The Morning of Awakening and the False Identity
Several days had passed since Akio and Sylvia had erected the false graves deep within the forest. During that time, Ayane and Sylvia continued their tireless nursing within the annex. And then, one morning—
“... Nn… where… am I…?”
The first to awaken was the female knight, Leonora. Through the lingering haze of consciousness, she saw an unfamiliar wooden ceiling and caught the faint scent of herbs in the air. She tried to sit up, but her body remained weak and a sharp pain shot through her muscles.
“You’re awake, Leonora-san.”
By her side, Ayane spoke gently. Leonora fixed her sharp gaze on Ayane, struggling to grasp her surroundings. When she realized they had been rescued after collapsing in the forest, she bowed her head deeply in gratitude.
“I am Leonora. And the one resting over there is my mistress, Lady Celestina.”
After giving her name, she turned to Akio, Ayane, and Sylvia with a firm, commanding tone.
“Listen. From now on, you are to address Lady Celestina as Celestina Ojousama. I will not permit any other manner of address. Understood?”
Her words carried the unyielding will of a knight and a determination to protect Celestina at all costs. Akio, Ayane, and Sylvia exchanged glances but silently nodded in agreement.
Leonora then began to recount a story that sounded clearly fabricated.
“We belong to a certain wealthy merchant house. While traveling to a distant town for trade, we were unfortunately attacked by bandits. We lost our guards, our belongings—everything—and barely managed to escape into this forest with our lives. The young lady collapsed from shock and exhaustion.”
The tale didn’t match their bearing—Celestina’s regal grace and Leonora’s commanding presence were unmistakable—but Leonora spoke without the slightest hesitation.
That afternoon, Celestina too regained clear consciousness. Upon hearing from Leonora about their situation, she expressed her profound gratitude to Akio and the others. Yet despite her beauty, her face was clouded with fear and sorrow, and she avoided speaking much.
Later, when alone together, Akio and Sylvia discussed their observations.
“It’s clear there’s more going on. They’re hiding the fact she’s a princess, calling her the young lady of a merchant house...” Akio said, arms folded.
Sylvia nodded. “Yes. Until they choose to reveal the truth, it’s wiser for us to accept their story at face value. And… we shouldn’t tell them about the false graves yet. Not until they’ve recovered more and fully trust us.”
Akio agreed. For now, helping them recover and watching over them quietly was the best course of action.
Thus, Akio’s family gained two new… housemates: “Celestina Ojousama” and her escort Leonora. Their true identities, the reason they were being pursued, and what had happened in their homeland remained mysteries. Their presence—rife with secrets and likely danger—cast new ripples across Akio’s previously peaceful life in the forest.
And there was an immediate issue to deal with: their clothes were in tatters, and they needed proper replacements. Yet in this secluded forest, there was no way to obtain fine cloth or thread.
“First… we need to do something about their clothes…”
Akio sighed, already feeling the weight of this new dilemma.
What do you think about this chapter?
Dude, you were saved. Show some gratitude for once...