"I've been called a pretty good Romeo in some of the bars I've been to.

　The words seemed to Kalia Vadnick to have a certain irony to them. It seemed deliberate or theatrical. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them in the marketplace.

I'm not sure how you got here,......, but no. Why did you come here?

　Kalia Vadnick's agitation was obvious. Her silver eyes widened, indicating that her thoughts were not turning properly. Her normally nimble fingertips wavered as she slowly unlocked the window.

"I can't help it. If there's a princess in captivity, it's Romeo's job to come and rescue her, right?　Well, maybe it's the knight in shackles this time.

　In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find a lot more information on the web. You'll find a lot of people who are not afraid of a beast of prey. Raising both eyebrows in an expression of both dismay and astonishment, Kalia Vadnick slowly shakes her head.

No. I'm not trapped. I'm just doing what I want to do.

　That's definitely a falsehood. A genuine, unadulterated lie. The words came out of her mouth in penitence to the gods, and Caria Vardnick couldn't help but glance to the side.

　It's a lie. Of course it's a lie. But why would I want to take your hand? How could I say I'd like to take you anywhere? To take that hand now would be an injustice to my father. To take his hand now would be an injustice to my father, a violation of the oath I took to help this man and give him what he wanted. The stain is on Kalia Vadnick's pride, her ethics, her outlook on life. Nothing can wipe it away.

And I will not be helped by a miserable man like you. Go home. Go home, wherever you are.

"...... You're so selfish.

　In the event that you're in a position to, you'll be able to do so. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　I don't like it. His silver hair swayed. Yes, she hadn't liked this man from the start, Kalia Vardnick thought, letting her memory drift. You say people are selfish, but what about this guy? He interferes in people's battles without permission, defends them without permission, and then says he's going to save them without permission. Oh, what a selfish man.

Which one of us is the selfish one, Lugis? Your selfishness at the fortress bothered me as well, didn't it?

　The words that came out of Karia Vardnick's mouth were spontaneous, bared of thorns. I've been bothered too.

"Of course you did, Kalia Vadnick. You took the liberty of saving my life, you took the liberty of leaving the Order, and you took the liberty of coming here. Yeah, you're a selfish b*tc*.

　The moment Kalia Vadnick's silver hair quivered in anger at the one-sided statement, her thin, white fingers were grasped by a rugged hand. At that touch, the words that were supposed to be spat out with indignation from Kalia Vadnick slipped back down her throat.

　There was no one of the knightly or upper class who had hands like this. Even within the Knights, there were traces of knightly training to be proud of, but no one with hands as rugged as these. There were scars in places, as if they were worn out, and there was no sense of softness. In fact, they are so fragile that I even feel a slight discomfort in the skin I come in contact with. It's not masculine, it's a hand that's been worn down to survive. It's not comfortable. The roughness with which he takes my hand is like that of an animal. I've never held or been held by a hand like this before.

　Yes, but I've never felt such a rush of emotion when someone held my hand.

　Unknowingly, Kalia Vadnick squeezed her hand back. A hint of vermilion mixed with her white cheeks. It wasn't conscious. Unconscious. So this is a reflex action not of my own will, I repeated over and over in my head.

"So I've decided to do it on my own, yeah. I'm gonna rob you out of this house. I don't care what you and Burbage Birdnick promised. I'm just a rat.

　The respectful manner in which Lugis had acted towards Caria Vardnick was removed and his arm was pulled tightly. It's a good idea to take a look at your own personal life.

So,....... Do what you want, you selfish bastard. But to rob me, that's a big deal. Yeah?

"Yes, after all, it's a life given to selfishness. Well, ......, if you want to spare your life, why don't you just get in the carriage outside, Princess. Or are you a knight?

　Kalia Vardnick's cheeks relaxed as she heard this improvised line from the villain.

"Neither a princess nor a knight. It's just Kalia. It's just Kalia--Rugis, what do you think, you're just on Kalia's side?



　Yes, if they're going to rob the Vardniks. It would be fitting, said Kalia Vardnick, or just Kalia, narrowing her eyes.

"...... Oh, of course.

　A beat, as if puzzled. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.