TSKSML 16

Chapter 16

Jayna had always thought she was just a little more athletic than others—but she hadn’t realized her swordsmanship was on this level.

Helene had been drawn by a strange sound and ended up at the dueling grounds behind the Count’s annex. That’s where she found Jayna, training every day.

If she had received formal instruction at the academy, she would’ve been even more exceptional. But even now, she possessed skills fit for a knight.

Jayna shouldn’t be a hunter—she should be a knight.

“A… A knight? What are you talking about…”
Jayna tried to brush it off awkwardly, but she couldn’t hide it.

Because, truthfully, her dream really was to become a knight.

When she was young, her father used to go off to war in shining armor and a helmet. He had looked so cool.

Jayna used to wear his oversized helmet and charge around the training yard like she owned the place.

After her father became disabled from a fall off his horse in battle, her worried mother had kept Jayna’s dream a secret. But Jayna had made a pinky promise with her father that she’d become an outstanding knight.

However, the imperial knights rarely accepted women, and as the daughter of a fallen count, she worried whether she could ever fit in with the conservative, closed-off Imperial Order.

Becoming an imperial knight had always felt like a far-off dream.

“You’ve probably heard, right? The Imperial Order is recruiting new knights this time.”

Jayna had heard. Whether at the plaza, city walls, or along the streets—every time she spotted a recruitment poster, she found herself staring at it for a long while.

Helene, who had been secretly tailing Jayna, knew this very well.

“I’ve already prepared the documents. All you have to do is pass the exam.”

Helene showed her the completed application packet.

Though Jayna hadn’t attended a knight academy, the documents claimed she had received private lessons from her father, a former knight commander. There was even a required letter of recommendation.

A six-page handwritten letter from Marchioness Lausen, the aunt of the current Imperial General.

As Jayna carefully examined the documents, she looked up with suspicion.

“What’s in this for you, Stepmother?”

Helene genuinely wanted Jayna to become an imperial knight. She wanted to help Jayna achieve her dream.

And she wanted Jayna to meet the perfect male lead.

Because the Imperial Knight Order was full of handsome male lead candidates.

Those same attractive knights would eventually form a group called the “Angel Guardians,” dedicated to protecting the saint, Angelina. Yes, the name was cringe.

Wouldn’t Jayna pair perfectly with the popular knight commander, Andre?

Andre had everything—looks, character, and family background.

His family had been knights for generations. On the land granted by a former emperor, they’d even discovered a diamond mine.

Andre had become incredibly wealthy but still pursued honor as a knight. Eventually, he would become the leader of the Angel Guardians and lay down his life for Angelina.

Helene felt a bit guilty for taking Andre away from Angelina, but honestly, Angelina had no shortage of male leads anyway.

And then there was Zighardt—currently the commander of the entire Herthen Empire.

If Jayna became a knight, it would create a new connection between Lilliana and the Grand Duke.

Helene had failed to become a member of the Sunlight Fellowship, and she hadn’t grown close to the Grand Duchess either. But this was another route to reach the Grand Duke.

If one door won’t open, just find another one.

That’s why Helene decided not to tell Jayna everything.

“Our family is ruined. Wouldn’t it be great if at least you could make some money? Just imagine how happy Lilliana and April would be if you got a job.”

Helene added.

Framing it as a financial issue would make it easier for Jayna to believe. And bringing up Lilliana and April would make it harder for Jayna to say no.

As Helene had predicted, Jayna pictured how happy Lilliana and April would be if she became a knight.

She couldn’t keep hunting forever while hiding her identity.

The butcher who bought her monster meat was already getting suspicious and annoying, always trying to figure out who she really was.

Jayna began reading the documents.

She still didn’t fully trust Helene, but the paperwork was flawless.

And above all, having a handwritten recommendation from Marchioness Lausen, the general’s aunt? That practically guaranteed she’d pass the initial screening.

“…I’ll give it a try.”

After much thought, Jayna finally said. She was still uneasy, but she couldn’t deny the temptation of becoming an imperial knight.

Helene felt relieved watching Jayna gather the documents.

Jayna would certainly become an excellent knight.

And Helene fully intended to find her the perfect male lead.

She grinned, imagining Jayna’s first meeting with Andre.

***

“…That’s weird.”

Andre suddenly felt an unbearable tickle in his ears.

“What? What’s wrong?”
Crown Prince Luihart asked.

“I don’t know. I think someone’s talking about me. My ears are itching like crazy.”

Andre rubbed his ear.

“Probably the knights gossiping about you again. You’re not actually going to dig in there, are you?”

“If you don’t like watching me clean my ears in my office, Your Highness, feel free to leave.”

Andre shot back at Luihart, who was lounging on his office sofa.

Who would believe this guy was the Crown Prince of the Empire?

Andre, despite being a longtime friend, clicked his tongue internally at how immature the prince still was.

“I told you… I’m a patient suffering from love. I need comfort!”

Luihart clutched a red velvet cushion dramatically.

He had been suffering from a severe case of love-sickness for three years now.

Three years ago, he’d been forced to study abroad at the prestigious Herbiant Academy.

He had thrown a tantrum about not wanting to go, but once there, he met Angelina—and fell instantly in love.

It had only been a month since he returned to the capital, Lefia, but he already missed Angelina so much it was driving him crazy.

After the death of his beloved empress, the Emperor had returned to his playboy ways, spending his days with dancers and entertainers. The Crown Prince, seemingly inheriting that trait, was now head over heels for Angelina and burning up with passion.

To make things worse, his rival for the throne—second in line—was now also his rival in love.

Zighardt, both his enemy and the person he admired most, was everything a man could want to be.

Not only was he absurdly handsome, but he had broad shoulders, charisma, and commanded the entire military of the Herthen Empire.

Luihart might be the Crown Prince, but in every other way, Zighardt seemed superior.

He’d never read one, but this felt exactly like a tragic romance novel to Luihart.

“Even I can admit that the Grand Duke is attractive…”

Andre, as expected, wasn’t helping.

Realizing this only now, Luihart sat up suddenly from the sofa trap he’d fallen into.

He was curious about what Andre had been so focused on.

Andre was reviewing the Imperial Knight Order’s applications.

One particular file caught Luihart’s eye.

“…A woman?”

He was surprised to see a woman’s face on one of the applications.

A beautiful woman with brown hair and green eyes, her features striking.

Sure, portraits often exaggerate, but if this was accurate, even he would’ve followed her out of curiosity.

Right now, he was obsessed with Angelina—but like his father, Luihart had a weakness for beautiful women.

It was rare for a woman to apply to the Imperial Knights, especially one around his own age. That piqued his interest even more.

Angelina disliked violence.

She didn’t even like being hit with a flower—literally.

“…It’s been a while since a female knight candidate applied. The entrance exam is this afternoon. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing her.”

Andre said as he tucked the application back into its envelope.

“I’m coming too.”

“…Excuse me? Your Highness wants to attend?”

Andre immediately made a face.

The entrance exam for the Imperial Knights was a serious responsibility.

He could already imagine the Crown Prince meddling and giving orders.

But no one could stop the pampered prince.

“What’s the problem with checking out my future soldiers?”

Luihart answered shamelessly, as usual.

Andre was annoyed, but he couldn’t think of a good enough excuse to stop him.

“The knight exam, huh. Normally I wouldn’t even care…”

Luihart gave a bitter smile.

If it could help him stop thinking about Angelina and Zighardt, he was willing to do anything.