"Mr. Albert, we've made it clear enough to you already."
"If you keep this up, you're only going to alarm the Knights of Favonius."
These days, even though the Knights of Favonius were no longer led by Jean, the Acting Grand Master was Frederica.
And that was Barbara's biological mother.
If she found out Albert had been pestering Barbara this whole time, he definitely wouldn't have a good ending.
Hearing the Security Bureau officer's warning, the man named Albert flashed a trace of fear across his face.
It was obvious this guy had probably been picked up by the Knights before for causing trouble.
Otherwise a normal person might be nervous, but wouldn't react with that kind of dread.
After all, the Knights of Favonius were the guardians of Mondstadt—who would be afraid of the people protecting them for no reason?
On top of that, Jean had always been very down-to-earth, and because of that, most of the Knights were also very approachable.
But when Albert looked at Barbara—who was hiding behind Sister Victoria in the distance—there was a possessive glint in his eyes.
And he threw the Security Bureau's warning completely out of his mind.
"I didn't commit any crime! I just want to look at Miss Barbara—what's wrong with that?!"
"This is my freedom. What does it have to do with you?"
"Miss Barbara herself hasn't said anything, so what right do you have to stop me from seeing Miss Barbara?!"
The way he spoke so righteously made it obvious he was counting on Barbara being too gentle—and too soft.
Out on the street, once she got recognized, even if she was on vacation, she still couldn't bear to refuse someone asking for an autograph.
So she'd sign one.
Then there'd be a second.
Then a third.
And before she knew it, the crowd would keep growing until the whole thing turned into a full-blown fan meeting.
That kind of thing had happened more than once already.
Several of her holidays had been ruined like that.
The reason Jean and Barbara had grown more distant also had a lot to do with their personalities.
They were both too gentle—so gentle they didn't really know how to refuse people.
Jean, at least, stayed within the Knights of Favonius most of the time, so she didn't run into as many issues.
But Barbara was different.
As Mondstadt's idol, her popularity in the city didn't even lose to the Anemo Archon.
You could say that as soon as Barbara showed her face, all kinds of people would swarm over.
Some bringing gifts.
Some asking for autographs.
The intentions were good, but when there was too much of it, it only became a burden.
And with Barbara's gentle nature—so similar to Jean's—she practically never said no to the citizens' requests.
That was why every time she went out, she ended up exhausted, and even the Church couldn't do much about it.
Inside the Church they could at least help a little, but what about after work or on her days off?
If Barbara didn't change that "can't refuse anyone" habit like Jean, she'd end up suffering a big loss sooner or later.
Wasn't this exactly what was happening today?
If Barbara clearly rejected him, then the Security Bureau could directly take Albert away.
Even if they didn't lock him up, they could educate him, warn him not to come again, and this whole thing would be resolved today.
But Barbara didn't want to do that, and the officers were left helpless.
Just as everyone was at a loss, and Albert had his chin lifted high, looking smug—
Rowan's voice rang out.
"No need to bother. Just arrest him and lock him up."
"Also, add a new clause to Mondstadt's public security regulations: anyone who, through personal actions, restricts another person's freedom—ten days to one year of imprisonment."
"If it's more serious, start at five years."
"My king!"
The instant Rowan spoke, everyone present instinctively went down on one knee and called out respectfully.
Even Albert, who had been smug a moment ago, lowered his head.
He didn't dare act cocky anymore—and his face had already gone pale.
No choice.
If Rowan's clause was issued, then in the future, Albert wouldn't just be unable to creep around like this and stare at Barbara.
Even dragging Barbara into signing autographs for an entire afternoon wouldn't be allowed anymore.
As long as Barbara said it restricted her freedom, the Security Bureau would have the authority to arrest him.
He was finished.
"All of you, get up."
"Take him away. Barbara, come with me for a moment."
Rowan casually waved his hand, signaling the Security Bureau to take Albert away.
Then he looked toward Barbara and beckoned.
"Yes!"
Albert was taken away by the Security Bureau.
As for what would happen next—there was no need to say more.
Even if deep down he only wanted to spend more time with Barbara, he had already caused her trouble.
Following an idol still required having some self-awareness.
Most people who liked Barbara would never do this.
Only that kind of obsessive fan would.
Right now, Albert was only peeping, acting like a creep.
But if Barbara kept letting it slide, wouldn't it eventually turn into secretly taking photos? Stalking?
And then doing even more twisted things?
Rowan wasn't making things up—this was exactly how it would develop.
Human desire had no end.
Once you satisfied one desire, there would be a second, a third—
Endlessly.
So people like this couldn't be indulged.
The moment you noticed it, you had to stop it harshly.
Otherwise it would only become more and more excessive, and by the time it turned into a catastrophe, it would already be too late.
And this was also connected to Barbara's indulgence, so Rowan planned to teach her a lesson.
After all, she was his little sister-in-law.
If she needed educating, then she needed educating.
"My king, isn't your punishment a bit too harsh?"
"Mr. Albert just likes me too much."
The two of them sat down on a bench off to the side.
Rowan looked at Barbara without speaking first.
But he didn't expect Barbara to speak first—more than that, she was actually defending Albert.
Those words nearly made Rowan laugh in anger.
"No, are you seriously unable to tell good from bad?"
"Do you know what you would've ended up like if I hadn't come?"
"And you're still speaking for him—he practically wants to swallow you whole."
"I really don't understand how you and your sister both ended up the same."
"One of you works nonstop, never rejects anything, accepts everything."
"The other—no matter what someone does, you can accept it, and you even try to accommodate them."
"What, you're both great saints? Whatever people want, you give it to them?"
"What if he wanted your life—would you give that too?"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!] [[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]