Sigrid

‘Since it’s a special occasion, I’ll watch carefully how to order, then buy some to take home later. Seria would like that.’

Though she was just a friend’s younger sister, Sigrid lately felt this must be what having a little sister of her own would feel like. Not far from the tailor shop where she had her uniform fitted was an ice cream parlor. It had an elegant exterior from the outside. Sparkling clear glass with well-polished mahogany frames.

Beramund confidently opened the door and went inside.

‘It’s spacious.’

The interior was much larger than she had expected. With high ceilings, Sigrid found herself unconsciously looking around. After being guided to a seat by the server and receiving a menu, she stared intently at the letters.

‘Parfait? What’s that? Sherbet? Is that different from ice cream? Gasp, and why is it so expensive? It’s really expensive.’

Turning to the back, she finally found regular ice cream.

‘There are many flavors. Additional toppings… what’s that? Chocolate? Almonds?’

“Is it alright if I order what I want?”

Beramund suddenly said to Sigrid, who was glaring at the menu.

“Huh? Yes, yes!”

Sigrid nodded, closing the menu. Beramund called the server.

“One vanilla ice cream and one special parfait.”

“Yes, I’ve taken your order for one vanilla ice cream and one special parfait.”

After the server confirmed the order and stepped back, Sigrid looked around again.

“There are a lot of people here.”

“It’s a bit hotter than usual today.”

“Is that so?”

“Sigrid, you don’t seem to mind the heat much?”

“No, I don’t.”

“That must be nice.”

“Do you feel the heat?”

“Yeah, I prefer temperatures around human body heat.”

Beramund said with a grin, and after pondering for a moment, Sigrid replied:

“Wouldn’t body temperature be too hot?”

“I like it.”

“I see.”

Sigrid thought people’s preferences were really hard to understand, saying he felt the heat but liking body temperature.

“Here are your parfait and ice cream.”

Sigrid turned her gaze and her eyes widened.

‘So that’s what a parfait looks like!’

“The parfait is for—”

Beramund said, pointing at Sigrid, who exclaimed in surprise:

“I, I—”

“Try it.”

The server placed the large parfait in front of her. Through the transparent glass, she could see layers of ice cream, cream, and cookies piled high.

She swallowed hard and picked up her spoon.

‘It’s delicious!’

The taste was enough to make her eyes pop open.

“Pffft—”

Beramund stifled a laugh. When Sigrid looked at him quizzically, Beramund shook his head.

“No, it’s nothing. I knew you’d like it.”

“Is that so?”

“You ate all the ice before.”

“Ah…”

Sigrid looked embarrassed. She had just learned from Marie-Chez that it wasn’t proper etiquette.

“I’m sorry for my rudeness then.”

“No, I cling to ice when it’s hot too.”

“I see.”

Sigrid nodded. Clinging to ice, the rich really are rich, she thought. With that in mind, Sigrid diligently moved her spoon. Wouldn’t it be a waste if the ice cream melted?

“You look truly happy.”

Beramund muttered, resting his chin on his hand.

“Pardon?”

Sigrid, who had been focused on eating, looked up, and he shook his head.

“No, it’s nothing. I just feel happy myself.”

At those words, Sigrid tilted her head and then smiled.

“That’s right, eating delicious food makes one happy.”

“It’s happiness just watching someone you like eat with enjoyment.”

At those words, Sigrid thought for a moment and then nodded.

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Beramund grinned.

Feeling awkward for some reason, Sigrid blinked and turned her attention back to the parfait. It was amazing that such food existed in the world.

‘Next time, I want to come with Seria and Arkana.’

As she savored the ice cream melting smoothly on her tongue, she thought of her friends. Seria likes cooking, so she would surely find this interesting and enjoyable too.

‘I need to earn a lot of money quickly. Well, once I join the Imperial Guard, my annual salary will increase significantly.’

When she receives her first paycheck, she’ll buy lots of gifts.

Sigrid made up her mind.

Beramund paid for the ice cream. As Sigrid tried to insist on paying herself, he stopped her, saying:

“Let me treat you to commemorate you becoming my subordinate.”

“I’m not your subordinate yet, though.”

“But you will be soon, right?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“So, it’s just a feeling. Ah, keep this a secret from the others.”

Beramund shuddered at the thought of grown men clinging to him asking for treats.

“…Understood.”

Sigrid sighed as she gave a noncommittal answer.

“Why are you sighing?”

“It’s nothing.”

Sigrid looked up blankly at Beramund. A cat-like smile spread across his sharp features.

“What is it?”

‘I feel like my debt keeps growing,’ Sigrid swallowed these words.

The sword, the dress, somehow she kept receiving things.

“Beramund.”

“Yes?”

“If you ever need my help, please call for me anytime, anywhere. I’ll come running.”

At those words, Beramund’s eyes widened. It was the face of someone who had heard something unexpected.

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

However, that expression soon disappeared, replaced by his usual languid smile. Feeling like he didn’t believe her, she added emphatically:

“I mean it.”

“Yes, yes.”

His response seemed halfhearted, and she was about to say more but closed her mouth. Actions speak louder than words when it comes to trust. Sigrid lightly grasped the sword handle at her waist and then let go. Noticing this, Beramund asked:

“Siri, want to stop by my place before you go?”

“Why?”

“Let’s spar.”

“I’ll come.”

“Great.”

Beramund grinned. Sigrid walked lightly with an excited heart. Sparring with another Aura user was rare. There was no better opponent for gaining experience.

‘Of course, facing only one person too often can become a problem of overfamiliarity.’

Sigrid glanced up at Beramund and pondered.

‘How much of my hand should I reveal?’

For now, she decided to keep at least one final move hidden.

Thinking this, Sigrid quickened her pace.

Beramund glanced down at her face and muttered:

“That’s why I told you not to make that face…”

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The uniform fit perfectly.

Sigrid took a deep breath.

‘It’s my first day on duty.’

Today would probably just be introductions and learning how things work. Although she had already learned all of this before, the first day is always important.

She secured her hair, styled more carefully than usual, with a pin Lowengrin had given her. It was a delicate piece of silver craftsmanship. After Marie-Chez had put it in Sigrid’s hair, she had said:

“Silver accessories on silver hair don’t stand out much.”

But for Sigrid, this level was just right when wearing her uniform. Grateful to Lowengrin for choosing an inconspicuous ornament, Sigrid left the mansion.

Passing through the 2nd District where the 2nd Imperial Knight Order was stationed, she finally reached the 1st District.

Sigrid arrived at the heart of the imperial palace.

Familiar corridors, familiar decorations, familiar paintings, this familiar atmosphere.

“Siri, you’re here?”

Beramund came out waving his hand, and Sigrid couldn’t help but smile.

‘Right, there are unfamiliar things too.’

“Why are you out here?”

“I came to greet you in case you got lost on your first day.”

“I’m not that stupid, though.”

“Can’t you just call this kind consideration?”

As Beramund placed his hand on his chest while speaking, Sigrid made a strange face and then said:

“I see, it’s kind consideration.”

“No, such a direct statement is a bit…”

Beramund replied and then took the lead. Although she was familiar with the palace structure, Sigrid followed behind him without saying much. Deep inside the imperial palace, further in, close to the royal quarters, was the Imperial Guard building. The fact that the two buildings were connected by a skybridge clearly showed how close the imperial family and the Imperial Guard were.

“Siri, this way~”

Beramund pointed to the entrance. Sigrid turned her gaze from the skybridge and quickly followed him. They climbed the stairs inside the building and arrived at the largest room.

It was the 1st Imperial Guard room, which she had never entered before.

Beramund flung the door open without knocking.

“Hello, everyone.”

“Good day, sir!”

As he entered, the people inside stood up and greeted him. Sigrid quickly scanned the people.

‘Two, three, five, eight, ten.’

There were ten people in total. Including herself and Beramund, it would be exactly twelve.

It was an appropriate number.

“Ta-da~ This is Lady Sigrid Ankertna who will be working with us from today.”

Beramund grabbed her shoulders and pushed her forward. Sigrid quickly stood at attention and said:

“I am Sigrid Ankertna. I look forward to your guidance and support.”

“We’ve heard a lot about you, Lady Ankertna. I’m Nas Eol, the Vice-Captain.”

A man with narrow eyes smiled and placed his hand on his chest in greeting. Sigrid already knew him.

The Swift Sword.

She had crossed swords with him a few times in duels and found him quite challenging. He used a thin sword that bent more than others, which made it difficult to react to due to its unpredictability. Nas looked at Sigrid’s stiff expression and then glanced at Beramund.

‘How on earth did the Captain recruit this female knight?’

Seeing Beramund puff out his chest proudly as if to say ‘How’s that? My skill!’, Nas felt somewhat irritated. But he didn’t show it. Besides, strengthening the 1st Imperial Guard was good for him too.

Instead, he introduced the other members to Sigrid.

“Then, starting from the right—”

Alita Ruben.

Kyle Besser.

Orut Alkerans.

Vind Sikul.

Railbert Ollud.

Sitan Behanam.

Giran Dohi.

Waldur Bey.

Roud Rodu.

Kilikas Rittenbeheern.

As she was introduced to each person, Sigrid could easily identify those who deserved a star. Among them, including Nas, only five were Aura users. Nas had also introduced people in order of their strength, so Sigrid immediately distinguished the first five.

“Among these, the first five I introduced are Aura users like Lady Ankertna, so please remember that.”

“Yes.”

Nas finished with those words, perhaps having introduced them with that in mind, and turned his gaze to Alita.

“Alita.”

“Yes.”

“Show Lady Ankertna around the Imperial Guard.”

“Wait, can’t I do that?”

Beramund interjected, but Nas ignored him and said to Sigrid:

“My lady, please follow Alita.”

“Yes.”

Beramund protested, saying “Wow, that’s harsh,” but everyone seemed to ignore him. Alita Ruben stepped forward and said to Sigrid:

“Follow me.”

“Yes.”

As Sigrid quickly followed behind him and responded, Alita said:

“No need for formalities.”

“Alright.”

Alita turned to look at Sigrid and chuckled.

“A personality that doesn’t know how to be reserved seems like it’ll fit in well here.”

“What?”