Chapter 113.1: Please don't hesitate to ask for help

The small castle where they would be staying was built on the outskirts of Vinleys.

It was built on a small hill overlooking the coastal town, and it took them less than a few dozen minutes to get back down to the city from there.

It has become quite a large group, though…

Rishe’s knight guards were trailing after her a distance away.

The women walking in front of them were Harriet’s maidservants. And just behind Rishe was a downcast Harriet walking.

The large group of people that followed them was a bunch of dignitaries who were there as if to tell everyone that they were very important people.

She told them that it would make them stand out badly, but the woman who claimed to be the chief maid didn’t listen at all.

[We can’t do that. No matter what the situation is, the future Crown Princess of Garkhain is going to escort Harriet-sama. At the very least, our role as maidservants is to stay by Harriet-sama’s side and alleviate any inconvenience she may cause to you.]

The head maid was probably about the same age as Rishe’s mother.

She couldn’t argue when told that it was a matter of course. As a result, Rishe’s group escorting Harriet became a group of about ten people.

Still, I want them to enjoy walking around the city.

Rishe looked back at Harriet and smiled.

“Are you tired, Harriet-sama?”

“Huh? Ah, uh …”

Harriet fidgeted and bowed, revealing her agitation.

Then, glancing at the maids, she replied, “I’m all right. You don’t have to worry about me…”

“That can’t be. You’ve just come off a boat trip, yet you want to get to know more about the city of Garkhain.”

Rishe told Harriet with a hand on her chest, resembling a knight.

“I want to make your stay as comfortable as possible.”

Rishe was carrying a sword at her waist.

It has a black scabbard with gold embellishment. This was the spare sword that Arnold usually used.

It was a bit big for Rishe, but he lent it to her, saying that it was better than nothing.

He also lent her a sword belt, but it was still loose even when she fastened it to the tightest hole, so she had poke a new hole. Arnold looked slender, but compared to Rishe, he had a solid, masculine physique.

As Rishe wrapped her sword belt around her dress and fixed Arnold’s sword there, she was naturally drawn to the life of a knight.

This also reminds me of how to be a knight…

A knight should respect all women.

That was the instruction of the king who had a loving wife. Rishe, who dressed as a man and knighted as a man in that country, knelt before women countless times.

To protect Harriet here, Rishe looked straight at her.

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“Is the sea breeze chilling you? If the sun is too bright, we can bring you a parasol right away. We can walk at any pace you like, just let me know.”

“N-N-No, t-that’s outrageous…”

“Princess, please, don’t be shy with me.”

She smiled at her again as she took her small, white hand.

“I want you to enjoy this moment. ―― I swear to devote myself wholeheartedly to that end.”

“…!”

Then Harriet murmured, blocking her eyes hidden by her bangs with one hand.

“Well, it’s so bright…”

“Do you still want a parasol?”

When Rishe asked, Harriet shook her head. After that, she looked very embarrassed and shifted her gaze away, hiding her face with her long bangs.

The head maid, who was walking a few meters behind them, told Harriet with a cool face.

“Lady Harriet, excessive reservation is rather rude to Rishe-sama.”

“Y-Yes!”

Harriet’s petite body shivered, and she shrank more and more.

Seeing this, the head maid gave a big sigh.

“I believe His Majesty has given us leave to enjoy shopping at Garkhain to the fullest. In order to contribute to Garkhain’s economy, shouldn’t we visit jewelry stores first?”

“Um…”

Rishe couldn’t see Harriet’s face, but she could tell that she was troubled.

“But, you see, the money…”

“What are you talking about? His Majesty has given you a lot of gold coins to this continent.”

The head maid interrupted rather curtly.

“First of all, even if you really don’t have any, it’s a lady’s duty to behave gracefully and without any hint of it. Your lady’s reputation is directly related to His Majesty’s standing, you know?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Oh gosh, you’re beyond salvation! Rishe-sama, I apologize on behalf of my lady.”

“…”

Rishe blinked once, then smiled softly at the head maid.

“No, head maid-sama.”

She then took a step forward and squeezed the head maid’s hand.

Her eyes widened, but Rishe continued speaking regardless.

“It is true that your lady’s behavior may cause your master to be ill-repute. But I hope you won’t mind that, at least not in my presence.”

“Well, you could say that!? But Rishe-sama, why are you holding my hand?”