CHAPTER 18……..
The Pleasure of Watching a Fire Across the River
Mikrok and William were rinsing the blood of demons off themselves under the waterfall when they overheard brothers Ralph and Freddy bickering nearby.
“What’s with the scarf? You didn’t have it earlier. Don’t tell me Mother gave it to you alone?”
“This isn’t from family.”
“Then who???”
“I got it from a Lady of Harron.”
The moment the words Lady of Harron came out of Ralph’s mouth, fire flared in Mikrok’s eyes.
The Lady of Harron—wasn’t that Lea?! Lea gave Ralph a scarf? When?? Why??
Mikrok’s mind raced through the possibilities.
Could it have been after the wedding night? No, impossible. Then maybe when Lea rode the carriage to Fritan?
He tilted his head, then suddenly recalled something.
That’s it. I left Lea’s side to plaster the Queen’s Palace with heating magic stones. It must’ve been then. Damn it, I should’ve stayed by her side at all times!
While Mikrok’s head spun with misunderstandings, suspicions, and self-blame, William’s eyes also sparked with fire.
Of course, the Lady of Harron he imagined wasn’t Lea—but Millie.
I was the one who told Millie about women gifting scarves to knights for good luck. And now she gave Ralph a scarf??
As William trembled with betrayal, Mikrok, blinded by jealousy, lunged like lightning, grabbed Ralph by the scruff of the neck, and shoved his face underwater. William quickly hooked Ralph’s legs, toppling his balance.
Suddenly Ralph found himself ambushed by both of his superiors, flailing in the water.
Freddy, who’d always looked at Ralph with disapproval, was dumbfounded by his superiors’ violent outburst. After hesitating, he hurriedly pulled his drowning brother out.
Why are they after Ralph?? He’s my punching bag, not theirs!
Even as Ralph coughed up half the river, Mikrok and William glared at him fiercely.
“Cough, cough!!! Your Highness Mikrok, Commander William!! What in the world—??”
“When did the Lady of Harron give you that scarf?”
“Huh? Earlier, Her Majesty the Queen—”
Ralph faltered, but Mikrok’s murderous glare made him step back in fright.
Startled, Freddy moved to shield Ralph with his own body.
“…When Her Majesty gave His Highness Mikrok a scarf, her maid Millie handed me one.”
As Ralph cautiously confessed, the murderous gleam in Mikrok’s eyes quickly faded.
But now William’s killing intent turned full force on Ralph.
“Why are you two attacking Ralph like this?”
Freddy, who had been silently watching, finally burst out with dissatisfaction.
Honestly, he was already pissed that even Ralph got a scarf while he didn’t—so why were these two making such a fuss?
“Are you sure it was Millie?”
William ground his teeth as he pressed again.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
Ralph answered politely but firmly.
“What did she say when she gave it?”
“She asked if it was true that a lady’s scarf symbolizes luck for a knight. Then, noticing my spear was bare, she said if I didn’t mind, she’d like me to take hers. I refused at first, saying it’s usually something given by family or a lover, but…”
“But then?”
Mikrok, who had been glaring like he’d kill Ralph, now leaned in like an eager spectator.
“She said since I didn’t have a lover right now, I should just take hers anyway. That I had nothing to lose.”
Craaaack!!
The sound of William grinding his teeth was so loud, it seemed his molars might shatter.
“She insisted so much, I thought refusing would be unchivalrous… so I gratefully accepted it.”
“Hmph!”
William snorted as if he’d smash the rocks, then turned away.
“Chivalry, my ass.”
Even Ralph heard the muttered words. Bowing respectfully, he allowed the corner of his lips to twitch upward.
What he told them was the truth—yet not the whole truth.
“Sir William must be very busy, I suppose?”
In fact, the person Millie had been searching for, glancing around nervously, was William.
While Mikrok was distracted by Lea, William had been rushing about alone, making last checks here and there.
“Well, for a perfect knight like Sir William, I guess a scarf isn’t necessary…”
That little murmur of Millie’s, Ralph had not repeated. Nor did he mention how he had purposely dropped his empty spear by her feet.
After Mikrok smirked and followed after William to tease him, Ralph slowly raised his head.
He saw William’s back as he stormed out of the water, splashing heavily.
“I’m sorry, Commander. But I’m still at a disadvantage.”
Murmuring to himself, Ralph was joined by Freddy.
“Sorry for what? Just hurry up and get promoted to Commander yourself. Honestly, serving these lords’ whims is exhausting!”
Unaware of the truth, Freddy patted his brother’s shoulder in sympathy.
Meanwhile, Mikrok, chasing after William, wasn’t about to miss the perfect chance to tease him.
So this is the joy of watching a fire across the river!!
“Since when, huh? Don’t tell me it was back when you carried Millie while chasing me? You said your heart dried up from failing to guard my side—turns out you already handed your heart over to Millie.”
William shot him such a fierce glare that even Mikrok, usually oblivious to others’ moods, froze.
“I’m the one who overlooked your sneaking Bibi away. I’m the one who watched your back nonstop for two days on Bibi’s back. I’m the one who gave her heating stones in case she was cold. I’m the one who told her the meaning of the scarf!!”
“You even gave her heating stones? Oh ho, you’re in deep~.”
Mikrok laughed, spinning in amusement—then suddenly went dead serious.
“Wait. Will… you didn’t steal the stones meant for the Queen’s Palace, did you?”
“I bought them with my own carefully saved wages!!”
William ground his teeth in fury.
“And then she gives the scarf to Ralph?? Doesn’t loyalty mean anything to people anymore!!”
“All right, Will. If I ever give anyone a scarf, I’ll make sure it’s you.”
William glared at Mikrok with eyes full of resentment, then turned sharply and stormed off.
It was the first time William broke his vow—made at his entry into the Order—that he would never leave Mikrok’s side, not even for a moment.
Lol the ml is funny