TFJB 50

Chapter 50

No way… was Kin really the kind of trash who used a young lady’s pure feelings for his own benefit?

Maybe he misunderstood my look, because Ricky just shrugged.

“Well, you might feel upset hearing this… but the boss does trust and care about Polina.”

Unlike the other subordinates, who were sent out on outside missions according to their abilities, Polina was never sent away. He always kept her by his side as his personal guard.

“If you think about it the other way, maybe he doesn’t rate her skills highly enough to send her on outside missions. But still, it’s true that the boss treats Polina differently from the others.”

I had been living in this castle for months, and this was the first time I’d heard this.

‘Oh… they’re closer than I thought?’

I must have looked surprised, because Ricky started teasing me again.

“Why? Feeling threatened hearing that?”
“N-No, I’m not!”
“Liar! You’re scared your place is going to be taken, right? Hmm?”
“What are you even saying?!”
“I can’t wait to see who ends up taking the boss. This is going to be fun! Hahaha!”
“Ricky! You’re dead!”

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I jumped up and grabbed his cheeks, stretching them out like dough.

“Hehehe, hehehe!”

But Ricky just kept laughing like an idiot.

‘Annoying brat!’

Ugh, I can’t even really hate him!

The next day.

With unfocused eyes, I shouted at the crowd.

“Everyone! Please line up! There’s an order here, okay? We’re going in one by one, in the order you arrived!”

Suddenly someone jumped out and yelled,

“This bastard Peter cut in line!”
“No, I didn’t! I was here first!”
“You idiot, you must’ve remembered wrong. I was first!”
“Even with your stupid brain, you should remember who came first, you shameless jerk!”
“What did you say, you big-nosed freak?!”
“What about you, shovel chin?!”
“Arghhh!”
“Let’s settle this with our fists!”
“Fine, bring it on!”

In an instant, a fistfight broke out. The crowd gathered in a circle, booing and cheering as they watched the fight excitedly.

I grabbed my hair.

‘These idiots don’t even know how to stand in line!’

Why was I in this situation?

Because today was the lord’s audience day, held once every two weeks.

My job was to let people enter the audience room in order.

The people who lived inside the castle were criminals, but they were the more “gentlemanly” type. At least they listened to reason.

But the people who had come to see Kin were all furious.

Each of them carried their own worries and anger. It felt like facing a herd of angry bulls.

Maybe that’s why they wouldn’t listen at all.

‘How am I supposed to calm them down?’

I tried to squeeze through the crowd to stop the fight, but ended up falling flat on the floor. I gave up trying to solve this with my own strength.

After thinking hard, the only solution I came up with was…

“Excuse me, was it Julia?”
“Polina.”
“Right, Polina. I… have something to ask you.”
“What is it?”

…asking Polina, who was standing by me as my guard, for help.

“Could you please handle the line over there? I won’t ask for free. If there’s anything you need help with, I’ll seriously try to find a solution for you…?”

Was it right to ask my so-called “rival” for help like this?

‘But she’s the only one I can ask!’

At least I had to try something.

‘…Maybe she won’t help because she hates me?’

Holding my breath, I carefully looked at her face.

‘Huh?’

Surprisingly, Polina looked bright. Her bored eyes were now shining with interest.

“Hm. If it’s not for free, I guess it’s worth it. Fine. Wait here.”

As soon as she agreed, Polina strode into the crowd.

Every time she passed someone—“Argh!” “Ack!” “Ugh!”—people were thrown aside and fell over.

Soon she reached the center of the fight and kicked apart the two men rolling on the floor, grabbing each other by the collar.

“Ahh!”
“Who the hell are you?!”

The two men glared at her, but Polina didn’t shrink at all. She tapped the sword at her waist and showed it to them.

“Get in line. If you make more noise, I’ll tear your mouth up to your temples.”

“This bastard keeps saying he was first—!”
“I don’t need noisy people. Both of you, get to the back.”
“Wait, that’s not—!”
“You want to die?”

This time she even drew her sword with a sharp sound.

The flashing blade instantly silenced the chaotic crowd.

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘Typical criminals—weak before the strong, strong before the weak.’

When I was yelling, no one listened!

With mixed feelings, I gave Polina a thumbs-up.

“Good job. You’re very capable, Polina.”
“For guys like that, fear works best.”
“Your acting was amazing. It sounded real.”

She shrugged and smirked.

“I wasn’t acting.”
“What?”
“If they’re noisy, of course I should tear one side of their mouth. A person should keep their word.”

I let out a small sigh.

“Ah…”

So that killing intent wasn’t an act—it was real.

“So, about the reading. Can you do it now?” she suddenly asked.

I glanced around.

“Is it urgent? There are too many people right now. I can’t do it properly.”

She lowered her gaze and muttered,

“I’d like to hear it before my next shift…”
“What is it about?”

Why was she so restless?

Polina whispered softly,

“I… have someone I like.”

“…E-Excuse me? Someone you like?!”

I stared at her in shock.

‘D-Don’t tell me. A love consultation? About Kin?’

I really didn’t want to hear that. My stomach felt uneasy.

But we had already made a deal. I couldn’t back out now.

“W-What kind of relationship is it? D-Does that person like you too?”
“I’m not sure.”
“So you want to know how much that person likes you?”
“No. I’m going to confess. I want to know if I’ll succeed.”
“Whaaaat?!”

I gasped.

“A confession? Why? Th-Th-That’s very risky!”

No matter how close she and Kin were, most people didn’t like sudden relationship changes without any signs.

“You should confess only after you’re somewhat sure of mutual feelings, Polina!”

This was serious advice—not from Esmeralda the fortune teller, but from Ash the human.

But Polina was stubborn.

“But I can’t help liking him!”

After shouting that, she pressed her lips together and sighed.

“…Still. We haven’t met that often. Maybe I’ll just make him uncomfortable.”

‘Huh? Not someone she sees often?’

Something felt strange.

“Wait. Can I ask who this person is?”
“Do I really have to say?”
“I can’t help you otherwise!”

After hesitating, Polina whispered,

“It’s…”

Break time.

We agreed to meet again in a hallway after her shift.

People were chatting as they passed by. I watched them while waiting for her.

‘She should be here by now… Oh? There she is!’

I stretched my neck and called out,

“Pol—!”

But Polina walked right past me as if she didn’t know me.

‘What? You asked me for help, and now you’re acting cold all of a sudden?’