Chapter 38
As always, at first, everything seemed fine. Celestia had just received the wonderful news that she would soon become Crown Princess, and the prospect of going on an outing to the bustling district together was exciting…
But that brat sitting in front of me always caused trouble.
“Hey, Killian. You didn’t know, did you?”
“Know what?”
“That Tia’s going to be the Crown Princess.”
“What are you talking about? I already knew.”
If Sir Briburn hadn’t told him, he might not have.
Killian let out a sigh of relief inwardly. After all, it wasn’t a lie.
But Adele, who was persistently determined to assert her superiority over Killian, didn’t stop there. She didn’t like Killian’s arrogant expression either.
“Then how about this top-secret info? Huh? You didn’t know, right? You, of all people, as her friend, should know how huge a responsibility Tia becoming Crown Princess entails!”
“Responsibility, I suppose.”
“Yeah! Responsibility! That’s what I meant! I just got a little confused for a second!”
When Killian corrected her, Adele scrunched her nose like a venomous cat, full of indignation.
“Anyway! You didn’t know how important it was! My dad told me!”
“Are you implying I don’t have a father?”
The fact that the Duke of Märchen wasn’t his biological father was a past Killian had already completely put behind him.
Celestia had made sure of that, promising to be by his side for life instead of the Duke. But Adele, clearly unaware, had grabbed onto the slightest detail to provoke him.
“W-well, it’s, it’s… a mistake!”
Adele, unaware of the truth, panicked, and Killian didn’t miss the opportunity. He was determined to get back at her for what she had done to him.
“And honestly, you’re not all that different from someone who has a father either, you know?”
“What? What do you mean?”
“You only know the bare bones of information. Who cares if it’s a Marquess or a Count? How many surnames start with ‘Al’? Al… what? An egg? A duck egg? What the heck is ‘Al’? Tch.”
The moment Killian clicked his tongue, Adele, who had briefly felt guilty, couldn’t contain her anger and lunged at him.
Killian recalled Sir Briburn’s teachings: never hit a woman, and as a knight, one should fight with a sword. So he couldn’t respond physically—but…
“Sometimes, dodging well can be an attack. Like now.”
He wouldn’t be pushed around helplessly like last time.
Whether by holding his stance firmly or dodging cleverly, Killian had resolved not to be defeated by Adele. Swiftly, he turned his body and avoided her attack.
“Wha-wha? You? You dodged? The one holding a sword… acting cowardly!”
“Cowardly? Did you just call me cowardly, Adelaide Luwendif?”
“That’s exactly cowardly! Ugh! So annoying! Aren’t you coming at me, Killian Märchen?!”
“My master said never to hit a woman. I’m not foolish enough to throw a punch just because I’m angry.”
“What?! Are you looking down on me and calling me foolish? Fine! Let’s fight! Right here! I’m not a girl! I’ll become a knight! I’ll be a knight and stay by Tia’s side!”
“What?”
“You’ll never take her away from me! I’ll be right next to Tia! Ha! Even better! If it’s to protect Tia, I’ll attack anyone, male or female!”
“You’re not changing what you just said, got it?”
Killian took the bait at her provocation.
“Damn… You said you’re not a girl. You said to fight first! Don’t change your words.”
Switching his stance and gaze, Killian lightly dodged Adele’s attack and struck her arm with the side of his hand. He went easy, but apparently it still hurt quite a bit.
“Aaagh! You! You didn’t even use your aura!”
“I didn’t.”
“No way! That hurts this much!”
“I really didn’t use it!”
“You’re so sneaky! You’re pathetic!”
“Are you only going to attack with words?”
Lifted his chin, Killian looked at Adele as if she were ridiculous.
“What’s with that look?! It’s so annoying!!!”
Adele—who would later become the Empire’s greatest Holy Knight, famous for slaying tens of beasts with a single gesture—rushed at Killian and began yanking his hair.
“Today, we’ll settle this once and for all!”
“Who said I was scared?”
And then…
It became a full-blown brawl…
Until Tia arrived…
“I can’t allow this. You two… are forbidden from entering the Crown Princess’ palace for now.”
Killian and Adele knelt in front of me, completely disheveled. Technically, I hadn’t forced them, but they seemed guilty enough to kneel voluntarily.
I crossed my arms, closing my eyes so as not to be overly impressed by the two pairs of eyes staring up at me in despair.
If I opened my eyes… forgiveness would follow… no dignity left…
“Tia, I’m sorry.”
“Tia… we were wrong.”
They both apologized at the same time, trying to outdo each other.
Still…!
“See? You still don’t know what you did wrong.”
“Huh? We?”
“No. Yes, you do.”
I closed my eyes tightly again. Why did it feel so tragically dramatic in the middle of this chaos… sigh.
“If you know, shouldn’t you reconcile with each other first, instead of apologizing to me?”
“Ah!”
“Ugh!”
I decided to be firm.
They wouldn’t even answer why they fought this much.
“From now on, just practice swordsmanship and go home. I can’t deal with you two.”
“Tia… sniff…”
“Tia… sob…”
“And consider today’s outing canceled. I’m not in the mood for fun. Luckily, I have my Crown Princess assignment to complete anyway!”
Hmph! Tch! Pfft!
I snapped my head around. I didn’t want to hurt them with cruel words, but if I didn’t act, they’d really end up like rebellious knights-in-training.
Tears glistened in both Killian and Adele’s eyes as they alternately looked at me and each other…
Good thing I learned swimming. Otherwise, I might’ve drowned in their eyes.
Suppressing the urge to gush dramatically, I called for Liz.
“Liz! Tell them to leave.”
Since Liz had witnessed the fight firsthand, she nodded without a word. Even Liz, who normally would have comforted me or sided with Killian and Adele, came out without compromise, and the blood drained from Killian and Adele’s faces.
“Master Killian, Miss Adelaide, stand up. I’ll call a carriage for you.”
“Tia…”
“Tia… Tia…”
“I really care about you two, but since you don’t care about each other… I have no idea what to do. It feels like my fault.”
I delivered the final blow.
“Now, go.”
Killian and Adele, unable to call or stop me, were eventually led home by Liz.
“Ah… I’m bored.”
I dangled my short legs as Liz chuckled and placed a pretty plate of almond chocolates in front of me.
“Banning you from the palace was a bit harsh, Princess.”
“You saw it yourself. Killian and Adele…”
“Well, this time it was a bit extreme.”
“Yeah. I couldn’t treat it as just children’s play.”
I shook my head. Last time felt like stepping into the life of a Taekwondo master.
Liz laughed so hard she couldn’t hold it in, probably because I said that at just seven years old. After a while, she wiped away her tears and said,
“You’re still a child yourself, Princess.”
“I’m different. I’ll soon become the Crown Princess.”
I answered solemnly. Liz’s eyes widened.
“I see. Are you keeping up with your assignments? You’ll also need to meet the Marquess—no, your aide, right?”
“I’m meeting Oz today anyway. Outside. Hehe.”
Ah, so that’s why she looked so excited.
Liz rolled her eyes upward and nodded.
I’m not that excited. Did I look excited?
Anyway, since Oz came up, I should ask what I was curious about.
“But Liz, how did Oz become my aide?”
“Huh?”
“Well, you know. I actually expected a tall, long-haired aide with a monocle.”
“A… monocle? Tall hair? Huh?”
“The aides I imagined all had long hair and wore monocles.”
“My goodness.”
Liz covered her mouth.
What! Why!
Her gaze made me feel slightly guilty, like she was scolding a child for getting dirt on her hands…
“Anyway! How did Oz become my aide? That’s what’s important. That’s the main point.”
“That’s because… your aide is competent, Princess.”
“Huh? What?”
“I don’t know the details, but since he was sent by His Majesty the Emperor, he must be someone who can definitely assist you, Princess.”
“Really? Right? That’s true.”
“Yes.”
Sigh, Liz sighed again.
“Liz, that sigh is a habit.”
“Ah, haha. Yes, haha.”
After finishing preparations to go out, I headed to the bustling district to meet Oz.
