CHAPTER 26
Following Killian to the training ground, Mikael couldn’t hide his unease.
The moment Killian, ever sensitive to presence, turned around, Mikael bit his lip as if to excuse himself.
“I just… I’m not sure this is okay. I know she was sent to the children’s training center because there was nowhere else, but that’s no place for a lady like Lady Agnes to handle.”
“So the kitchen was a place she could handle, is that it?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“…What exactly is that place like?”
Killian’s tone was cold, but even he didn’t seem fully convinced.
In truth, the duties of a volunteer weren’t clearly defined. Though he knew that logically, Mikael couldn’t help but voice his doubts.
“Still, they’re just kids.”
“Not all kids are the same…”
“It’s not like they’re monsters or anything.”
“If only they were. You can just kill a monster and be done with it. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but most of those kids are the ones who got kicked out of regular training centers. They’ve tried everything and couldn’t handle them, so they were sent here. They’re bound to be a handful.”
“…Mikael.”
Why are you bringing this up now and not earlier?
Killian tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, suppressing his emotions.
Something like the placement of a volunteer wasn’t supposed to rattle him.
As he turned forward again, Renald, who had been one step behind, tugged at Mikael’s arm.
“Captain, is it because they’re boys? Then again, kids these days are raised so differently from our time.”
“Most of them are still manageable, but there’s one kid who’s been real trouble.”
“Ah, that Nero boy? I overheard the priest this morning—said the kid’s infamous for driving people crazy.”
“He’s said to be the only son of Marquess Rakia. Apparently, he grew up under too many expectations and turned out twisted. It’s unfortunate, but sending him here won’t fix him.”
“…And Lady Agnes was assigned to him?”
“Well… there wasn’t really a choice…”
When Renald asked in disbelief, Mikael cast a wary glance toward Killian’s back.
It was that man who sent the lady to the center, and once she got there, it was like they had been waiting to throw Nero at her.
Everything had fallen into place too smoothly, yet Mikael couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling. Everyone here knew just how wild boys that age could be—because they’d been that way themselves.
Renald clicked his tongue.
“Lady Agnes must be holding quite a grudge.”
“She didn’t exactly say that… but she did say one thing.”
“What was it?”
“…She asked if the captain really was the one who sent her there.”
Killian’s imposing back flinched slightly.
He hesitated, as if unsure whether to turn around or not, while Mikael lowered his voice.
“She must think he really dislikes her.”
“Well, can you blame her? Anyone would think that in her shoes.”
“…You both seem to have a lot of time on your hands.”
At Killian’s cold voice, both men hurried to close the distance to him.
Ever since Lady Agnes arrived, the atmosphere had been slightly more spirited, and even mentioning her tended to sweep people up emotionally.
“…Apologies, Captain. That’s not what we meant—”
“Enough.”
Thankfully, the scolding ended there.
But when Mikael stole a glance at Killian’s profile, his expression was… hard to describe. It wasn’t focused on anything in particular, more like a mixture of brooding and inner conflict. In fact, it reminded Mikael a little of his own expression earlier.
No. The Captain would never…
Mikael shook off the thought and quickly opened the door to the training ground.
To dare compare someone like the Captain—practically beyond human—to himself… it felt like blasphemy.
And to think he’d imagined Killian looked conflicted over a woman’s troubles? He must’ve lost it for a moment.
“Shall we go in? It’s been a while since you held a sword in peace. I’ve cleared the training ground, so…”
“Waaahhh!”
Before Mikael could even finish, children’s voices rang out loudly.
What’s going on?
Startled, he peeked outside, and a guard came running over, bowing hastily.
“…Ah, my apologies, Captain. We didn’t know you were coming… The kids from the center insisted on seeing the training grounds.”
“The kids?”
“Lady Agnes brought them. She thought it would be good for their emotional development to see the knights training.”
Sure enough, among the children stood the lovely figure of Lady Agnes.
It was natural for any man to want to indulge her, but that simply couldn’t happen with Killian present.
Mikael shook his head firmly.
“No. The Captain dislikes noisy places.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Go tell her it’s not a good time. I’ll make time later and arrange—”
“No need for that.”
“…Captain.”
Killian, who had been silent since the door opened, cut off Mikael’s words.
“It doesn’t bother me. Leave them be.”
“But still, I’ll remove the children right awa—”
“…Mikael.”
The calm voice that called his name held weight—each syllable pinning Mikael in place.
“I said it doesn’t bother me.”
