“But you guys injured me..”
“If you’re upset, challenge me to a formal duel. If you’re confident enough to win against my knight, that is.”
In a formal duel, regardless of status, people could fight.
‘In extreme cases, one could even kill their opponent.’
Although it was a brief meeting, Jacob was probably aware that he couldn’t defeat Brantley.
The moment Brantley took a step closer, Jacob flinched in surprise.
“I- I won’t fight with a guy with no origins! I- I’ll only let it slide this once!”
Fearing Brantley might actually challenge him to a duel, he hurriedly retreated. As Jacob disappeared, Brantley burst into laughter that he had been holding back.
“It felt refreshing.”
His laugh was cool like spring water, on a sunny day.
After a moment, Brantley wiped away his smile and looked at me.
“Sorry.”
“For what? You just did your duty as a knight.”
As I said that, Brantley also seemed to relax and his demeanor softened.
“I thought I had already discarded any feelings towards that boy and his household. But when I saw him blabbering like that, I lost my calm.”
He bowed his head and chuckled self-deprecatingly.
“When he tried to provoke you, I couldn’t help getting angry. Beating him up did feel better.”
His face was half covered by the mask, so I couldn’t see all his expressions. But right now, fortunately, Brantley seemed genuinely relaxed.
I asked, “Do you think it was worth coming to the capital?”
Unexpectedly, Brantley nodded readily.
“Thanks to you, I’ve made more memories under this tree.”
My heart skipped a beat, seeing his silver eyes sparkle as he looked up at the tree.
Once again, golden petals fluttered down above us.
***
The street was filled with people.
Colorful decorations lined the streets, and exotic flags fluttered in the air. It was because envoys from the Eastern Continent were coming.
‘It’s been ten years since envoys from the Eastern Continent visited.’
From the cafe terrace, we had a clear view of the envoy procession. I was thrilled to have secured such a prime spot and couldn’t help but express my excitement.
Brantley, who was sitting across from me, was observing quietly.
“Are you that excited about the procession?”
“Of course! It’s not every day we get to meet people from the Eastern Continent. It’s a rare opportunity.”
It seemed the Eastern Continent envoys were aware of this too. It was said that the envoy’s procession was decorated extravagantly on purpose for the onlookers.
Somewhere in the distance, exotic flute music could be heard.
The procession from the Eastern Continent had arrived. People from the East Continent were walking from both sides playing flutes shaped like elephant trunks.
In the middle, a large carriage without a roof moved forward.
“The horses look peculiar. Their ears are long as rabbits!”
“I’ve never seen green horses before.”
Even Brantley, who had been disinterested in the procession, showed some interest.
On the carriage, three envoys from the Eastern Continent dressed in exotic attire waved their hands.
The two young men were dressed in flashy primary colors, and it was unusual that only the older man wore dark clothes.
“Those must be envoys from the Eastern Continent. They look quite handsome.”
“…….”
Suddenly, Brantley fell silent.
The moment I looked at him to ask what happened-
“Oh no! Looks like I’m late.”
Duchess Moltke rushed in hurriedly from the terrace entrance. Brantley pulled out a chair for her.
“It’s just starting now.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
Duchess Moltke let out a sigh of relief. She had also planned to watch the procession with us on the terrace.
“The Eastern Continent is a very small land compared to our continent. But it’s very unique and interesting. If only the distance wasn’t so far, I would have visited at least once.”
“If relations improve, maybe we can.”
“But there has never been a good relationship between our continent and the Eastern Continent, ” Duchess Moltke said.
These are the two continents with nothing in common except for their belief in a similar god, Prache. It turned even worse, when the cultivation method of the Morning Glory Flower was leaked from our continent, the deteriorating imports caused a rift.
“The Eastern Continent probably thinks we sent spies to leak the cultivation method.”
However, the hardliner crown prince recently died, and the situation changed drastically.
It was actually the Eastern Continent that proposed mending the relationship.
“Is the procession heading straight to the palace?”
“That’s what I heard. They’re going straight to His Majesty to pay respects and deliver a letter from the Emperor of the Eastern Continent.”
Behind the carriage was a long procession of gifts for Grandfather.
“I hope you haven’t forgotten that there will be a welcome banquet and dinner this evening in the Imperial Palace?” Duchess Moltke said.
I nodded with excitement.
“Yes, it’s my first banquet since I’ve been back in the capital. I can’t wait!”
“I’m looking forward to being your chaperone, too.”
When young nobles enter society, a noblewoman accompanies them as a chaperone, offering advice and support.
My chaperone for the evening was the Duchess Moltke.
“Hart also chose appropriate escorts for this occasion.”
“My father chose escorts for you?”
The Duchess Moltke widened her eyes, “No. Hanelope, for you.”
***
“Miss, you’re all done!”
Sherry, who had adorned my hair with a pretty corsage, exclaimed proudly.
She stepped back with the other maids. Then, as if enchanted, they all clasped their hands together and looked at me.
“When did our Miss grow up to be such a dignified lady?”
“It’s amazing. She was just a tiny baby when I first saw her.”
“Everyone will only have eyes for our Miss at the reception.”
Ignoring the admiring maids, I looked into the mirror.
I wore a soft blue dress, and my blonde hair was beautifully braided. There were no flashy decorations like lace or frills on the dress. But when it caught the light, it sparkled like starlight reflected in water.
I looked at the carefully braided hair done by the maids. A floral corsage bloomed gracefully on top of my glossy blonde hair.
“I prepared the corsage exactly as you instructed, Miss. It can become a fine weapon in case of emergencies.”
Sherry said.
The floral ornament is a small but sharp weapon that can be unscrewed from the hairpin.
‘I ordered it specially, just in case.’
After getting ready, I headed downstairs. Dad was already waiting for me.
And at his side was a familiar knight.
“Philip?”
At my call, Dad and the knight looked up at the same time. I rushed down the stairs, happy to see them.
Philip’s face turned bright red when he saw me.
‘You’re still so shy.’
Philip was the youngest of the Guards, the boy my father and I had rescued from the illegal auction house in Tarov.
He had grown up, but his shy expression was still that of a boy.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to escort you today as your knight.”
“Me? But Philip belongs to the Knights of the Guard.”
“He transferred to my knights some time ago.”
Dad answered for me.
I was surprised.
It is a great honor to be a member of the emperor’s guard. It also brings personal wealth and honor.
‘Of course, Dad is a great man, but to be compared with the Emperor.’
Philip must have read my expression, because he smiled shyly.
“When I was dispatched to the borders to sever His HIghness I decided that I wanted to protect him… And also you, Your Highness.”
Philip’s voice grew smaller and smaller.
“The Emperor was pleased to hear that Philip wanted to be your guard, too.”
Philip always told me and my father that he would always repay the favor.
I was flattered and grateful.
‘But what about Brantley?’
Is Brantley really not coming with us? I knew Dad didn’t like Brantley. He disliked the fact I had to look out for him.
I asked cautiously, ‘Dad, so my escort is…”
“I’ve given him the day off. Don’t worry, Philip is as good as the Dark Moon.”
We left the mansion to board the carriage.
But Brantley was waiting in front of the carriage, looking regal.
He greeted us with impeccable manners. It was a far cry from his usual clumsiness.
“I thought I said you could rest today,”
“It’s alright. I would like to serve Her Highness.”
“Philip, send him back.”
Dad narrowed his brow.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Philip moved toward Brantley. But the moment his fingertips touched, Brantley ducked out of the way with invisible speed. In his haste to catch him, Philip stumbled and fell.
It was a minor incident, but Brantley was clearly better than Philip.
“Dark Moon,’ Dad addressed him, disapprovingly. “I understand your concern. But tonight’s banquet is not a dangerous occasion, and besides, there will be many eyes. Everyone will take note, even if it’s the mannerism of a trivial knight.’
“…….”
Then Brantley approached me with graceful strides. With perfect form and order, he knelt before me and bowed his head.
He raised one hand above and said, “Allow me to serve you today, Your Highness.”
It was a ritual that knights performed when they served their masters.
‘I’ve never taught him this, but did he do it so perfectly?
Dad was also visibly surprised. It was so different from anything he’d ever seen Brantley do.
“When did you improve so much? Not long ago, you couldn’t even meet my eyes.”
“Thanks to your teaching.”
Dad looked at Brantley as if sizing him up.
“Dark Moon and Philip, you will both be Hanerope’s escorts tonight.”
As soon as I heard those words, I quickly took Brantley’s hand. Beneath his mask, the corners of Brantley’s mouth tightened slightly.
He wanted to be the only one escorting me.
That’s when Dad added, “Don’t forget. Only the finest of my knights are allowed to escort Hanelope. That can always be changed if someone else is better.”
Dad’s eyes turned to Brantley, who stiffened, “I have many knights in my service who are as good-looking as they are skillful, so keep your guard up.”
