How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 1.10
It seemed the maid had tidied up the room once before evacuating. Resena entered the dressing room and gathered 3 dress shirts, 2 cravats, 3 quilted trousers, and 2 cotton pants.
“Try these on first, and if you feel the clothes are not enough, come back here to get more. It’s cold, so after putting on the shirt, wear this over it.”
She took out a coat and handed it to him. He comfortably put it on and smiled.
“Thank you, Lady.”
“Just call me Resena comfortably. The outside world has already collapsed, so there’s no need to mind titles. We’re going to be in a cooperative relationship anyway.”
At that, he grinned.
“Then please call me by my name too. Alken.”
“Is that alright?”
“You were the one who first said to call you by name comfortably, Lady. You’ve given me medical supplies when I was in mortal danger, and now I’ll be indebted to you, so I’d like you to treat me as comfortably.”
At that, Resena smiled broadly.
“Alright, Alken.”
“Thank you, Resena.”
Given his easygoing nature despite being a Sword Master, it seemed there wouldn’t be any particular danger in staying in this mansion together. Moreover, the food storage was full enough for two people to eat, and…
Since only she had the key to access it, if looters came, Alken could go around and repel them.
“Alken, choose a room. Do you prefer upstairs or downstairs?”
He seemed to think for a moment before answering.
“Upstairs would be good. The 5th floor would be even better.”
“Is there a reason for that?”
“Well, from a higher place, we can observe the situation of the Imperial City… Above all, being on a higher floor means we won’t be ambushed while sleeping if looters or monsters invade.”
“Hmm…”
But rooms with windows were dangerous as they could be attacked. After a moment’s consideration, Resena decided to offer him the servant’s lounge next to the attic on the 5th floor.
Most servants avoided the windowless lounge, so it was almost like a new room. Moreover, it had a cot, storage space, and even tea and a magic teapot that heated up when infused with mana, making it suitable for one man to use.
“There’s a bathroom attached next door, so you can wash up here too. Let me know if you find anything inconvenient.”
“There’s nothing. It’s a luxury to have a room like this when half the Imperial City has been destroyed. If there’s any complaint…”
As Alken was repeating that he had none, his stomach growled. Alken’s face instantly turned red. It seemed that until now he had been too tense to recognize his hunger, but as he started to recover his strength, his stomach was screaming that it was hungry.
‘With the Imperial City in this state, he might have been starving…’
Resena took him to the food storage.
“Take only what won’t spoil if stored for about three days. The food storage has cooling magic, so mold doesn’t grow easily, but once you take it out, it starts to lose freshness… It’s better to take less vegetables and only things you can eat quickly and easily.”
“I understand.”
Alken chose things that even Resena thought were quite good. Being a Sword Master, he seemed to be selecting based on what he ate when leading armies on campaigns.
After piling up a mountain of food on the trolley, he returned to his assigned room. After wrapping the food and pushing it into the cabinet provided in the lounge, Resena took him to the front of the vault.
“This is where I stay.”
“This is… the vault, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s a room that only those of Arnasus blood can enter, so it’s safe here. It’s absolutely necessary for me, who has no means to protect myself.”
Resena made a gesture of knocking.
“If you need to talk to me, come to this room after 10 AM and knock on the door. I’m always up by then. But at night, monsters might invade, so I won’t come out.”
“I understand.”
“And unfortunately… the room Alken is using doesn’t have barrier magic. Even if you sleep there, you might be attacked by monsters or intruders.”
Alken grinned.
“I’m prepared for that much. Having experienced the monster wave, I know that my room is in a good position to fend off monsters or intruders. Don’t worry and sleep well, I’ll repel any looters who try to invade this mansion.”
“Alken…”
“I have to do at least this much when I’m eating and sleeping for free. Don’t worry.”
He really is an amazing man.
She liked his polite manners and considerate attitude. Resena smiled brightly and extended her hand. Alken raised his hand like a knight, about to kiss the back of her hand. But Resena pulled her hand away.
“Let’s not do that, let’s shake hands instead. As a sign of mutual reliance.”
“A handshake, you say.”
“Yes. Since we’ll be staying here, we’ll be helping each other, right? I’ll provide food and supplies, and Alken will provide protection. So I meant let’s get along well.”
As she extended her hand again, Alken also smiled and took it.
As they shook hands, he chuckled softly. Resena also smiled as she looked at him and then let go of his hand.
“Then I’ll return to the vault before night falls. If you feel overwhelmed by monsters or intruders, don’t worry about me and run away. No one but those of Arnasus blood can enter this vault, so I’m safe in any situation.”
‘Of course, if the male lead uses his instant death skill, I’ll die… But there’s no one who can prevent that…’
“I understand. If I have to run away, I’ll come back and tell you once the intruder is gone.”
“Yes, please do that. Oh, and until then, please come to the front of the vault around 1 PM every day. To move safely around the mansion, I need Alken’s escort more than anything.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Then…”
Resena entered the vault. And then, through the closing door, she waved her hand.
“See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Have a good night. After saying that, Resena closed the door completely.
The sound of Alken’s footsteps grew fainter, indicating he was moving away from here. Resena turned on the lights inside the vault by pressing a button. She planned to read a book until 10 PM and then go to sleep.
“…How long will I stay here?”
And how long will the male lead stay in the Imperial City? I wish he would just lead the monsters somewhere else.
“…Haa.”
Talking and moving with another person had made her tired. Resena took out her pocket watch and looked at it. Time had already passed well beyond 8 PM.
“Let’s sleep early…”
Although it was a cot, the mattress wasn’t uncomfortable, probably because it was quite expensive. So she lay down comfortably and tried to sleep.
She sank into a deep sleep, not even dreaming.
***
“Kiaaaaaah!”
“Ugh…”
Resena woke up to the sound of a bone-chilling scream. The death cry of a monster was coming from the hallway. Had something else invaded already? Resena looked down at the muslin dress she was wearing and smoothed out the wrinkled parts.
“Kyaaah!”
Thud. After that sound, it became quiet. It seemed Alken had taken care of the monster that had invaded the mansion. She quietly put her ear to the door, then startled and stepped back at the sound of knocking.
“Resena. Are you awake? Two monsters invaded the mansion, but I’ve dealt with them. It’s safe to come out now.”
Resena slowly opened the door. The sight of two monster corpses sprawled in the hallway was so horrific that it made her lose her appetite. Alken awkwardly scratched the back of his head as he spoke.
“I think we’ll have to throw the corpses out through the hallway window. If we leave them like this, the stench of rotting monsters will spread throughout the mansion.”
“…Shall I help you?”
Seeing Resena’s unpleasant expression, Alken laughed and shook his head.
