Princess Delphine and company finished exiting the servants’ room and stepped outside.
“Oh!” The leader’s voice rang out happily.
Delphine could see the royal army streaming in through the castle gates.
“They’ve made it just in time, Princess Delphine. It’s the rear guard that was dispatched to the western forest. We’ve received word the others are also on their way back here.”
“I see. Well, thank you for guiding and protecting me this far. I appreciate it.”
“Of course, Your Highness. We’ve sworn an oath of loyalty to the royal family.”
And so, the princess was safely taken under the protection of the kingdom’s army. The men of the Third Order, along with Nonna, were relieved of their duties to protect her.
A few moments later, Nonna tugged at the hem of the lead operative’s coat. “I want to go to my mother. Where is she?”
“Your mother is on a mission. We can’t interfere with her work.”
“But you saw how helpful I can be, right? Just tell me where she is. I can go alone.”
“No.”
“But why? Princess Delphine is safe now. I want to find my mom.”
“Hmm, well then… Hey, Mills!” The leader of the operatives called out to Mills, the youngest operative among the six. “You’re responsible for escorting this kid to the final rendezvous point.”
Mills certainly hadn’t envisioned this kind of assignment. He’d been ready to face the rebel army, after all. But orders were orders, so he didn’t have a choice. He reluctantly set off toward the castle’s western spire with Nonna in tow, keeping a wary eye on his surroundings.
“Why did you come to the castle at a time like this?” he asked her.
“I came for the festival, but when I saw my mom was in danger, I decided to help her.”
“Oh, so you came for the festival,” he said.
“That’s right.”
The two of them made their way through the castle grounds. A few minutes after they began walking, three soldiers suddenly leaped out from around the corner of an outer corridor. Mills instinctively used his large dagger to block their swords, but it was three against one, and he began to panic.
The girl behind him suddenly sprang into action, moving so quickly that he could barely see her. She darted back and forth, engaging with the soldiers. By the time she returned to her position in the middle of the corridor, the three soldiers were completely incapacitated.
Once again, she’d neutralized her opponents without killing them. The amount of control she had was terrifying. Mills was only seventeen and the youngest of the group, but he could at least tell that much.
The girl turned to Mills and spoke. “Hey, can I take one of their swords as a souvenir?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not?” she pressed.
“Because everything a soldier carries is kingdom property.”
“Sure, but these guys were trying to assassinate the princess! One sword’s not going to hurt.”
“Please don’t. I’ll get in trouble!” he urged.
“Fine, then. Whatever.” She gave up with a shrug and began walking. “Well? What are you waiting for?”
Who is this kid? And how is she so strong? Mills couldn’t suppress his curiosity.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Nonna.”
“I’m Mills. What’s your last name?”
“I’m not sure if I should tell you, so I won’t.”
“Are you the decoy’s daughter?”
“Yes.”
“How are you so strong? Where did you learn to fight like that?”
“If I tell you that, you’d figure out who I am. So that’s a secret, too.”
“Sheesh, you’re really secretive.”
“I sure am. Too bad for you! By the way, your dagger technique is too weak on your left side. And by ‘weak,’ I mean you’re too slow.”
“That’s not true.”
“Oh, it is. If you keep fighting like that, someone is going to deliver a fatal blow from your left side someday,” she warned.
“…”
“So you should really be more careful.”
Truthfully, Mills was shaken. He knew he struggled with attacks from the left, so her sharp observation had left him speechless. And since he’d just witnessed her strength firsthand, he couldn’t argue.
“Hey, if I want to see you again, how should I get in touch with you?” Mills asked.
“Huh? Me? Well, there’s a countess named Lady Yolana who lives in the eastern quarter. If you leave a message there for me, it’ll reach me.”
“Wait, you know a noblewoman?”
“Yeah, I’m friends with Susan, one of the maids there.”
“I see. So I just need to contact Lady Yolana’s household?”
“Yep.”
“Got it. Will you spar with me next time I see you?”
“Sure, I’ll spar with you.”
They continued conversing as they walked, eventually reaching a room in the western wing.
Mills cautiously checked the area, but Nonna said, “It’s fine,” and suddenly opened the door.
“Hey!” he hissed, trying to stop her, but it was too late. She’d already run inside.
“Mom! Thank goodness you’re safe!”
“Nonna!”
As mother and daughter embraced, Mills thought, They don’t look alike at all.
The decoy was a woman named Kate, and she turned to Mills and bowed. “Thank you so much for protecting my daughter. I’m deeply grateful.”
“It was nothing, ma’am. Just doing my duty.”
“Actually, I was the one who protected Mills, Mom,” Nonna said.
“What?” Kate looked at Mills in surprise, and he could only give a sheepish smile and nodded.
“It’s true. Nonna really did save me,” he admitted.
“See?”
“See? Nonna, that’s not the point. What were you even doing here? Oh, never mind that for now. Let’s just go home, shall we?”
Kate turned around and asked for permission to leave. The head of the group of operatives she was with nodded, giving a wry smile. “The kingdom’s army has returned, so it’s fine. We’ll have you escorted to the castle gates. You should be hearing from our superior later.”
“Understood. Well, then, I’ll step down from my duties as a double now.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Mother and daughter walked toward the castle gates. Meanwhile, Mills said to his leader, “That kid’s skills are amazing. She took down three soldiers by herself.”
“That’s nothing—Kate the decoy took down eight. They’re quite the family, aren’t they?”
“Who in the world is she?” Mills asked.
“No clue. Mike’s in charge of all that.”
“Does this mean she was suggested by the chief?”