The morning sun had already risen.
With it, Kondo was awake as well.
After freshening up, he went outside and started exercising with the butler.
Seeing this, the butler said,
"Young master, you shouldn't exercise at such a young age. You might get injured."
Hearing this, Kondo thought,
(In my previous life… I always wanted a good body and six-pack abs… but I could never achieve it. In this life… I definitely will.)
He then said,
"Listen, Butler. I don't want to grow up weak. I want to become strong. That's why I have to start now."
---
After finishing his exercise, Kondo practiced swordsmanship with the butler.
Once that was done, he went to take a bath.
After getting ready, he came to the dining table for breakfast.
Lawine served food to Kondo and Sam, then sat down as well.
While Kondo was eating, Sam, who was reading a newspaper, said,
"Yesterday, someone captured members of the Red Group… the ones who were kidnapping children and selling them as slaves."
Hearing this, Lawine said,
"Really? Why do such people even exist? People like them should be punished immediately. Selling innocent children for money… I can't imagine what their parents must be going through…"
She then looked at Kondo.
"By the way, who captured them?"
Sam put down the newspaper and looked at Kondo.
"Looks like… someone here knows."
Kondo stopped eating and said in a shaky voice,
"D-Dad… why are you looking at me like that?"
"Don't lie. Tell me the truth… or should I?"
Kondo took a deep breath.
"Alright, Dad… it was me and the butler. But there was a reason."
Lawine said,
"Looks like our son has already started hiding things from us."
Kondo quickly replied,
"No, Mom! It's not like that, I just—"
"Just what?"
Kondo lowered his eyes and said,
"She was my friend… some people had taken her. That's why I had to fight them. But I didn't know they were part of a bigger group…"
Lawine was slightly surprised.
"Your friend? Then won't you bring her home?"
Kondo smiled.
"Yes, Mom. She's coming today."
"Then I'll tell the maids to prepare something special for lunch. What does she look like?"
Sam interrupted,
"Lawine, leave it. Don't trouble him too much. And Kondo, next time be careful. Don't get involved in such things without thinking."
"…Yes, Dad."
Sam continued,
"I have work at the palace, so I'll have lunch there."
"Alright… you've become quite busy these days."
"…Yes. There's some important work."
Sam hugged Lawine and left.
---
After finishing breakfast, Kondo left with the butler for Orient City.
After reaching the city, they walked toward Shin's house.
On the way, Kondo noticed a candy shop and bought some sweets.
Soon, they reached Shin's house.
Kondo called out from the door.
Hearing this, nearby people started looking at them.
Shin's mother came outside.
"Oh… it's you."
"I'm sorry, Shin isn't home right now. You can wait inside if you want."
Kondo went inside.
Shin's mother made tea and gave it to him.
While Kondo was drinking tea, she asked,
"So… what brings you here, Mr. Kondo?"
Kondo replied,
"You can just call me Kondo. I'm much younger than you.... I came to take Shin with me."
Hearing this, she got nervous.
"What? You can't do that!"
Kondo noticed her expression.
(What happened to her suddenly?)
She continued,
"How can I give Shin to you? She's still a child!"
The butler laughed slightly and said,
"No, you misunderstood. Young master just wants to be friends with her and take her out to play."
Hearing this, she relaxed.
"Oh… is that true?"
Kondo nodded.
"Yes, it's true. But… why were you so worried?"
She said,
"In this world, if nobles want to take a poor child, they can easily do so. They treat us like slaves… and we have no choice but to obey."
Kondo thought,
(So there's slavery and poverty in this world… no human rights… rich people can do anything with money…)
---
While he was thinking, Shin arrived.
"Mom, I'm back—"
Then she saw Kondo.
"K-Kondo?! What are you doing here?!"
Kondo smiled.
"I told you, didn't I? I would come to take you to my house."
Shin said,
"I thought you were joking…"
"Why would I joke? Let's go."
"Like this?"
Kondo walked up to her and held her hand.
"Yes, let's go. Aunty, we'll be back by evening."
Shin's mother said from behind,
"Come back safely, Shin."
---
While walking through the city, Kondo suddenly stopped in front of a building and took Shin inside.
Shin didn't even notice where they had come. She was focused on the fact that Kondo was holding her hand.
She asked,
"Kondo… where are we?"
"Don't worry. First, you need to take a proper bath."
Hearing this, Shin blushed.
Kondo took her to the receptionist.
The receptionist smiled.
"Hello, how can I help you?"
Kondo said,
"Please show me your bath menu."
The receptionist handed him a menu.
After reading it, Kondo smiled slightly.
"This one is fine."
"Alright, please make the payment."
Kondo placed a gold coin on the table.
The receptionist clapped twice, and two girls came and took Shin with them.
Shin panicked.
"What is happening?!"
Kondo said,
"Don't worry, Shin. Nothing will happen."
---
After Shin left, Kondo asked,
"You have a clothing center as well, right?"
"Yes, on the second floor."
"Then prepare her completely."
"There will be extra charges."
Kondo placed five gold coins on the table.
The receptionist was surprised.
"Sir, this is too much…"
Kondo smiled.
"Use it to make her look like a princess. And pack some expensive clothes that suit her."
"Alright, sir. Please rest on the sofa."
---
Kondo and the butler sat near the sofa.
"Butler, you can sit."
"No, young master, I'm fine."
"That's an order."
"…As you say."
A girl brought tea and pastries.
After about an hour—
The receptionist returned.
"Sorry for the delay. Your princess is ready."
Kondo looked behind her.
Two girls stepped aside—
and Shin walked forward.
She was wearing a red dress. Her hair was open, A beautiful hairpin was in her hair and Her blue eyes were as deep as the ocean."
Kondo was slightly shocked.
He stood up, walked to her, bent down slightly, held her hand—
and kissed it.
"You look like an angel… Princess Shin."
Shin turned completely red.
"L-Let's go…"
---
As they walked, people stared at them.
"Kondo… everyone is looking at us…"
"Of course. You're beautiful."
---
Suddenly, five boys blocked their path.
"Oh? Where are you going, Kondo? I thought after that day, you wouldn't even show your face."
It was Gild, son of Mr. Kiora.
Kondo said,
"Move, Gild. I'm busy."
Gild smirked.
"And who is this? She's quite beautiful."
"This is Princess Shin."
"Princess? I've never heard that name. Anyway, Princess Shin, leave this nerd guy and come with me. His magic rank is also -G."
Kondo got angry.
(He called me that…)
Before he could say anything, Shin said,
"Sorry, but you're not even close to Kondo."
Gild was shocked.
"What? You're comparing me to him?"
Kondo mocked him.
"You heard her. Now move."
They started leaving.
From behind, Gild shouted,
"No matter what you do, you'll fail your exams just like you failed in magic!"
Kondo kept walking.
Shin said,
"Kondo, you should've punched him."
Kondo replied,
"Let it go. People like him should be ignored. A person's heart is like a flower bud… with a little kindness, it can bloom."
Shin didn't understand.
---
After some time, the butler brought a carriage.
Kondo and Shin sat inside.
They headed toward Kondo's house.
Shin was excited. She had only seen big mansions from outside before.
---
On the way, she asked,
"Kondo… why did you do all this? These expensive clothes… what was the need?"
Kondo hesitated.
"I was thinking… what if my mom doesn't like it…"
"What do you mean?"
"You know how nobles are…"
Shin smiled.
"If you're this kind, then your mother must be kind too."
The butler added,
"Yes, young master. Madam Lawine will not have any problem."
---
Soon, they reached the mansion.
A huge gate. A large garden.
Shin was amazed.
The carriage stopped.
They stepped down.
Before entering, Kondo said,
"Shin, whatever I say to my mom… just agree, okay?"
"…Okay."
---
The door opened.
Lawine stood there.
"M-Mom… this is my friend Shin."
Shin bowed politely.
"Nice to meet you, ma'am."
Kondo thought,
(Good… she's doing great.)
Lawine asked,
"What's your name?"
"My name is Shin."
Then Lawine held Kondo and said,
"My son is a bit shy, but he's very smart."
Kondo got confused.
"What are you saying, Mom?"
"You must be hungry. I'll ask the maids to prepare food."
---
Four maids arrived.
Shin looked surprised.
"What happened?" Kondo asked.
Shin whispered something.
Kondo got slightly shocked.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"How would I know she'd be here?"
Lawine noticed.
"What happened, Kondo?"
"Nothing, Mom. I'll show Shin my room first."
Kondo started walking—
but a maid stepped forward.
"Sir Kondo, please wait."
Kondo stopped.
"W-What is it, Vain?"
Vain walked to Lawine.
"Madam… I need to tell you something."
Kondo panicked.
"It's nothing, Mom! We can talk later—"
But Lawine stopped him.
"No. Tell me."
Vain said clearly—
"Madam… Shin is not a noble."