Chapter 39: Go Take Down the Protagonist

Mel’s Fury

“You idiot!”

Mel slapped the girl’s face, sending her crashing to the floor. Unsatisfied, she kicked the girl’s stomach several times.

If Rita were here, she’d instantly recognize the girl as the bunny attendant from last night.

Clutching her stomach, the bunny girl sobbed, apologizing. “S-sorry, my lady… I-I didn’t know… it was her…”

“Didn’t know? I’ve got eyes all over the city to watch Rita’s every move! She waltzed right under my nose, and you let her stroll through, then tell me you didn’t know?”

Mel ground her teeth, stomping the bunny girl’s back until she was panting. Only then did she collapse her bulky frame into a chair.

“My lady, please… calm down.” A dog-costumed attendant spoke cautiously.

Her words reignited Mel’s rage.

“Calm down? You fools! Rita hit my black market yesterday, wandered around, then came to my brothel at night. You call that coincidence? They’re onto me! And you tell me to calm down?”

The dog girl, too late to retract her words, stammered, “Maybe… she was just… looking around?”

“Looking around? Don’t use your messed-up brains to guess! The Fourth Princess’s person hitting the black market and a brothel? Doing nothing—no shows, no food, no girls—just looking? So leisurely.”

Mel’s anger surged, hurling a cup at the cowering bunny girl. “And this idiot didn’t notice anything, just let her go? Even a report would’ve been doing your job!”

“I thought Rita was harmless these past days, just another fool. But the moment the exam ended, she quashed the rumors and came straight for me. Quite the surprise. I don’t know what clues she got, but she can’t be left alone! So that’s what he meant by testing my luck. If I’d known…”

Silence fell, broken only by Mel’s furious breathing. After a while, she pointed at the bunny girl.

“You, take care of Rita.”

“M-me? Kill Rita? For real?” The bunny girl stuttered.

“If you can’t, you know the consequences!”

A Suspicious Sneeze

“Achoo!”

Rita sneezed, rubbing her nose and hurrying to match Cecilia’s pace.

A rest day dragged out for team-building—painful memories resurfaced!

Today, Cecilia wore a simple dress instead of her usual ornate gown, looking less like a royal princess and more like a noble lady.

She’d handed Rita a heavy purse of gold coins before they left.

Was Cecilia going shopping? Or was there another motive?

Holding the weighty purse, Rita wondered if this was another test.

Unbeknownst to her, Cecilia had no such intentions.

Her only thought was how to make things right with Rita.

Cecilia’s Realization

After Rita’s morning account, Cecilia realized something.

She’d misjudged Rita.

Her distrustful nature made her question everything, but Rita wouldn’t lie about a succubus attacking others.

Visiting a brothel, opening a room’s door, and stumbling on a succubus’s crime scene—Cecilia didn’t believe in such coincidences.

Last night, Rita should’ve explained herself.

Then again, Cecilia hadn’t given her the chance, grabbing the cane and starting the punishment.

Rita should’ve spoken up afterward, though.

Considering it was Rita, not thinking it through was plausible.

Regardless, Cecilia had punished her unjustly.

Rita followed her for pay and because Cecilia held sway over the Holy Knight exam.

Money wasn’t unique, and post-exam, Cecilia’s status wouldn’t stand out. Others could offer Rita more wealth or benefits. Would she stay loyal then?

To keep Rita firmly in her grasp, Cecilia needed more than money—she needed to understand her, offer emotional value.

Today was the perfect chance.

A Day Out

“Rita.” Cecilia got to the point. “Since arriving in Solus City, I haven’t had time to explore. Today’s free, a good opportunity. But with threats to my life still out there, you must stay close to protect me. Understood?”

“Understood.” Rita answered respectfully, inwardly grumbling.

So, I’m her shopping bag carrier!

Ugh, I wanted to rest today!

She had no right to refuse.

“There’s quite a crowd, isn’t there?” Cecilia remarked, eyeing the bustling streets.

Solus City, a major exam hub, was large, and the event drew huge crowds, making the rest day lively.

Rita took Cecilia’s words as a casual observation, responding like a straight man in a comedy duo, offering minimal emotional value.

“Yes.”

“Following behind like this, what if we’re separated by the crowd? If someone approaches me and you can’t react in time, what then?”

What… what should I do?

As if answering Rita’s silent question, Cecilia raised her hand, like a kitten testing something with its paw.

What’s this about?!

Rita’s mind reeled. She’d never trained as a servant or knight—how was she supposed to know Cecilia’s intent?

Cecilia waited, then sighed softly.

“Hand.”

“Oh.”

Rita mimicked her, raising her hand like a paw, only deepening Cecilia’s sigh.

Without force, but firmly, Cecilia grabbed Rita’s hand, slipping her small palm into Rita’s, giving her a helpless look at her confused expression.

“Hold my hand.”