[Who is in charge of Lady Elise’s protocol?]
[No one has prepared for Lady Elise’s protocol.]
I was so surprised at that time that I forgot that Tyllo’s office was right in front of me and I screamed out loud.
And then, I severely scolded James, who said he hadn’t received any orders, and announced that I would take care of the protocol.
James argued that it was absurd for Elise, who had no title in Tetris, to receive a protocol from Rosh, a count, but Rosh ignored his words.
[Look further ahead. Your insight has become quite cloudy.]
Rosh gave James advice that wasn’t advice and immediately went to find Elise.
It was fortunate that Elise didn’t know the detailed inside story.
“When did you arrive? I hope you didn’t push yourself because of us? Are LordTrish and Count Kram well?”
“It wasn’t a burden. And you don’t need to feel burdened. I came to safely escort Sir Leber, after all.”
“Did Leber come too?”
Leber had said he would stay in the Dex territory until the hot spring business was over, but Rosh practically dragged him here.
‘Leber will play a big role in helping Lady Elise establish her position in Tetris.’
The Dex territory no longer needed Leber.
Thanks to Kram’s thorough supervision of the workers, the number of safety accidents was zero.
Minor illnesses could have been treated adequately in the Dex territory even without Leber.
“Yes. I have prepared a separate residence for Sir Leber outside the palace. I will let Regina know where he is staying. But today, really…”
Rosh leaned on her cane and took a few steps back. Her eyes, looking at Elise, were filled with affection.
“You look beautiful.”
“That’s an overstatement.”
“You’re not fully prepared yet, are you? I’ve greeted you, so I’ll come to escort you before the banquet starts.”
“If you have nowhere else to go, you can stay here, Rosh.”
“I’ve come to my old workplace after a long time, so I should meet my old colleagues. I’ll come back soon.”
“Right. I can’t hold you back if you’re going to meet a friend.”
Elise went out to the corridor to see Rosh off.
Rosh of the past was reluctant to meet her old colleagues. It was painful to see her old colleagues thriving as warriors.
Knowing that it was a bad feeling, Rosh couldn’t easily shake it off.
But not now. Rosh had no hesitation in meeting them. She had shaken off her regrets about her life as a warrior.
Thanks to Elise.
“Oh! Rosh! Hey! Come out! Look who’s here. It’s Rosh Dex! Rosh Dex!”
Fortunately, they remembered her and welcomed her. Rosh threw her cane away. A man with a bear-like physique hugged Rosh warmly.
“You… you’re alive.”
“Didn’t I promise to die later than you?”
“Uhuk, really, it’s Rosh. It’s Rosh…”
Rosh stroked the back of the man who was shedding inappropriate tears a few times and said,
“It’s good to see you again. I came because I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it? Just say it. If it’s for you, I can even take off my clothes right now!”
The commander of the royal guard, Pax, shouted proudly.
“Who wants to see your naked body! Haven’t you gotten rid of that habit yet? Showing off your body in front of others.”
“That’s not it…”
“You haven’t changed, commander!”
Rosh’s subordinate, who was also as big as Pax, ran up and clung to her arm.
From a distance, it looked like he was attacking Rosh, not being glad to see her.
“He still takes off his clothes when he drinks.”
Eww, terrible. The subordinate shivered, and Pax glared.
“You, you need more training.”
“You haven’t changed either? Threatening with training if something doesn’t suit your taste. Are you coming back? Please come back.”
The broken practice stones were rolling around the training ground, and the smell of the warriors’ sweat stung their noses.
But she had no intention of returning.
There was no place to return to.
Rosh smirked, and the subordinate tactfully moved away. Pax picked up the cane that had fallen on the floor and handed it to Rosh.
“There’s the commander’s office. Come in. I’ll serve you a cup of tea.”
“Not alcohol?”
“There’s an evening banquet, didn’t you know? I heard that Prince Karan had stayed in the Dex territory.”
At the subtle hint that she might have gotten closer to Karan, Rosh gave a bitter smile.
Pax has become a politician too.
Seeing through people’s hearts.
His refusal to drink because he had to work proved that he had changed.
“I don’t need tea. You know I don’t enjoy drinking it.”
“I thought you might have changed since you became a count who holds a pen. Well, I’m happy to save on tea. It’s expensive for just leaves.”
Pax’s pointless chatter continued.
“Pax, I have a request to make.”
“Right, you said you had a request.”
Rosh felt sorry for his gloomy tone.
“Even if I didn’t have a request, I wanted to see you at least once.”
“Just once? Damn, where did the friendship that promised to take a sword for me go? I still have that friendship, so I’ll let it slide this time. Tell me, what’s the request?”
“Please protect Lady Elise. Be on her side.”
“What? Who is she…?”
Pax stiffened as he realized that the person Rosh was talking about was Bedrokkan brought by Karan.
“I’m sorry, but that request…”
“I know you’re a man of Duke Odilon’s family. I also know that there’s a marriage proposal between the daughter of the Duke Odilon’s family and Prince Karan. But I’ll still ask. At least…don’t harm Lady Elise with your hands, or the hands of those you’ve trained. You can do that much, right?”
Pax flinched. Seeing his reaction, Rosh’s eyes narrowed.
Rosh had said it as lightheartedly.
“Is the Duke of Odilon already making moves?”
Rosh’s voice trembled slightly.
****
“Elise, are you ready?”
Karan, who had been out of sight all day, appeared just as Elise was about to depart for the banquet hall.
“Your Highness, welcome. This is the first time I’ve seen you today.”
Although she was glad to see him, Karan apologized.
“I had some matters to attend to. There were also places I needed to look around. I stopped by your room before I left at dawn, but you were sleeping…”
“It’s not a big deal, Your Highness. I wanted to tell you that I was doing well even without you. So, have you finished all the tasks you needed to do?”
“I’m not entirely satisfied, but roughly…”
Karan reflected on his busy day.
He had found out who was on Bennett’s side, and what the Duke of Odilon was plotting.
In the process, he also found out about Melanie’s audacious act and even warned her, and then it was time for the banquet.
“Who did you receive the banquet invitation from?”
As Karan tidied up a strand of hair sticking out from behind Elise’s ear, he asked.
“Her Majesty the Queen visited. The Queen Mother.”
Karan’s hand paused in mid-air. The smile that had been on his face all along disappeared, and a grim aura swirled around him.
Elise held Karan’s hand down. Then, Karan forced a smile.
“Elise, you must have been embarrassed.”
Although she didn’t want to worry Karan and didn’t say anything, he already knew.
“No, Your Highness. I don’t think of it as embarrassment.”
“Elise, you don’t have to pretend. I know Bennett’s nature well. She must have acted recklessly. Didn’t she curse?”
Karan’s evaluation of the queen was terrible.
“It wasn’t that bad. It was bearable.”
“You have too much patience.”
As if comforting Elise, Karan stroked her cheek. Elise silently accepted his comfort.
“Your Highness, it’s time for the banquet.”
Haltbin unintentionally interrupted the two’s tender moment.
It was a banquet for Karan, so it was inconvenient to be late. He had to enter before Tyllo at least.
“Elise, let’s go.”
Karan held out his hand to Elise. Elise just stared at his hand without grabbing it.
“Elise?”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I have someone else I’m waiting for.”
“What did you say, Elise?”
Karan was greatly surprised.
“The person who will escort me is on their way.”
I thought I heard wrong, but I didn’t.
“Not an escort, but a protocol escort?”
“I heard that in Tetris, it’s customary to have a protocol escort.”
“Although that’s true, I was planning to escort you.”
“Because there’s no one to escort me?”
“Elise, that’s not it. I just wanted to walk in with you.”
Like a king and queen.
Like a crown prince and princess.
At the first appearance of Elise, I wanted to reveal that she is the woman who will become my wife. I wanted to brag. That such a beautiful person is mine.
“Your Highness, I understand your feelings.”
Well, it seems like she doesn’t understand at all.
Karan made a grimace.
“It must have been hard for you to find someone to escort me. And you couldn’t just put anyone by my side. So, you were willing to break the rules and escort me.”
The rules have not been followed since the old days.
“I can’t tarnish your honor from the first appearance. If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t have known.”
Since she found out about the customs of Tetris, it was hard to ignore them outright. Besides, there was already someone else to escort her.
“Ah, Elise, that’s not it.”
Karan sighed out of frustration. It was maddening that he couldn’t explain.
He might have to give up on entering the banquet with her side by side.
“Who is it?”
Who is the guy who has already fallen for Elise? He was only away for a day.
Karan couldn’t hide his jealousy and it showed.
