MIDV: Chapter 54

Ludger shook his head slightly, immediately realizing that my question was about Heilbronner.

“No.”

“……”

“Other than you, perhaps only the butler knows. But even he doesn’t know everything……”

Ludger looked back at me with a smile that was as charming as it was cryptic.

“The only person in this world who knows my secret best is Sir Clara.”

His elegant, low voice, just loud enough for me to hear, echoed in my ears.

I was the only person who knew Ludger Kassen’s secrets better than anyone else in the world.

My heart pounded, and my fingertips tingled. I quickly shook off the strange feeling and replied, slightly flustered.

“Please refrain from teasing me, Your Highness. It just happened that way.”

“Well, it’s true that it’s a consequence of events… but I feel truly fortunate that it was you who discovered my secret.”

“…..”

“Sincerely.”

His words made me feel even more embarrassed. Avoiding his gaze, I barely managed to respond.

“Thank you for thinking of me like that.”

“Never mind.”

Luckily, the host approached us before things could get any more awkward.

Today, Elisa was dressed in a light green gown, looking like a fresh, lush summer forest. And Prince Alphonse, as usual, stuck beside her as if had no intention of leaving her side.

“Welcome, Captain Clara. I’m so glad you accepted my invitation today.”

“Your Highness Alphonse, I appreciate the invitation to this wonderful event.”

Internally, of course, I cursed him for making me work on a weekend and for adding three years worth of work to my life. But outwardly, I kept up my polite front.

At that moment, Ludger, who had been smiling politely, decided to speak up.

“Actually, I was a little surprised. When I heard you invited Captain Clara to the tea party.”

Elisa blushed slightly, her beautiful face turning a charming hue of red, answering for Alphonse with a tender expression,

“If Captain Clara hadn’t been there that day, both I and His Highness might have been injured. I wanted to express my deep gratitude, so I arranged this gathering.”

“I was simply doing my duty as a knight.”

While we exchanged formal pleasantries, Ludger’s next words took a sharper tone.

“No, what surprised me wasn’t that you invited Captain Clara.”

“…..?”

“The fact that surprised me was, Captain Clara was the ‘only’ one invited to the tea party.”

His gaze, tinged with a hint of sarcasm, settled on Alphonse.

“I’m rather astonished at how modest this reward is for the knight who protected the Second Prince.”

‘Whoa… is he really picking a fight here of all places?’

I began to sweat. Was Ludger really here just to challenge the Prince?

‘Are you out of your mind? You’re the villain, remember?’

But before I could even process it, Alphonse smiled.

“Oh, I quite agree. You’re absolutely right.”

Without a hint of shame, he turned his attention to me.

“So, Captain Clara.”

“…Yes?”

“I have a proposal for you.”

An ominous feeling washed over me, and my fists clenched instinctively.

“Your swordsmanship and judgment were truly impressive. It’s regrettable that we’ve only just now come to know of such a talented knight.”

“…That’s very kind of you to say.”

“So, Sir Clara… would you like to become my escort knight?”

What?

It was as if I had been hit with a hammer out of nowhere. Elisa chimed in before I could react.

“I thought it was such a wonderful idea! How comforting it would be to have someone as skilled as Sir Clara by Alphonse’s side…..”

Cold sweat dripped down my back. I never expected a medal or reward, but I certainly didn’t expect to be used like this.

‘Did you really think becoming your escort knight would be an honor?’

The Ruby Knights may not be the most prestigious, but we are still recognized as an independent knightly order. Asking the captain of such an order to be your personal guard? It’s like recruiting a manager and asking them to work as your assistant.

However, it was unfortunate that the person making this preposterous offer was none other than the Prince.

I tried to navigate a polite rejection, one that wouldn’t land my head on a guillotine.

“Well… I appreciate the thought, but unfortunately, I’m already responsible for leading the Ruby Knights. My duties keep me far too busy to take on the role of an escort knight.”

“Oh my….. That’s truly a pity,”

Elisa said, her eyes misty with disappointment. Alphonse’s expression immediately grew irritated at my rejection.

“I made this suggestion out of respect for your honor, so it’s regrettable to hear such a response.”

Here we go…

Before I could respond, Ludger’s soft yet sharp voice cut in,

“Well, if you truly held Sir Clara in such high regard, I doubt you would have made such a suggestion in the first place.”

“…What?”

Ludger’s smile was cold as ice.

“Captain Clara is responsible for an entire order of knights. Escorting a prince is typically a duty for regular knights. Isn’t your proposal rather….. unbalanced?”

“……”

“If you were offering her the position of guarding His Majesty the Emperor, then that might be a different story.”

By now, Ludger’s meaning was clear: ‘Are you already acting like an Emperor? Be in your limits.’

Someone save me!

Wasn’t this supposed to be a peaceful day? Instead, I was caught in the middle of a political brawl I had no interest in.

Alphonse’s expression darkened, and the already chilly air grew even colder.

“I see. Perhaps my suggestion was hasty.”

“Oh no, Your Highness. I greatly appreciate your kind words.”

To be fair, in terms of pure career advancement, being the Second Prince’s escort knight was far better than leading the humble Ruby Knights. It would allow me to escape the absurd mission of hunting down Heilbronner, too.

But honestly? I didn’t want to leave.

I liked the Ruby Knights. I liked supporting and encouraging my subordinates. That mattered more than any career advancement.

“I will, however, continue to serve the Empire with the utmost dedication in my current role. My loyalty to the Royal Family remains unwavering, regardless of where I serve.”

“…I see.”

Alphonse took Elisa’s hand, who seemed at the verge of crying, and murmured something cryptic,

“I hope your knights continue to thrive.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

It felt more like he was cursing me to my stagnation. I sighed inwardly. What a mess. Male leads in romance novels definitely need character development boot camps.

Alphonse wasn’t done. He turned to Ludger with a thin smile.

“Lord Kassen, I owe you thanks for opening my eyes to something knowledgeable.”

“You’re welcome.”

Ludger replied smoothly.

“I must repay you for your generosity. Surely, you’ll accept my gratitude in due time.”

Alphonse’s meaning was clear: Know your place.

Ludger remained unbothered, he still had a calm smile.

“I will continue to serve you loyally, Your Highness. Just like Captain Clara.”

“Hmph.”

Alphonse’s expression remained icy as he spoke again,

“You seem quite close to Sir Clara Weyburn.”

“……”

“I hope your ‘loyalty’ will remain steadfast, no matter what.”

Despite the veiled threat, Ludger smiled unwaveringly.

“Of course. For the eternal glory of the Leuke Empire.”

The tense confrontation was finally ending, or so I thought.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a strange sensation washed over me, and I froze in place.

“…Oh!”

Elisa stumbled, her delicate body collapsing to the floor like a blooming flower.