Chapter 3

After escaping from the estate and running for a while, Chloe finally stopped.

If I’ve come this far, I probably won’t be found right away.

Neither my father nor my former fiancé Kirif would ever imagine that Chloe would run away from the estate.

So I need to calm down and carefully think about what to do next before acting.

Magic will probably help to some extent, but I’ve only just realized that I can use it.

I don’t even know what I’m capable of yet.

I shouldn’t overdo it.

(First, my clothes and money. I stand out too much like this.)

I need to go into town, sell a few small jewels, and prepare proper clothes and travel supplies.

(Ah, but going alone as a woman, I’ll probably be taken advantage of and lowballed. And if I’m suspected and reported, that would be troublesome…)

Even if it’s the plainest one, walking around town in a dress is far too conspicuous.

At the very least, it would’ve been nice to have a robe, but Chloe, who hardly ever went out, only had indoor clothing in her closet.

Looking around, I stepped into a deserted back alley to take a less noticeable route.

Thinking back on knowledge from my previous life, in a large town like this, there’s usually a black market that will buy anything.

But it doesn’t seem like a place a woman could go alone.

No matter how much the queen tries to reform things, long-standing customs don’t change easily.

And recently, there have been many unofficial immigrants, and I heard from the maids that public safety has been worsening.

(Even if I eventually leave this country, I’ll need a partner for a while. Someone who doesn’t look down on women and has some skill. I wonder if there’s a man like that just lying around somewhere…)

As Chloe walked while thinking that, someone called out to her from behind.

“Where are you going, Lady Chloe?”

“…Huh?”

Startled, she turned around, her body trembling.

There stood a man.

Beautiful silver hair and clear sapphire-blue eyes.

A tall, slender figure clad in a white knight’s uniform.

“…Erich.”

He had once been under my father, the captain of the knight order, and stayed at the estate as a trainee knight.

With a beauty so cold it seemed almost icy and exceptional swordsmanship, he caught the princess’s favor and rose to become a royal guard knight.

He used to call Chloe, who was slightly younger than him, “Lady.”

“I was surprised that you could use magic, my lady. You hid it well all this time.”

“Did my father send you to bring me back?”

Even if I can use magic, I’ve never been taught.

There’s no way I could win against Erich, who is skilled enough to be praised by that father.

(But I absolutely refuse to go back to that estate. I want to live freely.)

Bracing myself with determination, Chloe prepared for confrontation, but Erich casually shook his head.

“No. I’m already a royal guard knight, so I have no reason to follow the captain’s orders.”

“Huh?”

At his casual reply, Chloe looked at him suspiciously.

“Then why did you follow me?”

“I saw you being released from your engagement with Prince Kirif and rushing off, so I thought I’d take the opportunity and follow you.”

“T-take the opportunity?”

“Yes. I’ve been wanting to escape from the princess as well. The surveillance on me has been strict, and I couldn’t get away, but thanks to your magic, I was saved.”

The man known as the Ice Knight smiled warmly, a stark contrast to his cold beauty.

It seemed that the surveillance magic wasn’t watching Chloe, but had been placed on him.

“Ah, this outfit stands out. I’ll change, so please wait a moment.”

Saying that, he began changing clothes right in front of Chloe.

Stunned by the suddenness, she couldn’t help but stare.

“I think this is the part where you blush and scream.”

“…I didn’t have the energy for that.”

After changing into clothes like a traveling swordsman, Erich took out a robe like one worn by a magician from a large cloth bag.

“Please change into this as well. A dress is too noticeable.”

Chloe couldn’t help but look at him suspiciously at how overly prepared he was.

But the more noticeable she was, the greater the risk of being found.

Reluctantly, she accepted the robe.

“Since you saw me change, can I watch you change too?”

“Of course not!”

Chloe shouted instinctively in a tone unlike her usual self, and Erich, without showing any surprise, turned around with a disappointed look.

“I’ll keep watch properly, so it’s fine.”

“…Don’t you dare turn around.”

Even if no one was watching, she never imagined she would end up changing clothes outside.

(But isn’t this convenient? Erich doesn’t look down on women, and he’s skilled. If he says he’s tagging along with me, maybe I should have him stay by my side until we leave the royal capital.)

I never thought something this high-quality would just be lying around.

And he even prepared clothes for me.

Chloe quickly changed from her dress into the robe and called out to Erich, who was still facing away.

“Thank you. You can turn around now.”

He turned back and seemed slightly surprised that she had already finished changing on her own.

“I was expecting you to ask how to put it on.”

“What are you talking about? Erich, hasn’t your personality changed a bit?”

He used to feel more cool and shadowy, fitting the name Ice Knight.

“You’re the one who’s changed, my lady. You’re nothing like how you were when your engagement was broken. Was that an act?”

“Well, something like that?”

There’s no way I could say I regained memories of my past life.

When I vaguely brushed it off, he reacted with exaggerated surprise and joked that I could become a stage actress.

“So, what are you planning to do now?”

“I was thinking of going to the black market to sell some jewels.”

“What a coincidence. So was I. They were gifts from the princess, but they’re not to my taste at all.”

“…”

It seemed Erich really disliked the princess.

“I thought she was quite lovely, though.”

“…I can’t say I agree. She’s that Prince Kirif’s younger sister, after all. To her, I’m nothing more than a doll that obeys everything she says.”

It seemed he had gone through quite a lot himself.

Chloe finally let her guard down and faced him properly.

“If you don’t mind, would you come with me to the black market? I’d feel uneasy going alone.”

At Chloe’s request, Erich nodded without hesitation.

“If you’re fine with me, I’d be happy to. I tagged along on my own, but your magic really helped me.”

Saying that, he extended his hand.

After a brief hesitation, Chloe took it.

Erich happily took her hand and started walking.

“What will you do after exchanging the money?”

“I was thinking of becoming an adventurer and leaving the royal capital. I can use magic, after all.”

“I see. Then how about having a swordsman as your partner? I’m confident in my skills. I can protect you.”

“…That sounds good.”

At Erich’s offer, Chloe thought for a moment.

She had wanted a partner at least until leaving the royal capital.

Erich was skilled with the sword, and more importantly, someone she had known well since childhood.

When he was chosen by the princess and moved to the royal palace as a royal guard knight, “Chloe” had been very sad.

And with him, she wouldn’t be forced into anything.

“Alright. But stop calling me ‘Lady.’ We’re partners now, so call me Chloe. And no formal speech.”

Erich looked at Chloe and smiled beautifully, enough to captivate anyone.

“Got it, Chloe. Let’s go together.”

Now that the engagement was broken, I’ll live freely.

Together with him—my new partner.

Dreaming of the future ahead, Chloe smiled.