Chapter 58
Leo climbed into the carriage, fuming.
How could someone trample on another’s goodwill so ruthlessly?
“I can’t believe I even brought it up with such sincerity.”
He couldn’t forget the commander’s loud laugh when he’d hesitantly brought up the topic before going home. It had taken him real courage to say it, swallowing his pride and embarrassment—yet to think the other party would be so reluctant? He had never imagined that.
“And now he says I should visit less often?”
Leo stomped his foot in irritation. Did that man think he went there because he enjoyed it? If he could just defeat him with the sword once, he’d never step foot there again.
“I’m not going. No way. Even if they beg me to come back, I won’t.”
It was infuriating. Absolutely disgusting. Leo swore to himself—over and over—that he’d never go near the Grand Duke’s residence again.
✧ ✧ ✧
“Master, Sir Bonaparte has come calling once again.”
“…Again?”
Lyle frowned at the butler. When he asked what the matter was this time, the butler shook his head—he didn’t know either.
Lyle sighed.
Leo and Elaina had something in common: neither listened to a word he said.
Thinking of Elaina before their marriage, Lyle lightly shook his head.
There was, however, one difference. With Elaina, his dealings had been purely for personal gain. But this time, his advice to Leo had been genuine—offered out of concern.
The House of Bonaparte was a noble family of the highest standing, and Leo had lived a life befitting it.
Lyle genuinely liked Leo. He could tell the man’s character the first time their swords clashed—he wasn’t the type to use tricks or shortcuts. His promotion to vice-captain at the young age of twenty hadn’t been merely due to his family name.
That was precisely why Lyle had refused Leo’s offer last time. Being close to Lyle wouldn’t do Leo any good.
“Let him in,” Lyle finally said.
Despite having stormed off the previous day with his pride wounded, Leo entered the study now with a triumphant smile.
“Did you not understand what I told you yesterday?”
“Oh, I understood perfectly,” Leo replied. “But the Commander asked me to deliver this.”
He pulled an envelope from his coat and handed it to Lyle, who opened it and examined the contents.
The imperial seal at the bottom was the first thing to catch his eye, and Lyle’s expression instantly hardened. Seeing that reaction, Leo couldn’t help but feel a surge of smug satisfaction.
“I wasn’t planning to go anywhere near your place again,” Leo said, shrugging. “But look at this—His Majesty’s decree came down. The Commander apparently brought it up with the Emperor after hearing what I said yesterday, so there wasn’t much I could do.”
Inside the imperial edict was a single line:
Leo Bonaparte is hereby granted leave.
“There aren’t any details,” Leo went on, “but I’m sure you don’t think the Vice-Captain would get time off for no reason.”
He then relayed the Commander’s message to Lyle.
“His Majesty has great expectations for the Grant Knights.”
Technically, it was the monster subjugation the Emperor was most interested in—but Leo didn’t bother clarifying that part.
When common soldiers returned alive from the battlefield and were granted knighthood, the noble circles erupted in outrage. They couldn’t stand to see “low-borns” swaggering around with titles.
Leo had already heard rumors of proposals to ban such “peasant knights” from joining knightly orders altogether. The Captain of the Royal Guard had told him, shaking his head in disbelief.
“To be frank, if the Grant Knights fail to subjugate the monsters, the Mabel Mountain Range will probably be abandoned for decades.”
Most aspiring knights simply wanted a fancy title. For younger sons who couldn’t inherit a title, knighthood was the next best thing.
There were many knightly orders in the Empire—but none had succeeded in purging the monsters of Mabel, precisely because of that mindset.
Aristocratic knights avoided danger.
So from the Empire’s perspective, if useful pieces like Lyle and his commoner knights could handle the long-standing nuisance, it was all to the good.
“Don’t misunderstand,” Leo said with a grin. “I’m only following His Majesty’s orders.”
His cheerful expression only deepened Lyle’s silence—and made it all the more satisfying for Leo.
✧ ✧ ✧
When Elaina heard that Leo had been temporarily appointed acting commander of the Grant Knights, she came out to watch.
Spotting her, Leo raised his voice.
“All right, fifty horizontal slashes—now!”
Groans erupted everywhere.
“Oh, come on, Captain!”
“The Grand Duchess is here! Let’s take a short break first!”
“You just stand there resting while making us work? That’s unfair!”
Their protests only made Leo laugh harder. Without turning around, he barked,
“Anyone who talks back—add fifty vertical slashes!”
Instant silence. Only the sound of swords cutting through the air and faint groans remained.
“How’s it going?” Elaina asked, as the once-empty training grounds now bustled with activity.
“Not bad,” Leo said, running a hand through his sweat-soaked hair as he accepted a water flask from her.
Having known him for years, Elaina could tell—he was thoroughly enjoying himself.
“They seem to respect you.”
“I showed them my skills the first day,” he said with a smirk. “They quickly tucked their tails and surrendered.”
He raised an eyebrow proudly.
“They’re better than I expected. With a bit of training, they’ll make an excellent order.”
Their swordsmanship was still rough, but their potential was high—especially Colin, who like Lyle wielded a bastard sword.
“He’s a sharp one,” Leo noted. “He became a squad leader in no time, and his command ability’s impressive.”
The Grant Knights were unique. Every member had served as a unit leader during the war, so their understanding of group combat was exceptional.
That was something most ordinary knights struggled with—those trained for individual duels had difficulty adapting to coordinated formations. But the Grant Knights had grasped it almost instantly. Their tactical instincts were remarkable.
“At this rate, we’ll be ready for the expedition in time,” Leo said.
One month remained. The date of the monster subjugation was fast approaching.
Monsters that thrived in darkness weakened as days grew longer and hotter.
Summer was coming—and Lyle’s plan to strike during that season made perfect sense.
“They’ll miss you when you go back,” Elaina said softly.
The twenty knights had grown close, more like family than comrades. It was a stark contrast to the Royal Guard, where formality ruled and personal bonds were rare.
Leo clicked his tongue.
“Those shameless rascals? I doubt I’ll miss a single one of them.”
Even as he said that, his eyes followed the trainees carefully, like a hawk making sure no one was slacking. Beneath the sharp gaze was undeniable warmth.
“And who said I’m going back?”
Elaina blinked. “Huh? You’re not returning to the Royal Guard after the subjugation?”
“That’s what Lyle said. You’d head back right after a month.”
Leo snorted.
“What nonsense. I’m seeing the subjugation through to the end.”
“What? You’re joining the expedition?”
“Not joining—leading. It’s my duty as acting commander.”
Elaina inhaled through her teeth.
“That’s… not exactly what Lyle said.”
“Ha! The Grand Duke’s opinion doesn’t matter much. His Majesty wants this expedition to succeed, so I’m sure he’ll approve my participation.”
With his foolproof plan to out-stubborn Lyle, Leo looked positively triumphant.
Elaina smiled at the sight of her obstinate childhood friend.
“What?”
“Oh, just remembering something,” she said, chuckling. “Do you recall Diane’s wedding?”
On their way back from the ceremony, she had joked that Lyle and Leo were more alike than they realized—and he’d vehemently denied it.
“See? I was right.”
“No way. That stubborn man and I have nothing in common.” Leo looked embarrassed, waving her off. “Anyway, you’d better head back now.”
He turned toward the knights and shouted, “Who said you could rest? Get up!”
“Captain, please! We’ve done all fifty swings already!”
“Still have energy to talk back? Guess that means we should increase the number!”
Groans and screams echoed across the training ground.
Elaina shook her head, suppressing her laughter.
Why did he refuse to admit that stubbornness was exactly what made them so alike?
