Chapter 7: Sigrid Ankterna

“Sigrid?”

Sigrid raised her head to look at the person who called her. It was Morris who was currently looking at her with a face full of wonder.

“Ah, Morris. I owe you for last night.”

“No, why didn’t you eat breakfast first at my house? Sig? Are you okay?”

“Uh.. yeah. It’s all right.”

Everything is alright, except for her heart. Sigrid took a deep breath to calm her heartbeat. She looked at Morris. Then she remembered something.

“Morris.”

“Huh?”

“How much did you pay to buy a house in Area 2?”

“Huh? I didn’t buy it. I pay monthly rent.”

“Monthly rent? How much is it?

“1500 kerv every month.”

“1500...”

Morris asked when he saw her muttering.

“Why? Are you interested?”

“Yes, I’m interested. But it’s more expensive than I thought.”

The monthly rent of the house she lived in was 400 kerv. If she compared to her current house, it was four times more expensive. However, her salary is four thousand kerv a week so it wasn’t to the extent that she couldn’t live.

“Thank you.” Sigrid greeted him and passed him. She paused for a moment before looking back and said, “Morris, you have got the back of your hair pressed.”

“Oh no.” Morris rubbed his short black hair.

Sigrid smiled and continued to walk again.

*

Morris was thinking about Sigrid’s strange attitude while walking when he met Alkerto.

“Good morning.”

However, Alkerto was so absent-minded that he didn’t hear Morris.

Morris slapped Alkerto’s back briefly and said, “Get a hold of yourself.”

“Uh.. uh.. Ack.. – Morris! When did you come?”

“Just now. What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just – Oh, you.. Have you seen Sigrid?”

“A moment ago. Why?”

“Did you feel maybe she’s changed a little?”

At Alkerto’s careful question, Morris nodded his head. “She seemed a little strange, but maybe because she had a dream.”

“Dream?’

When Alkerto pondered, Morris squinted his eyes and asked. “Why do you think like that?’

“No.. just that.. She was taking some days off.”

“WHAT?! SIG?! Days off?!”

“Right.” Alkerto rubbed his chin. He was lost in his thoughts. He was recalling his conversation with Sigrid. Their confession to each other just a little while ago. The strict, blunt, high-intelligent, brilliant Sigrid Ankertna could not say anything to what he said. Moreover, it was unimaginable that she envied him. Rather, if he were despised, then he would receive it, that was what he thought. Also, the look she showed after what he said.?She’s unexpectedly cute?

Morris who was trying to fix his flat back of hair said, “She’s been really weird since yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”

“Uh.. since last night.”

“What happened last night?”

“I don’t know. She was caught during curfew. Her condition was really weird.”

“Caught during curfew?” Alkerto made a strange face hearing the strange new information. It was impossible for Sigrid to break the law.

Morris muttered while tapping his forehead. “I think she’s a little strange in here.. Like possessed by magic.. Also suddenly took a long holiday..”

“But there’s no reason for mages to go after her, right?”

“That’s true, but..” Morris stopped for a while, like recalling his memory. “I had a fight with Sigrid before.”

At Morris’ words, Alkerto had a puzzled look on his face. “You always have a fight with her, though?”

“Right. But the reason we fought was because Sigrid was going to cut off the wrist of a pickpocket on the spot.”

“That’s definitely her.”

“He was a skinny little kid. She held onto that kid’s hand and without hesitation took out her sword. I tried to stop her with my sword.”

Morris’ forehead creased as he frowned. The memory of the time came to his mind vividly. That time, while he was stopping Sigrid, the little boy had run away, which was exactly what Morris wanted that little boy to do. Sigrid angrily shouted at Morris that he was an accomplice as he defended the offender. She reported him to the guards. The guards were taken aback and embarrassed since they had to punish Morris who was a knight just because of a small case. In the end, they fined Morris a little.

Usually, that kind of incident would lead to separation between people. However, Sigrid was equally strict with herself. So, Morris couldn’t find fault in her actions. If she thought it was wrong, then it was wrong, and she wouldn’t bend to anyone. It had been several times that she saved a junior knight who was falsely accused by the superior. Although she suffered huge disadvantages, she didn’t even lift an eyebrow. She applied the same standard to herself and others. So, very few people who actually maintained a relationship with her. Even though, of course, there were some people who could never maintain it, though Morris was not part of that.

“You sure?” Alkerto swept his hand through his hair.

“Well, we’ll see.”

“I suppose so.”

The two shrugged their shoulders.

***