Chapter 1: Sweet and Blue
Orphelia Verite.
She was a girl belonging to the Clan ‘Seventh Blue’ and was known for her prowess in Sword Dance. Although she was a promising talent for the future, due to certain circumstances, she had requested a hiatus from her activities within the clan. Currently, she was assigned to protect Sophia Gore, the beloved daughter of the chairman of a major trading company, in Bordaf, the southernmost region of the Arcana Kingdom.
—Or so it should have been.
Living in Sophia’s mansion for her protection, Orphelia found herself momentarily lost in thought when Sophia and Laura opened the conversation with their first words that day.
“I didn’t hear about this.”
She responded simply.
“I’m so sorry, Orphel!”
“Please forgive us…”
Orphelia had been asked by the two mischievous young ladies to deal with monsters that had leaked out from the Sealed Domain.
“Please, we can only count on you, Orphel!” Their pleas were nothing short of emotional manipulation, but it fell on deaf ears as Orphelia wore a sullen expression.
And rightly so. After all, she was supposed to be hired as their protector. Yet, they were asking her to take on a task completely unrelated to her original duty—slaying monsters that had escaped from the Sealed Domain. The truth was, her main purpose was to establish herself in this grand city, fulfill her role as a bodyguard for an extraordinary reward, and gather information about a person she was searching for.
“I’m not saying I won’t take on anything. What I’m upset about is that you went to the clan for approval without discussing it with me first.”
Orphelia understood that she was being a bit naive and overly trusting. However, she believed she had built a friendship with them that transcended the simple protector-protected relationship. That was why she felt angered that they had bypassed her and taken the matter to the clan before consulting her.
“I’m really sorry… By the time I found out, my father had already—no, that’s not right. What my father did is my responsibility. I’m truly sorry, Orphel.”
Sophia bowed deeply.
“Haah…”
Orphelia sighed and scratched her head, then suddenly shouted, “Aaaah!!”
It wasn’t that she wanted to stare at her friend’s crown of hair.
“Fine. Let’s consider this matter settled with your apology.”
Orphelia was a magnanimous person. With her words, Sophia lifted her head, and Laura, wearing an expression of guilt that didn’t quite suit her mischievous nature, jumped in to embrace Orphelia.
“Thank you so much!”
Sophia quietly said as she tightly hugged Orphelia’s arm.
“I thought you were going to quit!”
Laura confessed her feelings, tears streaming down her face.
Orphelia let out yet another sigh, but it was not born from any unpleasant emotions.
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And thus, Orphelia’s involvement was decided! …That was the story.
It’s short, but please forgive me.
Also, to all the supporters, I’ve posted Angelica’s backstory part 3 in the recent notes, so if you have the time, please give it a read.
This will lead into Pulmy-san’s story.