Chapter 6: The Unexpected Encounter

“Are you sure? Do you know who it is?”

“Yes.”

Elin pointed toward the pounding door.

“It’s my brother.”

“Your brother…?”

“Gerald Bertine.”

Ah, of course.

At this time, the only person left in the estate would be the second son.

Bang, bang, bang, bang—

The knocking grew louder, as if the visitor didn’t believe the room was empty.

Well, Elin rarely left her room, after all.

“I think you should open the door.”

“I’ll handle it,” Elin said, trying to stand despite her injured foot.

I gently pushed her back into her seat and opened the door myself.

“Why the hell did you take so long to—”

The boy on the other side cut his complaint short as soon as the door opened. A stranger he’d never seen in the mansion stood before him.

As Gerald froze in confusion, I took a moment to scan him.

His violet hair was darker than Elin’s, and his green eyes resembled Natia’s.

His sharp, upturned eyes hinted at a fiery temper.

“And who the hell are you?” Gerald asked, regaining his composure.

“My name is Luke Bucklin.”

“What?”

Gerald tilted his head, incredulous.

“Did I ask for your name? I want to know why you’re coming out of this room.”

This room?

I feigned a puzzled look and glanced around.

“Thanks to the diligent servants, it seems the hallways are clean of trash.”

“Are you trying to mess with me right now?”

Says the one who wasn’t clear about what he meant.

When I maintained my calm, puzzled expression, Gerald pointed straight at Elin, who was sitting quietly on the bed.

“Right there. That’s the trash.”

“Her name is Lady Elin Bertine, not ‘trash.'”

“What kind of Bertine is she supposed to be…?”

Gerald muttered under his breath and raised his sharp eyes again.

“So, what exactly do you do?”

“I am Lady Elin’s private tutor.”

“Tutor? Hah.”

Gerald scoffed and called out over my shoulder.

“Must be nice, huh? Even a tutor now?”

“……”

Elin didn’t respond.

Her expression remained blank.

But I noticed.

Her body trembled ever so slightly.

“Whether you’re a tutor or whatever, get out of my way. I’ve got no business with you.”

Gerald tried to push past me.

There was no way I’d let him through.

I stepped aside, blocking his path.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m standing in your way.”

For a moment, Gerald was at a loss for words, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.

“What the hell… Are you trying to get on my nerves?”

“It would be helpful if you stated your purpose for coming here.”

“It’s none of your business, so step aside!”

This boy truly had no manners.

It made me want to teach him some myself.

“Perhaps Lady Elin would feel differently,” I replied, turning to Elin.

Her unfocused eyes seemed to ask, What are you doing now?

So I answered.

“Do you wish for Gerald to enter the room? If so, I’ll step aside.”

“…What?”

For the first time in her life, the child was given a choice. She blinked in stunned silence.

“We’ve got a real nutcase here.”

Gerald scoffed and tried to shove me aside to enter.

“Ouch.”

I stumbled back dramatically.

As expected, it was difficult to withstand the strength of a trained swordsman.

But…

Swish—

“What the…?”

When Gerald took a step forward, he found himself standing back at the door.

Back in front of me.

“You may not enter without Lady Elin’s permission,” I said calmly.

If I couldn’t block him with strength, I’d use magic.

After all, I was a mage.

With a simple portal, I’d redirected him to where he started.

“A mage?”

Realizing this, Gerald let out a dry laugh.

“You. You seem to know who I am. Do you think you can get away with this?”

“Why should I have anything to get away with? I am merely protecting Lady Elin during her lesson. State your business or return later.”

Gerald seemed to reevaluate his approach, scanning me from head to toe.

“My business? Fine, I’ll tell you.”

Then, he yelled toward Elin, still sitting on the bed.

“Hey! Trash. Run an errand for me.”

“…What errand?”

Elin responded as if refusal wasn’t even an option.

“We’re out of mana herbs.”

“…Why don’t you buy some yourself?”

“Seriously? Do you think I’d be here if I could? Don’t you know my allowance was cut off?”

Her tentative question was met with profanity.

“And get rid of this guy while you’re at it,” he added, gesturing at me.

Elin quietly got off the bed and walked over.

“Lady Elin, your foot—”

“I’m fine. Move aside.”

She grabbed my sleeve, her expression quietly pleading.

Let it go. Don’t make this worse.

Her lips formed the silent words.

With a sigh, I raised my hands in surrender.

“Understood.”

“Finally,” Gerald muttered, brushing past me.

He headed straight for the desk drawers and rummaged through them until he found a pouch of coins.

“Figures. There’s still some left.”

His movements were practiced, like someone who’d done this many times before.

Apparently, he’d been stashing emergency money in Elin’s room.

A clever choice, considering no one would expect her to have money.

Gerald tossed the pouch at Elin.

“Go get some mana herbs. The strongest ones.”

“…Alright—”

“No.”

I stopped her as she instinctively nodded.

How could she even think of going in her condition?

“It’s lesson time.”

At my firm response, Gerald sighed deeply.

“Trash. Do you know whose fault it is when a servant makes a mistake?”

“…Huh?”

Elin frowned, not understanding.

“It’s the master’s fault.”

Gerald raised his hand.

As I’d anticipated.

Swish—

I teleported him again.

Instead of hitting Elin, his hand slapped into mine.

Smack!

“Ow!”

The pain was sharp, but I smiled through it.

“High-five? That’s quite forward for a first meeting.”

“You little…”

Gerald glared at me, but he didn’t try again.

“Go. Get the herbs. Unless you want to see your tutor fired.”

Elin hesitated, looking between Gerald’s angry face and my calm one.

Eventually, she nodded.

“…Alright. I’ll go.”

She gathered her things, ready to leave.

I tried to stop her again, but her lifeless eyes made me pause.

It’s easier this way, her expression seemed to say.

“Fine,” I relented. “But I’m coming with you.”

“…What?”

“I’ll accompany you.”

Elin blinked, clearly not expecting that.

“Do whatever you want. Just hurry up!” Gerald snapped.

With that, I opened a portal to the capital.

We arrived in the bustling city streets. Since Elin couldn’t walk properly, I carried her on my back.

“…Put me down.”

“No.”

Every minute, she repeated the same words.

And every time, I replied the same way.

“Absolutely not.”

Finally, I put an end to the exchange.

“Today, Lady Elin, you will not walk. Please remain still.”

“…Fine.”

She leaned her forehead against my back.

“It’s too much.”

“What is?”

“This… protection. I don’t need this much.”

I disagreed.

“Until now, you’ve had far too little.”

Elin fell silent.

“Let’s just get this over with,” she murmured, surrendering.