episode_0006

Her face up close.

It was quite different from the past image of tears shed.

Calm and haughty eyes.

Unlike the other princesses accompanied by knights, she sat alone without flinching.

However…

Lydia listened to cheerful Eastern music.

If Leia represented an elegant classic image,

Irina seemed melancholic as if listening to a music box in her memories.

In this life, I won’t be by her side.

“…”

Not knowing my heart, Irina smiled at me mischievously.

With emerald blue eyes.

“It’s been a while.”

A long time.

Those words struck my ears.

‘Did I ever see Irina separately during my previous life?’

I carefully searched through my memories.

“Excuse me, may I ask if we have met in the past?”

To that question, Irina crossed her arms alone.

“Well, even if you don’t know, I can figure it out.”

And naturally, she gave a bright smile, as if it were obvious.

“I am a princess, after all.”

Has Irina’s reaction changed due to the improved relationship…?

Unlike the past, she was overflowing with composure.

“How were the proposals from the other princesses?”

“They were all too much for me.”

I chose my words carefully, aiming for safety.

However, Irina kept teasing my feelings.

“Do you really think that way?”

Before I knew it, Irina’s smile had turned into a sly grin.

“You know it too. The fate of a common knight.”

Fate.

For some reason, those two words resonated in my heart.

As if she knew my future.

“So, you’re reluctant because you might be used and discarded.”

I couldn’t respond hastily to her words.

I had no idea that a princess would understand the plight of a commoner.

“Sorry… I rambled on.”

On the day my words failed, Irina looked up gently.

She apologized to me with a bitter voice.

Afterward, she handed me a luxurious paper placed on the table.

“Now, let me make a proposal.”

On that paper…

There was an appointment letter written.

‘Appointment as Knight Commander…?’

The moment I saw those four letters.

I looked at her with unbelieving eyes.

However, there was not a hint of hesitation in the eyes of the Second Princess.

She just looked straight ahead confidently.

“I recently established a knighthood.”

A nonchalant voice, as if declaring in front of everyone.

At that voice, both Leia and Lydia stopped their actions.

The Second Princess’s words meant that even she, who had been declining, was now boldly entering the competition for the throne.

“Knighthood-?”

Leia propped her chin on her hand and spoke sarcastically.

“…”

Leia also stopped moving her pen abruptly.

And she waited for her younger sister’s response with an expressionless face.

“My knighthood doesn’t consider background. We only select based on ability and belief.”

Words that disregarded social status.

At that statement, the eyes of the commoner recruits sparkled.

Those who had been somewhat disheartened looked up at Irina as if she were a goddess.

“I will appoint you as the ‘inaugural commander’ of the Sacred Knights here.”

Knight Commander.

A position where only seven out of hundreds of knights can ascend.

To give that position to a commoner recruit was unprecedented.

Despite the unfavorable circumstances until now, this was the very reason for her confidence.

“I’ve already laid the groundwork. Once my father wakes from illness, formal approval will also be obtained.”

Truly a clever proposal that only she could make.

However…

“What kind of knighthood can you create without any close aides?”

Listening, Lydia began to taunt.

She seemed particularly irritated because she had been outranking the Second Princess in the hierarchy so far.

“You seem clueless, buried in books in your corner, but it takes a minimum of five years to establish a proper knighthood.”

The Third Princess shrugged with closed eyes.

Then, her distinctive red pupils flashed thinly.

“And with a talent like a veil, within those five years, even a rookie could rise to the rank of deputy commander.”

Lydia, who had always seemed girlish until now.

In reality, she knew more about knighthood than anyone else.

“It would be a waste for a talented individual to play leader in your amateurish knighthood.”

It wasn’t just because of her noble lineage that she became the ruler of the East.

Her judgment was colder than expected.

“Sure, Irina. If you need a bodyguard, I’ll send one your way.”

Lea, who had been listening nearby, also chimed in.

She pointed to her own Radiant Knights with a sensual gaze fit for a queen.

“You don’t really need to go through the trouble of forming a knight order, do you?”

Indeed, Irina’s knights were visibly skilled individuals.

Capable of handling dozens of soldiers on their own.

“….”

However, Irina showed no reaction to the words of the two princesses.

Her blue eyes were fixed solely on me.

“I’ll leave the decision to you, Veil.”

Irina rose from between the two princesses.

Placing her hand over her heart.

“If you’re curious, come and see for yourself.”

She unfastened two buttons on her dress.

“To see what I have prepared for you.”

The Rosario necklace hidden within.

Irina took it off and placed it in my hand.

“I… ”

As I felt her warmth emanating from the necklace in my palm.

“I will never let harm come to you.”

A cross filled with bronze within a platinum border.

A modest treasure for the royal family.

Yet, the princesses watching from the sides knew the value of that Rosario.

Their father, King Leonhardt IV.

It was the first and last gift he gave to Irina’s mother.

“….”

I alternated my gaze between the Rosario in front of me and the two princesses.

Her confident emerald eyes.

But my hand offering the necklace trembled subtly.

I gently covered her outstretched hand with both of mine.

Thanks to this, the hands of the two princesses could be shielded from view before the others saw.

“There’s no need to lower yourself to me.”

Her cold hand against mine.

As our temperatures met, the trembling gradually ceased.

“I will consider it carefully. Please, refrain from such excessive generosity.”

Irina’s lips curled up slightly.

Her face, which had subtly stiffened, regained its smile once more.

Eventually, she gestured towards our clasped hands.

“But your hand doesn’t seem to let go, does it?”

At that moment.

I realized audaciously that I had touched the princess’s delicate skin.

“I apologize.”

I quickly withdrew my hand.

“It’s okay, if it were someone else, they might have faced consequences…”

While staring down at the returned Rosario, Irina spoke.

Then, when she raised her head again.

“I’ll make an exception for you.”

Her emerald eyes held a faint smile.

“I didn’t mind it.”

Passing by me, Irina whispered softly.

“I won’t burden you anymore, Veil. Please choose carefully.”

I watched her departing figure calmly.

And quietly replied with a smile.

“Thank you….”

「――――――」

Finally, all three princesses’ proposals came to an end.

Now, only my choice remains.

“….”

I surveyed my surroundings discreetly.

Lea, engrossed in her documents as if nothing had happened, was back to wearing her monocle.

Under her wing, success and rapid advancement were undoubtedly guaranteed.

However, I would have to contend with other aristocratic youths and political battles.

If I fall behind there, not only longevity but even execution might await.

Especially as a commoner, I would be prime prey.

Next is Lydia.

Her yawning revealed her sharp fangs.

The choice regarding her.

Luxury, pleasure, and unimaginable vast lands would be bestowed upon a lowly knight.

If the orphanage that raised me is moved there, it would undoubtedly be a great help.

However, in return, I would have to engage in conflicts with Eastern-born knights and factions.

They reject knights who are not from the same region.

“Sigh….”

I sighed deeply.

Subsequently, I looked at Irina for the last time.

Meeting her gaze, she flashed me a bright smile.

However, despite her beautiful smile, the princess had a significant flaw.

She was unaware of the level of her sacred knights.

They must be as sloppy and weak as a newly formed fortress.

It’s a dilemma to figure out where to start if I were to approach her right now.

The problems won’t be solved just by relying on past alliances.

“But it’s not all flaws.”

A proposal to make me the commander of the knights.

And a promise to keep me from dying in vain.

Those words resonated with me quite well.

If in my past life I was merely treated as a mere guard.

Now, let’s build our own power.

“Still contemplating?”

Lost in thought, I raised my head at the sound of heavy military boots.

Valderian, the Grand Marshal.

With a furrowed brow, he was approaching me coldly.

“Why are you angry…? Just moments ago you were watching me with approval.”

“You’re different. The one who holds the hand of the princess.”

He glared at me with a chilling tone.

His gaze was so intense that it almost took my breath away.

“I apologize, I was just concerned about Lady Irina.”

“Concerned?”

Valderian’s brow furrowed even more.

Thanks to that, his eye shadows grew darker.

“Lady Irina handed me the Rosario. She said she would treat me well if I came to her.”

The Grand Marshal seemed unable to comprehend.

As a result, his lion-like face became even more menacing.

“The Rosario…? No knight has ever been treated like that before…”

“I hastily declined due to the burden of that relic.”

Valderian nodded in apparent understanding.

“I’ll let it pass this time, but be careful in the future.”

“Understood.”

“And it’s better to choose quickly. It’s a great disrespect to keep the royal family waiting.”

Valderian patted my shoulder and casually returned to his place.

The Grand Marshal joined the long table where the princesses sat.

He gazed at the distant mountains alone, regretting the loss of good talent to them.

“Well, there’s no need to wait any longer.”

Empowered by the Grand Marshal’s words, I walked confidently towards them.

In response, the three princesses lifted their heads simultaneously to look at me.

“So, Veil. Have you made your choice?”

Lea’s calm voice.

Even the colleagues who were previously indifferent focused on me.

They were curious too.

The 80 knights of the Adele Empire.

Where will the top-ranked knight of that order go?

“Yes, I…”

At last, I spoke up.

My actions observed silently by three eminent figures.

Lea of the Bright Knights.

She raised her monocle, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Lydia of the Eastern Knights.

Arms crossed, she watched me with narrow eyes.

And… Irina Andalucia.

Clutching the Rosario tightly in both hands, she stared at me intently.

In front of them, I spoke hesitantly.

“I will join the Capital Defense Army under General Valderian.”

Was that the moment?

When the Star Palace, filled with people, fell into an eerie silence.

“What did you say?!”

My peers looked at me with disbelief.

Even Valderian’s solemn gaze softened to a degree.

“Where do you think you’re going just now!”

But that was just the beginning.

Lea’s confident monocle slipped off her eye, shattered.

Lydia’s lips parted, revealing sharp fangs.

And even Irina, startled, dropped the Rosario.

The princesses all looked at me in shock.