IBDFSML 06

Chapter 06

After returning to the annex,

Sion used the firewood he had chopped to heat the fireplace in his bedroom.

The room, which had been filled with the chill of a winter night, quickly became warm and cozy.

“Ahh, so warm.”

I said with complete satisfaction.

At the moment, I was tucked inside Sion’s blanket, with only my face peeking out.

A little later, Sion returned after washing up. When he saw me, he gave me a rather incredulous look.

“Are you comfortable?”

“Yeah, it’s perfect.”

“Let me ask—why are you so confidently trying to sleep in someone else’s bed?”

“Well, because this is the warmest spot.”

I smiled brightly.

I thought I might be able to smoothly brush it off—but of course, my favorite wasn’t that easy.

Sion casually glanced at me while drying his wet hair with a towel. Then he pointed somewhere.

“If you need a place, Garen prepared one for you over there. Get out.”

I rolled my eyes toward where he pointed.

In front of the warmly burning fireplace was a small chair with a blanket laid over it.

It might actually be warmer—but it was miles away from Sion.

“Over there~? No way, no way.”

I coughed weakly, pretending to be pitiful.

“It’ll be freezing.”

My heart, I mean.

“…Freezing?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded vigorously and lifted the blanket slightly to show my pink pajamas.

“Look. These aren’t as warm as they seem.”

At my weak act, Sion looked at me with a faint hint of hesitation.

“They look thick enough… even if they’re strange.”

“Not at all. Sigh… it’s not like I can make you try them on yourself….”

“……”

“But if it really makes you uncomfortable, I guess I can’t help it. Even if I end up shivering all night, what matters is that you sleep well.”

“……”

With a bitter expression, I slowly started to get out of bed.

Just as I was about to actually leave, Sion spoke.

“…Fine. Only for a while.”

I immediately flopped back down.

Seriously—how is my favorite this soft-hearted?

“Hehe, thanks, Sion!”

As I beamed, Sion muttered with a tired expression,

“…I should get you a change of clothes soon.”

A few days later.

The calm and somber atmosphere of the ducal castle became noticeably more restless.

The so-called “important guest” had arrived.

“What? The head of the Noel Grand Merchant Group?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Garen, who had come by early in the morning, kindly explained the situation inside the castle.

“Hm, the Noel Merchant Head…”

The identity of the guest was someone I actually knew.

Well—someone I knew from the original story.

The Noel Merchant Group acted as a bridge between the imperial capital and the northern Luxia duchy, supplying goods to the North for generations and building long-standing trust.

“And if I remember correctly… the merchant head was a huge miser, right?”

They weren’t a major character in the original story, but I clearly remembered them as an opportunistic penny-pincher who always tried to sell food and weapons at outrageous prices.

“Because of that, security inside the castle will be tightened for the next few days. It would be best if both you and Sir Sion are cautious in your movements.”

“Hmph, I’m not interested at all. Just tell them not to come snooping around the annex.”

I said lazily, draped over Sion’s shoulder.

At this point, the only person worth our attention was the heroine.

Anyone else? Not worth it.

“So basically, Sion and I are about to get very busy with the <Escape the Second Male Lead Project>.”

At my muttering, Sion raised an eyebrow.

“With what?”

“Huh? I didn’t say anything.”

I smiled innocently as I lied. Sion narrowed his eyes.

That look clearly said: Suspicious.

“Just in case—don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten the promise you made to me?”

“Promise? What promise?”

“…That you wouldn’t cause unnecessary trouble while staying here. And that you would avoid being seen by others.”

“…Ah! Ohhh~ that! Of course I remember!”

I had completely forgotten.

As if seeing right through me, Sion’s eyes narrowed even more.

Looking at his distrustful gray-blue gaze, I covered my mouth.

“Wait—how are you this handsome even when you’re suspicious?”

“……”

Even without trying, he had this much presence.

If he actually dressed up properly, there was no way the heroine wouldn’t fall for him.

“Yep, yep! Just wait, Sion. I’ll make sure your beauty shines even more!”

Especially with the upcoming ceremony and his first meeting with the heroine, we needed to prepare properly.

“Hm… first, an incredibly cool formal outfit for the ceremony… and then a stylish but effortless outfit for meeting the heroine…”

…Where was I supposed to get those?

Right now, Sion’s wardrobe only had a few plain everyday clothes and a set of dark stealth attire.

According to Garen, there used to be one or two formal outfits provided for official events—but since Sion never cared, they had disappeared at some point.

Clearly stolen or sold off by someone.

“They dared to steal my favorite’s clothes? Just wait till I find out who—”

That’s when an idea struck me.

“…Wait. Steal?”

Not a bad idea.

“Come to think of it, the merchant head is here right now.”

I started thinking quickly.

In fantasy romance, what does a “grand merchant” mean?

Someone who travels between territories, selling luxurious and high-end goods to nobles.

“In other words…”

My eyes gleamed.

Somewhere in this castle, there were countless rare items brought by the Noel Merchant Group—just waiting to be worn by Sion.

“…Ha. This is it.”

I shook my head, impressed with myself.

Years of fangirl experience don’t go to waste.

“Ahem.”

I cleared my throat.

“Oh dear, I’m suddenly hungry. I should go find some dessert.”

Even to me, it sounded forced.

As expected, Sion looked at me.

“What are you plotting?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You’re not planning to go to the main building, are you?”

“What? Of course not~ Why would you accuse a fairy like that? I just suddenly want dessert. Haha, wow, that’s so unfair.”

“……”

“Oh! Right, I didn’t tell you, did I? Actually, Sion—fairies live on sweet desserts. Especially high-quality ones made with care and fresh ingredients. That’s how we recharge our energy.”

Total nonsense.

I’d been happily devouring the simple meals brought by the maids these past few days.

Still, I laughed casually and flew over to the terrace door.

“So anyway, could you open this for me?”

“……”

Garen, who had been quietly watching, spoke with concern.

“Lady Rin, the human world is far more dangerous than you think. There are plenty of cruel and wicked people who don’t look it. You could end up in serious danger.”

I grinned confidently.

“Knight Garen. Do you really think I’d lose to mere humans?”

“Well…”

“I’m a fairy. A fangirl fairy.”

A one-and-only, officially recognized fangirl fairy, thank you very much.

“So don’t worry. I won’t die before Sion gets his love and happiness.”

“……”

“……”

At my bold declaration, Garen looked awkwardly at Sion.

After a moment of silence, Sion sighed and opened the terrace door.

“…Do as you like. But keep your promise.”

He had learned over the past few days that once I got stubborn, I wouldn’t back down.

I gave him a playful salute.

“Hehe, don’t worry, Sion! I’ll be back soon!”

“Who said I was worried—”

Before he could finish, I kicked off into the air—

—and flew up into the sky.