Chapter 5.1

Chapter 5.1

At first glance, the tall man seemed to have a slender build, but upon closer look, he was actually very muscular. His ears were covered with a variety of earrings, while rings filled his fingers, and bracelets his arms. There was also a large black tattoo on his forearm, visible because he had rolled up his sleeves. 

Since he was wearing a casual outfit and numerous accessories, Eileen wasn’t too sure at first, but once she saw the tattoo, she instantly recognised the person. She looked at him in disbelief and carefully called out his name. 

“… Sir Diego?” 

The man, who was still smoking, turned back and looked at Eileen. His eyes immediately widened. 

“Oh my!” 

He hastily dropped the cigarette from his mouth and snuffed it out. 

“What in the world are you doing here?! And what’s with your outfit?” 

“It’s really you, Sir Diego…” 

That man was really Diego, the knight in the Duke’s army who had bought a rabbit doll as a gift for Eileen. 

“That’s right, it’s me. What about you, Miss? Were you, by any chance, dragged into this place?” 

Diego’s eyes widened once again, and he looked as though he was ready to pull out a gun from his pocket anytime. Instead of answering, Eileen simply shifted her gaze, confirming the sign of the store that Diego had been leaning on. 

It was a shop that sold alcohol and one-nights*.

[*Possibly a brothel]

“….”

When she looked at Diego again wordlessly, he followed her gaze. And when he saw the sign, he started hopping around in panic. 

He looked as though had suffered a terrible injustice, and he protested vehemently, “Miss, I swear, I’m not here for that. I’m on official duty.” 

“Here…?”

“No. What the… F*ck! This is driving me nuts!” 

He muttered a careless cuss and instantly slapped his own mouth. 

“I’m so sorry, Miss. I just couldn’t stop myself somehow.” 

“Are you all right…” 

Diego grunted in reply, then tugged at his hair. He reached his arm out to Eileen, and spoke in a dejected tone, “I’ll escort you. Let’s get to the main street first before we talk.”

“Didn’t you just say that you’re on official duty?” 

“What kind of work can be more important than you, Miss?” 

He extended his arm toward her again, but she shook her head. Before he could forcibly pull her along, she decided to come clean with him. 

“I… I’m here to look for my father. Do you happen to know where he is?”

Diego’s expression shifted subtly. He had a fiery temper and wasn’t good at controlling his emotions. Hence, Eileen could tell from the angry look on his face. 

“It seems like you do know where he is.” 

Diego sighed. He gestured towards the alley, and in the next moment, a man in a shabby outfit emerged.  

“Tell them the lady is here.” 

“Roger.” 

The man disappeared into the store. Diego then grabbed Eileen’s sleeve. 

“Come here. If anything untoward happens to you on this crazy street, I’ll definitely be beaten to death.”

He led her into the store he had been leaning against just moments ago. Though the place seemed intimidating, she believed that Diego wouldn’t cause her any harm, so she still followed him. 

Unlike the flashy exterior, the interior was much more muted and nice. It felt like an ordinary tavern with a restaurant. There were only a few tables, all occupied by what seemed to be the Duke’s soldiers because as soon as they saw Diego, they jumped to their feet and saluted him. 

“Here, here. Take a seat.”

Diego waved his hand casually, then pulled out a chair and got Eileen to sit down. 

“Would you like some hot chocolate or honeyed warm milk?” 

“… I’d like a beer please…” 

“B-beer?” 

Diego was taken aback at the request. He mumbled as he walked away quickly, “Miss Eileen is all grown up now… She’s even drinking beer…” 

Nevertheless, he returned promptly with a large keg of beer and a plate of fruits. 

Eileen gulped down the beer anxiously, feeling a burn in her throat, and then put down the half-empty glass. “You knew. So why didn’t you tell me?” 

However, Diego did not respond. 

“Because Diego isn’t allowed to tell you.” 

Angry creaks sounded from the wooden stairs. A man slowly descended; his hair dishevelled hair, the top button of his shirt undone. Under his crimson eyes, his beautifully-curved lips opened, and he spoke as though he was coaxing a child. 

“You should be mad at me, Eileen.” 

It took some time before Eileen, who was still holding the keg in a daze, to finally speak up. 

“… Your Excellency.” 

The Duke’s victory ceremony was scheduled to be held the next day. The newspapers that morning had already included several articles about it. It was said that he would be travelling around the country to improve the system. And yet, the busiest figure was right here. 

Eileen looked at him in disbelief, but very quickly turned her gaze away. If not, her face might have turned red with embarrassment.

The unkempt Chezare exuded a strange aura. It was an extremely unfamiliar sight, seeing him dressed in comfy, casual clothes instead of his uniform. And the feeling was even stronger because his top button was undone exposing his collarbone. 

He strolled over leisurely and sat down in front of Eileen.