Home/Why Is Everyone Doing This?/ch30

Episode 30

With a knock, Aegir entered Iodel's room.

She had been sitting at the table waiting for him, and she stood up immediately.

"Are you done talking?"

"Yes. Thanks to your friend, I think we have some helpful information for the investigation."

"I'm glad."

Iodel's gaze cautiously glanced at Aegir.

Since there was no noticeable change in his expression, it seemed Denzel hadn't said anything strange.

"Denzel asked me to tell you he's going to sleep for today."

"Gasp, but...!"

"Iodel. Even if I allow everything else..."

His lips, which had been so gentle, twisted fiercely.

"...I cannot allow you to spend the night with a male friend."

"We used to sleep together sometimes..."

"You are now a proper young lady."

His tone was still kind and gentle, but she realized he would never allow it and gave up cleanly.

"...Okay."

"You have time tomorrow too, so spend it together. If you want, I can cancel Duchess Belice's lesson."

"Ah, no! I want to attend the lesson! I missed it today."

"Alright. Then..."

He approached Iodel.

As if accustomed to it, she brushed her bangs aside and offered her forehead.

"Goodnight, Iodel."

Aegir smiled as if he found her adorable, lightly kissed her forehead, and left the room.

At first, it had felt burdensome and embarrassing, but now it was so familiar.

Smiling, she lightly touched her forehead and immediately climbed onto the bed.

Denzel was right in the next room, so they would be sleeping together with just a wall between them.

"Goodnight, my precious friend. Denzel."

After whispering a greeting that wouldn't reach him, Iodel lay down on the bed.

Just knowing that Denzel was on the other side of the wall brought her an immense sense of comfort.

For the first time since coming here, Iodel fell into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

---

"Denzel!"

"Mmm...?"

"Wake up. The sun is already above the trees."

Chattering nonstop, she drew the curtains.

Bright sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Denzel's eyes.

"I was waiting for you to wake up since you must be tired, but I couldn't stand the hunger anymore."

"You didn't eat anything because of me?"

Rubbing his eyes sleepily, he sat up.

Finally fully awake, Denzel stared at Iodel with a surprised expression.

"Huh? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"...Because you're pretty."

She had always worn patched-together clothes discarded by the maids.

So this was the first time he had seen her in a proper, and pretty, dress.

"You're so beautiful, Iodel."

"Thank you, Denzel. You're very pretty too."

At her words, Denzel quickly looked down at his own clothes.

While he had been asleep, someone must have dressed him, because he was also wearing clean, nice shirts and trousers.

He unconsciously touched his clothes, feeling the soft, fine fabric.

"You're right. I'm wearing pretty clothes too."

"Let's have lunch first."

"It's already lunch?"

Denzel's gaze turned to the clock on the bedside table.

As Iodel had said, the hands were already pointing to twelve.

"You're right."

"Yeah. After eating, I have to go to my lesson."

She casually said, as she gathered the utensils for him.

"...Then what about me...?"

But Denzel looked at Iodel with an expression like a puppy abandoned by its owner.

"Huh?"

"Then what about me?"

"...Hmm, I'll ask if you can join the lesson too!"

"Yeah."

Only after hearing the answer he wanted did he go to the table and start eating.

Iodel kept pushing plates of food towards Denzel.

"Eat a lot, Denzel."

"You eat too, Iodel."

"Yeah, I'm eating."

"Your cheeks are getting fuller. It looks good."

He held out the pork roast, still coated in the sauce she had given him, back to Iodel.

"Eat more. I've had enough."

"Alright. I'll eat too."

As if giving in, she continued eating happily with Denzel.

The two of them ate until their bellies were round, and even finished the dessert Bell had brought before finally getting up.

"...I think I ate too much. I feel heavy."

"Should I roll you around?"

"...That's not necessary."

"Puhaha!"

Walking out into the corridor for her lesson, Iodel laughed brightly.

Behind her, Demaret and Bell, as well as Theodore, followed.

Denzel quietly observed him—the only male among all the women.

"Ah, that's Lord Belice. He's my sworn knight."

"Sworn knight?"

"Yeah. His Majesty the Emperor appointed him."

He stared at Theodore expressionlessly.

"What are you doing? Let's go."

"Yeah."

Iodel linked her arm with Denzel's and pulled him along.

She slowly entered the room where Duchess Belice was waiting for the lesson.

"Hello, Duchess Belice."

"Iodel."

"I have a favor to ask."

After greeting her properly, Iodel carefully continued, gauging her reaction.

"May my friend join the lesson for just a few days? His name is Denzel. He'll behave quietly and won't disturb the lesson at all."

At her torrent of words, Duchess Belice glanced at Denzel, who was standing right beside her.

"I heard the gist of it from Theodore yesterday. That you found your missing friend."

"Ah, you heard?"

"If he's precious to Iodel, I have no reason to refuse."

"Thank you, Duchess Belice!"

Iodel jumped for joy, then cleared her throat and smiled prettily at Denzel.

"She gave permission! You should say thank you!"

"Thank you."

Following her instruction, he politely bowed his head.

Iodel dragged a chair over beside her desk for Denzel.

"Sit here."

"Okay. I won't disturb."

"If you do, I'll kick you out."

She smiled brightly, joking, then sat up straight and looked at Duchess Belice.

Soon, her lesson began.

From the start of the lesson until the very end, Denzel didn't move a muscle from his seat, only gazing intently at Iodel.

His expression was always stiff when looking at others, but it was different when he looked at her.

Sometimes he would smile faintly, other times observe her closely—and before they knew it, two hours had passed.

"Denzel!"

"...Huh?"

"The lesson is over! Let's go have a snack."

Iodel had already finished greeting Duchess Belice and returned, pulling Denzel by the hand.

They were about to head back to the bedroom for a snack when Theodore suddenly blocked their way.

"My lady."

"Mm, yes?"

"I apologize for not mentioning it earlier, given the circumstances yesterday."

"About what?"

"I received word from the temple that the oath ceremony for the knight's vow has been prepared. A priest will be arriving next week for the ceremony."

"Ah..."

Only then did she recall what Theodore had said on the day they first met.

—The formal oath ceremony will take some time, but I wanted to greet you first. Lady Freya.

Iodel, unaware of what becoming a true sworn knight meant in the Kinis Empire, nodded casually.

"Then I just need to follow Lord Belice tomorrow?"

"Yes, that's correct. The House of Belice will also send a dress suitable for the ceremony shortly."

"Yes. Understood."

She nodded to him once more and grabbed the doorknob to enter the room.

As she was about to turn it, Denzel asked casually,

"What's the knight's oath, Iodel?"

"It's a ceremony where he swears to protect me for life. They say all members of the imperial family do it."

At her answer, Denzel's eyes, which had been so gentle, began to flash fiercely.

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