{Chapter 63} Anna, You Wouldn’t Want Louise to Find Out About Our Relationship, Would You?
"Hmm..."
After "escaping" from the red-light district, Anna had not only put on her helmet but also lowered her visor.
Except for the fact that her armor had some differences in certain areas compared to standard plate armor, Anna now looked like any ordinary knight.
However, even so, there were still some people who could recognize Anna.
"Anna!"
Hearing this voice, Anna shuddered and almost wanted to pretend she hadn't heard it and walk away.
But considering that would be quite inappropriate and also unfair to the person calling her, Anna had no choice but to stop and turn toward the direction of the voice.
There stood Helga, who was wearing her usual plain robe today but carrying a "warhammer." She was another key figure in Anna's harem plan...
"Helga, are you done with your work?"
Anna instinctively glanced around to see if Atala was nearby.
Not seeing Atala, Anna's sense of insecurity grew stronger.
If Atala were here, she could at least help ease the tension...
To be honest, Anna's mind was in a bit of a mess.
Her interactions with Louise in the morning and at noon had already left her feeling cautious, but the sensual massage she had just received had further muddled her thoughts, making her overcomplicate what should have been simple solutions.
"Yes, Atala has taken on quite a few commissions at the guild. I've finished my part," Helga nodded. "Are you on patrol?"
"Of course..."
"Judging from your direction... did you just come from patrolling that red-light district?"
Wait, what? You even know that's a red-light district?
But Helga has been in this town for several days now, so it would be strange if she didn't know... After all, the red-light district isn't some hidden place.
You could stumble upon it just by wandering around.
As she said this, Helga leaned closer to Anna, as if sniffing the scent on her.
"Hmm... there's a very complex perfume smell."
"Don't get the wrong idea... just walking through that area leaves you with that smell," Anna's face turned slightly red, and her heart was racing.
"Is that so? You sure you didn't go into a shop and get cozy with some girls?"
"How could I do such a thing!" Anna's face turned even redder, not just from embarrassment and being partially caught, but also from anger at Helga for not trusting her.
"I'm a knight! How could I violate the knight's code!"
Respecting one's partner and not fooling around in red-light districts are classic tenets of the knight's code, although many knights in the kingdom don't take this seriously and still go anyway.
Damn it, how did the kingdom come to this?
No more hesitation! We must strike hard!
Just as Anna was feeling indignant, Helga suddenly said in a low voice,
"...Since you don't have a partner, going to the red-light district is acceptable, right?"
Anna's expression froze.
"Since Anna says she can't violate the knight's code."
Helga's face no longer had the smile she had when they first met.
"Do you already have a partner?"
"Ah... well..." Anna swallowed hard.
"I just think... even without a partner, you shouldn't go fooling around in red-light districts..."
"Is that so?"
Helga said this flatly, then stared straight into Anna's eyes.
"Anna, you know what? You're really just like you were when we were kids."
"Huh?"
"Whether it's your looks or your personality, you're pretty much the same as when you were little," Helga said, finally revealing the true intent behind her words.
"Even when you lie, your ears turn really red, just like when you were a kid."
"Ah!"
Anna instinctively covered her ears.
She knew she had this problem when lying, and she had been confident that her long hair would cover her ears... but she hadn't realized her ears were exposed.
Could it be that when she took off her helmet earlier, she didn't adjust her hair properly, leaving her ears exposed?
"This... that..."
"Is it Louise?"
Then, Helga delivered the final blow.
"..."
Seeing Anna's silent reaction, Helga's expressionless face showed a hint of helplessness.
"When did you two confirm your relationship?"
"...This morning."
Since there was no point in hiding it anymore, Anna decided to come clean.
"This time, you're not lying..."
Helga was stunned for a moment, then a mysterious smile appeared on her face.
"Come with me."
"Okay..."
Feeling guilty, Anna didn't dare refuse Helga, afraid that Helga might just walk away... wouldn't that ruin the harem plan?
Following Helga into a secluded alley, Anna's sense of unease grew stronger. She wanted to ask Helga why they had come here—
"Mmm!?"
Then, Anna was suddenly silenced as Helga turned around and kissed her.
After a dizzying exchange, when Anna felt her head spinning, Helga finally let go.
"Helga...?"
Taking several deep breaths to recover, Anna looked at Helga in confusion.
"Anna, you wouldn't want Louise to find out about our relationship, would you?"
Even the way she referred to Louise had changed from "the Latimir girl" to just "Louise." Helga's smile now was truly terrifying!
"If you don't want Louise to find out about us... come to my room tonight..."
This sounded anything but innocent!
Anna sighed and continued to be honest:
"I told Louise about my desire to maintain a romantic relationship with both of you."
"Huh...?"
Now it was Helga's turn to be stunned. She stared at Anna for a long time before finally saying:
"She agreed?"
Another change in how she referred to Louise...
Anna nodded.
"...Damn, she's that generous?" Helga clicked her tongue in annoyance, then naturally wrapped her arm around Anna.
"Since she agreed, then spend some time with me."
"...You're not upset?" Anna was most worried about Helga's attitude, but seeing her like this only made Anna more confused.
"Upset? Of course I am," Helga glared at Anna. "But what can I do? As long as you're happy, that's what matters."
"Helga..."
Anna was at a loss for words.
"Besides, I've already been 'stolen' by that girl," Helga kissed Anna on the cheek again.
"Being upset about you two-timing isn't the main issue here."
"Anna, let's take a walk together~”