No More Regrets, Just K*ll Me

 

“What did you say?”

Carlothian received the report about the commotion while Ariadeline was waiting for Pierne on the first floor.

So it was almost immediate.

“What did you just say?”

“There are rude rumors about Miss Ariadeline circulating within the knight order.”

The one reporting the rumors to Carlothian was none other than Pierne. Upon seeing Ariadeline head to the first floor, Pierne had gone straight to find Carlothian.

“Tell me the details.”

Carlothian put down the documents he was reviewing and gave a brief command. Pierne recounted the words spoken by the knights without exaggeration.

Bang!

Carlothian’s fist slammed down on the desk, trembling with anger.

Pierne bowed his head at the sight.

“Miss Ariadeline is waiting on the first floor. I will also accept any punishment after I return.”

A fierce gaze turned toward Pierne.

“Make sure you keep your distance.”

“I understand.”

“Do you really understand?”

Pierne remained silent.

Carlothian stared at him silently before finally speaking and giving orders.

“Gather everyone in the backyard of the lodging.”

“Understood.”

“Who is going with Ariadeline?”

“Me and Greint.”

“I will hold you both accountable later.”

“Understood.”

Carlothian stood up and put on his outer garment, while Pierne went down to the third floor. Among the knights gathered and murmuring, he pulled Phil by the nape of his neck.

“What the—!”

“You’re coming with me to escort Miss Ariadeline.”

“What? Why me?”

“Everyone else will be gathering in the backyard right now.”

At those words, the knights’ faces stiffened. A full assembly called by Carlothian was rare. Even though he was strict, he had never summoned the Knight Order so suddenly.

“He must be really angry.”

Pierne fueled the knights’ anxiety before dragging Phil down to the first floor, where Miss Ariadeline was waiting.

From below, Ariadeline’s cheerful voice could be heard.

“Hello! So, it’s Sir Greint?”

Her voice was so lively that it was hard to believe what had just transpired.

Still, they were elites of the Denaves family. So they had a basic sense of awareness.

They knew very well that the moment Ariadeline found out about this, the punishment they would receive would be even harsher.

So, the knights quietly waited until Ariadeline and the two knights left the lodging.

“Have they left?”

“They have.”

As soon as they confirmed that the three had departed, he shouted.

“Gather!”

“Everyone, gather!”

The lodging was thrown into chaos.

The knights who understood the situation hurled insults at those who had spoken out of turn, while the knights who were unaware of the circumstances began to change their clothes with puzzled expressions.

Five minutes after the order to gather was given, everyone had to gather within that time.

The knights lined up in the backyard one by one. The sight of the knights standing perfectly aligned without a hint of error drew the attention of the people on the first floor, who looked out their windows to watch.

Exactly at the five-minute mark, Carlothian, the Duke of Denaves, appeared. He looked around at the impressive sight of his knights and let out a sarcastic laugh.

“What should I say here?”

With his hands clasped behind his back, he began to walk slowly among the knights.

“Since when have the knights of Denaves become so talkative?”

Carlothian stopped and pointed to a nearby knight, one of the four who had been caught by Ariadeline.

“Alright, let’s hear what you have to say.”

“I will correct my behavior!”

“Correct what?”

“My actions towards Miss Ariadeline…”

“Shut up. How dare you say that name.”

This wasn’t the response Carlothian was looking for. Realizing his mistake, the knight quickly clamped his mouth shut.

“Alright, let’s hear from the next one.”

He looked at one of the knights, still one of the four.

“I will correct my behavior.”

“And what exactly will you correct?”

The knight couldn’t answer. Mentioning Ariadeline here would only make things worse. So what should he say?

As the knight remained silent, Carlothian moved again, standing in front of the knight who had made the most vulgar remark about Ariadeline.

“You.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“So the knights I was proud of are actually just fools.”

Carlothian spoke as if he were ready to tear the knight in front of him apart. Dozens of knights stood there, but none dared to speak. No, they couldn’t bring themselves to speak.

Seeing this, Carlothian issued another command.

“All of you.”

His voice was strained with barely contained anger.

“Bash your heads.”

As soon as the command was given, the knights slammed their heads into the dirt with a thud. Carlothian walked among them, speaking in a cold voice.

“Only those who truly understand what they did wrong can return to the lodging.”

With that final statement, Carlothian disappeared into the lodging, and the knights remained with their heads buried in the stone ground, not daring to rise.

The knights pondered what exactly they had done wrong. They naturally thought it was because of the rumors they had spread about Ariadeline.

However, Carlothian’s face hardened the moment her name was mentioned. That reaction wasn’t just a response to an incorrect answer.

It was disappointment.

Carlothian was disappointed in them. The pride of the knights, who had never once let their lord down since joining the order, was now broken.

Because of this, they began to think even harder about what exactly he was disappointed in.

One hour passed.

Then two hours.

Even after a long time passed, no one lifted their heads.

Carlothian, watching from a window overlooking the backyard, couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh. Should he praise their honesty for not rising because they realized their mistake, or should he scold them for being foolish?

As he stood there with his arms crossed, the door suddenly swung open and someone entered.

“Carlothian!”

Who would barge in without knocking? It was Ariadeline.

“What’s going on outside?”

“What do you mean?”

“The knights!”

“They probably did something deserving of punishment. Don’t worry about it.”

As Carlothian spoke as if it were someone else’s business, Ariadeline placed the bags she was holding on the table and hurried over to him.

“If it’s because of me… just stop it.”

Carlothian raised an eyebrow.

“Why do you think it’s because of you?”

“Well, there was a commotion because of me, after all.”

“You have quite the sense of self-importance to think I would punish them over that.”

Ariadeline narrowed her eyes at his words.

“Is that true?”

“Have you ever seen me lie?”

When Carlothian said that, Ariadeline withdrew her doubtful gaze.

“Never mind! I’m a bit disappointed though.”

“Disappointed?”

“Just kidding!”

For someone who just said that, her gesture of closing the door as she entered the room was quite rough.

Carlothian quietly stared at the door that had slammed shut and spoke to those waiting outside.

“Have them come in one by one.”

The first to enter was Phil. Carlothian asked him the same questions he had posed to the knights.

“Um, so it’s about Miss Ariadeline…”

“Go outside and bash your head.”

Phil scratched his head, looking perplexed, and left the room.

Next to enter, as expected, was Pierne Maicher. Carlothian asked the same question without much expectation.

“Because they have disgraced their lord.”

At that, Carlothian’s eyebrow twitched for the first time.

“And the reason for that?”

“The external reason would be that we spread words that made our lord look like a fool enchanted by the villainess.”

Carlothian uncrossed his arms and asked,

“External reason?”

“If people start thinking that we were punished because of Miss Ariadeline, it won’t benefit her at all.”

“So, you’re saying I’m punishing them for personal reasons while pretending otherwise?”

At that, Pierne looked directly into Carlothian’s eyes and responded, 

“Isn’t that the case?”

“It’s annoyingly…”

Carlothian briefly smiled as he thought of Ariadeline, who would be sulking in her room.

“Accurate.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied with the answer.”

“You, being the smart one, know exactly what you should do right now, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Pierre replied curtly.

“I need to go and bash my head too.”

“Well done. Get out to the backyard.”

“Yes.”

After sending Pierne away, Carlothian naturally knocked on Ariadeline’s door.

Knock, knock.

There was no response. Carlothian opened the door, which was apparently not locked, and leaned against it. He then looked at Ariadeline, who was burrowed into her bed.

“You said you were a joke.”

“I’m not disappointed. I’m just tired and lying down.”

“But you were so confident when yelling at the knights.”

“Then what should I say to them?”

Ariadeline mumbled with her face buried in the pillow.

“They say I’m a villainess, so what can I do?”

Carlothian made an excuse that he couldn’t hear her well and moved closer to her bed.

“So you defended a knight instead of yourself?”

“Yes.”

He placed his hands on both sides of her as he sat on the edge of the bed.

So small. She seems strong on the outside, but inside, she’s so delicate.

He whispered, pressing his lips against her golden hair.

“You’re so good at making accidents, but you’re so timid when it comes to this.”

“Try being in my position, especially when you’re living off of someone.”

“Ariadeline, you’re misunderstanding the situation right now.”

At that, Ariadeline revealed a bit of her face from where it was buried in the pillow. When her large blue eyes met Carlothian’s, they blinked in surprise.