30. All Flushed
I needed to think more deeply about Leofric.
The whole time I was riding, I kept pondering his connection to magic.
If this was truly time-reversing magic, it couldn’t be ordinary. Even the imperial library, which was said to lack many records, likely wouldn’t have anything on it.
How much did Leofric really know about the vanished magic, even if it was absent from the imperial archives?
And if it wasn’t Leofric who cast the spell but Lloyd—did the two cooperate? Thoughts like that swirled endlessly.
But the more I thought, the deeper my confusion grew.
I wasn’t exactly an expert in magic, and as time passed, I kept learning new things about Leofric Reinhardt. The certainty I once had about him was steadily fading.
“Is this the best you could do?”
Even just this morning…
Leofric had the nerve to ask me that with the most bewildered look on his face.
And then he said, “Your men’s clothing is too beautiful. I honestly couldn’t see you as a man.” Or something to that effect.
“Aren’t there any other clothes? Or another method? I just can’t… like this…”
He even looked at me helplessly and shook his head.
He claimed people would easily see I was a woman.
And while we rode, he kept telling me to never stray from his side.
I glanced sideways at him, still riding close to me.
Leofric sat straight on his horse, with perfect posture straight out of a riding manual.
Watching him look forward with a slight smile made him seem almost like a painting.
In that moment, as I was staring absentmindedly, he suddenly turned his head.
Startled, I quickly averted my gaze in case he noticed I was watching.
I could still feel his gaze on me from the side, but I pretended not to notice.
Eventually, his gaze returned to the front with a soft chuckle.
When I glanced again, he was looking straight ahead. His smile had deepened.
…And that’s exactly why I keep getting the wrong idea.
Part of me wonders—did he reverse time… for me?
Even though I know there’s no way that’s true.
The Leofric I know is someone who can craft any persona he wants, as long as he puts his mind to it.
But even so… could that calm, gentle look on his face really be a lie?
Again, I stopped my thoughts there.
*
“It’d be best if we stopped here for the night.”
Darkness had fully settled.
After riding nonstop, we finally spotted a traveler’s lodge and brought our horses to a halt.
With night falling, and not even able to clearly see our surroundings, the knights suggested we rest here.
They were right—without anything like a lantern to light the way, stopping here was the only choice.
“That’s a good idea. It’s hard to see what’s ahead anymore. We should depart once it’s light again.”
“I’ll go check if anyone’s inside.”
Once Leofric and I agreed, the rest of the group naturally split up and began carrying out their tasks.
Some checked whether anyone was inside the lodge. Others located the camping supplies in case it was full.
A few surveyed the area for threats.
While watching the knights move in such an organized manner, I dismounted and started untying my gear from the horse.
“You’ve all split the tasks up very well.”
“Well, they’re trained knights, after all.”
“Do they learn this kind of thing during training too?”
“What exactly do you mean? Splitting roles? Or camping itself?”
Leofric smiled lightly, asking which part I was curious about.
Judging from how he spoke, it seemed like they learned pretty much everything, so I just shook my head.
“No matter what I ask, I feel like your answer will be that they’re trained for it.”
“Well, knights are expected to handle anything. They must use their swords and their heads, and be strong in both body and heart.”
“So Leofric, did you also learn to be good at everything?”
I’d heard that the title “Sir” could only be given to someone who completed all the official knightly training.
And Leofric, despite being the crown prince, had trained alongside other apprentice knights and earned that title.
It was a feat no other crown prince in history had accomplished.
Of course, he probably tried to conceal his identity as best he could, but I remembered hearing that he struggled with envy and rivalry from others throughout his training.
That memory was what made me ask, and Leofric looked quite startled.
“…You know I trained as a knight?”
“Yes. Anyone who’s worked at the palace long enough knows.”
I nodded, recalling the gossip I’d overheard from court ladies who hadn’t realized I was nearby in my previous life.
I tilted my head—was it really so strange that I knew? But Leofric still looked flustered.
“I did train as a knight. Though it was quite a long time ago…”
“I was just curious. From how you describe it, it sounds like knight training covers a wide range of things.”
It was just simple curiosity.
“So that means you’d be able to survive anywhere, right? No matter when or where you’re dropped?”
A casual question, really just me being inquisitive.
But Leofric responded with a soft, almost touched smile unlike anything I’d seen from him before.
“If I did as I was taught, probably. I did complete all the training knights undergo nowadays.”
“I see. Knights really are amazing.”
“We all go through the same training. It’s not that impressive.”
“Come on. If you have to be good with your brain, your body, your sword, and even your heart, that’s definitely impressive. Most people are only good at one of those, if even that.”
“Well, that may be true…”
Leofric trailed off at the end of his sentence.
Wondering what that meant, I turned my head to look at him.
The night sky was dark, making it hard to see his expression clearly.
Just then, a sudden light flared from the traveler’s lodge.
And then…
“…Honestly, I was surprised. I didn’t expect you to know about my childhood.”
“Ah…”
I finally saw Leofric’s face—completely flushed red.
So it wasn’t that he was flustered… he was embarrassed?
“Lady Mer! They’re done organizing inside.”
“Yes, Betty.”
At that moment, Betty approached to say the lodge was ready.
We could now bring our things inside.
“There’s no one else inside, and no signs of movement nearby either. If you and the prince go in first, and I follow with a few knights, that should about fill the space.”
“What about the others? It’s not big enough for everyone?”
“The knights say these lodges vary in size depending on the region. Since we just passed the outskirts of the capital, there aren’t usually many travelers here, so this one’s small.”
Betty explained everything she’d heard from the knights.
And in my view, I could see other knights setting up camp outside the lodge.
“So in the end, not everyone can go inside.”
“Yes. That’s why it’ll just be you two, your guards, and me.”
Betty nodded lightly and began unloading bags from the horses.
“They suggested a simple dinner. I’ll go prepare something. You two can finish your conversation and join me.”
As she turned to leave, I glanced at Leofric and stepped forward.
“No, I’ll come too. What do you need help with?”
“Huh? Weren’t you two in the middle of a conversation?”
“…It’s over. I’ll go ahead, Sir Leofric.”
“Ah… sure. Go ahead, Mer.”
He answered in a slightly dazed voice.
Betty glanced at him in slight confusion, but I simply followed her toward the lodge.
“Did something happen between you two? His Highness looked a little…”
“Nothing happened.”
When she tilted her head full of curiosity, I shook mine lightly.
How could I explain that he turned red just because I knew he’d been knighted?
I’d kept complimenting him without even realizing it—maybe that’s what embarrassed him even more.
He seemed like someone who’d grown up being constantly praised and admired, so his reaction surprised me.
“Betty, is it weird to tell someone they’re good at something if they’re genuinely good at it?”
She didn’t ask anything further, but I figured it was better than keeping it all to myself.
“What’s weird about that?”
“Right? It’s not strange, is it?”
Then why had Leofric reacted like that? I silently wondered.
“Well, it can feel awkward for the person hearing it. Especially if they’re not used to compliments.”
“Don’t people who are good at things get used to praise?”
Betty gave me a baffled look.
“Not really? Even you, Lady Mer, aren’t exactly used to being praised.”
“Are you saying I count as someone who’s good at things?”
“Who would say otherwise?”
Really? Then maybe Leofric doesn’t hear praise as often as he should?
I tilted my head at the thought, and Betty gave a small laugh and shook her head.
“People who are good at things are usually more awkward about compliments. You’re the same, Lady Mer.”
“Am I…?”
“Why? Did His Highness act shy when you complimented him? Did he turn red like you do?”
Betty asked in a playful tone, clearly trying to tease me.
I raised an eyebrow slightly.
“That’s enough, Betty. It wasn’t like that.”
“Hmm, I think I’m right. And your face is kind of red right now too, Lady Mer, but okay. I’ll stop here.”
She giggled softly and walked ahead.
As I followed her, I found myself thinking again of Leofric’s face—touched, somehow.
…And for some reason, my heart gave a little flutter too.
