“Princess is truly a merciful and excellent master.” Looking at the annex that was undergoing major construction, Maze was flattered.
This place was to become the new residence for Norma, no, my knight squad. It was accessible directly through the corridor connected to my room. I felt proud as I watched the annex slowly come together. The first floor would have personal training grounds for each member, and the third floor would house Vallentin’s pharmaceutical research lab…
“Here, this document contains personal information about the training trainers in the underground castle.”
“This one, this one, and this one- fire them immediately.”
I crossed out familiar names on the document Maze handed me, names that had been carefully stored in my ‘Death Note.’ In the meantime, I had been gradually reducing the work schedules of vile trainers like John. But there was no longer a need to continue doing so. The ones who had been watching from behind could stay but would be put to cleaning or something similar.
“Send away the Norma who wish to leave and keep those who don’t want to in the underground castle.”
The remaining Norma would be integrated as low-ranking knights of the duchy, starting from the basics.
“Yes, Princess. Also, the catalog you mentioned has been prepared.”
Maze then unfolded a catalog organized with fabric materials.
“Redian tends to be cold, so pajama material like this would be better.”
“Redian is cold-natured, so material like number 12…”
He quickly noted down my selections in his notebook.
“How is it going, Siani?”
“Gasp, greetings to Your Grace.” Noticing someone, Maze greeted respectfully.
“Father.”
“The once deserted annex looks quite decent now.”
It was the Duke Felicite.
“Indeed, since they are your direct knights, you’ll manage them well.”
He nodded, looking at the newly refurbished annex, seemingly pleased with the historic record-breaking achievements of the Norma at the competition.
“I heard you had a private meeting with the Minister of Magic since morning. Did you find out anything?”
“I pressed hard but didn’t get satisfying results. The wizard involved is dead, and…” His normally beautiful face showed signs of irritation. “The wizard’s family has also left the capital, making it difficult to track them. Tsk.”
Left the capital…
“Whoever manipulated the wizard must have prepared thoroughly.” The duke stroked his chin, displeased. “So they must have evacuated the family early on.”
“I wonder.”
Evacuate, I shook my head.
“If they were so merciful as to care for the family, they wouldn’t have killed the wizard in the first place.”
Wizard Stony was likely killed by his manipulator, a classic case of being disposed of after being used.
“The manipulator would have tried to kill the wizard’s family after killing him to erase any traces completely.”
“You seem to have a hunch about who controlled the wizard.”
“Yes, I do.”
Indeed, I did. That blond-haired guy who was annoyingly whiny during the monster hunting competition had already been suspicious. But I don’t have solid evidence yet.
That blond b*stard, Ash, should be grateful for his golden spoon. If he were under me, I would have stepped on his tail… But as he’s the sole heir of a grand duchy, I couldn’t act rashly.
Maybe I should gather evidence and hand it over to Redian.
However, if the crown prince were to strike at the grand duke family, that’s a different story. It would also secure Redian’s position.
Really, is there a master like me who plans 10 years ahead of the future? Truly.
Who’s the master, and who’s Norma here?
“By the way, I want to hire new trainers for the annex. What do you think about selecting from the duchy’s knights?”
“Our knights and Norma are similar in skill. Actually, the Norma might be even better.”
The duke responded as if he had been contemplating my question. “There are many talents among my subordinates going to waste. Those guys…”
Passionately speaking, the duke momentarily furrowed his brows. “Why have I become so sincerely involved with these guys?”
Okay, he’s hooked.
“Hmm, anyway, I’ll sort out a few usable ones and send you the list.”
Then, as if remembering something, the duke exclaimed, “Ah, and Siani, I have something to tell you separately, so come to my office when you have time.”
Something to tell separately? I was puzzled, but since there was no further explanation, I simply nodded.
“Oh, I have an afternoon meeting soon. I must go. Take care.”
“Yes, Father. Please go in.”
The duke, with a rough yet affectionate touch, patted my shoulder and hastened his steps.
“Ah, now that I think about it, it’s almost time for my children to get training.”
“Yes, that’s correct, Princess.”
“Maze, wasn’t there a portable table next to the training ground?”
“Yes, there is one. It’s a bit away, but it exists.”
At that moment, an idea struck me.
“I’ll change clothes and head there. Go ahead.”
An efficient way to handle four tasks at once.
“Also, inform Bergman and Aeron to head there.”
“Understood! Will do!”
* * *
I sat at the portable table next to the training ground, surrounded by Bergman, Maze, and Aeron.
“We plan to design the award ceremony uniforms with this kind of collar.”
“What color?”
“This time, we’ll go with a pure white, angelic look. The models are so good, after all. Hehe.”
As Bergman and I discussed, Maze was fanning me on the side.
“Princess, are you hot? Should I fan harder?” Having escaped the harsh underground castle to my side, he seemed utterly satisfied with his job.
“Aeron, how’s Inein doing?”
After finishing the consultation with Bergman, I looked at Aeron.
“As you can see, Inein is focusing on magic amplification training.”
In the distance, at the outdoor training ground, Inein and Redian were visible.
I heard Inein did something wrong. Watching Inein with his black eye patch, I shook my head. To think that such a kind and gentle child was quickly turning into a dark, mature character from an 18+ tragic novel.
“How about Redian?”
“Lately, he seems to be in a bad mood. Perhaps it’s the aftermath of the injury he sustained during the monster hunting competition.”
Then, Maze, who had been listening to Aeron’s words, muttered. “He didn’t seem to feel that way when he was tormented daily in the underground castle.”
“Feel that way?”
“How should I put it? Back then, it felt like he was purely filled with malice, but now it’s something…” He seemed to want to say that his atmosphere had become strange.
Well, I’ve been feeling it too. Indeed, Redian’s demeanor has changed lately. It was as if I had picked up a puppy only to watch it grow into a wolf…
“Ah, Rere.”
Then, Redian, who was busy training, turned his head. Finally noticing my presence, he stared at me quietly. I waved at him happily, but…
“…”
Redian turned his head away with an indifferent expression.
What’s his problem now?
The moment our eyes broke contact, it felt not just cold but chilling.
“So cute. Really.”
“Yes, yes?”
“Eh?”
My murmuring made the surrounding vassals make strange noises.
Still, it’s somewhat nostalgic. Looking at Redian standing under the sun reminded me of the day I first opened the door to the underground castle. It felt like yesterday when he was lying there bloodied, unable to even train…
And now, glimpses of Redian Hu Rixon, known in the original story as ‘the devil in angel’s guise,’ began to appear. His inscrutable blue eyes and the occasionally cold, languid tone.
It’s a bit too much for me to handle. Well, it’s still significant progress to have come this far.
Aeron, Maze, and Bergman played a big role in this process without complaining.
“Daisy bought some chocolates from the central square; try some.”
However, I couldn’t bring myself to say mushy things like ‘thank you.’ Instead, I placed the box of chocolates on the table.
“Wow, isn’t this the limited-edition chocolate people line up for?”
“Isn’t this dessert shop famous here?”
Their eyes sparkled as they picked chocolates from the box.
“Ack. This…”
Just then, Bergman’s hand got dirty from picking up a melted chocolate.
“Here, wipe it off.”
I handed a handkerchief to Bergman, who was about to receive it.
“Ah, thank you, Princess.”
As Bergman bowed to take my handkerchief, a trainer’s urgent shout diverted my attention.
“What’s that?”
I had to stand up abruptly.
“…Ah.”
Rere was holding his wrist as if an accident had occurred.
NOOO
is Rere ok
love how she thinks about him using Rere, and not Redian
she really has started to accept him as future Hubby, LOL