It was a story completely different from what I had experienced. However, I deliberately chose stark words.
Although this time I moved with a clear purpose, it was true that if a frail noble lady wandered through back alleys without any escort, she could face countless worst-case scenarios.
"Understand now? Why I want to use Eclis as my bodyguard."
"……"
"I'm sorry for worrying you, big brother."
I ended with those words and passed by the frozen Leonard, ascending the stairs.
Eclis, with his expressionless face, and Emily, who bowed her head solemnly, followed me.
Indifference is another form of contempt.
I could not, could not, view the people in this house who had turned a blind eye to Penelope's potential dangers favorably.
'For the sake of the me before I entered this place.'
Just as I finished climbing the stairs.
〈SYSTEM〉 [Leonard] and [Festival Viewing] quest failed!
Would you like to try again?
(Reward: Leonard's affection +3% and others.)
[Accept / Decline]
Without looking back, I chose 'Decline.'
Eclis followed me like a puppy all the way to my door.
I had to speak, seeing Emily's shock at his attempt to follow me into the room.
"How far do you plan to follow me?"
With me blocking the doorway, Eclis couldn't enter.
"But…"
He paused, tilting his head slightly before speaking hesitantly.
"You said to prove my worth."
Hearing the reason for his blind obedience, I felt a bit disheartened.
'The slave auction must be that terrifying.'
Suddenly, the yellow bead in the center of the choker around Eclis's neck shimmered.
'Ring.'
Only then did I realize I held the magical tool to control him in my hand.
My head, which had been excited by the [18% affection], grew cold.
The image of him breaking his shackles and killing people in one go was still vivid in my mind.
A courteous knight who remained loyal to the end, even to a villain.
But the untamed Eclis from before was far more dangerous.
Perhaps the reason he was so obedient to Penelope was because of the choker around his neck.
'Don't be fooled by his gentle face. He's the one who killed hyenas with his bare hands.'
I reinforced my vigilance against Eclis several times in my mind before speaking.
"That doesn't mean you have to serve me at night."
"Then…"
"You heard me, right? That I brought you here to use you as my bodyguard."
"Yes."
Eclis answered obediently.
"Your first task is to make everyone in the ducal family accept your presence here."
"Task…?"
"Yes. I can't keep insisting on keeping someone useless here forever."
I sternly recited the tasks he had to do.
Only after finishing did I realize I had been too indifferent and tried to feign kindness.
"I believe you won't disappoint me. Right?"
Eclis slowly nodded at my question.
His gray eyes seemed to sparkle as they looked at me.
[Affection 20%]
At that moment, his affection changed.
It was the closest to the [30% affection] given to the main characters in normal mode.
'Ah… When will I reach 30%, and when will I raise it further to see the ending…'
The long road ahead already made me feel weary.
"Emily, please show Eclis to the room the butler prepared and come back."
"Yes, miss."
Then.
"Master."
Eclis's dry voice, which sounded as complicated as my feelings, called me.
"I'll work hard to earn your praise."
But I pretended it was nothing, reaching out to stroke his dirty hair.
Eclis immediately rubbed his head against my palm.
The physiological fear of the man who had beaten people like a machine hadn't completely disappeared.
Still, the hope that my choice was right and that I could escape from here.
"I'm so glad my savior is you, Master."
It made me move willingly.
* * *
After bringing Eclis home, I stayed in my room for a while, pretending to be on house arrest.
The duke and Derrick, who had heard the fabricated story from me, ultimately didn't drive Eclis away.
They also left me alone, despite my arrogant behavior of staying in my room all day without showing my face.
However, I felt a chill when Emily told me that the duke was thoroughly investigating all noble families in the empire with the name 'Cluey.'
Moreover, I heard that the training intensity and discipline of the knights in the family had become extremely strict recently.
'He won't find that pig…'
Even if the duke did find him, it wouldn't be a big deal, but something felt off, making me uneasy.
"Ah, I don't know!"
Lost in thought, I threw the book I was holding and sprawled on the bed.
The warm noon sunlight poured through the half-drawn curtains into the room.
Somehow, solving the big episode of 'saving Eclis' gave me a brief moment of peace.
I could lie on the bed, read books, and eat snacks all afternoon without anyone bothering me.
'After all, house arrest is the best.'
If possible, I hoped Derrick would keep me on house arrest until I saw the ending.
Do the laundry, clean, and even bring me meals. What a happy life!
Knock knock.
"Miss! Are you still in bed? Get up quickly. It's time for lunch."
As if on cue, the food arrived.
"What's for lunch today?"
I still lay lazily, watching Emily enter the room with a tray.
"Spiced pumpkin salad and roasted chicken thighs."
"That's all?"
It was too meager. I openly showed my disappointment.
"Last time, you said you wanted something spicy, so the chef specially developed a sauce."
"Really?"
But I perked up at the added information and sprang up from my seat.
After singing 'Spicy Chicken Thighs' to Emily for a while, it finally reached the chef's ears.
"You've really changed your taste lately. You used to ignore spicy foods…"
While placing the prepared dishes in front of me, Emily kept tilting her head.
I felt a twinge of guilt. Despite ignoring and disliking her, Emily had been Penelope's maid for years.
She seemed puzzled by the subtle changes in her mistress.
"Your taste changes as you get older, you know."
"That's true."
Picking up the fork, I replied calmly, and Emily nodded nonchalantly.