Chapter 39
“Why? Did you have some kind of conflict with my eldest brother?”
“No, milady. It’s only because I am lacking.”
“What are you lacking in?”
“I wished to devote myself more to the sword, so I asked the young master for leave.”
“You mean you resigned as his knight?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you become my knight?”
“…Pardon?”
“In just one month your skills improved that much?”
Velia blinked her large eyes at him.
“It’s because… I wanted to protect you, my lady.”
“So you’ve lost your loyalty to my brother?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Knights swear their loyalty, don’t they? You must have sworn to him just as you swore to me. Yet you broke that vow and applied to serve as my knight instead?”
“Ah, that is—”
“Even if my brother gave his permission, doesn’t it seem shameless for a knight to speak with two tongues?”
Even when Velia’s words poked at his pride, Tov’s expression did not change.
“Perhaps the chivalry you follow is a little different from the one I know,” Velia said as she handed him her empty glass.
“Can a knight who betrays his master still be called a knight?”
“If you find me lacking, I apologize.”
“Ah! Or maybe your master just wasn’t worth serving?”
“…What?”
“My brother might not have been such a good master after all, was he?”
At Tov’s flinch, Velia pressed on with deliberate cruelty.
“Well, a master is only as good as he is. How hard must it have been for you to resign, hm? My brother is difficult, isn’t he? Harsh and demanding? So in the end, was it a bad-tempered master and a fickle knight who broke their oath together?”
For the first time, Tov’s face hardened completely.
Velia smiled slyly at the sight.
“I’m teasing! Did that offend you?”
“No, my lady.”
He quickly returned to his blank expression. Velia downed the last of her grape juice, eyeing him over the rim of her glass.
“I was being mischievous. I trust you, Tov. You became my knight because you fought and won fairly, didn’t you? That alone proves your honor as a knight. Isn’t that right?”
“…Yes, my lady.”
“Good. Then will you take this glass back? Soo is away from her post right now.”
Tov hesitated briefly at the empty glass.
“My lady… but a knight must remain by your side at all times—”
“Every minute and second? It’s fine. We’re inside the estate, we’ll soon return to the capital, and nothing has happened so far. I’ll make sure you’re always with me when I go out.”
“…Understood.”
Tov took the glass and stepped out.
Click— The door shut, leaving the study in silence.
“What’s his real reason for coming to my side?”
Velia thought back to Tov’s hardened face and smiled faintly.
“Still, maybe this is good. My brother doesn’t know I already know Tov.”
She wondered with curiosity just what kind of ratlike scheming hid behind that cold, expressionless mask.
Under the brilliant light of the chandeliers, the banquet hall was full of people.
“Marquis, it’s been a while.”
“Duke Habil! Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”
“How could I not? I hear your daughter has done much for this. You must be proud to have such a clever girl.”
“Not at all.”
The marquis shook his head with a smile.
“Velia, was it? The things made from that textile—my daughter came home from a tea party insisting she must attend this banquet today. And my wife, well, she can’t stop talking about that golden building in town.”
“I’ll do my best to meet expectations.”
The duke and marquis shared a hearty laugh.
Beside the marquis, Soph was occupied with greeting the flood of guests entering the hall.
Not far from them, Velia too was busy receiving girls her own age, her every gesture graceful and polite.
“Velia!”
Her face lit up instantly at the familiar call.
“Somb!”
“It’s been too long!”
With her cotton-candy-pink hair bouncing, Somb ran quickly to Velia.
“Hard to see you these days with all your dates.”
“Hey, it’s thanks to you that I’ve been so busy.”
Somb winked, and Velia laughed brightly.
“You look gorgeous today, by the way.”
“Do I?”
The white dress Henri had worked so hard on matched Velia’s dark hair beautifully. White could easily seem like a wedding gown, but Henri’s signature embroidery and careful pleating turned it into something youthful and lively, fitting her age.
“Even with all the ‘dress of the year’ debuts around here, no one can beat the original. Ta-da! I’m wearing mine too.”
Somb grinned, showing off her bare shoulders.
“It looks wonderful on you.”
“Not as much as on you.”
Glancing behind her, Somb’s smile softened.
“Polin came with you?”
“Ah… yes.”
Her blushing cheeks made her look happier than Velia had ever seen her.
“So you’re officially public now?”
“Yes. Though… it caused some complications with the family. I’ll tell you the details later when we have time.”
“Why? Was it your parents?”
Somb wrinkled her nose.
“As much as I love them, they’re greedy. He is a duke’s son, after all.”
She gave a wry smile and shook her head.
“What can I do? I’ll try to handle it as best I can. Anyway—what’s this about introducing me to Lady Doltan?”
“Oh, I’ll explain when she arrives.”
Velia leaned closer and whispered, “I’ve actually gotten close with her.”
“What? Really?”
“Really. But for now, go enjoy the banquet with your beau.”
Velia winked and turned her eyes back to the stream of arriving guests.
“Alright,” Somb said, still surprised, before slipping away.
“Velia.”
“Ah! You startled me—Brother?”
About to greet the next group of guests, Velia flinched at the sight of Bedol.
“What’s with that suit?”
“Ahem. How do I look?”
His face was flushed as he fiddled with the bow tie embroidered with the same pattern as Velia’s dress.
Normally, Bedol either wore his knight’s uniform or a plain black suit, so much so that Soph had once despaired of his taste.
But tonight, head to toe, he was immaculately dressed. Velia clasped her hands together in delight.
“You look amazing! What’s gotten into you? You usually show up at banquets looking like you’re headed to a funeral.”
She circled him in admiration, making him puff out his chest smugly.
“Ahem. You said you ordered it, didn’t you?”
“Oh—this is the one?”
Velia remembered how she had volunteered to handle his attire after seeing Soph struggle, leaving Henri to do the actual work. Henri must have suffered to match Bedol’s picky tastes.
“Well, since you insisted this banquet was important, I put in the effort.”
Velia stifled her laughter at his proud air and gave him a thumbs-up.
“Thank you. It suits you perfectly. Even the embroidery matches my dress.”
She pointed to the same pattern stitched into his lapel.
“So it does. Only I could pull off—”
“Lady Velia!”
Bedol’s words were cut off.
Velia turned.
“Oh, Lady Saroni!”
“You look stunning tonight! And this hall—it’s gorgeous!”
As lively as ever, Lady Saroni swept her into a hug.
“I’m glad you like it! Thank you for coming.”
“Of course! Ah—Lord Bedol, it’s been a while!”
“Yes… it has.”
His face was expressionless again, though moments before he’d been smiling.
“Your suit is unusual. It suits you well.”
Her cheer was undimmed despite his curt reply.
“My lady, the marquis requests you…”
“I understand, I’ll go.”
At Soo’s whisper, Velia nodded.
“Lady Saroni, I must attend to something. Please enjoy yourself. Brother, look after her for me.”
“Me? Why?”
“Take care, Velia. I’ll be with Lord Bedol.”
Their simultaneous answers made Velia chuckle as she walked away.
Clink, clink—
The marquis tapped his wineglass, drawing the room’s attention. With a genial smile, he raised his glass high.
“I’d like to take this moment to thank His Majesty the Emperor for granting us this fine occasion.”
All eyes in the hall turned toward him.
At his signal, the doors opened, and servants wheeled in the eight products they had prepared for this day, all crafted from Bea’s textiles.
The crowd murmured in awe as the marquis glanced at Velia.
With practiced poise, Velia stepped to his side.
“I am Velia Arpedi,” she said with a graceful bow.
