“…I’m ashamed of my improper behavior. Whatever the circumstances were, it was impolite of me to behave in such a ceaseless way.”
In an instant, my behavior turned restrained as I accepted my mistake, but I also didn’t forget to appropriately turn my words rhetorically as if saying, ‘It’s my fault, but there were circumstances, you know?’
However, Ludger’s face, which had been cold the whole time he was looking at Gustav, changed as if he was amused witnessing my polite behavior now.
“No, there’s no need to apologize to me. Rather, I feel apologetic for overhearing your intimate conversation. I promise it wasn’t intentional.”
“No, that’s… because Vice Captain Gustav and I were unrestrained.”
Even if I was in an intense situation and too distracted by the argument, it was still a bit embarrassing for a knight who uses Spirit to not notice someone approaching the terrace.
Needless to say, Spirit users are ordinary people and also have the same senses as ordinary people unless they use their Spirit.
“Sir Clara in that knight order… It seems you’ve suffered.”
“Have you heard that far….”
“The high-ranking officials… I heard him mentioning about disbanding your knight order. I can guess the content of the conversation through that.”
That bastard Gustav, I had to go through this embarrassing discussion because of him.
Fortunately, he didn’t hear those goosebump-inducing words ‘be mine’ he said to me.
I let out a deep sigh.
“Was Young Duke also aware?”
“I’d be lying if I said there were no people with that kind of opinion. But if you ask me if that’s the general opinion, I can say no.”
“….”
So the conclusion was that the bastard Gustav only exaggerated about saying that the higher-ups wanted to disband our knight order as if that was the decision while actually, it was just an opinion some held.
I decided, I would settle things with that bastard before I retire from my knighthood.
“However, depending on the situation, there is a possibility that there will be more people with that kind of opinion… if I have to add.”
“… Meaning if we continue to miss Heilbronner, our order’s position will be in jeopardy. It’s not wrong to say that the manpower will lessen even more.”
“Well, it would be avoidable as long as you can gain even a bit of successful results, not necessarily need to capture him. Perhaps some evidence he left behind, or some investigation results.”
“Well… I guess that’s true.”
We were in a situation where we couldn’t even step on the shadow of the elusive Heilbronner. However, the higher-ups must have thought it was no big deal since they weren’t involved.
“I understand. It must be a sensitive matter, but I’m grateful to Your Highness for letting me know that.”
I curtsied politely before turning away.
However, before I could be out of the terrace, his voice slowly called me from behind.
“Sir Clara.”
“Yes?”
“As we discussed before… The increment of the budget and manpower will probably depend on the next performance of the Ruby Knights.”
“….”
“Of course, as Sir Gustav said, it must not be important to the Knights Templar right now, but it must be important to you.”
“…Yes. That’s right.”
“From your perspective… I believe you’ll want Heilbronner to act a little sloppy.”
“….”
Saying such a thing to me was a mean move on his part, considering he was Heilbronner himself. But, judging from Ludger’s expression, he didn’t seem to be trying to mock me.
Rather, he seemed genuinely concerned about our knight order.
However… Regardless of his intentions, it was a declaration of war to me.
So I twisted the corners of my mouth and looked straight at Ludger.
“Well, since Duke Kassen isn’t Heilbronner, what’s the point of such a discussion?”
“…!”
Ignoring his wavering eyes, I turned around as I said.
“Even if Heilbronner is listening from somewhere… it’s unlikely he’ll listen to my request if I ask him to.”
“….”
“I’ll give my all, hoping Heilbronner will give his all too. That’s all.”
With that, I grabbed the doorknob of the terrace, when I heard Ludger’s voice from behind me.
“I see. I’ll be looking forward to your performance.”
I didn’t know what kind of expression he had on his face at that time…
But his voice sounded somewhat excited.
***
Since the chance of the two of us to be alone and discuss after our argument on the terrace was gone, Gustav didn’t call me again to bother me anymore and let me go.
Certainly, I wouldn’t expect him to not cause such a scene as today in the future even if it was over for the time being.
Furthermore, if that bastard were to become the Captain of the Sapphire Knights soon, he would become even more courageous than he was now when he was the Vice Captain. Even now, he didn’t seem to be restraining himself.
By the time I returned to my apartment, exhausted from head to toe, it was already 2 a.m.
‘Haa… I also want flexible work hours like Sir Sein….’
Even if it was so late at night by the time I went to sleep, I would still need to go to work on time tomorrow too. I fell into a deep sleep, wishing that I could leave work early tomorrow if possible without working overtime.
***
I was dreaming, wandering in a dark space.
In the distance afar, I saw my past self.
The color of the cloak I was wearing was a light blue.
It was the symbol of the Opal Knights.
I was on my knees, barely supporting myself with both arms and groaning.
“Ha! you vicious bitch. Doesn’t even cry once.”
“Just tell me you were wrong. Then I’ll forgive you, how about it?”
I licked the blood that flowed from the wound in the corner of my mouth and swallowed it. Raising my head, I answered in a hoarse voice.
“I’ll tell you again, I didn’t steal. You’re misunderstanding.”
“Hey, you’re the only peasant here who can steal. How dare you deny that?”
“Do you think this is a joke?”
The next scene was vivid in my memory, so I closed my eyes tightly.
But it was no use. I had no idea how the dream mechanism works, but no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t escape from that scene.
So I stared at the scene as calmly as possible, as if I had nothing to do with it.
The sound of the harsh beatings flowed from the distance. My past self endured the pain, not even getting the chance to groan properly.
Eventually, the seniors got tired of me holding on until the end, so they cursed at me before moving away.
The wounded body of my past self trembled, gasping for breath. It was obvious that I was trying to get over it somehow.
I bit my lip so hard that it bled. No one knew but I knew. I wasn’t trying to endure the pain at the unfair treatment, but because I was trying to hold back my tears.
Even though, my struggles were useless.
“… Clara.”
A sweet and soothing voice called out to me. Gustav, who looked a little younger than he is now, approached me. He lowered his body to my eye level, staring at my face.
The face that looked at me with drooping eyebrows was infinitely kind.
He took out some ointment from his coat pocket and began applying it to my face.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you…. No matter how many times I keep insisting that you’re being treated unfairly….”
“No. What can we do when neither you nor I have the power? We have to hold on against evil.”
I raised the corners of my mouth, trying to pretend as if nothing happened.
However, my expression gave away immediately that my smile wasn’t genuine; the corners of my mouth twitched as if I was about to cry.
“…You don’t have to act strong in front of me.”
“….”
“Okay? Clara.”
Hearing him say that made me even more angry. But I smiled with all my might without breaking down.
“It’s hard. But it’s okay, Gustav.”
“….”
“I’ll never lose. I won’t break.”
Gustav’s expression became a little subtle. It was as if he was disappointed that his expectations had not been met.
“How about you give a thought about quitting your job as a knight?”
“No. I’m going to live like a knight for the rest of my life.”
“I see….”
Gustav took a deep breath and suddenly called me.
“Clara.”
“Yes…?”
“Why don’t you think about it?”
“What?”
“Quit your job as a knight and marry me.”
“…!”
My eyes widened at the unexpected proposal.
Up until now, he had only been a colleague and a friend to me. He had never even confessed that he liked me.
I felt like someone had hit me hard in the back of the head, I barely opened my mouth to ask a question.
“You…You, loved me?”
“Um….”
Gustav closed his eyes and smiled like an angel, his kind-looking face full of laughter.
“Maybe this feeling is love.”
***
“Ahh!”
I barely managed to escape from the horrible nightmare. My hands were shaking.
It had been a while since I had the terrible dream. I guess meeting Gustav again had triggered my memories.
I buried my face in my hands.
Rather than feeling painful about that memory, I felt ashamed. I wanted to kick the blankets off.
I couldn’t stand how foolish and stupid I had been to be fooled by Gustav.
I didn’t have any romantic feelings toward him, but I definitely relied on him as a friend.
“Haa….”
Dawn was close to approaching, so it was a bit dim outside. It seemed like I hadn’t slept for more than a few hours.
I got up from my bed, not pondering on wanting to get some more sleep. I thought since I got up early, I should just go to work quickly.
***
I arrived at the door in front of the building where our knights’ office was located.
Climbing the stairs as the chilly early spring wind blew, I thought to myself.
‘Am I the one to arrive first?’
I was about to open the door without thinking about it like I usually do, but my movement paused for a moment.
There wasn’t anything specific that looked odd to me. No strange sound reached my ears nor did any unusual things fall on my eyes.
However, I just felt ominously cold.
‘Was I being sensitive because I didn’t sleep much last night?’
But even so, I couldn’t completely ignore the warning my intuition was giving me. Therefore, with utmost caution, I opened the door to the knights’ office.
Just at that moment.
Boom!
As soon as the door opened, smoke rose into the air as if a firecracker had exploded.
In the midst of the thick smoke, a magical light floated through the air, creating some letters.
[To Dear Captain Clara Weyburn
From Thief Heilbroner.]
Thanks 🤗🇧🇷