Chapter: 625
The pilgrimage group, including Tannian, has set off on their holy journey. Until they depart, I won’t have another chance to meet him.
Though I feel a twinge of regret, it’s alright. I can soothe that during their send-off. Besides, Tannian didn’t leave for the pilgrimage without leaving me some precious advice, so I should be thankful instead.
The wind isn’t something you can see or grab; it’s something you feel. If I listen to my heart, I should be able to sense it. He left me a gem of advice that no one else could provide.
‘He’s definitely going to be the next saint.’
He could see into my heart, which I wasn’t even aware of and stirred those feelings with just a few words. What a magnificent and extraordinary way with words he has.
Come to think of it, while we spent three years baking cookies, playing chess, and playing foot volleyball, I forgot that Tannian was a scholar who likely discussed faith with various priests in the Holy Kingdom. In terms of wisdom and insight, he’s undoubtedly superior to me.
‘It’s true that making good friends is essential.’
That thought made me smile.
Choosing to attend an imperial educational institution rather than one in Armain got me access to a glittering network. Who else in this world could call an imperial prince, foreign royalty, a future saint, and a representative from the imperial council friends? This is an achievement even my older brother can’t claim.
So, naturally, I’m a bit worried. If I set such a high precedent, I might inspire others among the Armain royalty to attend the imperial academy.
What should I do then? Honestly, it was such a delightful experience that it would be hard to discourage it.
‘Maybe I should frame it as a symbol of friendship between the two nations?’
The imperial academy is supposedly a neutral ground open to everyone on the continent. If both members of the imperial family and the Armain royal family stand side-by-side there, it could positively influence the friendly relations between our nations.
Just like Ainter and me right now. No matter how much the relationship between our two countries sours, we can at least act as a safety net and a communication channel.
Of course, my siblings are planned to study at Armain’s educational institution, so there’s that to consider. But what about my children or nieces and nephews?
‘By then, the advisor’s kids should also be students there.’
The advisor is surprisingly attentive to the educational background of his children. He’s likely determined to ensure they all enroll at the imperial academy.
‘Now that’s an enticing condition.’
I rested my chin on my fist as I stuck my sword into the ground.
If I could be friends with the advisor’s child, then I absolutely have to enroll, right? Adding connections with the royal family and influential families would be even better.
“Your Highness.”
“Ah, Lady Perosa.”
Just as I was calculating whether the advisor’s children and my potential future nieces’ ages would align, Lady Perosa approached.
“Welcome. You’re early today.”
“It seems the weather is getting milder, so I arrived a bit early. Did I interrupt your time, Your Highness?”
“Haha, not at all! I’m actually grateful that you’ve come by to practice swords with me!”
Oh, so she came to train a little more since the weather warmed up? That was a perfectly knightly response, and I felt pleased. With such passionate young knights, it’s no wonder Armain is known as the Kingdom of Knights.
Or perhaps, given that she’s the daughter of Villar, she may be taking after her father’s character. I heard Villar had put in an incredible amount of effort since he was a squire.
‘A father and daughter duo benefiting the kingdom.’
In that case, maybe I should offer a small piece of advice for this devoted family.
“Lady Perosa.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“If you have children, consider sending them to the imperial academy.”
That way, the Ganeli family’s third generation could establish a formidable network. Unlike the first and second generations, which struggled at the academy, they could build delightful memories instead.
Of course, getting a knight from Armain to receive training at the imperial educational institution requires considerable resolve. No matter how beneficial it may be, I can’t press too hard. It’s better to just mention the possibility for now.
“Children… are you speaking of?”
However, instead of showing surprise or deep contemplation at my words, Lady Perosa just blinked shortly and stared at me.
“I’m sorry, but I currently don’t even have a respectable fiancé, so I can’t guarantee I’ll have children.”
She smiled, seemingly a bit embarrassed, and shook her head.
I see. So, Lady Perosa is in the same situation as me.
‘Is there truly a true friend standing here?’
An indescribable sense of calmness and satisfaction surged within me. My school friends are slowly pairing off. With the border between us, our training together daily seems to have come to an end.
Yet, Lady Perosa is also moving forward alone and continues spending time with me daily. She’s a friend I can rely on for years to come.
It might be a bit cruel to feel delighted that a loyal minister of the kingdom is still unmarried. I know that much.
But what can I say? Sometimes instinct trumps reason.
“If both you and I are single, anyone looking in could mistake us for a romantic pair.”
I suppressed my embarrassing instincts and patted Lady Perosa on the shoulder. It was time to drop this topic and slowly prepare for training—
“W-Wait! There’s no way a mere knight like me could be in a romantic relationship with Your Highness, Armain’s pride!”
Her vigorous reaction caught me off guard.
I was momentarily stunned. Receiving such a vehement rejection for a casual joke stung a bit. Could she have just dismissed it by saying something like, “It’s such an honor” or “That’s a bit much”?
“It’s an honor just to be able to train against one like you, Your Highness. Being mistaken for your lover is a faux pas I can never repay with my life!”
Thankfully, it was more out of her perceiving herself as a lowly being rather than her not wanting me. But wait… is that really comforting? That sounds a bit confusing.
“I genuinely meant that I’m pleased to spend time with you.”
I forcibly helped Lady Perosa, who has collapsed to the ground, back up.
Anyone watching would think that Lady Perosa had committed a grave offense against me and was apologizing with her life.
*
The three years I spent at the imperial academy bore definite results.
I was honored with the position of Vice Captain of the illustrious royal knight order. The recognition for enduring hardships in foreign lands while protecting Lord Rutis seems fitting, even excess.
“Thank you for your hard work, Baron Villar. From now on, enjoy your time within the embrace of your homeland.”
However, the recently retired former Vice Captain, due to age.
“With your abilities, you could have reached this position at any time. The posting just expedited that time frame.”
The encouragement and consolation from the current captain, who awarded me the Vice Captain’s badge, mercilessly tugged at my heart.
Now, I want to bury that time in the past as a peculiar posting and forget it. I don’t want to linger on what is already gone.
Yet everywhere I go, people I meet mention that time with warm gazes. The parties involved are okay with it, but the interest from third parties remains too intense, even one year after the posting ended.
‘It seems I’ll be branded for life.’
I sighed after putting down the pen I’d been using more often these days than my sword.
Having chosen the path of a knight as an Armain man, I’d worked hard until I could proudly say I’d joined the royal knight order. I even rose to a prominent position within it.
But what’s this? Where did the blood, sweat, and tears I poured into this path go, and why do I have to end up feeling the pity of others? I have never lived a life that drew anyone’s sympathy.
‘I can’t just resign.’
I refuse to accept that the road I’ve traveled is met with sympathy and pity. It’s not just my disgrace, but it tarnishes the royal family’s honor to think that the esteemed Vice Captain of the royal knight order is now a symbol of sympathy.
Yet I couldn’t bring myself to leave the royal knight order. Even if I were still active, to abandon such a noble position would be disloyal to the king. If I were to resign during this time, the nasty rumor that “the Vice Captain couldn’t overcome his trauma and retired” would spread.
It’s bittersweet. Having crossed the peak of the academy’s posting, a lake of others’ gazes now waits for me.
– Knock, knock.
“Vice Captain. Lady Perosa has returned.”
“Let her in.”
Just as I was stretching my stiff neck, Perosa returned from her training session with Lord Rutis.
Despite my own pain, her becoming Lord Rutis’s sparring partner is something to be pleased about. His skill is hard to find among his peers, and training with someone of such caliber is the luck I could wish for as a knight.
Yet because Lady Perosa has the same experience of being posted at the academy as I do, she’s receiving pitying looks in regard to her posting as well.
‘Father and daughter in the same boat…’
A wave of bitterness washed over me again. Should I send her somewhere else even now?
“Vice Captain. I’ve completed my training session with Lord Rutis.”
“Great job! Take a one-hour break before returning to work.”
“Yes.”
However, it doesn’t seem like Lady Perosa would willingly leave the royal knight order. If I were to try to force her out, it’d mean severing ties entirely.
…Hmm?
“Perosa.”
“Yes, Father.”
The moment she entered her break, I found myself smiling slightly at her calling me ‘Father.’ But what matters now isn’t that.
“Did anything happen with Lord Rutis?”
Lady Perosa’s expression was more flushed than usual.
Considering she just had an intense training session, that was quite serious.
“W-Well…”
As my question hung in the air, Lady Perosa’s face grew even redder, and her eyes darted around.
What’s going on here? Did she disrespect the lord? No way, a staunch believer like Lady Perosa wouldn’t do such a thing. Plus, if she really did disrespect him, she would have cried to me for confession already.
“Y-Your Highness said… such overwhelming and honorable things to me…!”
What she said sent a shiver down my spine, and I silently rubbed my temple.
‘To even say something like that in jest…’
If Lord Rutis were to say such things, there would be many young ladies swooning left and right.
My head pounded. It felt as if I were witnessing Lord Rutis again during our academy days, where he was a tad oblivious.
‘Surely there are no supervisors here.’
If this was the case back then, but if the Lord’s antics weren’t a one-time occurrence but rather ongoing… would I be the one dealing with his mischief all on my own?
The mere thought was terrifying.
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