Chapter: 12
Standing at the front of the knights gathered outside the door was none other than Jeffrey.
When his eyes met Lyris’s, he scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.
“We definitely weren’t standing out here in the hallway trying to figure out whether our lord had accidentally eaten some poisonous mushrooms or anything like that…”
“Sir Jeffrey, perfect timing.”
“Huh?”
“I’m planning to go into the city this evening. If you don’t mind, would you be willing to escort me?”
“Uh… me?”
Lyris nodded at Jeffrey, whose eyes had begun to tremble for some reason.
Normally she wouldn’t need an escort, but this was the Imperial Capitalâthe setting of the original novel.
Not that anything would happen to a minor extra like her, but there was no harm in being cautious.
It definitely wasn’t because she wanted someone to act as her guide.
Definitely not.
“Me? Really me? W-Wouldn’t there be someone much better suited to escorting you than I am?”
“I don’t think there’s anyone more suitable than you.”
“W-Well… there’s a saying that it’s darkest beneath the lamp. Maybe you should look around a little more carefully? Perhaps… just turn your head behind you for a second…”
Following Jeffrey’s suggestion, she looked behind her.
A terrifyingly broad chest was rising and falling ominously.
“I still think I’d rather have you.”
Turning her gaze away from the frightening sight, Lyris patted Jeffrey on the shoulder.
“I’ll be counting on you, Sir Jeffrey.”
“…I’m dead.”
“It’s okay. People don’t die that easily.”
She didn’t know why, but there seemed to be an unexpectedly large number of fainthearted people in the Imperial Palace.
After sincerely trying to comfort the trembling Jeffrey, who had buried his face in his hands, Lyris left.
“…”
“P-Please spare me.”
“Request denied.”
Completely unaware of the trials and tribulations that would soon befall Jeffrey after she was gone.
After leaving the Knights’ Headquarters, Lyris returned straight to her quarters and changed into casual clothes.
She had been dressed formally all morning because of her visit to the Empress’s Palace.
If she went out dressed so extravagantly, she would naturally attract attention, so she put on a modest dress like any ordinary noble lady and tilted a small hat over her head.
As Xenia helped straighten her outfit, she suddenly asked,
“Will you really be alright without me accompanying you?”
“Sir Jeffrey agreed to guide me today. It’s nothing serious, and it’ll only become troublesome if too many people come along. Instead, could you take care of this little guy?”
“Pi-ri-ri-riâ”
Lyris grabbed Leafy, who was hanging from her hair while happily whistling, and handed him over to Xenia.
She had definitely left him inside a cup, yet somehow he had escaped. When she returned, the little fellow had been fast asleep on the bed, snoring peacefully.
Then, before she knew it, he’d woken up and started orbiting around Lyris like a tiny satellite.
“Professor, do plants happen to have genders?”
“Most don’t. Generally, a single plant possesses both reproductive organs.”
“Then what about the World Tree?”
“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
“Leafy’s eyes sparkle a little too brightly whenever he looks at you, Professor.”
At the time, Lyris had been changing clothes and was completely bare beneath the layers she had taken off.
Thanks to Xenia’s comment, even Lyrisâwho hadn’t thought anything of it beforeâsuddenly felt extremely uncomfortable. She immediately locked Leafy back inside the cup, put the lid on it, and changed into her dress at lightning speed.
“Please take good care of Leafy while I’m gone. And make sure no one else sees him.”
“Understood, Professor.”
Just as Lyris was about to leave the bedroom, someone knocked on the door.
Jeffrey must have arrived.
“Sir, thank you for agreeing to escort me todayâ”
Without thinking, Lyris opened the door.
“Ah, Lyris!”
“…”
She immediately slammed it shut.
Why does this feel strangely familiar…?
After frantically signaling to Xenia to hide Leafy, she calmed her startled heart before opening the door again.
“Lyris?”
“I’m sorry about that just now. I suddenly remembered there was something I hadn’t finished fixing with my appearance.”
“That’s perfectly understandable.”
“Anyway, what brings you here, Duke Akshard? I’m about to head out, so I’m afraid I don’t have much time for a long conversation.”
“It’s actually about that outing…”
Edrion narrowed his eyes slightly before continuing.
“Unfortunately, Jeffrey was assigned an urgent mission, so I’ll be taking over as your escort.”
“What? No, that really isn’t necessary…”
The Edrion of the original story was always unbelievably busy.
He alone handled affairs of state, the Knights’ Order, and his family’s responsibilities. Occasionally, he also secretly carried out the orders of his older sister, the Empress Aitana.
Having someone like him escort a mere extra was far too much.
“In truth, World Tree caretakers are always required to have an escort whenever they leave the Imperial Palace.”
“Really? Is it because of confidentiality?”
“That’s part of it, but not entirely. We classify the World Tree’s caretaker as a Level Two protection target. There may be those who wish to target the caretaker.”
“Ah.”
Lyris nodded quietly.
A similar incident had happened in the original story.
The Shadow faction had targeted a caretaker who had originally been a government official. They kidnapped his sick elderly mother and forced him to insert an artifact into the World Tree.
Their goal had been to reverse the flow of mana and inflict catastrophic damage upon it.
In the end, the Shadow faction succeeded.
The World Tree lost half of the roots spreading beneath the earth.
But that hasn’t happened yet. Their foresight is impressive.
Clicking her tongue softly, Lyris turned toward Xenia.
If this was the Knights’ policy, refusing an escort wouldn’t work.
Still, the thought of going into the city alone with Edrion made her incredibly uncomfortable.
“Xenia.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“You were supposed to come into town with me too, weren’t you? Then hurry over here.”
Xenia tilted her head slowly, her eyes filled with unmistakable confusion.
It was as if she were asking,
“Professor… did you already forget what you said one minute ago?”
Lyris chose to ignore that look.
“Ah, thank goodness you’re here.”
At that moment, Edrion smiled faintly and waved an envelope he had taken from his inner pocket.
“I forgot something urgent that needs to be delivered to the Empress’s Palace. Could I ask you to take care of it?”
“But I was supposed to accompany the Professor…”
“Would this be enough as compensation for running the errand?”
“Welcome, valued customer.”
Damn it.
Lyris no longer even had the energy to object.
Watching Xenia and Edrion suddenly become so friendly with one another, she could only lower her head in defeat.
The commercial district of the Imperial Capital clearly demonstrated the Empire’s overwhelming national power.
Perfectly maintained water and sewage systems.
Roads paved with ruler-straight precision.
An abundance of goods overflowing everywhere.
“Ah, I’d like this one as well.”
“Thank you very much!”
After stopping by a gardening shop, Lyris easily purchased everything she needed.
She already owned pruning shears, but she also bought gardening knives and smaller scissors for more delicate work.
She carefully selected pesticides to prevent infestations, soil treatment supplies, and various maintenance products.
The merchant could barely hide his excitement at the arrival of such a generous customer.
Every single item she chose was professional-grade, and she had picked only the finest quality available.
“Thank you so much!”
“These are excellent products. I’ll come again next time.”
“Um… by the way…”
“Yes?”
“You seem like a very distinguished young lady, so I couldn’t help being surprised to see you buying so many gardening supplies.”
The shopkeeper paused while wrapping the goods before continuing.
“Our merchandise is well known, so we often supply the estates of influential nobles. But this is the first time a noble has come to buy everything personally.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
“Indeed. Other than professional gardeners, there’s usually no reason for anyone to use such specialized tools.”
“That’s enough pointless curiosity.”
Just as the merchant’s inquisitive gaze was about to settle on Lyris, Edrionâwho had been paying the billâstepped half a pace forward and blocked the space between them.
His broad shoulders and imposing height completely filled Lyris’s view.
All she could see was her fiancĂŠ’s wide back.
“Curiosity beyond your place invites disaster. I shouldn’t have to explain what you’ve done wrong. Be more careful in the future.”
“M-My deepest apologies.”
“It’s alright, Dukâ”
Lyris suddenly stopped herself.
Although she couldn’t clearly see either of them because Edrion was blocking her view, the icy aura radiating from him was anything but ordinary.
Normally she would have called him “Duke Akshard” or “Your Grace.”
But right now they were disguised as ordinary nobles rather than high-ranking aristocrats.
I can’t use his family name… and I can’t use his first name either…
People would recognize it instantly.
Edrion, the continent’s greatest hero, was simply too famous.
That left only one choice.
“E-Ed.”
“…”
“Don’t worry about it, Ed. I’m really fine. It’s only natural for people to be surprised when a noble is interested in gardening instead of leaving it to servants. I’m used to it.”
“What did you just say?”
“I said I’m used to it.”
“No… before that.”
A nickname.
“Ed?”
“…”
Maybe that had been the wrong choice after all.
As the strongest knight on the continent, perhaps he felt deeply insulted by being called such a childish nickname.
Edrion’s face turned bright red, and he froze in place like a machine that had suddenly broken down.
![Welcome to the Aide’s Obsession [Completed]](https://i1.wp.com/novexanovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/resource-53.jpg?resize=151,215 "Welcome to the Aide’s Obsession [Completed]")
