Heroine On Strike

Vylun quietly scanned Ella. He would have left with his knights a long time ago in normal circumstances, but he waited until she had an answer. Although he was fascinated by his irregularities, she was even more fascinating.

Even in that short moment, her expression kept changing. She kept rolling her eyes in anger, fell deep in her thoughts with disappointment, then became serious. Soon, her eyes became determined, seeming that she had found an answer, and looked at him. That dramatic change was engraved in Vylun’s mind.

“Good. Then I’ll change my request. Don’t ask me why and secretly lend me nine knights and yourself, Knight Lieutenant Vylun.”

“And what difference will that make?” asked Vylun.

“If what I am asking you to do brings harm to the knights, then you can take them and leave. But if you decide that it is something you can do, help me, and keep it secret from everyone.”

Surprised by Ella’s intelligent answer, Vylun looked at her. Eric’s claim that his stubborn sister was amazingly smart turned out to be true. His friend’s sister was strong-willed enough to overcome his pressure and was smart enough to persuade his stubbornness.

Vylun remembered his sister, who was the reason why he befriended Eric, ‘She’s just like her.’

His sister, who was strong-willed and had endless thoughts that ordinary people couldn’t even think of, never backed away from arguments with Vylun. Ella’s final persuasion especially reminded him of her.

“Are you confident it’s something that I’ll happily help you with?”

“I’ll be asking you to do something a knight should always do.”

“Then it’s settled. I’m curious about what kind of task that made you ask me to do without even telling Lord Constance. I’ll happily support you on your request, milady.”

“Thank you, Knight Lieutenant,” said Ella.

He found it very awkward to see Ella making a graceful move of gratitude, so perfect like it was from a book. She looked better when she let out her burst of anger. Vylun got startled by her thoughts and froze but soon accepted her state and nodded.

“Vylun. Call me Vylun, milady.”

Ella moved her head up at once after hearing Vylun’s blunt words. His face that was so cold earlier was different now. His eyes were like a warm breeze under warm spring sunlight. ‘Did the Invited Guest privilege take effect?’

Vylun was known to be cold to everyone, but now he allowed Ella to call him by his name, so it was very obvious. All Ella did was argue with every word he said. She felt uneasy, thinking that the reason for this dramatic change was due to her privilege.

‘This isn’t good,’ Ella thought.

It somehow felt like she could hear the traditional voice she heard from a TV once. She had to take back the thought of why her privilege wasn’t working on him. It was better when she did not know about this privilege. If she did not know, she would have just enjoyed it. This man fell in love with her, and that guy as well. Wouldn’t that be a great world? However, this privilege that made everyone fall in love with her disregarded their will and was a burden to her.

‘And Vylun is Eric’s friend. This is uncomfortable.’

But Ella couldn’t show her discomfort to him, so she smiled politely as if she didn’t know why Vylun allowed her to call his name and answered in a new introduction.

“Thank you, Vylun. I’m Luciella of the Constance. Call me Ella. You’re my brother’s friend. Then, I’ll see you next time when I ask for your assistance.”

Even with the answer that put Eric on the line and pushed him away to get some distance, Vylun nodded bluntly, as if he didn’t feel even a hint of disappointment. It was as if he knew she was going to do that.

“I’ll be on my way then. I’ll see you again soon,” said Vylun.

“Pardon?” questioned Ella.

‘Soon? When is soon?’ wondered Ella.