BKSL CH 17

Chapter 17 – A… Date!?

The town of Tori was far livelier than I expected.

Of course, it wasn’t as grand as the royal capital I’d seen years ago, but for a so-called dangerous region, there were plenty of people, and everyone looked so calm and peaceful.

It was completely different from the bleak, frightening image I had imagined when I still lived in the capital.

“Oh! Commander Leo, it’s been a while!”

“Out shopping today?”

“Ah, then you’ve come at the perfect time! We just got some fresh apples in! I’ll set some aside for you!”

As we strolled through the streets, we arrived at what seemed like a lively marketplace.

Leo-san was tall and stood out easily, so the townsfolk quickly recognized him.

“Thanks, I’ll stop by later.”

“Oh ho, and who’s the lovely young lady with you? Don’t tell me this is a date, Commander?”

“Haha, I wish it were.”

“…Eh?”

Wait—a date?

He… he wishes it were a date!?

The older men—people who looked around my father’s age—grinned as they teased him, and Leo-san scratched his head, smiling shyly as if to agree.

So… this is a date!?

I’d never experienced anything like this in my entire life.

Not once had I gone out with someone like this—let alone eaten together, strolled together…

And my very first time is with someone like Leo-san!?

Truly, I must thank Prince Marx for breaking our engagement and sending me here.

Please, Your Highness—be happy with Anika! I mean that sincerely!

“Sibel, shall we head over there?”

“Yes—!”

Still dizzy with the word date echoing in my mind, I was caught off guard when Leo-san suddenly reached out and took my hand.

“—!!”

“There are a lot of people around here. Stay close.”

His hand was warm and firm as he gently guided me through the crowd, smiling a little as he spoke.

Ahh… this must be another escort!

Counting the one when I got into the carriage, that makes three today.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wash my hands again. It would feel like such a waste.

Holding my hand, Leo-san led me safely through the market. Soon, we left the bustle behind and stopped in front of a slightly more elegant-looking building.

“Let’s go in here.”

“Yes.”

He could have led me straight into the depths of hell and I would have followed without hesitation.

That’s how I felt when I nodded and entered the shop.

*

Inside were rows of dresses and accessories—

All women’s items.

“…Oh?”

Wait. Don’t tell me Leo-san has… that kind of hobby?

For a moment, I accidentally imagined his tall, well-built figure wearing one of these frilly dresses and immediately shook my head wildly.

No! Stop that, Sibel! That’s not what’s happening here!

“How about letting me buy you something? As a thank-you for everything you do.”

“Eh?”

I blinked at him in surprise.

“That’s far too much! I couldn’t possibly accept such a thing. I’m just doing my job!”

“No, I know you do much more than your duty.”

“T-That’s only because I enjoy it!”

It was true.

Even on my days off, I couldn’t sit still. I often helped the senior dorm mothers or brought snacks to the knights during training.

But that was all for my own sake—

Because seeing their smiling faces and hearing “Thank you” was my greatest reward.

And watching them train—so focused, so powerful—was breathtaking.

That was the true essence of knighthood. I could watch them for hours.

So the idea of Leo-san giving me a gift was unthinkable!

Just being allowed to keep watching their training was more than enough.

“Don’t hold back. It’s not a bother. Please, accept it.”

“It’s not that it’s a bother, but—”

“Then you’ll take it, right?”

When he smiled at me like that—so gentle, so genuine—my head nodded all on its own.

Ahh… my body is far too honest sometimes!

*

“Good. Then, what about this one? Would you try it on for me?”

“It’s lovely, but… do you really think it would suit me?”

The dress Leo-san picked up was a soft, elegant shade of pink.

There was a small ribbon on the chest—subtle, not flashy, but undeniably cute.

“I’m sure it’ll look wonderful on you.”

He spoke to the shopkeeper, who smiled and gestured me toward the fitting room.

And before I knew it, I was standing there, trying on the dress chosen for me by Leo-san himself.