CHAPTER 84……………………………………………
But it was definitely a situation that warranted it.
The person who applied to be his partner was a noble ten years his senior.
“What about the following year, when someone applied for a partner at the tea party?”
“I threw my glove.”
It was because the other party insulted Laseil as a knight while making the proposal.
“And the year after that, when someone applied at the ball?”
“I threw my glove again… Does Laseil even still have gloves at this point?”
It suddenly became a mystery how he even managed to carry gloves around with all that.
“That’s not important right now.”
Verra, correcting the conversation that was about to drift off-topic, continued.
“Well, of course, nobody was really close friends with Laseil.”
But even those who could be called friends were politely rejected by Laseil. The only time he attended a ball without giving up his duty as Yuzire’s protector was when Irenes applied.
“Still don’t get it?”
“Now I understand.”
Thinking it over, it was clear that Laseil had feelings for Irenes. He just hadn’t realized it himself because he was too oblivious.
“So, when are they actually going to get together?”
It had already been years since the knights learned about Irenes’ one-sided crush. They had even split into factions supporting or opposing the relationship. Some even bet on when the two would finally start dating. Until now, the prevailing opinion was always, “They’ll probably get together ten years from now.”
“I wouldn’t know. But judging by what they do, it wouldn’t be strange if they were together.”
“Exactly.”
Both of them simultaneously thought back to the social gathering. Not just any ball, but a social event at Count Gielea’s estate. Upon hearing that, they seriously suspected a secret romance.
“Anyway, they’re both just too… Ah, now that I think of it, did we even introduce them?”
Verra muttered to herself, realizing the new knights were also at the duke’s estate. They were supposed to spend some time adapting before going down to the duchy for training.
“Laseil probably doesn’t know yet.”
These were the knights who had arrived after Laseil went down to the estate. Naturally, they wouldn’t know much about Laseil or Yuzire.
“Well… they’re not bad kids, so running into them shouldn’t cause any problems.”
Ajen replied absentmindedly, the kind of face that had remembered his own romantic history while talking about someone else’s.
“More importantly, when will I ever confess?”
“Give up. From what I see, this life’s over for you.”
Verra gave her heartfelt advice—it seemed hopeless, especially with talk of Miren’s wedding circulating.
“You can’t exactly aim for after a divorce, can you?”
That was sheer madness. Verra swallowed her words quietly and smiled faintly at Ajen.
“Well, still, I support you!”
“That’s not comforting at all!”
- ＊＊
‘Was there always someone like this in the knights?’
Laseil stopped in his tracks as he tried to enter the duke’s estate after finishing his meal. From the garden, he heard two unfamiliar voices conversing.
‘New knights?’
They might be knights chosen after Laseil went down to the estate. He would probably be in charge of training them once he returned.
‘Should I greet them in advance?’
As he moved closer with that thought, Laseil suddenly stopped. The conversation was taking a troubling turn.
“…Honestly, isn’t Miss Valeria much better than the current young duchess?”
“Ah, really! That’s exactly what I wanted to say.”
‘Sometimes there are knights like this.’
Knights who questioned Yuzire’s legitimacy. He had heard it got worse after Valeria’s abilities as a spirit wielder manifested. Since Yuzire was down at the estate, they wouldn’t meet her directly, making their doubts even bolder.
“A spirit wielder has far more legitimacy, right?”
“Exactly. She only got it because she’s older, didn’t she?”
“I really hope Miss Valeria becomes the head of the house.”
“Honestly, no one even knows how that woman became the young duchess…”
Hearing this, Laseil could no longer stay idle. He lightly made his presence known and approached the knights.
“What’s your name?”
The two knights, who had been chattering just moments ago, fell silent as if by mutual agreement. Laseil didn’t wait long for an answer.
“I asked your name.”
His tone carried a slight edge from losing patience. Laseil quickly restrained his aura, but the knights’ faces had already gone pale.
“Me… Marian!”
“Kesiah.”
“Do you know what you just said?”
Marian and Kesiah exchanged glances, trying to figure out how to get out of the situation quickly. They seemed eager to brush it off lightly.
“It was just a joke…”
“Who exactly are you?”
Kesiah replied without hiding her displeasure, in contrast to Marian, who kept anxiously watching Laseil.
“You’re a stranger. Why are you in the duke’s estate?”
“Ke… Kesiah!”
Marian tried to intervene urgently, but Kesiah remained unmoved, holding her head high as if confident.
“Shouldn’t introductions come first?”
“…Laseil Jaen, commander of the Lusean Duke’s knights.”
Laseil gave a brief introduction. Upon hearing the name, Kesiah flinched slightly.
“How can anyone believe that…”
It seemed like the type who worsens situations in an attempt to evade them. She asked the question even knowing Laseil had no reason to lie.
“If you won’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.”
With a long sigh, Laseil drew a dagger from his chest. As he gripped the hilt, his aura flared briefly before vanishing.
“Is this enough?”
Kesiah’s expression now showed defeat. She would know there was only one female knight capable of wielding aura—and now she finally understood who stood before her.
“I apologize if I offended you, but I don’t think I said anything wrong?”
“You don’t think you said anything wrong?”
Her stubbornness only piqued Laseil’s curiosity.
‘Does she even have a reason to believe what she’s saying?’
He couldn’t understand why she spoke with such confidence. Perhaps she overestimated her own abilities.
“Yes, it’s true that a spirit wielder has legitimacy…”
It wasn’t worth listening to any further.
“Do you intend to disobey the duke’s command?”
Laseil cut her off. Marian, standing next to her, was startled in Kesiah’s place.
“No, of course not!”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
Kesiah only replied this way. Whether feigned ignorance or genuine, it wasn’t a good answer.
“The duke has chosen Miss Yuzire as his successor.”
Laseil continued, restraining a sigh.
“How is that different from saying you’ll disobey the decision?”
Kesiah remained silent. Her expression suggested she wanted to object but had the sense not to interrupt. Just as Laseil thought that was fortunate, Kesiah spoke.
“Isn’t it also a knight’s duty to prevent the person they serve from going astray?”
“……”
“That’s how I was taught.”
Kesiah seemed to interpret Laseil’s silence differently. Laseil sighed internally and spoke again.
“By your logic… are you saying we should discard someone trained as the successor for half their life and create a new successor?”
“That’s not exactly what I meant…”
“Are you saying to throw away the foundation built for the next duke and start from scratch?”
“……”
“And one more thing.”
This was what Laseil had wanted to say all along.
“A knight is a sword. Since when does a sword need an opinion?”
It was, of course, possible for a knight to ensure their master didn’t go astray. But it wasn’t required.
“The duke’s judgment is your judgment. Isn’t that how you were taught?”
“……”
“You don’t look happy about that.”
It had been a while since Laseil faced someone this stubborn. He was starting to wonder about her skill as well.
“Shall we duel? To see if you’re strong enough to take responsibility for that opinion.”
