The Knight of Clingy Young Ladies

081.

“Really? It’s true, though?”

“…You?”

“It’s true, I say.”

Laris looked somewhat flustered.

He hadn’t expected such an open response after whispering something that seemed like a grand secret.

“…Is it alright to admit that so easily?”

“Where’s the harm in it?”

At the same time, Serasie also spoke as if it was no big deal.

Eliana nodded quietly.

Laris seemed to ask back, not understanding their reactions.

“But it’s unusual! The fact that a common man could be part of such a grand legacy…!”

“But it is true.”

Sinas stretched her upper body back with her hands behind her, a playful smile on her face as if finding some amusing fact.

“My legacy, the legacies of these two young ladies—it’s all precious memories with Kalen. We can’t deny that, nor would we.”

“…”

“Something grand and secret? Sure, it could be. But at least, I have no intention of hiding it, nor do I wish for someone else to meddle with my precious memories.”

When Kalen heard those words quietly, he finally understood Sinas’ sharp reaction.

Sinas had just met Laris for the first time.

Despite being cheerful yet never rude, she spoke casually and with a somewhat dismissive tone. There was a reason for that.

Sinas simply disliked it when someone who didn’t understand her past spoke as if they did—like Laris had done, making it sound like it was some “secret that shouldn’t be known.”

In the grand social and magical circles, the legacies of the three young ladies were indeed shocking events.

Certainly, many things related to Kalen had already happened in unknown places.

In Sinas’ case, Blamia might have interfered.

The more beautiful a legacy, the more it was revered.

The individual legacies of Eliana, Serasie, and Sinas were incomparably beautiful.

The issue lay with Kalen’s figure engraved in those legacies.

Even though both Eliana and Serasie hated letting others see their precious memories with Kalen, had they used their legacies for personal gain, Kalen might have already been kidnapped and used as an experiment within the magical world.

Of course, Blamia would have intervened, but certainly, this was why Sinas had treated Laris coldly.

Laris, perhaps sensing Sinas’ emotions, bowed her head apologetically.

“I’m sorry, that wasn’t my intention.”

“Then what?”

Laris lifted her head, having felt Sinas’ tone soften.

“I wanted to confirm if the young master truly appears in all three young ladies’ legacies.”

“…Yes.”

Eliana said this while embracing Kalen’s left arm.

Laris smiled apologetically.

Then, regaining her posture, she spoke more seriously.

“There’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

The target of this request wasn’t the three young ladies but rather Kalen, standing between them.

Upon confirming that the legacies were deeply connected to Kalen, Laris adopted a much more polite tone.

“Could you create a legacy with me as well?”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

***

Laris nearly stumbled in surprise.

After all, wouldn’t this usually lead to an accepting flow?

A girl with an intriguing background makes a polite request.

The theater-loving Laris believed Kalen wouldn’t refuse, which was why he had inserted himself into the conversation between the three ladies, thinking it’d give him a chance.

Kalen seemed innocent enough, his tone towards the ladies warm—traits typical of those who find it hard to refuse.

And so, like a scene from a low-budget theater play, Laris believed Kalen wouldn’t refuse this heartfelt request.

But theater and reality were worlds apart.

Kalen rejected Laris’s request without a moment’s hesitation.

The firm rejection left Laris feeling disheartened.

“Why, why not? It seemed like you were about to agree… Or at least, you didn’t give it a thought?”

She urgently blurted out at Kalen, as crafting a legacy was of utmost importance to her.

She had just found a possibility and didn’t want it cut off so abruptly.

Seeing Laris’ urgency, Kalen gave a bitter smile. He sensed a misunderstanding on her part.

While it was true that Kalen was deeply connected to Eliana, Serasie, and Sinas, and their legacies were indeed tied to him, he couldn’t grant her request.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to—it was that he couldn’t.

“I’m indeed linked to a legacy.”

“So…!”

“But it wasn’t by choice. It wasn’t something I created intentionally, it just happened naturally.”

Kalen didn’t know how to create such legacies.

It had simply occurred after he was involved in life-threatening situations with the ladies and happened to witness breathtaking wonders during those moments.

Perhaps that method could work. But there were too many unclear causalities for him to confirm it definitively.

Kalen didn’t want to make uncertain promises.

Laris realized his words were sincere.

He truly felt sorry.

You couldn’t fault him for being unable to create a legacy; the disappointment of a barely glimpsed hope was hers to bear.

Her head bowed, and her shoulders slumped, showing how desperately she’d hoped.

Even Sinas, who had initially disapproved of Laris, now felt pity for her.

It was at this moment.

“Then…”

Laris straightened her shoulders, as if making a decision, took a step toward Kalen, and firmly said,

“Be with me.”

“…”

This time, it was Kalen who asked for clarification, surprised by Laris’ decision—a conclusion born not of resignation but of lingering desire.

Several elements had contributed to the creation of those legacies.

The daughter of an influential family.

A situation perilous enough to risk one’s life.

Surviving it and witnessing a stunning spectacle together.

These were common factors so far.

Laris met the first condition.

She was the daughter of Flache, one of the Five Great Families.

But that was as far as it could go.

There was an unspoken reason behind Kalen’s reluctance.

Dangerous life-threatening situations don’t just happen easily.

And even if they did, diving right into them wasn’t exactly sane.

Doing so wouldn’t guarantee a legacy either.

It would be akin to committing suicide.

But Laris’ eyes burned with an unyielding spirit.

Kalen shared more details then.

He explained that all three instances had involved danger and that doing such things wouldn’t guarantee a legacy.

Hearing this, Laris’ expression didn’t change.

“No, it’s fine. I haven’t figured out how to create a dangerous situation yet, but if there’s even a possibility, I want to cling to it.”

Danger implied the importance of Kalen’s consent.

Who in the world would ask someone to risk their life for them?

That was why Laris stepped closer to Kalen.

She pulled up her formal gown and bowed deeply.

“I implore you, Young Master. I must create a legacy, even at the cost of my life.”

Kalen looked at her bowed form silently.

What could have driven her to this desperation?

If he knew the reason, he might be moved to help.

But even without knowing, he understood.

It’s something akin to a taboo within Laris.

As the one being asked, he could compel her to speak—but he didn’t want to.

Everyone has painful pasts.

And dredging them up isn’t quite the right thing to do.

“…First…”

So, this was the extent he could go.

“Let’s have a proper talk after the banquet.”

Kalen needed to organize his thoughts.

And Laris had revealed enough wounds for now.

“Ah…”

With this somewhat positive response, Laris’ expression brightened.

Hope wasn’t solid, but there was enough room to continue.

Asking for more now would be inappropriate.

Laris was grateful for the open possibility, and Kalen graciously accepted her gratitude.

Just as Kalen and Laris exchanged courtesies,

“Kalen.”

Eliana tightened her grip on his left arm.

Sensing something unusual, Kalen turned and saw Eliana staring at him, her expression tense.

“I don’t want you to get involved in any dangerous situations…”

Eliana’s concerned voice caused Kalen to look around. Serasie and Sinas also watched him with similar worry.

After considering for a moment amidst their concern, Kalen placed his hand over Eliana’s.

These girls knew.

They understood the tragic undertones that surrounded the creation of legacies.

They knew better than anyone the toil and danger it entailed, hence their concern.

Making the final decision rested solely with Kalen.

Interfering was impossible, so they sent him their endless worry.

He felt grateful for their concern and, still holding Eliana’s hand, looked at Serasie and Sinas as well.

“I’m just going to listen to her story. It’s not like we can create dangerous situations at will.”

Each had their own reasons, having received help in dire moments. They deeply appreciated how Kalen had been their strength back then, so they couldn’t easily judge Laris’ desperation.

Finally, Eliana slowly released her grip.

As she locked eyes with Kalen, she said,

“Can you promise to consider it carefully after listening?”

“I promise.”

“…”

Watching this exchange, Serasie gently clasped his right arm.

Sinas frowned slightly, clearly displeased.

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