like an emperor of the underworld. And in such a timid state, being sneered at by Soyer.
"...Is there no one you like?"
Callista asked after I had been quiet for a while. When I looked up, Sion had a completely resigned expression, while Soyer kept giving me puppy-dog eyes, as if urging me to choose him.
"Number 5."
Without hesitation, I pointed to Sion. Soyer's large eyes trembled violently, but I paid no mind.
"I like Sion."
The moment I finished speaking, Sion's previously gloomy face visibly brightened. I instinctively knew my choice was correct.
If he could protect children from assassins sent by both Callista and Calein, wouldn't his ability as a bodyguard be the best in the Empire?
"Then Sion stays, and the rest of you may return. Soyer, you are to report back to the 3rd Knight Order."
"Guh, yes, Young Lady!"
As those who had tasted the bitter cup of rejection swallowed their tears and turned away, Sion, with a brightened face, knelt on one knee before me.
"I will serve you as my liege for life!"
With a somewhat strange feeling, I received the bow of Sion Apensio, the man who once had the entire empire buzzing with just a rumor or two.
***
"Please go to the library first, My Lady."
Theon said. I sighed and made the request I had been repeating for days.
"Can't you just call me like before?"
"No, you cannot."
"Why not?"
"Because it is important to me."
I forced myself to unclench my hands, which had involuntarily curled. It hadn't bothered me when Aramis called Callista that, but hearing it directed at me felt so unnatural.
"Do you know how many dukes and nobles wished to become my master?"
I only know of Callista. And I don't know why he's calling *me* that this life, instead of Callista.
"Even the Imperial Palace wanted to recruit me. You'll understand how beneficial it is to have me as your subordinate when you're older."
"What's so good about it?"
"I will help the young lady grow into whatever you desire. Become a scholar, for example..."
Why would I become a scholar? I don't dislike studying, but not enough to make a profession out of research. I can just leave what I need to others.
"I won't."
"Then, become an official, perhaps."
Work in the same place Calein lives, even after regressing? What kind of curse is this?
"No."
"Then, do you perhaps wish to become a virtuous wife and wise mother? I don't particularly recommend it, but if you desire, I can arrange more etiquette lessons..."
"No."
"Then, become wealthy, perhaps."
"No... huh?"
I asked back, surprised by the unexpected suggestion.
He just mentioned money, didn't he?
"If My Lady wishes."
Theon adjusted the side of his glasses, which had slipped down slightly.
"I can help My Lady earn a great deal of money."
