Book 9: Chapter 8


    Onii-sama!!


    That was the first time I heard Freya shout so angrily. I could hear her shouting before she had even reached the dining hall. I ced my knife and fork down then wiped my mouth with my napkin while waiting for her to enter.


    Angry she was. She charged into the dining hall with an enraged expression. She was fuming to the point that she could levitate if anger could fill you up simrly an air balloon. I looked at her while sitting at the table. With a smile I asked, Whats wrong, Freya? Did someone anger you?


    Of course!! Get in here!!


    Freya pointed to the door while angrily shouting. I saw Gerald enter the dining hall with a nervous expression. He gave a deep bow when he saw me and greeted me, Your Majesty! Your Majesty, good evening


    Uhm


    I nodded.


    Lucia greeted him with a smile, Good evening.


    Nier ignored Gerald as if she didnt hear him.


    Freya stood angrily with her arms akimbo. I dont know what the meaning of that action is. Maybe its an instinctive action living organisms perform. She wanted to appear a little intimidating, but unfortunately, it didnt do anything, but make Freya appear cuter to me. Freya waspletely red in the face from anger. She pointed at Gerald and eximed, He peeped on me sleeping!


    I did not!!


    Gerald tried to exin himself with a red face.


    You watched me sleep!!


    Stop for a second please stop for a second you two


    I extended my hand out to stop Freya, who was raging, and said, Regardless of what happened, calm down first Freya and exin to me what happened. You said Gerald peeped on you sleeping, but its not bedtime right now. Its only dinner time. Gerald was training in the afternoon, so how did he peep on our sleeping?


    I I I was a little tired when I was in the office, so Iy down on the table to rest for a bit Then then he peeped on me sleeping!!


    Freya looked at me and spoke with her face all red. I wasnt sure if her face was red because she was shy or angry. I lingered for a moment before looking at Gerald.


    <em>Logically speaking, is getting caught sleeping on the table considered peeping on someone sleeping? Im not convinced that people sleep at the table naked Hence the question: does it count as Gerald peeping on her?</em>


    I didnt say anything. Lucia, who was next to me, looked at Freya and in a serious tone said, Freya I dont think that counts as peeping on your sleeping, does it? You were sleeping at the table and not in the room, after all. Plus, you werent undressed, were you? So, at most, Gerald only saw you sleeping at the table. I dont think theres any issue.


    Ugh


    Freya, who was a master with words was now red in the face, but had no response. She had no choice, but to look toward Nier for help. She hoped Nier would help her by speaking up for her. Nier noticed Freyas gaze, so she ced the bread in her hand down, and then bluntly said, Gerald is your personal bodyguard.


    So what if he is?! A personal bodyguard does not have the right to peep on me sleeping, either!!


    Its normal for a bodyguard to say by the side of the person that theyre to protect while theyre sleeping. I once watched His Majesty sleep until he woke up, as well. Its no big deal to a bodyguard. We do that to protect you. You dont need to mind it.


    Nier indicated that was all she had to say. She wasnt willing to say anymore; thus, she picked up the bread. I chuckled awkwardly.


    <em>Thest time Nier watched me sleep, I didnt get to sleep well. She didnt give me any room to rest that night. She sat there next to my bed and grinded her sword. Lets not forget that she was always dropping her ssic line at the time. Yes, Im referring to the ssic, Please kill yourself line. I didnt dare to sleep all night</em>


    Ugh Onii-sama


    Freya looked at me with puppy eyes. She looked pitiful as a little pet that was cornered. I sighed. I looked at Gerald, I, basically, have a grasp of what happened now. You werent in the wrong this time, Gerald. Id say that it was due to ack ofmunication between you two. Gerald, you didnt knock before entering, did you? It is, indeed, a little embarrassing for Freya to be spotted sleeping at her workce. Neither of you were wrong in this incident, so just forget it.


    Freya pouted and grumpily muttered, It was not because I was embarrassed


    Gerald chuckled dryly then looked at me, I did not actually see anything, honestly. I just saw Miss Freya hugg-


    Aaaahhh!!!


    Freya suddenly cried out, causing me to jump up from fright. Freya suddenly punched Gerald in his gut, causing him to bend over from the pain. She then bumped him from the side and pushed him out as he staggered. Freya and Gerald left the dining hall, just like that, while the three of us looked at them feelingpletely bewildered.


    Wait, let me correct that. She beat him out of the dining hall.


    Just what is up with those two?


    I looked in the direction the two of them left in and shook my head feeling baffled. Nier snorted then snickered, And thus, being a bodyguard isnt a job anybody can do. There isnt and never will be another bodyguard like me.


    <em>Yeah, Nier, youre the only bodyguard who could ever tell the target theyre supposed to protect, please kill yourself at least twice daily. I believe that Gerald wont ever say that even once</em>


    <em>Was I too tolerant with Nier back then?</em>


    Wait. Your Highness, there is something I would like to confirm. Why was Nier able to watch you sleep before you got married? Did something already happen between you and Nier back then? Your highness, if something did happen during that time and you have not yet told me. That is a bloody betrayal


    Let me exin! Lucia! Listen to my exnation!!!


    ========


    Gerald wore a helpless smile as he followed behind Freya, who was grumpily walking away. The pain from being hit by the young girl a few times was still there He couldnt understand why Freya was angry. He woke her up out of good will and evenplimented her drawing of His Majesty. But then, Freya jumped up with a red face simrly to an angry kitten.


    He couldnt figure out just what he did wrong


    Freya suddenly spun her head around to face Gerald and shouted, Dont follow me!!


    I cannot do that, Miss Freya. I am under orders from His Majesty to protect you. How could I let you go around at night?


    Gerald resolutely refused. Hepletely ignored the young girls anger and order. Freya had no rebuttal. She angrily spun around and sat down on the steps. Sheined, Damn it I was careless I cant believe I forgot to close the door Nevertheless, you are not to tell anyone about this, understood? That was so embarrassing


    Aahh, I understand. I understand. Falling asleep at work is embarrassing. I once fell asleep while on duty and snored. My friend discovered that I had dozed off, and so I had to bribe him with seven bronze coins to treat him to a drink so that he would not expose me!


    Gerald looked at Freya with pride. He noticed that the young girl he had to protect was no longer angry and genuinely felt very happy. He wanted to get Freya tough with his embarrassing history.


    Freya didntugh, though; instead, she looked at him with pity and at the same time as if he was a blithering idiot. She hesitated for a moment before asking, Youre youre a not a retard, are you?


    That is rude!! I am not stupid. I learn everything quickly.


    Okay, okay, okay. Youre not retarded. Youre not retarded.


    Freya then let out a sigh of relief. She then looked at him with a ridiculing smile with her head titled. She continued, But I bet you dont have a wife. Actually, I bet you havent even had a girlfriend. Wait, wait, wait, you probably dont even have a girl that likes you, huh? I can tell with one nce that youre a kid with no life!


    H-How did you know? I I am not that pitiful! I I have a girl I could marry!


    Gerald fought back with a red face. Though he said that, his gaze thatcked confidence and his red face was a dead giveaway that he was telling a lie that not even he, himself, believed.


    Do you want to know how I know?


    Freya stood up with a mischievous smile then turned around and went up. She then turned her head around with a smile and continued, Of course, it was because I guessed, you idiot.