Jed’s Point of View
Two weeks have passed since I arrived in Arburn, the official capital of the Principality of Agreable.
I haven’t been able to close the distance between myself and my first love, Elle.
This is because a woman named Giselle, whom we met after an incident, keeps getting in the way.
Apparently, she and Elle have known each other for a long time.
Judging from her reverent attitude toward her, Giselle must have been a servant of hers.
When you think about protecting your precious master, it makes sense that she would be turning on me like I was a suspicious person.
I have no way of knowing for sure since we haven’t revealed our true identities to each other, but I’m sure I’m right.
“How can I close the distance between us…?”
I thought about it and couldn’t figure it out.
So, I went to her room to talk to her, but no one was there.
I wondered if she was out with Giselle.
I wish she would ask me out, but it’s nearly impossible for me to get in the middle of these girls who have known each other for so long.
When I returned to my room, I saw Elle out the window, going out by herself.
“Is she going out alone today?”
If I chase after her now, will we be able to go out together? I rushed out of the inn, but there was no sign of Elle.
“I have to find her before it starts to rain.”
I went outside and walked through the city, which was only dimly lit due to the cloudy sky.
I don’t know where she’s gone.
I had to look for her in near dark. An hour passed and I still couldn’t find her. Suddenly, I peeked into an alleyway and saw an old church standing in the back.
I went down the alley with a feeling of expectation.
My prediction was right on target.
I was able to find Elle.
“Eh…”
The reason why I hesitated to call out to her was because she was with a strange man.
I wondered who she was talking to.
“Who is that man?”
I approached closer and checked his face, but I had never seen that man before.
He might be a suspicious person.
I looked at Elle and saw that she was pale and shaking. She looked much smaller than usual.
If it was a normal suspicious person, she wouldn’t be this frightened. Then who was that guy?
“Stay away from her…”
I don’t know the relationship between Elle and the man. I just can’t allow him to scare her anymore.
With anger in my heart, I dropped a lightning strike right behind the man.
I ran up to the two surprised people and stopped by Elle’s side.
“Elle!”
“Jed…”
Elle looked up at me, and for a moment she seemed relieved.
Maybe that’s what I desired.
“Elle, are you okay?”
“I…”
If she was in her normal state of mind, she would have said she was fine, even if she wasn’t. She must be in such dire straits that she can’t say that.
I felt that she was asking for help, and the moment I stepped forward to protect her, it started to rain.
“Who are you?”
“It’s none of your business.”
I coldly shunned the man who was giving me a questioning look.
I have nothing to say to this man. I had to get Elle out of here as soon as possible…
“Elle, let’s get out of here.”
“Eh?”
I took her with me and ran away.
She almost fell on the way, but I promptly helped her up.
“Sorry, have I moved too fast?”
“N, no…”
I could see from a touch that she was trembling. She couldn’t run well because I was too sudden. I saw the guy from earlier coming after us from behind.
What a persistent guy.
“… I know you don’t like it, but just bear with me for a minute. You can complain later.”
“Eh, aaahh…!”
I hugged the confused girl and started running.
I didn’t care if she cursed me or chided me later. I just wanted to get her away from here.
“Elle, wait! I beg you! Please wait!”
Elle clung to me as if she didn’t want to hear the voice coming from behind her.