Yuyoung and Bayard’s Relationship.
In a way, it might seem like it’s not something to worry about. After all, Bayard is just a mere knight to Yuyoung. Of course, being a member of the Royal Knights is no small feat, but…
Compared to Yuyoung’s position ruling the Twelve Tribes, Bayard’s status is just a bit lacking. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that their relationship was important.
So, I had no choice but to make a decision. I would arrange for Yuyoung and Bayard to meet. Let them talk together. It felt right at this time.
Because Yuyoung considers Bayard a friend, and Bayard feels the same way about Yuyoung. But I had no intention of forcing anything. I opened my mouth.
“Bayard, if you want, I can arrange a meeting for you to speak with Yuyoung.”
“You, you mean talk with Yuyoung…?”
“Yeah, but only if you want it. I won’t force you.”
“……”
Bayard showed a complicated expression. He seemed to be deep in thought. It wouldn’t be an immediate answer, given their long, awkward relationship. I stood up from my seat.
“If you’ve made up your mind, just let me know directly. Or you can inform the other members, it’s up to you.”
“W-why are you so concerned about me?”
“Um?”
“N-no, it’s just that… I’ve been curious. Why are you so invested in someone you barely know?”
As I tilted my head, Bayard averted his gaze and started rambling. Her voice mingled with guilt and fear. I listened to her words.
“At first, I was just glad to be able to rely on someone, but as time passed, my thoughts started to change.”
“Change how?”
“I began to worry if I’m a burden to the commander. Am I dragging down the name of the Royal Knights?”
“Why would you think that?”
“……Because the annihilation of the Royal Knights was essentially my fault.”
“Is that because you couldn’t fulfill your mission as the vanguard?”
Bayard quietly nodded. Everyone accepts failure differently. Some avoid it, some confront it, while others simply accept it.
Accepting it isn’t a bad thing. The problem lies in not being able to bear the weight and crumbling. That’s what Bayard was going through right now. I had felt she was avoiding me recently.
So she had these thoughts. It seemed her pride as a vanguard was greater than I expected. I quickly racked my brain. What words should I offer her?
I couldn’t casually give her comforting words. Empty words could inflict more pain. There might be something I could say in this situation. After contemplating, I spoke up.
“Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is what comes next.”
“Are you saying that to yourself too, commander?”
“Overcoming fear. It’s not as easy as it sounds. But ultimately, you chose to confront your fear and return. I simply chose to believe in you.”
“…….”
“Did you think I persuaded you? No, your actions persuaded me.”
Well, all I remember is my shoulders were killing me and Ruby just watched from behind. But saying it like this seemed more advantageous.
“Then I’ll talk to you later…”
“I’ll meet with her again.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll meet with Yuyoung, this time.”
“…Umm…”
Suddenly, where did she find this courage? Bayard’s gaze was no longer wavering. Her firm look was focused on me. I scratched my head and replied.
“You don’t have to push yourself. If you really feel okay…”
“I’m fine. I want to try… to gather my courage.”
“I-is that so.”
“Yes, since the commander believes in me.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll make the arrangements.”
It was a bit sudden, but ultimately not a bad thing. The sooner we resolved this, the better it would be for both of us. I left the room with Bayard.
“Teacher, I’ll guide you.”
“When did you even start being there?”
“I’ve been here since the beginning with you.”
“Huh….”
You mean you’ve been here the whole time? After I asked for tea, I thought you had gone somewhere else. So you’ve been following me since then? What’s that about?
“Helia!!”
“Bayard, don’t annoy the teacher so much.”
“Got it! Sorry!”
“……”
Helia seemed happy and Bayard immediately hugged her. Naturally, Helia pushed Bayard away with her palm, but I let out a sigh.
Well, it can’t be all bad. Whether Helia knows or not, Bayard considers her a friend. I walked with everyone to find Yuyoung’s room.
“…You’ve come again.”
“Yeah. I’ve got some business to attend to.”
“I told you to be courteous.”
“This isn’t a situation for courtesy.”
“Hmm? Who’s that over there…?”
A knight from the Cat Tribe, Yana, tilted her head as she spoke. Her gaze was directed elsewhere. Following her gaze, I found it was none other than Bayard.
However, Bayard’s condition was strange. It was as if she sensed a natural predator before her. She was trembling in fear. Bayard even hid behind me.
Then suddenly, a memory struck me like lightning. Not long ago, when we were organizing the armory, Bayard had reacted poorly to seeing a whip.
Coincidentally, Yana’s weapon is a chain similar to a whip. Is that why she reacted like that? If not, did she recognize Yana?
“This is unexpected; to meet someone I know in such a place.”
“…….”
“Could it be that you requested to see Yuyoung?”
“…….”
“Stop. Don’t speak further on your own.”
“As a guard knight of Yuyoung, I have the duty to verify each guest of hers.”
That wasn’t an incorrect statement, which left me speechless. Yana smiled for the first time. However, it was a rather displeased smile. She spoke with a grin.
“Bayard, do you really wish to meet Yuyoung?”
“N-no, I mean that’s….”
“Commander, I am addressing her directly.”
I intended to respond myself since I realized that Yana had something to do with Bayard’s trauma. However, before I could speak, Bayard answered first.
“Yes, that is correct.”
Yana’s expression twisted severely.
*
The commander always cared about herself.
On the day we first met, instead of reprimanding, she accepted me as a member by embracing me. And she continued to give me opportunities. To cover up my past mistakes. So many opportunities.
How could I ever forget that kindness? Yet each time, I wondered if I truly belonged here. Was I not being rude to the commander? These thoughts gnawed at my mind.
[You are no longer useful.]
[Don’t kid around, who are you to say that…!!]
[Yuyoung said so. You know it too?]
[……!!!]
At some point, my meetings with Yuyoung decreased. I thought we were friends. Did she just use me? No, that’s not possible; we are friends. So, I believed till the end.
But that trust was eventually betrayed. After continually seeking Yuyoung, who had once refused to meet, I finally got the chance to meet her. Yet she never showed up.
Instead, the beastmen following her were present. And on that day, Bayard was beaten badly. But the pain of my body was nothing compared to the sorrow of being betrayed by a friend.
And from that day forward, relentless torment began. Not being able to tolerate injustice, yet still mentally fragile, Bayard’s personality gradually darkened. This is the result.
“This is unexpected; to meet someone I know in such a place.”
Still, Bayard considered Yuyoung a friend. Surely, there was some misunderstanding. Someone might think she’s being overly naive, but at least Bayard is sincere.
However, I encountered an unexpected character here – Yana, the leader of the group that had tormented her in the past. I met her here. My body stiffened.
Memories of the past crawled up her body like bugs. Powerlessness and fear gripped her. Words escaped her lips until the commander moved.
“Stop. Don’t speak further on your own.”
[Overcoming fear. It’s not as easy as it sounds. But ultimately, you chose to confront your fear and return. I simply chose to believe in you.]
The first person to believe in me. That person is right beside me. Realizing that fact made the fear weighing down on her instantly vanish. Finally, Bayard spoke.
“Yes, that is correct.”
In her voice, there was no longer any trace of fear.
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