Chapter 05
Anastasia quietly watched Liam as he dressed in preparation for his appointment ceremony as commander.
Four years ago, he had suddenly joined the knight order as a child sponsored by Terry Romance.
He had been a boy who had lived without ever being treated like a human being. Because of that, Anastasia herself had taught him how to speak properly, how to read, and how to write.
It had only been four years, but she dared to say she had raised him like her own child.
Liam knew that. He was grateful.
But beyond gratitude, there was something else.
And that something was directed toward someone other than Anastasia.
“How did you manage to win him over?” she asked.
Anastasia’s wrinkled cheeks twitched slightly.
“To think that a stubborn grand mage would come all the way here just for you.”
“That’s not true.”
The reply came instantly. Anastasia raised one eyebrow in surprise.
“What do you mean, it’s not?”
“He’s not stubborn.”
Liam answered bluntly as he put on his coat.
Dressed in his formal uniform, Liam looked so neat and dignified that no one would ever imagine he had once been a filthy, animal-like boy four years ago.
Watching him, Anastasia let out a hollow laugh.
“Oh? Is he gentle with you?”
“Yeah.”
“A man who didn’t even come to see you once in four years?”
“He sent letters.”
“Only once.”
“He said he cared about me.”
Anastasia glanced toward where the messenger had been standing.
“So this is what ‘caring’ looks like?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re completely smitten with that count. Anyone would think he’s your god.”
Liam opened the door to the commander’s office, then suddenly stopped.
After a brief silence, he muttered just before stepping out:
“It’s… Count… sir.”
“Oh?”
“…You have to call him ‘Count-nim.’ Not just ‘Count.’”
Someone once said this:
If you lose your head over an object, throwing it away more or less solves the problem.
But if you lose your head over a person, even if that person disappears, the problem doesn’t go away. It only gets worse.
Anastasia thought,
‘That’s exactly his situation.’
The royal hall was decorated with flowers and banners.
On this meaningful day, when the Royal Knights’ Commander was changing for the first time in fifty years, countless people had gathered.
Since it was the day the leader of the nation’s defense force would be appointed, nobles of all kinds and approved knight-order affiliates filled the hall.
“Affiliates” mainly meant relatives of knights.
But Liam Hawthorne had no family.
Only one person—his sponsor, Terry Romance.
Thirty minutes before the ceremony.
Dante, who had been heading to his seat, stopped and approached Terry, who was seated in the place of honor.
“Was it two years ago when I last saw your face at a banquet like this?”
“This isn’t the same as a banquet, Your Highness. It’s a historic moment. The commander is changing after fifty years.”
“True. But you still don’t usually come, even to historic moments.”
“Did I? My memory is hazy.”
“Let me ask differently. Will you attend the event where I become Crown Prince?”
Terry replied flatly.
“Your Highness is the only son of His Majesty and blessed with outstanding ability. You’re already first in line for succession. Since it’s a foregone conclusion, why would you need me there?”
It was an extremely arrogant remark.
If it were any other noble, they would have been dragged away for saying something like that.
But…
Because it was Terry Romance, he was always forgiven.
He knew that too—that’s why he spoke like that.
Dante chuckled softly.
After all, this was Terry Romance. This was his usual attitude.
Still, Dante suddenly felt stubborn.
“Hey, Count.”
Tilting his head slightly, Dante curled his lips into a crooked smile.
“I’m not the one who’d regret it if we drift apart. You are.”
Only then did Terry look at him.
“Didn’t you say I was… the most ‘male-protagonist-like’ person in some survey? And that you wanted to learn romance from me?”
“…I did.”
“And you were the one acting like you couldn’t afford to lose me.”
“…That’s true.”
“Then shouldn’t you act more romantic?”
Thinking about it, he had a point.
Terry’s face became serious.
“…You’re right.”
That surprised Dante.
Normally, Terry would have said, “Why would I bother?” and ended the conversation.
It seemed that coming to see him last time about being ranked first as a ‘male lead’ hadn’t been a trivial matter.
Otherwise, Terry Romance wouldn’t change his attitude so suddenly.
‘…This is… kind of interesting.’
Dante rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“So what should I do at times like this?”
He was even asking for advice now.
After a brief silence, Dante spoke slowly.
“…Just say you’ll go.”
“Is that enough?”
“You won’t say it and then not show up, right?”
“No. I take responsibility for what I say.”
“That’s good, then.”
Dante let out a slow sigh.
“…And say you’re going because you want to see me.”
A subtle smile appeared on Terry’s lips.
“Sounds like Your Highness has said that to others before.”
Dante laughed.
“You mean I sound experienced at seducing people?”
“I’m not saying it’s bad. In fact, that’s exactly what I need.”
Terry replied calmly.
“I have a lot to learn from you from now on. Let’s do our best.”
“Learning is fine, but ‘do our best’? Us? At what?”
“Romance.”
Inside, Dante screamed.
Count, normal people call that dating.
Count, are you seriously telling me to ‘work hard at dating’ together?
But Terry had no way of knowing what Dante was thinking.
“Sir Liam is entering!”
The doors of the hall opened.
The appointment ceremony began.
The appointment ceremony of the Royal Knights’ Commander in the Kingdom of Feltra followed two procedures.
First, the former commander passed down his sword to the new commander.
Second, the king made the new commander recite an oath.
As the supreme rank overseeing all knight orders in every territory, the Royal Knights’ Commander was the highest military position in the nation. Even its simple procedures were accompanied by splendid rituals.
A military band stood along both sides of the long carpet, blowing trumpets.
In the solemn atmosphere, Liam Hawthorne walked across the hall under everyone’s gaze.
From a corner seat near the front, Terry—who had been suppressing a yawn—smiled with satisfaction as he watched him.
Is this how it feels to see a well-raised child succeed?
Even though he hadn’t seen him in four years.
And even though he wasn’t really the one who raised him.
Still, raising someone with money counts too, right?
“Bestow the sword upon Liam Hawthorne, Vice-Commander of the Royal Knights.”
The music stopped, and Anastasia’s heavy voice echoed through the hall.
Everyone held their breath and looked at the veteran who had served as commander for fifty years with admiration.
Everyone except Terry.
‘So Anastasia won’t be going on deployments anymore.’
Instead of admiration, Terry looked at her with regret.
‘I liked her character a lot.’
Even though he had never really spoken to her.
Receiving the gold-adorned sword, Liam moved with precise, respectful gestures—like a knight out of legend.
“I hereby pass on the honor I have upheld and the duties entrusted to me.”
Anastasia stepped back.
It was time for the king to appear.
There was nothing more to see now. All that remained was the short, boring, predictable oath.
“…Under the protection of the Goddess Bambia and the World Tree, I hereby proclaim you the new leader of the Hesron Order.”
Everyone in the hall stood up and applauded.
Terry joined in as well.
As he looked at Liam with pride, he suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
It feels like he’s looking at me.
…Am I imagining it?
