Chapter 260
Putting a fork in the box with the cake – it’s a small effort for the seller, but it’s a thoughtful touch for the buyer. Just like at the fair, when I packed forks, knives, and napkins, the response was explosive.
In reality, if the seller were royalty, even selling trash would have gotten a rave review.
“It was delicious. I don’t want to finish it all at once.”
Sera said with a smile as she cut the cake into small pieces with her fork.
There’s no reason to hold back. Making a cake is something we did routinely in the pastry club. If Sera likes it, I can whip one up as many times as she wants.
“I’ll keep making them while we’re at the estate.”
“Hehe, really? But what if I end up gaining weight?”
Sera, still smiling, pushed the cake aside slightly.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. Sera has a small appetite. Unfortunately, it seems like because of her illness, she can’t eat much.
Even now, she sets her fork down after only a few bites, and when I say I’ll keep making them, she avoids giving a straightforward ‘yes.’
‘The effects are still lingering, huh.’
I bit my lip slightly. I thought she had improved a lot compared to before, but traces of her illness still remain.
Well, it’s understandable. It’s a disease that has tormented her for a lifetime, so to expect no traces at all would be greedy. But the fact that she can now sit up in bed and converse comfortably is a blessing in itself.
“I’m fine, Sir Knight. You don’t want to make the Lady gain weight, do you?”
As if reading my thoughts, Sera said playfully while holding my hand.
Strangely enough, I can’t hide anything from Sera. It’s almost as if she learned some magic to read other people’s thoughts.
And it’s embarrassing. The one who should be comforted is me, yet here I am, receiving comfort from my sick friend. Even Krasius would weep.
“You need to gain a little weight.”
When I forced a smile and spoke, Sera’s eyes widened in shock.
“Wait, does Erich have that kind of preference? Are you planning to fatten me up and eat me?”
Her dramatic pose, pointing at her chest and hunching over, made me burst out laughing. This can instantly turn someone into a cannibal.
“Caught me. I was actually thinking about making you three times heavier.”
“You’re not a knight, you’re a wicked demon!”
With that, both Sera and I erupted in laughter.
I think that bitter feeling lightened a bit.
Sera carries all kinds of burdens with her.
The young lady who has spent her whole life in a mansion. The only way she could learn about the outside world was through others. However, due to her noble status, she can’t fully open up to the servants in the mansion. From a young age, Sera lived in conditions that sufficiently distanced her from the world.
Maybe that’s why she clings to me when I come to visit and refuses to let go. Aside from family, I’m the only person she can converse with.
“I heard the Academy is bigger than a decent-sized city. Is that true?”
“The Academy isn’t bigger than a city; it’s just that a city has been built around the Academy.”
“I see.”
Of course, I don’t dislike it. There’s no way I would ignore my friend’s loneliness and my character isn’t that low. Talking with Sera eases my heart.
When I go to visit Sera, I always anticipate that I’ll get held up for a long chat.
“Of course, the Academy is big. It’s the best educational institution in the Empire.”
Upon hearing that, Sera nodded repeatedly.
It must be fascinating. She’s had an interest in the Academy since she was young. From Sera’s perspective, who loves learning new things, the Academy must seem like a utopia.
It’s just unfortunate that the reality is that a place only accessible to nobles is seen as a paradise. It was also a utopia for my brother, but that’s a different case.
“Oh, right. I’ve heard this year’s new students are quite unique.”
The words popped out suddenly as if I just remembered.
And I pondered briefly about who those unique new students could be. It’s obvious who I’m talking about, but sometimes I forget their status since we’ve been so close.
“They are unique. With foreign princes and the next saint among them, it’ll be rare to see students like that in the future.”
“That’s interesting. I heard there were international students, but royals are coming too.”
“They’re all crazy.”
My instinctive answer, without passing through my brain, made Sera blink in surprise.
Whoops, I should have at least tried to frame it better instead of just being blunt. I hope Sera won’t be too shocked.
“I just know them well. We’re in the same club.”
This feels like a weak excuse, but it’s true. After spending time in the same club, they no longer seem like high-status individuals; they’re just eccentric friends.
“So, are you saying that you made connections with princes, Erich?”
“If you can call that a connection, then sure.”
“You must be quite the knight. Impressive.”
Every time I forget and get hit by these knight remarks, it scrambles my mind. She’s definitely teasing me when she smiles and applauds like that.
I resent the me from eight years ago. Why did I say something that became a lifelong embarrassing memory? Well, is it even realistic to expect a nine-year-old to know any better?
“By the way, if Erich’s friends… I’d like to meet them too.”
As Sera said this, twirling her hair with her fingers, I thought of the three familiar faces that should be in our home country.
They’re not the kind of kids that would come off as intimidating, so Sera would have no problems meeting them, but sadly, there’s no way to meet them right now. It’s ridiculous. They didn’t have to stay in the Empire, but when Sera’s longing for them, they’ve hopped across the border. Useless bunch.
“I’ll bring them over next summer break if I get the chance. They’re all fascinating kids, so it’ll be fun.”
I quickly thought of a suitable answer. Since I can’t call back the ones who have already returned home, I have to aim for next year.
“Let’s not. If those kinds of guests suddenly arrive, the staff will be shocked.”
Then, upon that perfectly reasonable refusal, I found myself reflecting.
I had gone insane. I got so used to hanging out with those friends that I lost my mind. I almost gave Sera, who still needs stability, a mental shock.
“Well, we can see them directly anyway.”
?
My head momentarily froze at that. “See them directly?” What does that mean?
“I’ve decided to enroll in the Academy.”
???
“…The Academy?”
“Yup.”
At her bright reply, my mouth just stopped. Suddenly enrolling at the Academy isn’t a simple outing. Does that mean her health has improved that much?
‘The nanny wouldn’t just send her there without thinking.’
I wondered for a moment whether I should stop her, but the nanny really has her best interest at heart. There’s no way she hasn’t considered my concerns, and if it were dangerous, she would have stopped it long ago.
But still, is this really a good idea? Will she not worsen from staying in an unfamiliar place?
“I’m entering as a second-year student. It’s too bad that I missed out on first year—but—”
Sera gently took my trembling hand and smiled brightly, as if to reassure me.
“If I’m a junior compared to Erich, it means I’ll have time apart from you. I don’t want that.”
“…If that’s the case, I can visit every day during the break…”
“No, I want to create memories with Erich together.”
Right now, I felt a bit resentful towards Sera. Why was she so resolute during such moments?
“Don’t worry. Both the mages and priests said it’s fine. I’m not fully cured yet, but they said I can do what everyone else does.”
Moreover, she sneakily brought in expert opinions as backup. Saying that makes it hard for me to object.
“And what’s there to worry about with you as my knight?”
“The one person I can’t trust should be you.”
That made me laugh unexpectedly. She blocked my objections with a perfect excuse but then concluded clumsily.
I’m just a mere noble and not as strong or steadfast as Sera thinks. Such an overflowing faith is a bit embarrassing.
“Why? Are you serving another lady?”
But I shook my head at that mildly hurtful tone. I was close to doing that, but not right now. Embarrassingly, I’m a wandering knight with no lady to serve now.
…Well, it would be silly to oppose her when everyone else is fine with it. Plus, considering Sera has finally seen the light of the outside world after being lonely for so long, I can’t celebrate her achievement by hindering her.
So, I extended my hand slightly. If Sera wants a knight, I can fulfill that role adequately.
“Lady, choosing the wrong knight might lead to a lifetime of regrets.”
“That’s just irrelevant to me.”
Sometimes it feels like Sera believes in me more than I believe in myself.
*
After Erich left, I stared at my right hand for a while.
“Then, my Lady. For the next two years, I vow to protect you with everything I have.”
Erich kissed the back of my hand, just like a knight from a fairy tale. If I had relaxed even a bit, I might have let out a delighted scream.
“Then I will be the knight that protects Sera! If an angel comes for her, I’ll chase them away!”
And then, I recalled what Erich had said eight years ago when my illness was at its peak, and he was just nine. The image of Erich, now kissing my hand, overlapped with the child’s.
Of course, it was merely childish talk. But those naïve words became my lifeline, encouraging me not to give up and to push through. Even Erich has no regrets about what he said back then; it just sounds foolish when looked back upon with adult reasoning.
“I can protect you for a lifetime.”
I unconsciously muttered as I stroked my right hand.
Two years? What’s that supposed to mean? If he is ready to protect me for life, what’s the issue? Regardless, the Krasius family would rely on Brother Carl to continue, so Erich can just focus on me.
“You fool.”
Still, I liked it. That foolish side is a part of Erich too.
‘…Thank goodness.’
And a wave of relief washed over me too late. If, if Erich had someone in his heart, I might have collapsed right then.
My very own knight, a knight to spend the rest of my days with. I had waited so long just to hang on to that feeling, and the thought of someone else swooping in to take him while I couldn’t move would have been utterly horrific.
‘Enen has taken good care of me.’
But during the year Erich was at the Academy, thankfully, no one snatched him away.
It must be the benevolence of Enen. Even though Enen gave me this illness, in return, I received a bond that is more precious than anything.
‘Not much time left now.’
I calculated the days, trying to calm my racing heart. Two months, in just two months, I will be living at the Academy too.
They said it’s a pastry club, so I’ll join that. Even if we’re in different classes, we can still see each other often if we’re in the same club.
We will spend our school days together, see each other more often than usual, and grow fonder of one another…
‘Hehe…’
I’m happy. This might be the best two years of my life.
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