Chapter 141

"I called him." Ravis did say that he would be arranging a bodyguard, I just didn't think it would be so soon. Of course, it had to be someone like Dalen who could handle himself against demons. Despite my misgivings, I continued down the stairs to the lobby.

I tried my best to avoid Dalen's eyes, who was trying to register where he had seen my face. I had no choice but to smile and greet him. "Welcome, Sir Portis. My name is Iona Lesprey."

"So, you aren't the Lady Eris Cia Deron?" Dalen asked. He had recognized me. I wanted to run from the mansion, my embarrassment growing.

"I couldn't reveal my status due to some unfortunate circumstances then. I'm sorry for giving you a fake name."

"I have heard about your situation. That His Majesty is secretly protecting you. It is I who should apologize for the misunderstanding." Dalen bowed his head.

"No, you were just being considerate."

"Dalen tends to be focused on only what is in front of him," Ravis spoke up, laughing to show the criticism was in good humour.

Dalen flinched, slightly. "I feel l it's better to keep focus, rather than smiling at every person around me."

"Hence, why you make children cry with that stern face of yours. I think the fact that I'm pleasant to everyone is a benefit." Ravis said, getting slightly annoyed.

"I didn't say that it was you I was talking about," Dalen snapped.

Were they always on bad terms? I wondered. Come to think of it, I did hear them bicker when Ridrian collapsed in the temple. In the original story, they didn't really fight with each other. But what was the point of comparing anything to the original anymore. It seemed like the entire story had changed when I met Eris at the masked ball.

I quickly intervened before the bickering could continue. "Thank you for coming all the way out here, Sir Portis."

"I heard from Brother Ravis that you were being chased by demons," Dalen said.

"Yes, it seems that way. I've had a couple of encounters now," I informed him.

"I'll take control of the security of this mansion and guard it with my life. Demons are no match to us crusaders, so you won't have to worry now."

To be honest, I was relieved that Dalen would be guarding me, even though he knew some of my dark past. Besides him, there were only two knights that had been sent by the emperor to help keep this home safe. They were skilled fighters, but simple human knights were no match for demons.

"Thank you, Dalen," I said, showing my gratitude. "Roban. Escort Dalen to a guest room. He might be staying for a while, so prepare one of the rooms in the main house."

"As you wish, ma'am. I'll get it ready."

***

The next morning, we had another guest.

"Iona! I'm so glad to see you again!" Eris embraced me and I wondered what my relationship was going to be with this woman.

"Eris? What are you doing here? And how did you know to come here to find me?" I enquired.

"I have my ways." Eris noticed Ravis and Dalen standing in the background. "Oh my, the sly High Priest and the strict crusader are here as well."

Eris was so informal and open with what she thought. I pushed her off of me, completely flustered. It was bad enough that she showed up out of the blue, just after breakfast, but to speak to my friends like this was too much.

"I missed you, Iona. I'm surprised it took you this long to get out of the palace. I really don't like the Emperor." Eris just wouldn't shut up.

"Iona, who is this rude person?" Ravis asked.

"I also would like to know," Dalen said.

The two men seemed extremely displeased with the new guest, but I had no choice but to introduce her. "This is the real Lady Eris Cia Deron," I told them.

"So, she's the one who registered to be in the choir, then never showed up," Ravis said, annoyed.

"It seems like she had forgotten how to interact with people, since she spends all her time with demons," Dalen added.

Eris helped her father with the defense of the suburbs and borders against demons. The Deron property was by the Troto valley and the kingdom border where there was an extreme amount of demon activity, so it was consistently in danger. Eris was also famous for her knowledge of swordsmanship. She was so busy with her duties that she rarely showed up to any social events, hence why Ridrian had only seen her for the first time at the masked ball.

"Can't we kick these two out, Iona?" Eris asked.

I could feel the tension rising between the three of them. A guest randomly showing up and asking for household members to be kicked out was unheard of. I felt awkwardly in the middle. I tried to smile and relax the atmosphere that was growing tense amongst everyone.

"Let's go to the drawing room and have a drink. We can officially get to know each other," I suggested.

"Wait, Iona. Where can I put my stuff?" Eris asked, indicating outside. We walked out to the front porch to find a carriage stuffed full of bags waiting at the door.

"Eris? What is all this?"

Eris smiled. "Oh my, didn't His Majesty send you the message?"

"Message?" I had no idea what she was talking about.

Eris laughed and grabbed my hands. "I'm going to be your bodyguard from today on. We are going to be the best of friends!"

I froze. What was happening. It was as if the Lesprey mansion had become the gathering point for all of the characters from the original story. I simply looked at Eris, speechless.

***

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