Chapter 84
‘Well… maybe it’s easier for them since I’m a woman?’
Not everyone was like that, of course, but there were always men who looked down on female knights.
Even in Roun, things only got better because of Liana’s presence. Before that, such subtle contempt was everywhere.
“You’re all very diligent. There’s still some time left before the appointed hour.”
“I saw some people came just to watch. I heard all the knight orders ended training early today.”
“…Why, though.”
“Considering this is the only scheduled event today, maybe they wanted to watch. Plus, each order probably has at least one applicant here.”
At Ail’s cheeky remark, Liana’s brows knit slightly.
To an outsider, it might look like she was displeased, but her guards knew well—Liana only did that when she felt embarrassed or awkward.
“…This is really burdensome.”
As expected, her reluctant reply made the guards burst out laughing.
Through the Bellrum Knights, with whom they had grown quite friendly, the guards had heard plenty of stories about Liana’s reputation. That alone was more than enough to explain the crowd gathered today.
The only one who didn’t understand and simply found the situation suffocating was Liana herself.
“Your Highness.”
Just then, a light but steady baritone called out.
“Sir Rabiel.”
Turning her head, she saw Kion Rabiel dressed in his deep crimson uniform.
At the sound of the familiar name, Leon—who had been resting in Liana’s arms, ignoring the noise around—cracked one eye open.
When his gaze met Leon’s, Kion’s eyes widened, then immediately melted into softness.
“…Heavens. You’re really so small.”
His expression, unmistakably brimming with delight, made it obvious. As Kion tried to quietly step closer to Leon—
Grrrr—
Leon, who normally didn’t care no matter who approached while he was in Liana’s arms, bared his teeth at Kion.
“…Leon, what’s wrong?”
Startled, Liana looked back and forth between the two, but Kion’s expression simply said, as expected.
Judging by his lack of surprise, it wasn’t the first time Leon had rejected him.
“…Ahem. Sir Leon just happens to be especially shy around me, that’s all.”
Leon stared at him for a moment, then let out a low growl that sounded very much like a sigh before burying his face deep into Liana’s arms.
What remained was Kion, his excuse denied, his eyes drooping pitifully, and Liana, caught in an awkward smile, unsure of what to say.
“Mm… Leon didn’t sleep well last night, so he’s sensitive. Don’t mind it too much, Sir Rabiel.”
“Haha… Thank you for the consolation, Your Highness.”
Still, Kion’s face stayed gloomy, his gaze clinging desperately to Leon.
It was almost like…
‘…Like watching a girl pining in a one-sided love.’
The desperate longing in Kion’s eyes made Liana feel a little sorry for him.
She remembered hearing once that he really loved animals.
“Sir Rabiel, do you… do you like animals?”
Liana stumbled slightly over her words, still not used to speaking in casual tone with him. Kion nodded eagerly.
“I may not look it, but I’m quite the animal lover. The problem is… animals hate me. Not just Sir Leon here—stray dogs, cats, even horses! I’ve worked so hard just to get my own steed used to me… but I honestly have no idea why.”
Clearly bottled-up, Kion spoke with a pitiful expression, pouring out his frustrations.
He looked so dejected that Liana couldn’t help but rack her brain for ideas. Her guards, who had grown rather close to Kion as well, joined in the brainstorming.
“Hmm… maybe you’ve just got one of those faces animals don’t like?”
“What? No way. Animals can see too, you know. Surely they recognize good looks. Even kids fall for this face.”
“Right. If looks were the problem, it’d be worse for Commander Rabiel than for you.”
“Hey! You’re supposed to take your comrade’s side!”
“I’m just being objective.”
…Not exactly helpful.
“Hmm… do you wear perfume or anything?”
“Perfume? No, never.”
Of course. A man serving right beside the emperor, practically the captain of his personal guard, couldn’t possibly use perfume.
Knights trained for protection learned first and foremost how to erase their presence. No one could predict what situation might arise.
That’s why bodyguards didn’t use perfumes or scented pouches.
Some ignored that rule, but the Emperor’s personal guard? Never.
“…Or maybe you’re using a special kind of soap? Animals have sharp noses—sometimes even little things like that can trigger them.”
“Ah!”
At Liana’s words, Kion blinked, then exclaimed.
“Now that you mention it, I’ve been using the same one since childhood. I should try changing it!”
“Mm, right.”
It wasn’t much of a suggestion, but Kion already acted as though the problem had been solved. Liana couldn’t help but chuckle softly at his eagerness.
Even after all that talking, there were still ten minutes left before the time she had told the applicants to gather.
“…Haa.”
Taking a deep breath, Liana began preparing herself to step forward.
Around the same time.
“Your Majesty… please, focus a little.”
At Vernian’s plea, Ianheart, lounging lazily in his chair, raised an eyebrow.
“I am focusing.”
“…”
That shameless answer left Vernian speechless.
Really? Did he realize he had been staring at the same document for twenty minutes, practically lying down?
And glancing at the window once every second? At this rate, why not just abandon his paperwork and go to the princess?
The urge to point that out nearly burst out of him, but Vernian wasn’t foolish enough to waste his breath on the impossible.
No matter how much he disguised it as “advice,” Ianheart would never budge.
Besides, Ianheart had already taken care of the most urgent documents first. Pushing him any further would only earn a glare dripping with annoyance.
“…Sigh.”
Finally, Vernian dropped the papers in defeat.
But Ianheart’s gaze stayed fixed firmly out the window.
The time had come.
As Liana slowly stepped onto the prepared platform, the entire hall fell silent. Uncomfortably silent.
‘…That’s Her Highness, the First Princess.’
‘Phew, I have to get accepted today.’
‘If I make it into her guard, even those high-ranking knights won’t dare look down on me again…!’
Each person’s thoughts whirled as their eyes turned toward Liana, waiting for her to speak.
Liana calmly swept her gaze over them before beginning.
“First, I must thank you all for gathering here today.”
Her clear, ringing voice spread with confidence.
“As you all know, I am Liana Robellin. Each of you here has applied to stand by my side, and I am deeply grateful for that.”
She began with gratitude—for whatever reason, they had all chosen to step forward and apply for her personal guard.
Liana cherished people, and if they became her people, she cherished them like family.
“…”
Then, her expression softened into a smile as she tapped the platform lightly with her foot.
“But I imagine you don’t like long speeches, so I’ll keep it short.”
Her tone, far friendlier now, left the knights—who had been stiff with nervous tension—staring blankly in surprise.
“Ail, Kail.”
Ignoring their dazed looks, Liana called Ail and Kail forward.
Having already been told why, they stepped up—one to her left, one to her right.
With them in place, Liana spoke again.
“When I choose my knights, I judge solely by skill. Rank, age, gender—I do not care for any of that.”
At her words, some faces darkened, while others brightened with hope.
The former were those who had gained positions through connections or family power, not merit.
The latter were those who had suffered quietly under bias for their birth, age, or gender.
In truth, the most impartial order in the Empire was the Emperor’s personal Bellrum Knights—whose ranks spanned nobles to former slaves.
But all its members had been scouted one by one by Ianheart himself. For ordinary imperial knights, joining Bellrum was impossible.
Now, however, the soon-to-be Empress was forming her own guard. It was an opportunity in many ways.
Some saw it as a chance for social ascent, others as hope—since, like the Bellrum, she clearly cared nothing for background.
“Now then, let me explain the method.”
At Liana’s words, the gathered knights swallowed hard. Her clear voice rang out once more.
