The Queen Who Shares Love
S2 Chapter 20 Defense

"Tell Marquis Loid that I will come to his party, Flint," Judith told her aide.

"Okay, Duchess." Flint lowered his head while receiving a letter from his master. He went to deliver the letter leaving Judith and Leonard alone.

Judith glanced at Leonard. There was no gloom and pain that usually adorned the face of the mercenary like yesterday. Making up with the family definitely boosted the morale of his new bodyguard.

"Do you have any good clothes?" ask Judith.

"No, how could a commoner like me have the clothes to go to a noble's party" Leonard replied.

Judith raised one of her eyebrows. "I didn't say I'd take you to the party."

Leonard's heart is beating. He spoke wrong. In his heart he cursed his uncontrolled mouth.

"You talked to your aide about the party so I thought you'd take your bodyguard with you" said Leonard, looking confident, as he struggled to cover up his fears.

The Duchess approached Leonard. Every step the Duchess got closer made Leonard's heart beat fast. A judging and suspicious gaze was emitted from the Duchess' eyes. The distance between them was only one step left. Leonard gulped his saliva.

The Duchess passed Leonard opening the door. He looked towards Leonard. "Why are you quiet? Not looking for a dress that suits you?"

"You bought me a shirt?" ask Leonard.

"It is appropriate for a superior to buy clothes for his subordinates," replied Judith continuing her steps.

Leonard breathed a sigh of relief. She followed the Duchess while wondering in her heart.

'Are there nobles who buy party clothes for commoners? Either he's a philanthropist or he likes to waste money.'

Soon they reached the capital. The duchess and her bodyguard headed straight for the famous boutique there. Of course Leonard doesn't know about this.

The owner of the boutique looked down at Judith who had just walked into his shop. The news of the arrival of a famous Duchess to her boutique will improve her reputation. "What do you need the Duchess?"

"Make clothes for this man" Judith pointed to Leonard.

The boutique owner observed Leonard from top to bottom. A commoner who doesn't know how to take care of himself. Ruffled hair, large eye bags, and a pungent smell of sweat. The boutique owner refrained from covering his nose.

"Does the Duchess not want to make a dress?" ask the boutique owner to switch the conversation. He didn't want to make clothes for a lowly person like Leonard.

Knowing what the boutique owner was thinking, Judith turned around. He did not want to waste time in a place that only served nobles. "So we can't find anywhere else" Judith asked her bodyguard. 

Leonard follows the Duchess, regardless of the boutique owner begging them back. This was the first time a noble had defended Leonard, though not directly. 

'Why is he so good to me? And he clearly suspects me?'

***

Leonard stared at the black shirt and sleeveless coat the Duchess had bought. After getting out of the famous boutique, they looked for another boutique. There Leonard was served regardless of his status. The duchess paid the boutique owner more than she billed. Leonard was surprised by the price of the clothes the Duchess had bought. The price is equivalent to eating meat for a week. Though according to the Duchess it is cheap among other boutiques. For Leonard the clothes are the same as the origin of comfortable wear. However, because he had to accompany the Duchess to the official event, he was forced to wear the expensive clothes.

Leonard flinched so until. His eyes were fixed on the girl with the unraveling blonde hair. Yellow dress and makeup that seems natural, further accentuate the beauty of the girl. 

"Are you ready?" ask the girl.

Leonard did not open his eyes at all. Mind empty. The girl approached him, tidying Leonard's clothes and hair. Leonard gasped and turned to cover his reddened face.

"Where's your aide?" ask Leonard.

"He went out from his own home. Let's just go now" Judith retorted.

Leonard observed the backs of his superiors during the journey to the horse-drawn carriage. He did not expect the bar-bar and strong people he met every day, it could be as beautiful as that. Elegant and dignified steps, as if signifying an imperial princess, continued to adorn Leonard's gaze. Leonard didn't even realize they had reached Loid.

"Why shut up? Not coming inside?" ask Judith who got out of the horse-drawn carriage.

"Ah, yes" replied Leonard. He immediately went down following the Duchess.

They entered the party hall. The nobles began to swarm the Duchess to greet her. He left Leonard amazed by the royal feast. 

Everything looks very luxurious from the decoration, the presentation even invited guests wear their best clothes. He tried wine which was notoriously expensive among the nobility. Beer is better for him. He looked at the Duchess who was greeting Marquis Loid. The two put on a fake smile. 

"It turns out the Duchess can wear a dress as well," a person's lips sounded into Leonard's ears.

Leonard quickly turned to the source of the voice. The girls gathered laughing while talking about the Duchess.

"I really think he can only fight."

"She should learn to knit, play the piano, or paint that reflects a noble girl."

"I heard that when she was a princess she wore pants more often than dresses."

"It's very sad."

Byur...

Leonard poured wine over the noble girls. 

"What are you doing?!" scream one of them. The girls stared intently at Leonard who had stained their dresses and makeup.

The whole view was directed towards the commotion. Leonard ignored him smiling mockingly at the girls talking about his master.

"Sorry, my hand slipped."

Leonard looked down at the girls, with no regrets in his eyes.