Chapter 44
Rosalyn Diasante was a beauty with rose-red hair and light green eyes. Her slender waist and voluptuous breasts made her look sensual, and her upturned eyes and delicate nose revealed her intellectual side.
She arrived in Ajenka on the afternoon of May 19th, escorted by the magician Nicole Sietzton and twenty royal guard Knights. She was immediately led to the captain's office for a private meeting with Yuriene.
"It's been a while, Yuriene Your Highness."
"Don't call me Your Highness, Princess Diasante. My nationality is Ajenka, not Kirie."
"...I understand, Yuriene Knight. Do you remember me?"
"I saw you at your sister and brother's wedding, so I remember. I never thought we would meet again because of an engagement issue."
Yuriene leaned against the desk, arms crossed. His downward gaze was as cold as ice. He spoke with a clipped tone.
"This is the first I've heard that you're my fiancée. Did I even have a fiancée in the first place?"
"Not yet. But we'll be having an engagement ceremony soon, so it doesn't really matter."
"An engagement ceremony I haven't even heard of. How amusing."
"Surely a Telegram was sent?"
"Are you referring to the notification that arrived three days before you?"
"Yes, that one."
Rosalyn nodded nonchalantly and sat on the sofa as she pleased, as it seemed Yuriene wasn't going to offer her a seat. She glanced at Yuriene, rolling her eyes.
"So, will you refuse? You can't refuse, Knight. You know better than anyone what it means to refuse an engagement here."
"..."
Yuriene's brow furrowed slightly. Rosalyn crossed her legs as she sat on the sofa. She rested her chin on her hand and said,
"I thought Yuriene Your Highness, no, Yuriene Knight, would accept this calmly, but this is unexpected."
"Does the Princess have any complaints about this engagement?"
"Complaints? Yes, I do. But what can I do? It's the duty of someone born into nobility. This is a transaction disguised as a marriage. Still, I'm lucky that my partner in this transaction is you. There are so many young ladies who are lovesick for you."
Yuriene closed his eyes, looking weary. Rosalyn scanned his figure as he leaned against the desk. Even his tired face was captivatingly beautiful. She admired him as if he were a work of art. After waiting for a moment, she quietly asked,
"So, what will you do, Yuriene Knight? Will you declare that you never agreed to this engagement and draw your sword against your own blood?"
Emotionless eyes, like glass beads, turned to Rosalyn. The pale man showed little expression. If he were the type to smile often, the number of lovesick young ladies might have doubled. Rosalyn thought this without any particular emotion. After a silence, he replied in a dry voice.
"I need time."
"I understand. It's not an easy decision. But don't take too long. Those who sent me are anxiously awaiting the results."
"...Thank you for the advice."
"Just so you know, I don't care if you refuse the engagement. To be honest, I'd prefer it if you overturned it. I don't have the courage to do it myself. Ah, of course, I'll be grateful for that, and if you do refuse the engagement, I'll be sure to get something in return."
"In return? What do you mean?"
"I'll tell you if you decide to refuse. If you're going to go through with the engagement, there's no need for you to know."
Rosalyn tilted her head. She tapped the hand supporting her chin and added,
"Well, it might never come up. You probably can't refuse after all. From my perspective, being engaged isn't necessarily a bad thing, since it's to you. The owner of the Holy Sword Rangiosa can't do anything that goes against justice, right? I believe you won't be a bad husband."
"...Enough. Leave, Princess. The vice-captain will show you to your room."
"Yes. Then I'll see you later, Your Highness."
Rosalyn bowed without any lingering attachment and withdrew. The sound of her dress rustling was the last thing he heard before the door closed. That sound reminded him of Cadet Ekinesia Roaz, whom he had encountered that morning.
〈I don't make choices that sacrifice my peace.〉
He felt suffocated. As if chains were wrapped around his entire body, tightening. Yuriene looked down at his right palm. The golden mark of the Holy Sword Rangiosa glowed faintly on his palm.
"...I know. Which choice is better. And yet, my heart simply cannot be controlled..."
The mark flashed briefly, as if in response.
"Just a little. Give me just a little time... Until I can give up. Before I go insane, I'll make a decision..."
Yuriene buried his face in his hands. A groan escaped through his fingers.
* * *
"Eki!"
Thanks to Alice bringing dinner to the room, Eki and Alice ate together in the room. They were finishing up with tea when a familiar voice suddenly called out her nickname and burst open the door.
"...I didn't realize you weren't alone."
Nicole Sietzton, wearing a magician's robe, scratched her cheek sheepishly. Eki's eyes widened. She put down her spoon and jumped up.
"Nicole Unnie!"
"Oh, why are you making me so embarrassed?"
Eki hugged Nicole abruptly, causing her to grumble. Even so, she hugged Eki back.
"It's been a while, Eki. But you seem to have lost some weight? Wait, you have a fever!"
"Ah, I have a bit of a cold... I'm fine. How have you been, Unnie?"
"Are you family?"
Alice asked as she cleared the dishes and placed them on a tray. Eki nodded.
"She's like family to me. Nicole Unnie, this is my roommate, Alice Winterbell."
"It's nice to meet you, Alice Winterbell."
"Hello, I'm Nicole Sietzton."
The two exchanged awkward greetings. Then, Alice stood up with the tray and said,
"Then, I'll leave you two to talk. I'm going to go do some evening training."
"Oh, Alice, you don't have to..."
"I'll be back around ten. Have a good time, Eki."
Alice smiled and grabbed her sword before heading out. Eki thanked her with an embarrassed expression. Nicole, who had been watching the scene, gave Eki a knowing smile.
"Friend?"
"...Maybe."
"What do you mean, maybe? You. I was honestly quite worried when I heard you were entering the academy, but it seems you're doing well since you've even made friends."
"You make it sound like I've never had any friends before, Unnie?"
"Those young ladies were a bit lacking as friends, weren't they? Or were they not?"
Eki had nothing to say and closed her mouth. The young ladies Nicole was referring to were the noble young ladies of her age who held tea parties and attended each other's out of obligation.
They weren't on bad terms, but there was a distance between them to call each other friends. They treated each other cautiously, knowing that one mistake could spread as gossip throughout society.
As Eki, who had lived 15 more years, she didn't even remember them very well.
"But why did you catch a cold? You've lost weight too. Is sword training too hard?"
"No, I'm fine. I just had something a little strenuous to do. I'm resting, so I'll get better soon."
"Okay, I'm sure you'll take care of yourself. You're not a child. ...What about the Demon Sword?"
Nicole lowered her voice as she asked. Eki took off her glove and showed her right palm.
"It's the same as always. Don't worry, I'm fine."
"...That's a relief. Since you're safe, does that mean no one has found out?"
[I was found out. By a big guy. I was found out! I was found out!]
Bal, shut up. Eki thought to herself and answered calmly. She didn't want to add any more worries for Nicole here.
"No one found out. By the way, I saw the Telegram, and it said you came as an escort? The VIP you're escorting is... Princess Diasante? And she's here to get engaged to Captain Yuriene?"
"That's right. It seems the rumors have already spread."
Nicole nodded and pulled the teacup towards her. Eki naturally poured tea into her cup. The old Eki wouldn't have even thought to pour tea. That was the maid's job. Nicole took a sip of tea, thinking about how much she had changed in many ways.
Eki swallowed one of the questions she was about to ask and asked another one first.
"Did you volunteer to be the escort on purpose to visit Ajenka?"
"Yes. I requested a magician from the Magic Tower, so I volunteered. But I didn't volunteer solely for the purpose of meeting you."
"Then?"
Nicole looked around. Then, she put down her teacup and moved her fingers as if drawing in the air, chanting a small spell.
Eki sensed Mana spreading from her, enveloping the area around the room. It seemed to be a type of barrier.
"I cast a spell to prevent sound from leaking out."
Nicole replied as Eki rolled her eyes. She placed her clasped hands on the table. Her murky green eyes held a heavy light behind her monocle.
"Eki, listen carefully. I'm going to tell you something important now."
"The things you found out while tracing the source of the Demon Sword?"
"That's right. First of all, starting with the most important issue right now. The engagement between Captain Yuriene and Princess Diasante must happen. It's safer for the Roaz Count family that way."
"...What are you talking about?"
"There are those who would try to stop this engagement, even if it means killing the Princess. That's why I volunteered to be the escort. Even if it's a magician from the Magic Tower, there's no guarantee that they're not part of that faction. And I also have things to tell you, so it works out."
Eki stared at Nicole with a blank expression. Nicole gave a bitter smile.
"Eki, excluding His Majesty the Emperor, who are the current direct members of the imperial family?"
"Huh? If it's the imperial family... Well, there's His Highness the Crown Prince, and Captain Yuriene is the 3rd Prince, so there must be a 2nd Prince above him..."
"What is His Highness the Crown Prince's name?"
"Um, Cruen de Harden Kirie. Is that right?"
"That's right. Then, do you know what His Highness the Crown Prince's specialty is?"
"..."
"What is His Highness the 2nd Prince's name?"
"...I don't know."
"Everyone's like that. The impressions of the other direct members of the imperial family are vague. But everyone knows about the 3rd Prince, Captain Yuriene. Not only the citizens of the empire, but even if you grab any passing foreigners and ask them, there will be people who know how old Captain Yuriene was when he became a Master."
It was undeniable. The youngest Master, the youngest captain of the Azure Knights, the empire's prince, the owner of the Holy Sword, plus his handsome appearance and several anecdotes. Yuriene de Harden Kirie had too many elements that would attract people's attention.
Nicole leaned closer to Eki and continued,
"Everyone only remembers Captain Yuriene and is only interested in him. The impressions of the other members of the imperial family are blurred. Because Captain Yuriene is shining too brightly."
