Chapter 30
It doesn’t matter anyway, since everything in the palace belongs to Nel.
Right, Marcella. Arthur might get a bit noisy, but we can keep someone like him quiet.
Tamarin yawned lazily as if it were nothing, and Phoenix nodded vigorously.
Marcella let out a deep sigh and stared again at the tree that had been left in such a terrible state. She had never felt so guilty toward a tree before.
Marcella looked at the tree quietly, then raised her hands and turned her back.
It’s not my fault that it ended up like this. It was His Majesty’s divine beast that did it. I did my best to stop it, so it’s not my problem.
Marcella ignored her conscience and carried the branches she had gathered toward the annex. At that, Tamarin and Phoenix followed her with soft, flapping footsteps.
When Marcella glanced down, Tamarin matched her pace at her feet, and Phoenix perched on Marcella’s shoulder as if it were natural.
“Phoenix and Tamarin… aren’t you the emperor’s divine beasts too?”
That’s right.
Then what did you think we were all this time?
“Then shouldn’t you be staying by His Majesty’s side? Why are both of you following me all the time?”
Why would we have to be by Nel’s side?
“Why?”
Tamarin didn’t understand Marcella, and Marcella couldn’t understand Tamarin.
Phoenix then spoke up.
It’s not a war. There’s nothing for us to do even if we’re by Nel’s side.
“Still, shouldn’t there be something to do? Like protecting His Majesty as divine beasts…?”
Marcella, you’re telling a funny story!
Phoenix laughed and glanced at Tamarin, and then they both rolled on the floor, clutching their stomachs with laughter.
“Why are you laughing at me so much? Did I say something wrong?”
Marcella felt a surge of indignation. She knew little about divine beasts, but she thought that usually, summoned creatures protected their summoner. That’s what she had read in books.
Hey, did that thing just make you out to be some weakling, Nel?
Tamarin said with a tone full of disbelief.
Marcella glared at him haughtily, then continued walking. Tamarin followed her.
If anyone in the Western Empire could even kill Nel, let them show themselves.
“I know His Majesty is strong.”
But?
“But His Majesty might be in danger sometimes.”
And yet?
“You’re worrying about what even that nagging Digory wouldn’t worry about, after rejecting all of His Majesty’s confessions yourself.”
Marcella is being kind, right?
Phoenix rubbed his head against Marcella’s cheek.
Of course, those words weren’t meant to imply that Nel Hyri was weak.
This one called you a weakling.
At Tamarin’s sudden words, Arthur, who was preparing tea, dropped his teaspoon while smiling.
He covered his mouth with both hands and looked at Marcella.
“No, that’s not true!”
Marcella started to sweat. How dare someone call the emperor a weakling?
Especially Nel Hyri, whose magic alone could take one’s breath away—there’s no way he could be weak!
“You really think I look like a weakling?”
“That’s not what I meant!”
Marcella denied it, but Nel nodded thoughtfully, as if pondering something.
“It’s been a long time since someone called me weak.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“Marcella, for you to see me like that… I, Arthur Digory, don’t know what to say to fit your immeasurable depth…”
Marcella clenched her fists. Her face flushed.
She glared at Tamarin in resentment. Tamarin let out a disgruntled ‘hng’ sound. He gestured toward Phoenix on Marcella’s shoulder.
I didn’t say anything wrong. She said yesterday that you should be protected, didn’t she?
Yeah, Marcella said that.
“You really think I look like someone who needs protection?”
“Marcella…!”
Nel asked if anyone needed to protect him, and she didn’t understand. Nel, you really underestimate…
Before Tamarin could say more, Marcella lunged and covered his mouth. Tamarin widened his eyes, staring at Marcella covering his mouth.
“You never said anything like that! I just don’t understand why you say no one needs to protect His Majesty.”
No other meaning. Weakling? If Nel Hyri is a weakling, then what am I? Dust to be blown away?
Nel watched Marcella, who pursed her lips in indignation.
Nel counted silently.
One, two, three, four, five.
After five, Nel slowly spoke.
“Marcella.”
Even when called, she didn’t flinch. She only frowned slightly, looking wary.
Though she looked cautious, Nel gathered his resolve.
“Even if you think me a weakling, I’m glad.”
This time, Nel felt proud. He had executed it properly without forgetting anything.
Marcella’s face turned even redder than before.
“I never thought that, Your Majesty!”
The emperor’s fourth failed confession.
Despite taking all of Martinez’s advice, she still ended up making her angry.
Nel blinked, staring at Marcella. What could be wrong this time?
“How could you think His Majesty is a weakling?”
Marcella’s angry voice suddenly softened. Tamarin snorted, laughing at Marcella.
Anyway, you’re worried about Nel. That’s what counts.
Because Marcella is kind.
Is this really just about being kind?
Even my older sister, Countess Morris, had knights to protect her. Yet this person is the emperor of the Western Empire.
Marcella had never seen him with even one personal guard. Is that normal?
“Ah, so it’s because Marcella is kind.”
Even though it felt abnormal, she accepted that as natural, that the divine beasts and his aides said there was no need to protect him.
“I’m not kind.”
Marcella didn’t like the truth of that.
Marcella, are you angry?
“No.”
Marcella denied it, but she knew that she was displeased. Being treated as abnormal for something obvious was frustrating.
“Marcella, I didn’t realize your devotion to His Majesty was so great. I must have lost my senses.”
Arthur laughed mockingly.
Marcella glared at him, and Arthur smiled as he slowly poured tea.
“Then how about this, Marcella?”
The steam from the tea hid Arthur Digory’s expression.
Why did he always heat the tea like this? Was it palace style or capital style? Either way, it was very different from the way they did it in Morris.
“If Marcella truly wishes to protect His Majesty, then you should become His Majesty’s personal knight.”
Marcella’s eyes widened at Arthur’s unexpected suggestion.
“You mean… to wear the golden royal crest?”
Arthur made a small ‘oh’ sound in his mind.
He expected her to be angry at such nonsense, but Marcella’s reaction was not what he anticipated.
Arthur smiled, placing the teacup in front of her.
“Of course, Marcella. A knight of His Majesty should wear the golden royal crest.”
Many people dreamed of the golden crest. Perhaps Marcella was one of them.
Arthur carefully chose his words to tempt her. Even with pretty shoes or dresses, Marcella had never reacted to bait like this.
If he missed this chance, he didn’t know how long he’d have to wait for the next bait. Arthur licked his lips slowly.
“His Majesty would be pleased if Marcella became His Majesty’s knight. Right?”
Arthur smiled at Nel, silently urging him: Go on, say yes, Your Majesty.
“Marcella, weren’t you a mage?”
Nel asked Marcella, unaware of Arthur’s gaze. Marcella, lost in thought, snapped out of it.
Arthur saw her expression hardening with expectation and quickly grabbed the bait with his hands.
But this time, Nel’s question confused even Arthur.
“Indeed? Then all the better. Knights who can wield both magic and sword are recognized for their abilities.”
“Sir Digory, aren’t you a mage?”
Marcella looked at Arthur with surprised eyes. He didn’t seem to constantly radiate mana like ordinary mages.
If he were a mage, Marcella would know, even as an inferior, but…
“Oh, I carry many magic stones and magic items, so people often say my aura is a bit confusing.”
Arthur is not a mage, Marcella. He’s just cheating with items.
He has no father, but plenty of items.
Tamarin and Phoenix giggled, and Arthur shot them a glance.
“Isn’t this a great opportunity, Marcella? You can wield magic and sword, and Tamarin and Phoenix follow you obediently.”
He almost let slip the existence of knights who had nearly died trying to protect Nel against the two divine beasts.
Arthur quickly changed his words and smiled.
