The Guardian Knight of Affection-Starved Young Ladies

64 – The Blue Spread in the Social Circle (07)

065.

‘Hmm…’

Kallen looked around, lost in thought.

At first, it seemed like Selacia was coming this way.

Then Eliana, and finally, numerous young ladies gathered around.

Among them, he vaguely remembered a face he had seen before.

Sinat was equally flustered.

While submitting the application and waiting, the teahouse owner showed undue interest in Kallen, so he tried to brush it off.

But starting with one young lady, many young ladies swarmed in.

“…Kallen!!”

In the midst of the awkward silence,

the young lady with eyes resembling rubies, Selacia, shouted towards Kallen.

It was a cry suppressed with some emotion.

In her rubies, joy, delight, and ecstasy coexisted.

The object of those emotions was, of course, a boy.

His appearance, slightly more mature than the last time she saw him, pricked at her heart.

Selacia took a deep breath slowly.

She gently touched her bangs and stepped forward.

Finally, she reached Kallen,

smiling joyfully and offering the utmost courtesy in her greeting.

She slightly lifted the long hem of her skirt with one hand.

With the other hand, she lightly made a fist with her thumb and index finger to hold the front of her dress, ensuring her cleavage was not visible.

In that state, she raised the hand holding the hem of her skirt, while slightly bowing her waist and head.

“It’s been a while.”

Her perfect etiquette, which no one could dare to criticize, was completed with her gestures.

After finishing her greeting, Selassie slowly straightened her back.

She clasped her hands together in front of her.

This too was the etiquette of an imperial lady, showing respect to the other party.

Naturally, the surroundings were filled with astonishment.

Not only the ladies of the count and marquis families,

but also the teahouse owner, Eliana, and Sinat could not hide their surprise.

It was Hiatt.

It was not easy to see the heir of a prestigious family in the empire showing such sincere courtesy.

So once again, silence.

The people around were surprised by Selassie’s actions.

Selassie fell silent again, waiting for Kallen’s answer.

At the same time,

Kallen, who was watching Selassie’s actions, was troubled.

‘Should I use formal language?’

From noble mtl dot com

When they parted ways,

there was a vague expectation that they might meet again someday.

When it came close through Blamia, to be honest, he felt good.

The memories he shared with them were by no means light.

In fact, Kallen is still in a good mood now.

But now that they met like this, there was something to worry about.

Should he use formal language with them again?

Kallen was troubled as he faced Selassie.

When he was their escort, he used formal language.

Because there was a difference in status.

They still reign high above, so should he use formal language?

However, Eliana and Selassie showed reluctance to use formal language.

‘There are many people watching.’

Kallen made a decision, conscious of the teahouse owner and the surrounding ladies.

At the moment when I was about to greet them formally.

Click-

From the group of young ladies, a girl who seemed younger than the others stepped forward.

Clouds and sky.

Her eyes, which seemed clear without a trace of impurity, reminded me of that thought when I saw her.

Eliana Lacatus walked straight up to Kalen.

Like Selassie, she performed the perfect etiquette.

“…Hello. Kalen…”

Following Hyatt, even Lacatus.

At this point, the silence had transformed into something else.

If the reason for the silence was shock.

Now it had turned into curiosity.

Who on earth is this boy to be with the young lady of Dranus.

And to receive sincere courtesy from the young ladies of Lacatus and Hyatt.

Amidst the endless curiosity, Kalen’s calm voice echoed.

“It’s been a while. Ladies.”

Though not perfect, it was etiquette done with sincerity.

It might not have matched the sincerity they showed.

But because of that, Eliana and Selassie liked it.

Where else can you find such sincerity from someone who is not perfect.

“Miss Eliana. I’m glad you can walk on your own now.”

“…”

“Miss Selassie, it seems you have safely finished your work in the north. I’m glad.”

“…Thank you…”

The culprit would not be able to kneel without enduring this situation.

Among the four great families that support the empire.

He greeted the daughters of two families calmly.

Moreover, the content was extremely personal.

There was no need to think deeply about how many memories they shared.

As the three of them were talking.

Eliana’s gaze was gradually fading.

When she first saw Kalen, she was truly, truly happy.

The loneliness and sadness that had never been resolved vanished in an instant.

Just seeing his face made her heart race and feel alive.

But when Kalen responded formally, it felt like her heart stopped.

She had thought that their relationship would deepen when they met again.

Kalen still drew a line with formal speech.

Why?

Eliana soon found the answer.

It was because of her father.

Her father had broken his promise with Kalen, taking only the benefits and abandoning the relationship.

It was natural for Kalen to feel disillusioned with her.

She had saved his life with everything she had.

But nothing came back.

Instead, Kalen once again solved the Hyat’s affairs with his own abilities.

In the end, didn’t he help the Dranus family?

After completing two tasks, Kalen received only a small reward.

She should have repaid the favor for life, no matter what happened at that time-

Gasp.

Eliana shuddered at the warmth she felt on her forehead.

When she looked up, Kalen was approaching and touching her forehead.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Kalen lowered his head to meet her eyes.

His dark eyes were filled with concern.

Blush-

“…No. I’m fine…”

Eliana’s cheeks flushed.

Her clear eyes regained their light.

Kalen’s concern meant that he was not disappointed in her.

Eliana savored the warmth of his forehead.

Blankly, she stretched out her arms and moved forward.

An action engraved in her subconscious.

It was not something she could control.

“Lady Eliana.”

Of course, Kallen knew that too.

Noticing Eliana’s strange state, Kallen quickly stopped her before others could notice.

“…Ah. Sorry, I’m sorry…”

Kallen sighed in relief when he saw Eliana’s eyes return to normal.

Then, he heard Selassia’s voice calling him.

“Kallen. Did you come with Lady Dranus?”

“Ah, yes. Can Sinat enter Ecclesia?”

Flinch.

At Kallen’s words, Selassia’s eyebrows twitched.

“Sinat…?”

“Sinat Dranus. The name should be on the application form.”

“Oh, no. It’s nothing.”

Just a moment ago, when Kallen called her name.

Selassia, who had always been called ‘Miss’, was overjoyed.

It was such a happy thing for his voice to take the form of her name.

But that happiness did not last long.

When Kallen called Lady Dranus’s name, even the honorific ‘Lady’ was omitted.

It meant that the two were very close.

Selassia fiddled with the rolled-up application form.

Suddenly, she started to dislike the honorifics.

“…Sister.”

“Yes?”

“Call me… sister.”

Selassia approached so close that no one could hear and tightly grasped Kallen’s hem.

She couldn’t show her face as embarrassment rose to her throat.

But her desire was clear.

“Is it you, sister?”

“You called me that back then too…”

What comes to mind is the festival.

A tradition enjoyed in the north.

I can’t answer if it can be called a festival.

But it’s a memory I quite liked.

And then, Kallen…

Kallen nodded reluctantly.

It’s not a difficult request, so there’s no need to hesitate.

“Sister.”

“Ugh…”

“Do you like it?”

“One more time… please.”

“Sister.”

“Haa…”

Tightly-

The grip on the hem of Kallen’s clothes tightens.

Selacia was lost in that deadly sweet resonance, unable to come to her senses.

Next to her, Eliana was staring intently at the scene.

Just as Selacia had seen what happened with Eliana.

Eliana also saw what happened with Selacia.

What was unseen was limited to the young ladies around them.

The two young ladies next to each other could see each other’s actions clearly.

Although they did not lower their heads.

Just as Eliana’s eyes were about to lose their light again.

“Hello?”

A small hand went up on Kallen’s shoulder.

Sinat, who peeked her face out to the side, greeted with a bright voice.

Only then did Eliana and Selacia recognize Sinat.

It was Sinat who had submitted the application.

She had a duty to give her a positive answer and tell her what to do next.

But her heart raced ahead.

The moment they saw Kallen, the two ladies couldn’t control their hearts.

To the point where they completely forgot about her existence until Sinat greeted them.

Eliana and Selacia nodded their heads in realization and apologized as they greeted her.

“Sorry. We saw a familiar face.”

“No, it’s okay. I understand. Kallen’s face is worth it.”

“…Anyway, you can come into Ecclesia. It’s better to be together if you want to help the Dranus family.”

“Did the other ladies agree?”

“Yes.”

Sinat smiled brightly and looked back at Kallen.

“That’s a relief, right?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Hee.”

For some reason, only Sinat’s eyes smiled.

Her mouth wasn’t smiling, but it didn’t change the fact that it was a relief.

Kallen nodded.

Thus,

The name of Dranus joined Ecclesia Salon.