“In that case, please make them my personal knights.”
At first, the plan was to group them under the plausible name of ‘Knight’ and leave only those four in the underground castle. I only needed those who would help me, and they received first-class accommodation to develop their skills. It’s a benefit to each other, right?
However, If the duke feels like that…
“Instead, I just need to ensure no one sees their faces.”
“How?”
“Mask.” I twinkled my eyes. “Just let them wear masks on, Father.”
Then, they can proudly come out of the world. It’s plausible if they’re the knights directly under the princess’s command. What a perfect camouflage technique!
“…Mask?” Then, the Duke narrowed his brow.
“Yes. If they put on a mask, even if they follow me around, anyone won’t be able to recognize their faces.”
But, he opened his mouth. “It’s dangerous to send such violent men out by barely relying on masks.”
Sigh. I bit my lip tightly.
In the end, the duke came to the same conclusion. Norma is a monster that will definitely cause an accident if released, so he won’t allow it.
“I already freed Redian from his restraints. He can train whenever he wants.”
“What?”
“I also sent Vallentin to the medicine room instead of behind bars. And they said there was no need for a barrier.”
Those two were the most dangerous men among Norma.
“I was in the same room as them without a weapon, let alone a mask. We had a conversation like that.”
“…”
“But now I’m sitting perfectly fine in front of you, Father.”
It was very frustrating. It wasn’t because the duke didn’t listen to me.
“They didn’t go crazy on their own.”
“…”
“They just resisted because the stupid trainers did whatever they wanted.”
My voice grew calmer.
“Everyone calls them monsters, so they just act like monsters.”
There was silence for a while.
“But don’t you know who really turned them into monsters?”
“Now, eat it thoroughly so that there is no trash left. You should be thankful for giving you something like this.”
“It’s not worth living. What can you use that thing for?”
At that time, I heard a tinnitus in my ear. Memories of someone I couldn’t tell were all mixed up and scattered.
“Siani, are you okay?”
“…Yes?”
Am I okay? What?
“Of course. I’m okay.”
I replied reflexively. But the Duke looked at me with worried eyes.
“It would be better to drink some warm tea and calm down first.”
What happened all of a sudden…
The duke himself picked up the kettle and tried to brew tea.
“Father, I’ll do it.” I stood up to stop the duke.
“Sit down, Siani.”
My legs didn’t listen.
Oh gosh. Only then did I realize that my body was shaking a little. Ah, really… It’s unsightly.
“You were like that at first.”
The duke put down a steaming cup of tea in front of me.
“You and Norma are treated the same as monsters in this castle.”
“…”
“Is that why you have that look on your face every time you talk about Norma?”
I couldn’t tell what my expression was like. I just felt like I was showing weakness, and my pride was hurt.
“Okay. I’ve heard that Redian follows you quite well.”
The duke breathed lightly. “Then take him and show him to me.”
“Yes…? Really?”
This meant that it was okay to take Redian out with me.
“Instead, it’s only for two hours. I’m going to attach escort knights behind you.”
And,
“He must never take off his mask.”
“Of course, Father.”
My heart was beating fast. Even though I’m still halfway…
“Trust me.”
Still, I was finally able to keep my promise to Redian.
* * *
“Bergman.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Sitting cross-legged on the sofa, I looked down at Bergman.
“Aha, are you curious about the progress of the new material fabric? Don’t worry. It’s going on very smoothly!”
“No. I trust you will handle it well.”
I shook my head.
“From now on, I will call the people who follow me Siayu.”
“…Siayu?”
“It means a vassal under my care.”
“Ah, it seems like an ancient word with a great meaning.”
Um, well…. It’s an abbreviation of ‘Siani Felicite’s ownership,’ but let’s say that’s the case.
TL/N: I will stick to Siayu (the abbreviation of 시아니 펠리시테의 소유) as the name of Siani’s vassal instead of changing it into Siashi/Siahip/Siaow
“You’re the first member of Siayu.”
“…Gasp!”
In fact, Redian was the one, but let’s say that’s the case.
“Heuk, it’s an honor, Princess.”
“I will be responsible for the funds needed for all your activities and the results that follow. Instead.”
“Yes, yes?”
“You also have a responsibility not to disappoint me.”
“Of course, Princess. Heuk.”
Then Bergman whimpered. This should have been enough to scare him.
Through N lives, my personality scan could be done just by looking at their collar. From my perspective, Bergman was a trustworthy sl*ve, I mean, a colleague.
“Okay, from now on, you will remember the faces you will see with your eyes, but forget them with your mind?”
“Yes? Yes, I understand.”
“Then close your eyes.”
“E-eyes? Yes, I understand.”
Watching Bergman close his eyes tightly, I grabbed my necklace. I packed some candy with me before in case he fainted.
* * *
“Where on earth is this…?”
“It’s alright. This is Felicite’s lab.”
Bergman opened his mouth at the sight that unfolded in an instant. If he had gone to the main building of the underground castle, he would have believed it was a research institute. It was natural to be surprised because we came straight to the iron bars.
“You have to measure a total of four people to make masks for them. Today, we will measure the mask of the first knight.”
“Gasp. M-mask? There’s no problem with making it, but…”
Bergman already seemed overwhelmed by the atmosphere inside the iron bars. I took him, who was shaking, and opened the iron cage door where Redian was.
“Wait here. If someone comes out, just remember their face and make a mask for them.”
There was a long darkness from the entrance, so I couldn’t even tell if Redian was there.
“Re—”
I was going to call his name. Wait a minute. His name should never be known. There didn’t seem to be any good point in calling him by his real name. Especially if it’s Redian.
“Re, Rere?”
“Rere? T-the knight’s name is really Rere?” Bergman, hanging from the bars, asked with a white face. “It’s a very cute na…” But Bergman then stopped and froze.
“Rere?”
Someone walked in from the dark.
Was he in training?
It was Redian. He must have just finished training and was wearing the black gloves I gave him.
“Who is Rere?”
His eyes, as he looked at me, touched over the bars. His blue eyes became unfamiliar and cold.
“Is that one?”
“O-oh gosh.”
Bergman, who was called ‘that one,’ looked as if he would collapse at any moment.
“Things like that…” Redian slowly took off his gloves and murmured. “Are always attached to the Princess’s side.”
This time, Bergman, who was called things like that, complained bitterly. Still, he couldn’t take his eyes off Redian.
“Oh gosh, I can’t believe it.”
He seemed to be overcome by ecstasy, which was greater than fear.
“Perfect. This is the proportion of the human body that I have always dreamed of. I can’t believe I get to see a statue called God’s work in reality!”
“…That one.”
However,
“Is he really Rere?”
There was a cool chill in the gaze of Redian as he glanced at Bergman. The person who was praising him was so loud that he seemed to be annoyed.
“What a trash-like name.”
“No.”
Even though I made it hastily with love, it sounded like a puppy’s name.
“You’re Rere.”
“…Yes?”
“That’s what I call you outside.”
Redian’s eyes landed on me.
“Sigh, what?” He wrinkled his forehead as if I was doing something interesting.
“It’s like a code that only I can call, and only you can understand.”
“…”
“Um, wait. Should I say it’s a special nickname between us?”
“That’s childish.”
Why is he laughing when he said it’s childish? Seeing him smile while frowning, his head and heart seemed to work separately.
“Redi, no, Rere.”
“Are you going to call me like this ‘outside’?” whispered him as he narrowed the distance.
“I told you.”
“…”
“I will definitely get you out of this underground castle.”
However, What is it? There was no answerback.
“Did you hear me?”
I thought he’d be surprised, but his eyes became increasingly sunken.
“I get out of here now?”
“Ah…”
Redian muttered emotionlessly.
This wasn’t the reaction.
In the original story, it was Luna who opened the door to the underground castle. It was said that Redian didn’t hesitate to leave this underground castle.
“Am I going out alone?”
“Huh?”
“You…”
But Redian, who was quietly looking down at me, opened his mouth.
“Are you going to send me away alone?”
wait yes, take him out, take him out, i’m so excited