Chapter 66
“Next. Jeron. You have no surname. A commoner?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Your age? Is there a special reason you didn’t write it down?”
“No reason at all.”
At Jeron’s answer, the knight burst out laughing and tried to comfort him for no reason.
“Not knowing your age is no problem. No need to shrink back. I like your eyes—sharp. Your body’s solid too, looks like you’ll be quite useful. Let’s begin the admission test. First, we’ll check your basic fitness in the indoor training hall.”
Thus began the Imperial Knight Order’s entrance test.
The Jeron who had once slurred his words and couldn’t even roll his tongue properly when he first met Tia no longer existed.
Now there was only a full-grown young man, steady and firm.
He easily cleared the long-distance run, sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups, and all the other basic fitness tests. Then, Jeron headed toward the outdoor training ground for the next stage.
When he opened the door and stepped out, a sudden burst of light made him squint. After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes again.
Other young men waiting for their tests were all talking while staring in the same direction.
“See? I told you he’s no joke. Even his strength is on another level.”
“They say he’s Sir Brivan’s disciple. Makes sense.”
“Apparently he’s already fought in the interracial war in the Marchen territory. Honestly, I wonder why he even needs to take our admission test.”
“I just hope I don’t get paired with him in a sparring match. But wait—can a young lord even join the Imperial Knights? Doesn’t his family already have their own order?”
“Probably because he’s the Crown Princess’s escort. They’re supposed to be close, right?”
All the whispers pointed to a single person.
Jeron, listening quietly, turned his gaze to the one at the center of attention.
So it was that dazzling silver hair that had blinded him. Seeing in person the same silver locks that even Tia never stopped praising made his heart pound.
“Haa… what now. It’s time for sparring.”
Even Sir Brivan, who was supposed to judge impartially, seemed to think that there was no one here who could match him. He was struggling to find a sparring partner for Killian, who had just finished the obstacle-clearing test.
Ambition stirred inside Jeron.
He knew of Killian, but Killian did not know him. This might be his first and last chance to defeat him.
He knew it was ridiculous to even think this way—but he didn’t stop himself.
Though they stood equally close to Tia, unlike Killian, Jeron could only remain by her side from the shadows.
Even their hair colors were like light and shadow. His fists clenched unconsciously.
Step by step, Jeron entered the obstacle training field and picked up a sword. One by one, he cut down the stacked haystacks, the countless wooden dummies, the iron maces swinging from both sides, and the arrows flying at him.
“Oh! Look at that!”
“Who is that guy?”
“Never seen him before. Must’ve been a hidden powerhouse.”
As the murmurs grew louder, Killian, catching his breath for a moment, turned his gaze to Jeron. Their eyes met for the briefest instant.
My heart might burst… those eyes are so bright.
Jeron muttered inwardly as he swept back his black-dyed hair.
“Would you spar with me?”
The voice at his feet startled Jeron. Killian had approached without a trace, standing right in front of him.
“Young Lord, are you sure it’s not a problem to spar with a mere commoner like me?”
Though his tone was sharp, Killian answered with a smile so radiant even men might fall for it.
“I’m just a knight apprentice hoping to join the Imperial Order. No different at all from the knight before me.”
“I too am a knight apprentice.”
“Then we’re in the same position. No problem at all, is there?”
There was no escape.
Exhaling deeply, Jeron bowed politely.
“My name is Jeron. It’s an honor to meet the Young Lord of Marchen.”
He hadn’t wanted to say the name he’d heard countless times from Tia’s lips, but—
“Just Killian. A knight apprentice.”
The reply was so neat and guileless that Jeron felt embarrassed for his own petty spite.
“Shall we spar now?”
Jeron nodded.
Pleased to finally resume the interrupted test, Sir Brivan personally stepped in, patting both their shoulders in turn.
“Good. Do your best, both of you.”
As Jeron took his position opposite Killian, a stray thought crossed his mind.
Does Her Highness know the Young Lord is trying to join the Imperial Knights?
But before he could dwell on it, the surge of sword aura that shot through his spine snapped him back to reality.
“Whaaat?”
“It’s true. I even sparred against him during the test.”
“Killian?”
“Yes. I was shocked too.”
I was the one shocked!
Killian? Taking the Imperial Knights’ admission test?
But why? Why in the world?
“He never said a word to me! That brat didn’t even tell me he was back from the territory!”
“I thought as much, so I’m reporting it to you now, Your Highness.”
“Mm. Thanks, Jeron.”
I answered absentmindedly, a chilling thought flashing across my mind—something that must never, ever happen.
No. Surely not. It couldn’t be.
I squeezed my eyes shut, then steadied myself before asking Jeron:
“So how did the test go? Did you pass?”
“Of course. Isn’t that obvious?”
“No, not Killian—you.”
“M-me?!”
“Why not? Didn’t Thomas say you’re crazy strong? Did I mishear?”
“Ah, well… I think I did okay.”
Jeron scratched the back of his neck again and again, embarrassed.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you blush like that, Jeron. Hehe.”
When I teased him with a laugh, his face turned bright red.
“But Your Highness, is there something you wish me to do…?”
“Oh! Right! Yes. I need you to find out who Adele’s teacher is.”
“Lady Adelaide Lewendif, the Marquess’s daughter? Her teacher….”
“She’s supposedly training as a holy knight at the temple, but she’s been acting strange lately. My sweet lovely sunshine Adele is getting rougher by the day, like sandpaper! But she refuses to tell me who her teacher is.”
“And once we find out, what do you intend to do, Your Highness?”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
Cut their head off? Bury them alive in the mountains…?
Jeron muttered under his breath, counting possible “solutions” on his fingers.
“No! Absolutely not! Calm down, Jeron. I just want to know. I might give them a warning, sure, but I don’t mean to do anything drastic.”
“Understood.”
Jeron nodded, though he looked a little disappointed.
“I’ll look into it. It may take some time since I don’t have many people inside the temple.”
“That’s fine. Slowly is okay. More importantly…”
“Yes?”
When I lowered my voice, Jeron leaned forward instinctively, immediately catching on.
“I’ve already begun investigating that matter. Starting with whether any servants from back then are still alive.”
“Good. I trust you’ll handle it well.”
“Yes, Your Highness. And once my entry is confirmed, moving in and out of the palace will be easier. That’ll speed things up too.”
“Mm. When do they announce results?”
“From what I’ve heard, after all the tests are finished—maybe three or four days. So at least another week.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Any other orders?”
“No. You must be tired from the test today. Go rest. Eat lots of good food! Beef, Jeron. Eat beef. Got it?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will.”
“You’ve done well, Jeron.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
I waved lightly. Jeron vanished into the shadows as usual. At the same time, I was informed that Killian had arrived.
Good lord!
We’d almost run into each other before I could formally introduce them.
Before Adele and Killian, Jeron must appear only as my knight handpicked by the Imperial Order. The time wasn’t right yet.
I slapped my cheeks a couple of times to chase away the nerve-wracking thought, steadied my breathing, and greeted Killian as if nothing had happened.
“Killian, welcome.”
“Tia! Ah? But…”
“Hm? What?”
“No, nothing.”
Killian glanced suddenly at the window—the very one Jeron had slipped out through.
Something felt strange there, yet oddly familiar. Like… just like the presence he’d sensed earlier….
He strained his ears but heard nothing.
What was that?
Feigning calm, I asked him,
“So what brings you here, without notice?”
“Oh, just… I had some business.”
And then, brushing his bangs back, Killian looked so…
“Killian, aren’t you tired?”
“Hm? Me? Cough—why? Do I look tired?”
Startled, I quickly patted his back as he coughed.
“No, that’s not it….”
But seriously—his face is working overtime.
I muttered inwardly.
He supposedly just went through the knight admission test, but how does he look so fresh—without a speck of dust, without a drop of sweat? He doesn’t even smell!
This is unfair. He’s setting my fangirl heart on fire again.
If only I had a phone in this world, I’d have a hundred pictures saved in my gallery right now.
No, take it all. Take all my storage. Strip it bare, it’s yours!
My beloved. You’ve grown so well. So very well.
