The Cowardly Young Lady and the Escort Knight

Chapter 1: A Slapstick First Greeting

"From now on, you will be in charge of the duties of an escort knight."

That was what he heard as soon as he arrived at the office.

Without even a conventional greeting like "How are you?", Patrick blinked blankly for a moment at the sudden main point before barely managing to open his mouth.

"Escort knight... you mean?"

"That's right. Do you perhaps not know what it means?"

"No, Sir Albert. I know what it means."

Escort knight.

That is, a knight who protects someone's safety.

However, these individuals are actually commoners, not formally appointed knights.

It's just that nobles, with the logic that "it's beneath them to be escorted by commoners," attached a fancy title.

If they were treated as real knights in the first place, they would just say "become a knight and take on escort duties."

Why bother creating the term "escort knight"?

Still, as they are always right beside a noble, they receive better treatment than ordinary servants.

Moreover, if they please the person they are escorting, they can benefit in many ways, so there was no sweeter offer for commoner soldiers.

Therefore, they should nod without complaint.

However, Patrick even slightly frowned and voiced his question.

"However... I'm just wondering why you're entrusting it to me. There are many stronger people than me in the barracks, and above all, I'm not yet an adult."

"What is most required of an escort knight is loyalty. Combat ability is secondary. Besides, there's another reason why you were chosen."

Sir Albert, one of the pillars of Grayclaw, the main castle where the lord resides, continued.

"A precious guest will arrive at the castle tomorrow. Her name is Cecilia Bedere Rosepole. She is sixteen years old. Since you are the closest to her in age and upbringing, I recommended you to the lord, and he readily agreed. Consider it an honor."

At the order given in a firm voice, Patrick stared wide-eyed at his direct superior.

The silence that gently settled in the office,

"...What?! Tomorrow?! Isn't that too sudden?!"

Was shattered by Patrick's high-pitched scream.

Sir Albert calmly faced him, who was in great shock with his eyes trembling, and nodded.

"Yes, it must be disconcerting. Usually, notification is given at least two weeks in advance."

"Th-Then why is it like this this time...!"

"Well, it's because we're hosting her so suddenly. Didn't I just say? That she's someone who lived in a similar environment to you."

A roundabout way of speaking, as if he couldn't go into detail.

Patrick frowned slightly.

'Lived in a similar environment to me? How?'

That Cecilia person must also be a noble.

But how could she have lived in a similar environment to a commoner like himself?

'He can't possibly mean being in the barracks. Then... ah, is she perhaps an orphan?'

If so, it wouldn't be strange for that lady to suddenly come here.

His and Sir Albert's lord is Count Trebble.

Cecilia, who is arriving tomorrow, has a completely different surname.

Perhaps something bad happened to the Rosepole family, and she lost her parents and is entrusting herself to a distant relative or godfather, the count.

'...Well, I have to follow orders anyway. What else can I do?'

It's very sudden and absurd, but he can't refuse.

A mere soldier has no right to refuse, and the lord's permission has already been granted.

'And anyway, they told me in advance. Isn't that something?'

Compared to announcing a combat ability evaluation test on the morning of the same day, isn't this overflowing with consideration?

Thinking positively, Patrick calmed his mind.

He opened his mouth with the same composed expression as when he entered the office.

"I understand, Sir Albert. I will gratefully accept the command."

"One more thing. I heard that Lady Cecilia is not in good health. Of course, a maid will help her with her movements, but you should also keep in mind that you may have to lend a hand."

"Yes, I will keep that in mind."

"Good. Since you are being deployed so suddenly, the uniform will be provided later. I have ordered the horses to be prepared, so quickly finish your preparations and depart.

Lastly, I don't think you don't know, but,"

Sir Albert rested his elbows and clasped his hands together.

It was a habit he took before making an important story, and a slight tension arose on Patrick's face as he waited for the next words.

"...My honor is also at stake in your actions. Always keep that in mind."

Don't go and cause trouble. Otherwise, my neck, who recommended you, will also fly away.

Facing those solemnly speaking eyes, Patrick answered firmly.

"Don't worry, Sir Albert. I will do my best."

"I believe you will. You may leave now."

As soon as those words came out, Patrick bowed his head and left the office.

Ignoring the gazes of the other trainees who wanted to ask why he had been called, he returned to the dormitory and quickly began packing.

Since he didn't have many personal belongings, he was soon able to leave the barracks and depart for the main castle.

Finally, as he entered Grayclaw, the castle with three pointed towers standing side by side, a maid led him to his bedroom.

He didn't have time to think about anything as he moved in a hurry, but seeing the appearance of the room he was guided to, he was finally able to realize that his status had changed.

Not only a bed, but also a bedside table, a chest of drawers, a wardrobe, and even a small desk and bookshelf.

Although there isn't even a small vase, let alone a picture or a clock, and even the bookshelf is empty, he can fill the room as much as he wants.

"Of course, at your own expense."

The maid added playfully.

However, Patrick didn't care at all.

'Wow, I get to use this all by myself?'

A private bedroom, what a pleasant environment!

The fact that he no longer had to stay up all night because of someone snoring was truly touching.

Moreover, he now had a space to keep his personal belongings!

He no longer had to give up what he wanted because there was no place to put it.

Patrick recalled one by one the items he had been swallowing tears and unable to buy.

Startled by the sudden laughter, he turned his head and saw the maid who had guided him giggling.

"...Ah, I'm sorry. I was a little excited..."

"No, I'm the one who's sorry. You're different from my first impression... Hehe, you must be very happy."

"Yes, the barracks bedroom has 6 people per room as standard..."

"Oh my, were you happy because of the room? Well, if there were six people in one room, you'd be excited. We usually share with two or three people, so you must have been uncomfortable!"

The maid smiled softly and continued.

"Anyway, you'll be staying here from now on. Oh, have you had dinner? I can bring you bread and milk if you want."

"I ate something simple on the way, so it's okay. Thank you for your concern."

"You're welcome. Then, rest comfortably~"

After smiling brightly and bowing her head, the maid quietly left the room.

As the sound of footsteps faded away from outside the room, Patrick opened the door and looked at the outside... another large room.

Moonlight entering through the uncurtained window was faintly illuminating the room without a single light.

There were sofas and tea tables, display cabinets and flower vases, a chessboard, and so on.

It must have been decorated as a reception room or something.

He turned his gaze and saw the door across from his bedroom among the several doors on the wall.

Two doors with vines and patterns intricately carved.

According to the maid who left a little while ago, that was Cecilia's room.

'Looking around... that's probably not a good idea.'

According to the seniors in the barracks, you shouldn't look around a woman's room carelessly.

Moreover, if he was caught arbitrarily looking into the room of a noble lady, not even a commoner...

'Yeah, let's just sleep.'

Patrick cleanly gave up and closed the door again.

After finishing getting ready to sleep, he laid his body, which had been tired from moving in a hurry, on the bed.

And he realized acutely that what he had been using until now was not a bed, but just a wooden plank!

'Wow, it's so fluffy.'

Not just putting his body on it, but the feeling of being wrapped in comfort made him exclaim involuntarily.

'Nobles must use something even better than this?'

That's why they're so energetic even after dancing all night and having parties.

It was the moment when the long-held mystery he had been harboring was finally solved.

He was about to go to sleep with a relieved heart, but he suddenly opened his eyes slightly again at a thought that came to mind.

The ceiling was completely dark because of the curtains.

After a while, it seemed like he could see the grain of the wood very faintly.

As he stared blankly at it, he naturally came to think about his situation once again.

'Escort knight...'

He had never once thought he wanted to do it.

There were many people who were superior to him in swordsmanship and fighting, as well as etiquette and appearance.

Rather than dreaming of something that could never be achieved and being disappointed, it was much more constructive to do the job he was currently doing and hope for a raise.

Was that why he thought so?

Even though he had become an escort knight, which everyone wanted to be, he was only lukewarm and not cheering.

'Still, well, it's a good thing, right?'

As can be seen from the fact that the maid treated him kindly, he had gone up half a step in status thanks to becoming an escort knight.

His salary was also much better than when he was an ordinary soldier, so objectively, he could be said to have completely turned his life around.

So, he shouldn't be greedy any more.

But since something good had happened without any desire, wouldn't it be okay to hope that something else would be achieved with the share that should have gone into it?

Patrick closed his eyes and made a very, very small wish.

'I hope they don't look down on me too much.'

May that precious daughter not despise him too much.

So that she doesn't even think for a moment, 'Why do I have to protect someone like this?'

He fell asleep while earnestly wishing so.

The next day, Patrick put on the neatest clothes he had and went out to the castle gate.

The head butler looked at him for a moment and then gave some instructions to another butler.

He tilted his head wondering what it was, and soon the butler brought him a black jacket and told him to wear it.

It was the most valuable and neatest outfit after the shabby padded armor, but it seemed that a white shirt and dark-colored pants were not enough.

'I knew this outfit wouldn't work.'

Patrick sighed softly and put on the jacket.

Suddenly, his eyes went to the other butlers standing in front of the castle gate.

White shirt and dark-colored pants.

The only difference was that they were wearing white gloves and Patrick was wearing a sword without gloves.

'I think I'll just look like a butler?!'

That was highly likely.

The castle's servants were distinguishing their roles by their attire.

After firmly resolving to get a different colored jacket as soon as possible before it became troublesome, he waited with the head butler and other servants for Cecilia to arrive.

In a tense atmosphere where no one was chatting, after a little past the scheduled time.

'She's coming.'

Soon, a luxurious carriage pulled by four horses entered the inner wall and stopped in front of them.

The coachman opened the door of the carriage, and the head maid came out first.

Following her, a small girl hesitated slightly, grabbed the head maid's hand, and got out of the carriage,

'Huh.'

Patrick's mouth dropped open as soon as he saw the girl.

What got off the luxurious four-horse carriage was a beggar with her eyes wrapped in cloth!

Red hair that had grown haphazardly.

Shabby clothes that could be called rags. Arms and legs that were as thin as bones.

Nowhere did she look like a 'precious lady'.

'No, more than that... she grew up in the same environment as me...?!'

Did Sir Albert know him as a beggar instead of an orphan?

Do orphans and street beggars look the same to those nobles!

Patrick couldn't help but be shocked. The level of sight between commoners and nobles seemed to be greater than he thought.

Anyway, Cecilia is a 'precious lady', and the person he has to protect and serve from today.

So, regardless of her appearance, he should treat her with proper respect.

After the servants finished greeting, Patrick approached Cecilia, who was holding the head maid's hand... or rather, Cecilia, who was frozen while her hand was being held by the head maid.

"It is an honor to meet you, Lady Cecilia. I am Patrick, the escort knight who will protect your safety from now on."

And as he was about to kiss the back of the girl's hand as a matter of etiquette, the moment he grabbed the hand that the head maid was holding out,

"Hiaaaak! I hate it!!"

The girl suddenly let out a high-pitched scream and swung her arms wildly!

Patrick, who was flustered by the unexpected reaction, dropped the girl's hand,

Slap!

"........"

And was slapped squarely on the cheek.

'I want to quit.'

Ten minutes into starting his job as an escort knight.

Patrick felt disgusted with his fate.