Vylun heard Ella’s question but ignored it and made a vicious look on his face. Then, he took the knights and left. The knights looked as if they had witnessed a grim reaper as they were dragged out.

Max, who seemed just as surprised as the knights, fell to the ground after they left. Although he was a large man, he was only a dock worker. He had never seen eight swords coming for his life, even in his dreams.

Reminding herself of the people from the slums who would have gotten scared just now, Ella clicked her tongue. She had forgotten that for a moment because she thought this was a chance to use the knights in her favor. Their lives were threatened, and they saw high-ranking nobles going against each other, so it was obvious why they fell on their knees like that.

“I’m sorry, Max. Did I startle you?”

Max quickly shook his head at Ella’s kind question and tried to get up, but his leg failed to regain its ability back so quickly.

“It’s okay. You can stay that way. It took more time than I thought, so I have to go now. Go to the merchant company ‘Donna Fin’ on Nonte Street tomorrow. Your actual supervisor will be there. He’ll explain everything to you, so you just need to follow his orders.”

Ella made the kindest smile she could while looking at them eagerly nodding. It wasn’t enough to comfort their startled minds, but it seemed to be at least a bit of help. And that smile did have an effect. They seemed drastically relieved.

The little kid Billy asked a question, “Er, my lady? Weren’t the knights correct, though? You were meeting a big man like Max, and you only have yourself and that lady here.”

He was worried about the same thing as the knights. Because the question was asked by an innocent kid, the intent behind asking that was different. Ella smiled at the intelligent boy’s question and replied, “Do you think I’m reckless and bold as well?”

“Yeah. You came all by yourself to our town that day too. You should never do that. There are lots of bad people just around the back alley of that well.” The kid’s voice was full of concern, and three other adults seemed to agree with him and nodded as well. Their pure responses made Ella feel better.

“You don’t need to worry about me. I look like I am unprotected, but I always have my protection around me.”

“Where?” Billy looked around, trying to find where it was as Ella had mentioned. It almost made him look like a meerkat. Ella giggled because of his cuteness.

“I don’t know. Where could it be? I don’t know, but if I am truly in danger, it’s going to pop up like magic. So, you don’t need to worry about me,” said Ella.

“That’s good. I just wish the best for your wellbeing.”

“Wow, how do you know such sophisticated words?”

“My mother always insisted that I learn words so that I become a great person,” Billy answered with a clear voice.

‘A mother who focuses on education even in hardship. That’s odd,’?thought Ella. But it was also understandable. It was a shame to see an intelligent boy like Billy stay within the slums.

“You have a good mother. Take heed to your mother’s words. I hope you do what I request of you.”

“Yes, milady!” responded Billy.

“Of course, Milady.” The adults answered after Billy’s energetic response. Ella nodded and left them.

***

When she left the garden, Smila was shocked after checking the time and showed the watch to Ella. The plan to take their contracts and inform them of their standard procedures had taken a different turn because of the knights’ intervention. It was all Philip’s fault.

‘Head Butler Norland wouldn’t have behaved so unprofessionally..’?Smila thought in sudden annoyance. Although Ella had done basic preparation already, she had to fix her makeup because of all the trouble she went through a while ago and still had accessories she still hadn’t put on yet.

‘Is there still enough time to perfectly prepare milady?’