Chapter: 12
Just as her head, which had been nodding under the warm sunlight, was about to tip completely to the side—
Tap.
Someone caught her head before it could fall.
Emilia’s eyes flew open, blinking in surprise.
What…?
Along with the tilted scenery, the sleeve of an expensive-looking garment entered her view.
Very close by, she could hear the gentle splashing of water from the fountain.
I almost fell into the water.
Her drowsiness vanished in an instant.
Then her eyes widened as she recognized the person who had saved her from making such an embarrassing spectacle of herself.
“Huh? You’re the male lea—… Gah.”
Emilia hurriedly covered her mouth before the strange words could escape.
Have I lost my mind? What am I saying to someone who doesn’t know anything?
Who knew how he would react if she suddenly called him the male lead?
Meanwhile, Kaiden looked down at her with a puzzled expression.
“…Well, yes. I’m not a woman. Is that really so surprising?”
Even as he spoke, he carefully straightened her head.
“Haha, no. Not at all.”
Emilia laughed awkwardly.
After unintentionally confirming how solid his body was before, there was no way she could mistake him for a woman.
“But… do you know me?”
Tilting her head in confusion, Emilia looked at him.
She couldn’t tell whether he had come because he recognized her, or if he had simply noticed a woman who was about to fall into the fountain.
It was only natural for her to wonder.
We only saw each other briefly in the dark.
Besides, neither of them had exactly been in their right mind at the time.
Kaiden answered as though her question was absurd.
“…Of course I know you. I’m neither ungrateful enough to forget the face of the person who saved my life, nor stupid enough to do so.”
“Ah, I see.”
Emilia nodded in understanding.
“By the way, what are you doing in a place like this?”
“Huh? Me?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Emilia’s eyes darted about.
The circumstances that had led her to be sitting here were rather complicated.
“Umm… I was just… enjoying the warm sunshine of the capital for a little while?”
She smiled awkwardly.
There was no reason to tell a stranger all about her situation.
“But what about you, Duke? Why are you here?”
As far as she knew, Kaiden disliked noisy places like the capital’s central square.
Even if he had business nearby, he was the type to finish what he came for and leave immediately—not someone who wandered around places like this.
So she asked out of simple curiosity, but Kaiden’s expression turned oddly subtle.
“So you did know I was a duke.”
“Huh? Oh, your aide told me.”
Kaiden fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
“I was simply passing by.”
“I see…”
It felt like a rather uninformative answer, but Emilia merely shrugged.
Just then, a large hand appeared before her.
“Come to think of it, we never properly introduced ourselves. I’m Kaiden Valen.”
“Ah, I’m Emilia.”
Looking at the hand extended toward her, she cautiously reached out.
His firm hand wrapped around hers.
She flinched.
Warmth and an unfamiliar sensation spread from their joined hands.
Feeling strangely awkward, Emilia quickly withdrew her hand.
“At the time, things were too chaotic for me to thank you properly. Thanks to you, I survived. Thank you.”
At his courteous gratitude, Emilia waved both hands dismissively.
“It’s nothing. Ivan already thanked me. More importantly, are your injuries alright?”
“Of course.”
“Then that’s a relief.”
Emilia smiled softly.
Watching her in silence, Kaiden gestured toward the empty space beside her.
“Would you mind if I sat here for a moment?”
“Of course.”
Soon, Kaiden sat beside her, leaving about a hand’s width of space between them.
Then his low voice drifted down.
“My aide also informed me that you refused any reward.”
“Huh? Oh… yes. I did.”
His words reminded Emilia of the conversation she’d had with Herald.
Now that things had come to this…
She did feel a tiny bit of regret.
Maybe I should’ve just asked for a generous amount of money back then.
But she quickly shook her head.
She hadn’t saved Ivan expecting anything in return.
Nor had she wanted to receive money for saving his life.
Stretching out her stiff legs, Emilia pushed the pointless thought aside.
Then, as if Kaiden had read her mind, he added,
“Is there perhaps something else you need?”
“Something I need…?”
Emilia looked up at him with wide eyes, and he calmly nodded.
“Yes. It doesn’t have to be money. If it’s within my ability, I’ll do whatever I can.”
Emilia lowered her gaze.
Hmm…
Something immediately came to mind.
“Actually… if I could receive your help right now, I’d be very grateful.”
“I see.”
Kaiden raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow.
Even if she made a somewhat unreasonable request, he had already decided to grant it without complaint.
“Then… could you write me a servant’s letter of recommendation?”
“…A servant’s recommendation?”
For a moment, Kaiden wondered if he’d misheard her and frowned.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Without noticing his expression, Emilia nodded eagerly.
That’s exactly what I need the most right now.
Most estates looking for servants provided room and board.
If Kaiden wrote her a recommendation, she could solve both of her current problems at once.
Yet, for some reason, no answer came.
What’s wrong?
Looking at him in confusion, Emilia noticed his brows twitching as if something displeased him.
Only after a moment did he finally respond.
“I’m afraid that’s difficult.”
“What? Why?”
Caught completely off guard by the refusal, Emilia’s voice rose.
It wasn’t even a difficult favor.
She’d heard that servant recommendations were often written for people with only the slightest acquaintance.
Instead of answering, Kaiden tapped his fingers lightly against his knee.
…She wants to work as a servant?
Truthfully, it wasn’t his business where she worked or what she did.
Writing the recommendation would be simple enough that he could hand it to her immediately.
Yet the words refused to come.
Frowning slightly, Kaiden sank into thought.
Come to think of it…
The person who had saved his life wanted, as her reward, nothing more than a piece of paper to help her become a servant in another noble household.
From any reasonable perspective, that simply didn’t make sense.
Perhaps that was why the idea bothered him so much.
His gaze settled on the woman staring up at him with wide, round eyes.
“I’m sorry, but let’s pretend I never heard that request.”
His tone was firm, leaving no room for reconsideration.
“Huh?”
Emilia couldn’t hide her bewilderment.
Wasn’t he the one who had told her to ask for anything she wanted?
For a moment, she wondered if she’d imagined the whole conversation.
But Kaiden remained completely composed, seemingly oblivious to her disbelief.
“Tell me something else that you want.”
“No. A servant’s recommendation is the only thing I need.”
Emilia stared at him stubbornly, making her dissatisfaction clear.
Kaiden, equally displeased, asked,
“Why a servant’s recommendation of all things?”
“…I’m looking for work, and I need a job that provides room and board.”
“In that case, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a servant’s job, does it?”
That was true.
Emilia gave a small nod.
“I heard you can speak Hifrian.”
“I’m not particularly good at it.”
“Most people can’t even do that much.”
“…Really?”
Emilia answered, looking slightly embarrassed.
Then Kaiden suddenly spoke from beside her.
“What about becoming a private tutor?”
