Chapter 61
[Quest! Check the condition of Clayton de Lebois, the Duke.]
▼Reward: None
Failure Penalty: 50 kg weight on the right hand
The reason I had to come to the training grounds was this quest.
The Emperor had mentioned before that it would be wise to keep an eye on those who were building up merit through military achievements—people who would rise in rank—and to recruit them once I became Crown Princess.
My sister and I were already imperial princesses, so we each had our own knight orders. Once I became Crown Princess, I would be granted command over the imperial army.
So, it was important to see the knights’ abilities beforehand.
That was why the position of Crown Princess had been vacant while Princess Gracie was mentally unstable.
If the Emperor had chosen my sister as Crown Princess, she could easily have been poisoned or disposed of.
Of course, that was the main political reason, but the Emperor’s attitude toward me went beyond sincerity—he would practically lay down his life for me. So, I was fairly sure his reasoning was more emotional than political.
One thing was certain—anyone the Emperor assigned to me came with guaranteed loyalty.
I trusted Adrian because I knew he couldn’t betray me. And even if something went wrong, he would always clean up after me.
Becoming Emperor and dethroning my sister were the two biggest hurdles. Neither would be easy.
“Does Sir Francis train over there too?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Come to think of it, Sir Francis, you’re always around when I’m awake. Do you take shifts while I sleep?”
“For the most part, yes.”
My body was starting to recover. I had just been set down from being carried on his back when dizziness suddenly hit me and my stomach churned.
“Your Highness!”
“Ugh… dizzy.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes. Ander Vills, my aide.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Francis steadied me so I wouldn’t fall, and once I regained my balance, I turned my attention back to the knights on the field.
Clayton really was here. I could see him in the distance giving instructions and demonstrating something to the other knights—probably about tomorrow’s victory celebration ceremony. Why he insisted on doing it himself instead of delegating, I didn’t know.
“There are four people being promoted tomorrow, correct?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Gather some background information on them.”
“It’s already done. His Majesty has arranged a private tea meeting within the week so that Your Highness may meet them personally.”
“How many of them belong to the noble faction?”
“One. But he can be converted to the Emperor’s faction—he’s an illegitimate child.”
As expected, the Emperor was thorough.
“So it really was a ‘fight to the death’ kind of war, huh.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The war against Enchelos had been fierce. The Emperor’s faction fought desperately for survival, while the noble faction didn’t have as much at stake.
Back then, the Empress’s influence had been overwhelming.
Until her downfall, the Emperor’s faction had virtually no power.
While recalling that, I turned my eyes back to Clayton.
“What’s he doing?”
“Pardon?”
I squinted. Was that really the Clayton I knew? His expression had never been that harsh.
“If you make a mistake before His Majesty tomorrow, you’ll repay it with your life.”
“Yes, General!”
Clayton inspected the lines of knights, checking the angles of their raised swords. They were arranged so that the blades crossed in an “X” overhead and would part as someone walked through.
“Row B, number 34—the angle keeps shifting. Remove him.”
“Yes, General.”
“Replace E-12 with B-34.”
“Yes, General.”
“Row A, replace everyone. You can’t even lift a sword properly? You fought and won only to humiliate yourselves like this?”
His tone wasn’t loud, yet it carried a sharp, simmering anger.
“Pathetic.”
A subordinate leaned close to whisper something to him.
“Your Highness, the four standing behind Duke de Lebois are the ones who earned military merit.”
“Ah, I see.”
They stood stiffly, nervous, probably struggling not to tremble.
[Quest Complete! Reward: None]
“I’ve seen enough. Let’s go.”
I’d wanted to check on Clayton, but he seemed busy. A shame, but oh well.
Just as I was about to turn away—
“Gracie!”
A familiar voice. Getting closer.
“No way.”
“Gracie!”
Had the aide informed him I was here?
I’d come with only Francis and Ander Vills, and from his position he shouldn’t have been able to see me at all.
Curious, I turned—and there he was, the Clayton I knew.
“Gracie! You came to see me!”
Up close, I could see his split lip.
“What happened to you!”
“Huh? What? Come here, I’m gonna hug you!”
“What?”
He didn’t even wait for permission—just pulled me into his arms. After seeing him so stern moments ago, the sudden warmth felt almost alien.
“Hey, make that face again.”
“Which one?”
“The scary one you just had.”
“Uh… like this?”
He widened his eyes and mimicked the expression. Up close, it was almost unfair how handsome he looked.
“Why did it last only three seconds?”
“I can’t keep it up.”
“Do it again.”
“Okay.”
He tried again, but the fierce look melted away instantly, like ice cream in the summer sun.
“Again.”
“Okay.”
This time, it barely lasted two seconds. I realized I’d only ever seen his sharp side during our very first meeting—or maybe that time he gave Francis the four-leaf clover. Lately, I was so used to his smiling face that the serious version felt almost strange.
“I get to make a wish tomorrow.”
“I know. What’ll you wish for?”
“To marry you.”
“Don’t waste your wish on something impossible. Ask for the exclusive rights to the herbs from Enchelos instead.”
“What would I need that for? The Lebois Duchy is already rich.”
Without asking, he hugged me again. My waist ached a little, but I didn’t show it.
“You smell like that fox.”
“What? I just had lunch with Adrian.”
“Oh. Next time, eat with me instead.”
“Sure.”
Still fascinated, I tugged at the corners of his eyes with my fingers. Damn it—he really was too handsome. Even squinting, he still looked perfect.
“You like doing that, huh.”
“No. It’s annoying.”
“Why?”
Even when I scrunched up his face, he somehow looked cute.
“Don’t know.”
“Heh heh. Come to my office again today.”
“No. Father’s returning to the palace, and I need to see him. Besides, you’ve still got work left.”
“It’s not really mine. My aide can handle it! I just wanted to do it myself! I’ll hand it back to him!”
“Stop talking nonsense and finish your work. I’m leaving.”
Even when I pushed him away, he came running right back. I didn’t hate it. Part of me always worried he’d run off to my sister—but he never did. He always came back.
“Idiot.”
“Love me because I’m an idiot.”
“Moron.”
“Then adore me because I’m a moron.”
“Sea cucumber.”
“I got nothing for that one.”
I lifted his eyebrows again; he just smiled and let me. On impulse, I messed up his neatly combed hair, and he only laughed harder.
My chest felt tight.
Maybe I’d tried to keep my distance, hoping not to cross a line—but perhaps that line had already disappeared.
On the way to Francis’s office, I detoured toward my sister’s garden, half-expecting something entertaining to happen.
“Sir Francis.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Shall I carry you again?”
“Hahaha. Thanks—but that’s not why I called you.”
He answered quickly anyway, reading my tone too well. Still, I hated using a palanquin inside the palace.
“How do I look right now?”
“You look beautiful.”
“Don’t look at my face—my outfit. Is it neat? Proper? Dignified?”
“Very beautiful.”
He hadn’t even looked properly.
“I said the outfit!”
“Anything Your Highness wears looks beautiful.”
“Useless. Ander Vills?”
“Yes, Your Highness. May I speak freely?”
I nodded. He studied me from head to toe, frowned briefly, then relaxed again before meeting my eyes.
“You know where we’re going, right?”
“Yes, I have an idea.”
“Not dressed appropriately?”
“No, Your Highness. Just—”
“Just?”
“You should tie your hair up. It doesn’t match your outfit.”
At that, Francis removed his cravat and handed it to me so I could tie my hair into a simple knot. I turned to them.
“How about now?”
“Much better.”
Francis crouched down, and I comfortably wrapped my arms around his neck as he lifted me onto his back.
“To my sister’s garden.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Why are we going there, anyway?”
His question made me smile, and I tightened my hold around his neck. His back tensed slightly before he started walking again.
“What do I get if I tell you?”
“…I belong entirely to Your Highness. What else could I possibly offer?”
With the aide right there, I suddenly felt embarrassed and buried my face in his shoulder.
“I didn’t hear a thing,” the aide said flatly.
“Hahaha…”
“How about granting me a wish, then?”
“That sounds nice—a wish.”
The wind caught my hair, and I brushed it aside. It was so soft it made me smile, and Francis let out a quiet laugh of his own. I couldn’t help but tell him why.
“Because you’re cute.”
“We’re going to humiliate my sister today.”
