We walked through the forest in silence.
Thankfully, my hair was ridiculously long.
Golden curls cascaded all the way past my waist, draping over my chest and trailing behind me like a cloak. Somehow, it covered enough of me that I didn't feel completely exposed anymore.
I still had no idea why my hair had suddenly become this long... or this blonde.
It definitely wasn't my hair before.
I stole another glance at the armored knight walking ahead of me.
"So... you said your name is Skull right?"
He didn't answer.
I frowned.
"You seriously expect me to believe that's your real name? That's obviously a nickname. Jeez..."
Still nothing.
What is with this guy?
Why was he so determined to keep everything about himself a secret?
Even his face was hidden behind that helmet.
Is he ridiculously ugly or something?
"We're here."
His deep voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I looked up.
An old wooden house stood quietly in the middle of the forest. It looked abandoned, with faded walls and a weathered roof, but it was still standing.
"Huh?"
"We'll spend the night here," he said. "No one lives here anymore."
He turned toward me.
"Go inside and find something to wear."
His voice remained as cold as ever.
"I'm tired of walking beside a naked woman."
He paused for a second.
"And to make matters worse... you're so ugly."
My eye twitched.
This jerk...
I wanted nothing more than to rip that stupid helmet off and smack him across the face.
"Do you always have to insult people?" I snapped. "It's like you hate me for existing."
Then his words finally caught up with me.
...
Ugly?
I slowly reached for my long blonde hair.
I didn't remember having blonde or even long hair.
I had woken up in a random forest.
I'd almost died.
A knight in real armor had saved me.
There was no way...
Don't tell me...
I actually got reincarnated into another world?
Just like all those fantasy manga I used to binge in high school?
...Seriously?
I buried my face in my hands.
If I really got reincarnated...
...why did it have to be as an ugly, homeless, naked girl?
I sighed dramatically.
I don't think I'll ever have the courage to look in a mirror, literally I won't.
Skull simply folded his arms.
"Are you done?"
"If you enjoy torturing my eyes, you may continue standing there."
I rolled my eyes.
"I can't even tell if you have eyes behind that helmet."
I turned toward the house before stopping.
"And for your information..."
"My hair was covering everything."
He answered immediately.
"So you'd like to argue about that?"
"I had to keep my eyes closed while pulling you up the cliff."
"You were very obviously not covered by anything at the time."
My face exploded with embarrassment.
"So... you did see a little!"
I pointed accusingly at him.
"Aha! You're secretly a pervert!"
A long silence followed.
"I should've left you to die."
He turned and began walking away.
"W-Wait!"
I hurried after him and grabbed onto the cold steel of his arm.
"I was kidding!"
I forced the brightest smile I could manage.
"Come on, Skull. Don't leave me behind."
"I'm sorry."
He looked down at me.
"Promise you'll be a good girl and behave?"
His calm, deep voice hadn't changed at all.
I nodded so fast my neck almost hurt.
"I promise."
...
By the time I stepped back outside, night had completely fallen.
Inside the house, I had managed to find an old servant's dress tucked away in a dusty wooden wardrobe.
It was simple but well made—a long white linen dress that reached my ankles, tied neatly beneath a worn brown corset that hugged my waist. The sleeves were loose around my arms, and a plain cream-colored apron rested over the front of the dress. A pair of old leather sandals fit surprisingly well.
I had tied my endless golden curls into a high ponytail before twisting them into a large bun at the back of my head. Only a few loose curls framed my face now, hiding just how unbelievably long my hair really was.
Much better.
At least it wouldn't get in my way anymore.
I looked down out my chest with a wide grin, in my last life I was literally flat chested but now luckily for me, I have it all plus a really nice figure...
Except the looks, jeez. but at least my figure could make up for my looks.
I hope.
I spotted Skull sitting beside a crackling campfire outside.
His enormous sword rested against his shoulder while the orange flames reflected across his silver armor.
Doesn't he get hot wearing all that...?
And is he ever going to take that helmet off?
I walked over and quietly sat across from him.
He turned his head slightly.
"How does it feel?"
"...Now that you're finally dressed."
I rolled my eyes.
"Much better."
He gave a small nod.
"Get some sleep inside."
I blinked.
"What about you?"
"I'll stay out here."
"Someone has to keep wild animals away from the house."
I looked toward the dark forest.
For just a second...
I actually felt worried.
"...Don't get yourself killed."
Trying to sound casual, I turned and walked back inside.
But after only a few minutes...
I found myself walking back out again.
For some reason, I couldn't stop thinking about him.
He was still sitting exactly where I'd left him, silently staring into the flames.
The sight made my chest ache.
He reminded me of the tragic knights from the fantasy novels I'd read back in my old world...
The ones who had already accepted that one day, they'd die alone with only their sword beside them.
Without saying anything, I walked over carrying two blankets.
I sat beside him.
He glanced at me.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm sleeping out here."
His next sentence sounded more colder than usual.
"It's dangerous."
"Exactly."
I smiled.
"It's dangerous for you too."
"If you're staying out here to protect the house..."
"...then you can protect me as well."
I shrugged.
"And besides..."
"I really don't want to sleep alone in that creepy house."
A long sigh escaped his helmet.
"...Do whatever you want."
I smiled to myself.
Success.
I tossed one of the blankets toward him.
"You can use it..."
"...or throw it into the fire."
He caught it without a word.
The forest became quiet once again.
Listening to the crackling flames beside me, I slowly closed my eyes.
I still didn't understand why...
But seeing him sitting there all alone filled me with a sadness I couldn't explain.
Maybe...
I just didn't want him to spend the night by himself.
With that thought lingering in my heart, I drifted peacefully to sleep beside the mysterious knight named Skull.
