The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 138

Eliza held out the fork with the piece of meat toward me.

“Here, open your mouth. Ah~.”

I’d rather run away, but that’s impossible.

For starters, Eliza is a mage capable of long-distance, breathless teleportation.

Physically escaping is not an option.

Reluctantly, I closed my eyes tight and opened my mouth.

“Ah…”

Something entered my mouth.

Warm and greasy.

It was the meat I had sliced earlier.

“Chew thoroughly.”

I slowly chewed the meat.

Hot juices flowed out, quickly filling my mouth.

The aroma of butter and meat spread.

“Is it good?”

Eliza asked, patting my back.

“Yes…”

The food is good.

It’s delicious.

Top-grade meat, the spices perfectly balanced, and cooked just right.

The guilt lies with me.

‘Just die…! Just drop dead!’

This isn’t right, but… it’s not bad.

I think I understand why Eliza insists on being fed by me.

Being fed and taken care of by someone—it’s so embarrassing that I’d want to hold my breath and die for ten minutes, but it feels oddly nice….

“Ah~.”

Eliza opened her mouth again.

I couldn’t bear to meet her eyes and put the food in her mouth.

She chomped happily.

I sneaked a glance at Lia.

I wondered if she would glare at me like before, but she didn’t.

Her gentle smile, faintly pleased, seemed almost approving.

‘What is this…. Has she acknowledged me? Or is there some change in her feelings…?’

I quietly averted my gaze.

One of Eliza’s earlier remarks lingered in my mind.

“Not a person but a pet….”

…Ah.

I meant to think it but accidentally said it aloud.

Eliza, unfazed, replied next to me.

“It’s just a metaphor.”

“If it’s not a metaphor… then what is it?”

A knight and a noble.

A master and a servant. Or perhaps, a pet.

If we remove the metaphor, how would one define our relationship?

I asked unintentionally.

And Eliza didn’t answer.

It seemed she couldn’t.

When I turned back to look at her, her face was beet red.

She froze, unable to even chew the food in her mouth.

She briefly met my eyes, then quickly looked away.

I did the same, hurriedly turning my head.

My face burned.

‘Ugh, idiot! Why would you ask something like that…!’

Until the meal ended, neither of us spoke.

An awkward silence filled the air.

But the act of feeding each other didn’t stop.

“Don’t get hurt.”

Eliza spoke, holding me in an embrace.

We both pretended that the embarrassment from our mutual awkwardness during the meal hadn’t happened.

We didn’t voice it, but we silently agreed to act like nothing was wrong.

“Yes. Don’t worry.”

And now, I’m heading off to train.

She hugs me like this every time before I leave.

It’s been a few days since our reunion.

Eliza follows me wherever I go.

Conversely, she takes me along wherever she goes.

But not always.

She always respects my personal training time.

‘…To be honest, apart from training, we’re hardly ever apart.’

Even when we sleep….

Ah. No, never mind.

Let’s not think about unnecessary things before training.

Or else, we might lose focus.

In one corner of the Eliza estate lies a training ground.

Most of the knights train here.

The accommodations are nearby as well.

The guards were already out in the training yard warming up.

“Oh, look who’s coming! It’s the Duke of Eliza’s consort,” Richard teased as he noticed me.

“Please, stop spreading weird rumors.”

“I’m not spreading anything. It’s already out there.”

“……”

“Don’t insult our master with nonsense,” Dylan scolded Richard from the side.

“What insult? I’m sure the Duke would enjoy it. You can see how they’re head over heels for each other when they’re together. It’s like honey is dripping from their eyes.”

I silently stared at Richard, already plotting how I would pay him back during hand-to-hand combat training.

“Watching you two, I don’t know whether to be frustrated or relieved. You’ve made progress compared to before, though…”

Richard suddenly stopped mid-sentence and glanced at me.

This wasn’t the first time he’d done this.

Getting carried away chatting and then getting scolded during training was something he’d experienced before.

Boldly, Richard called out to me.

“Hey, Judas!”

“Yes, Senior Richard?”

“Cut me some slack, just this once!”

“No.”

“Really?”

Richard nodded as if accepting his fate and looked up at the sky before flashing a mischievous grin.

“Guess I’m doomed.”

***

“You bastard… ungrateful punk with no respect…”

Richard muttered from the ground where he’d collapsed.

I poured cold water over him.

“Ugh! Ack!”

“Feeling refreshed now?”

Richard sat up and wiped his face with the cold water, then glanced at me with a smirk.

“Yeah, you punk. It’s really refreshing.”

I sat down beside him.

We had just finished training.

During the final hand-to-hand combat practice, I gave Richard a thorough lesson he wouldn’t forget.

“Hard to believe we were at war just a few days ago,” Richard said suddenly, staring up at the sky.

He was right.

This place feels absurdly peaceful now.

Of course, the war hasn’t officially ended yet.

It’s more like an implicit ceasefire.

Even so, there’s no tension in the air.

It feels like everything is going to work out fine.

And we trust in Eliza’s power.

It was the first time I had seen Eliza’s magic too.

Even in my previous world, I hadn’t seen anything that strong.

Multiple suns appearing during the battle with Barak.

Then the explosions.

Even watching from afar, the power was beyond comprehension.

If she wanted to, she could probably take on the entire Empire alone.

Whether that’s possible or not, I can’t say for sure.

I have no idea what the Empire’s plans are anymore.

Too many things have changed from the future I knew.

The guards who finished their training gathered one by one nearby.

They sat down wherever they pleased, all taking a break together.

Some were injured during the war, but none were severely wounded or killed.

What a relief.

We chatted casually while resting.

“Oh, right. Judas, who did you meet in Jericho again?”

“Leo, Cooper, Brown, and Connor.”

“Ah, right, right. That’s what it was.”

“How are they doing?”

“They’ve settled down pretty well and are pulling their weight.”

“Those guys picked a fight with you and got beaten, didn’t they? Back in the day.”

“Wow… that was already five years ago.”

Whenever we gather, we always end up talking about the same things.

Random chatter.

Then reminiscing about memories from five years at the training grounds.

‘Man, so many things happened.’

I asked Richard.

“How is your sister-in-law doing?”

“Oh, she’s doing well. The war has been calmer than expected, so there’s no major trouble.”

Because of the war, Richard and I had only exchanged letters.

Then, we caught up on news about a few people, family matters, and other things like that.

Dylan, however, rarely talks about such topics.

To be precise, he doesn’t talk about himself.

I don’t know all the details, but I understand the gist.

He doesn’t have a family.

Nor does he have close people outside of this guard unit.

I subtly moved closer to him.

“Senior Dylan, you’ve been through a lot. It must’ve been tough leading and commanding this chaotic guard unit.”

Dylan chuckled softly as he sipped his water.

“It wasn’t easy, especially without you.”

“Hmm… I’m sorry about that.”

“I didn’t mean it as a rebuke. No, if anything, I’m the one who feels sorry.”

“Pardon?”

“I entrusted her to you, but I don’t think I did a great job at it.”

“……”

“Ultimately, I think it’s something only you can handle.”

Dylan gave me a wide smile. The reassuring smile that had always anchored and guided us since our training days.

He patted my shoulder.

“Welcome back, and thank you again.”

“…It’s nothing.”

Feeling awkward, I downed a gulp of water.

I glanced around at the lively guard unit.

Yeah.
This is the place I belong to, the place I was meant to return to.

It’s a bit late, but I finally realize it.

Eliza once said to me,

“Please remain the place I can return to.”

Even before that, Eliza was already the person I could return to.

‘…I wonder if the second tragedy will be alright.’

***

Morning, noon, and evening, I have meals with Eliza.

Afterward, without fail, I visit Yuel to take care of him.

Ever since I left briefly and came back, Yuel has been greeting me even more enthusiastically.

Even before I open the door, he recognizes my footsteps and scratches at the door.

When I open the door, he dashes out, excitedly throwing himself at me.

“Alright, alright. Yeah, it’s me. I’m back. Oh, yeah, good boy.”

I still remember the sound of him crying from behind when I was about to leave him behind.

It left a deep mark on me, making me feel uneasy whenever I recall it.

On the day the Bevel family was effectively destroyed, I came to see Yuel right after returning, and he clung to me so much.

He even let out loud, squeaky cries.

“Alright, I’m glad to see you too. Yeah, yeah, I’m sorry, okay? I promise I won’t leave again… Oh, stop that…”

And the way he licks my face non-stop is still the same.

It leaves me at a loss for words, honestly.

But in the end, I’m the guilty one here.

So, without a word, I hug him and scratch his neck or chin.

Eliza quietly watches me during these moments.

Whenever I visit Yuel, Eliza is always with me.

We’ve resumed brushing Yuel, just like before.

Eliza has grown up since she was young, but Yuel has grown even more.

I still need a step stool to reach him.

‘But these days, it’s strange… Hmm….’

Every time I interact with Yuel, Eliza’s gaze feels unusual.

It’s a bit scary.

Sometimes, she even lets out a low, growling sound like an annoyed cat.

‘Why… is she doing that…?’

Whenever I ask, she plays dumb and says it’s nothing, so I can’t press further.

‘It’s not like she hates Yuel, though.’

From Lia, I indirectly heard that while I was away, Eliza often rested in my room or at the stable.

She had also diligently taken care of Yuel on her own.

Thinking about it makes me feel apologetic again. Hmm….

Anyway, while Eliza brushes Yuel with steady hands, I feed him mushrooms or stroke him.

When the brushing session ended, Eliza wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and I continued scratching Yuel’s neck.

Seemingly pleased, Yuel stretched his neck out and pressed his body closer to me.

“Yeah, that feels good, doesn’t it? Oh, you love it. Look at you.”

As Eliza finished cleaning her hands, she suddenly spoke up.

“Step outside for a moment.”

It was a command directed at Lia and Bradley, who were also in the stable.

Caught off guard by the sudden order, the two hesitated but eventually left.

‘…What is this?’

While I was puzzled, Eliza approached me.

“Lower yourself.”

“Pardon? Oh, yes.”

At her gesture, I obediently lowered my head.

Eliza meticulously wiped my face and neck with a handkerchief.

‘…All of a sudden?’

This had never happened before.

What’s going on today?

Eliza glanced back and forth between Yuel and me, then spoke while looking at me.

“Judas.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Do you like me, or do you like Yuel?”

“…Pardon?”

What is this?

Why is she doubting my preferences?

I’ve never done anything to raise suspicion.

Regardless of respect for diversity, I am not someone with a preference for furry, shaggy beasts.

So, while I am very fond of Yuel, it has nothing to do with any such desires.

My feelings are entirely pure.

Also, although I don’t want to compare, if I had to, it’s true that I prefer Eliza more.

Of course, it’s naturally different from liking Yuel in that way… well, you know.

“Obviously, I like you more, my lady…”

“Then why don’t you ever pet me?”

I squinted my eyes and stared into the distance.

I wondered if my ears had been damaged during a battle.

That wasn’t the case.

I had heard her clearly.

“…Pardon?”

“You always scratch and pet Yuel like that. But you’ve never done that to me, not even once.”

“That, that’s because…”

Yuel has been like this since childhood…

I mean, Yuel is an animal, and he likes being touched like that…

‘Could it be that she’s been holding a grudge about this all this time?’

That thought was only half right.

This wasn’t her only grievance.

“Hugs too. I always have to hug you first, and I’m the one who has to reach for your hand.”

“Well…”

She wasn’t wrong, but still…

‘No matter what, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for a knight to touch their master first?’

Eliza turned her head away sharply, looking sulky.

Her lips jutted out in a pout.

Even then, she looked irresistibly cute.

Now I understood why she had sent Lia and Bradley away.

Eliza always sticks close to me, but when others are around, she never shows this kind of playful side.

She only stays by my side, her expression and demeanor cold and stiff.

It doesn’t seem like she even realizes that this behavior is a form of playfulness.

“…I’m sorry.”

Feeling it was my fault, I apologized honestly.

Eliza crossed her arms and shook her head firmly.

“That’s not it.”

“Then…”

“Pet me too.”

“……”

Eliza stepped closer to me.

She tilted her chin up as if to say, ‘Hurry up and do it.‘

‘W-what? Just like that, so suddenly?’

At a loss for what to do, my hands trembled. But Eliza took another step closer to me.

“Come on.”

Once again, I couldn’t disobey her.

“T-then… I-I’ll touch you, okay?”

Eliza nodded.

Cautiously, I reached out my hand.