Sir Knight, We Agreed to Get Through This!

❖ ❖ ❖

Under the bright sun, confetti fluttered through the air in a lively market street.

“My goodness, Lady Luisha!”

“Hm?”

“What are you doing up there?!”

Jenny came running toward me, shaking her brown hair that was tied up high and twitching the freckles scattered across her face. I tilted my head and looked down at my feet.

“Oh, when did all these people gather?”

“It’s dangerous! Please, come down right now!”

“Alright, alright. I’m coming down.”

I gathered up the wide spread of my dress, turned lightly, and stepped down from the terrace railing. Jenny screamed and clutched her head in distress.

“Please, every time I take my eyes off you, you do something dangerous…!”

“Come on, it’s not dangerous. It’s not even that high.”

“Lady Luisha, we’re on the third floor!”

Jenny shrieked at the top of her lungs. I gave an awkward smile and looked down from the terrace. The street below was packed with nobles and commoners alike, all gathered to celebrate the Empire’s victory. Imperial flags hung high from every shop, and colorful flowers adorned every home.

‘I wouldn’t die if I fell, though.’

But the people who had been watching me stand on the third-floor railing were now glancing nervously in my direction. Feeling a bit embarrassed, I pushed my pink hair behind my ear and looked up at the sky.

“By the way, when are the Seisior Paladins coming in? I want to see them and head back.”

Jenny, who had been fussing with my dress, let out a deep sigh.

“They returned to the country two evenings ago, so they should arrive in the capital soon.”

“Hmm. They say the Paladin Commander is incredibly handsome, right?”

“That’s what they say… but, Lady Luisha! Please, just stay still!”

Jenny, who had grown more frustrated as she tried to tame my windblown curls, scolded me with a pout. I giggled and stretched my neck to scan the street.

Heliod Vus, the commander of the Seisior Paladins, who had led the Empire to victory in the Thirty-Year War and slain the last of the demons, raising the Empire’s reputation to new heights. The street was filled with noble ladies, all dressed to the nines, fluttering their fans in hopes of catching a glimpse of him.

“Mary said he’s so handsome that you’d want to pull out the pillars of your house and offer them to him…”

I stroked my chin.

“Maybe I should ask him to be my lover?”

“Lady Luisha!”

Jenny jumped in alarm and glanced around.

“Don’t say such things! He’s a war hero who’s taken a vow of chastity…”

“I know, I know. I was just joking.”

I chuckled, but Jenny knew as well as I did that in the current social scene, the top candidate for the role of a “pretend lover” was none other than Heliod Vus, the most famous Paladin.

The “pretend lover” game was a form of entertainment among noble ladies, where they would bring along a few commoners to pose as lovers and enjoy the nightlife. Heliod, despite being the commander of the Paladins and a hero of the Empire, was an ideal candidate for such games due to his striking looks and his background as an orphan from the commoner class.

Of course, I didn’t harbor any such intentions toward a knight who had dedicated himself to the Empire…

“Lady Luisha, the Paladin procession is here!”

“Wow…”

I gazed in awe, my mouth agape. The Seisior Paladins were entering the street, showered in white flowers. Clad in white cloaks and gleaming silver armor, they marched with a massive banner waving in the wind. At the front, Heliod Vus removed his helmet, and I slapped my forehead.

‘Oh no.’

His long, soft white hair swayed, and his white eyelashes fluttered. His delicate face, bathed in sunlight, shone like a statue, and the women in the crowd let out a collective sigh.

Forget being a passing fling. With a face like that, he’s someone you’d want as a lifelong partner.

As I stupidly stared at his face, Heliod’s gaze turned toward me. I jumped, startled. My eyes met his deep blue ones.

“Uh…”

After a few breathless seconds, Heliod turned away as the blaring trumpet and marching music resumed. I collapsed in admiration.

‘I really want to get entangled with him.’

Not even the pillars of my house would be enough. I’d have to take out a mortgage on the estate to offer up my entire fortune, and it still wouldn’t be enough for a face like that.

Jenny was fussing about something beside me, but I couldn’t hear her. My mind was completely captivated by that flawless face.

The idea that someone like him would take a vow of chastity and devote his life to the temple? No wonder the noble ladies were devastated.

‘He’s really something… but I probably won’t see him again.’

I watched his retreating figure with regret.

I was the only daughter of the Arpen Duchy, and he was a war hero from a commoner background. The most I could hope for was to see him at a victory banquet.

Little did I know how I would meet him again in the future. For now, I just sighed and headed back inside the building.

❖ ❖ ❖

As the day waned, night deepened. The victory celebration in the capital continued well into the evening. Even in the pitch-black darkness, commoners set off fireworks, while nobles enjoyed a grand banquet within the open palace.

“Luisha!”

I turned around at the familiar voice while I leisurely strolled, fanning myself. My longtime friend, Mary, was striding toward me, her soft sky-blue hair fluttering behind her.

“Mary. You’re going to trip if you’re not careful.”

“Is that what’s important right now? Did you hear? Commander Vus isn’t attending tonight’s banquet!”

“What?”

My eyes widened in surprise. The entire purpose of this banquet was to celebrate the Empire’s victory and honor the Paladins, and yet the commander who played the most crucial role wasn’t attending?

“How does that make any sense? Why?”

When am I supposed to see that handsome face again?

Frustrated, I snapped my fan shut with a loud click. Mary lightly clicked her tongue as she watched me scan the surroundings, hoping to spot Heliod.

“So you went to see the Paladins’ procession earlier and caught a glimpse of Commander Vus?”

“Yeah, I did. You were right—no, even more so than what you said—his beauty is incredible.”

“Isn’t it? I was shocked too when I saw him in our family’s newspaper.”

Mary was the daughter of Count Jedediah, whose family owned the largest newspaper company in the capital. It was Jedediah’s gossip section that first published an article about Heliod’s stunning appearance.

Mary’s face flushed with excitement before she quickly shook it off and continued.

“Anyway, I think the Emperor is attending the memorial service first, so Heliod will probably show up then. He must have thought the victory banquet was more of a social gathering for nobles.”

“That makes sense…”

It wasn’t an unreasonable assumption. Our Emperor, Gaetan, had declared that he wouldn’t attend the banquet, which was overflowing with food and drink, as a gesture of honoring the dead first. He would make his appearance at the memorial service scheduled for a few hours later. If Heliod shared the same sentiment, then there was nothing to be done about it…

‘But I thought I’d at least get to see his face.’

Sighing in disappointment, I took a large sip of wine. Mary gasped and quickly tried to stop me.

“Hey, you can’t drink like that! This wine is pretty strong.”

“It’s fine. I’m just going to go inside, rest a bit, and come out for the memorial service.”

I needed to change my outfit for the memorial anyway, and there was no point in lingering at a banquet without Heliod.

“Might as well head in before it gets too crowded.”

“Hmm. Alright then. I’m sure our young lady knows best.”

Mary pouted. It seemed she had wanted to explore the banquet with me. I smiled and lightly tapped her arm.

“You came late. Do you know how much I was pestered by those young lords?”

“Of course. Lady Arpen—beautiful, from a great family. I heard you’re still getting proposals.”

“Sigh.”

The Arpen family, the only ducal house in the Empire.

With a title like that, you’d think I’d have come to terms with my position and seriously considered marriage proposals by now, right? Yet ever since I debuted in society two years ago, I’ve received several proposals each month. From nobles of similar rank to young lords from less prominent families, the proposals ranged widely. Whether for a strategic alliance or for love, it didn’t really matter to me. But after two years of this, it was starting to wear me out.

“Anyway, I’m heading out now. Enjoy the banquet, Mary.”

“Alright. See you later.”

I waved weakly at Mary and walked away, the sound of my heels echoing. The palace had rest areas set up for guests from various noble families. Since I preferred wandering alone, I had sent Jenny to wait there. I thought about how I needed to get there quickly and rest when—

“Oh!”

I bumped into someone. Startled, I stumbled, but a strong arm caught me around the waist.

“I’m sor—” I started to apologize but stopped mid-sentence. I felt the heat of his breath close to me and the firm arm pressing against the smooth fabric of my dress. The man holding me was none other than Sir Heliod Vus.

“Oh…”

For some reason, Heliod’s face was flushed as he looked at me with unsteady eyes. When I didn’t respond, he covered his body with his long cloak and asked,

“Lady Arpen, are you hurt?”

Although the memorial service was still hours away, Heliod was already dressed in his black formal uniform, with his long hair neatly tied and draped down his back.

‘He really is insanely handsome.’

Seeing him up close for the first time, I couldn’t help but feel a bit breathless. I was momentarily mesmerized by his thick eyelashes before quickly regaining my composure. Covering my mouth, I smiled.

“No, I’m fine. I’m sorry for causing you trouble, Sir.”

“No, it was my fault for not watching where I was…”

Heliod answered politely but then abruptly fell silent. His chest heaved as he took in a deep breath.

“It’s… my fault…”

But something seemed off about Heliod. His breathing was heavy, and his face was bright red, as if he was uncomfortable or in pain. Could he be injured? Worried, I gently touched his arm.

“Sir Vus, are you okay? You don’t look well.”

“I… I’m fine…”

Heliod tried to steady himself, pressing his hand to his forehead, but suddenly collapsed forward. Startled, I instinctively reached out to support him, despite him being nearly twice my size. Of course, we both ended up crashing to the ground.

“Ouch!”

It was my fault for trying to catch a muscular knight. Feeling the ache in my back, I patted Heliod, trying to rouse him.

“Sir? Hello? Are you alright?”

“…Ah…”

Heliod twitched. He bit his lip, panting, his eyes squeezed shut as his fists clenched tightly. His strange, heated breath brushed against my neck. I rolled my eyes downward, feeling a heavy pressure below.

“Uh…”

Wait a minute, is this what I think it is? This long, heavy, warm thing… could it really be…?

Swallowing nervously, I glanced down, only to see something bulging beneath Heliod’s neatly buttoned jacket and vest.

“Sir? Are you… are you… uh, erect…?”

Heliod didn’t respond. He barely managed to open his eyes, blinking several times before tears welled up in his blue eyes. The sight of him, in such a vulnerable state, left me speechless and completely captivated.

‘Forget the erection—he’s just so handsome.’

Since when did I find a man crying so appealing? I’d just discovered a new preference of mine. I could honestly lie here forever.

But as I stared in a daze, I suddenly remembered that there was no way the famously pure commander of the Paladins would be aroused right before a memorial service. I took a deep breath and tried to sit up.

“Sir, are you feeling unwell? Can you stand?”

I tried to help him up.

Why on earth is this man so heavy? Is he made entirely of muscle? No matter how much I pushed and tried to lift him, Heliod wouldn’t budge an inch. Growing increasingly anxious, I reached out to touch his face, which was pressed against my shoulder as he panted.

“What?”

Before I knew it, I was in a pure white space, all alone.

I tilted my head. What is this? Am I dreaming right now?

“What is this place…?”

Even after slapping my own cheek, nothing changed. Did I somehow activate a teleportation scroll? But I’d never heard of a scroll transporting someone to a place like this.

As I looked around in confusion, I spotted a figure crouched a short distance away.

“Sir?”

Heliod was there, kneeling on one knee and breathing heavily as he stared at the ground. At least I wasn’t the only one transported. I quickly ran over to him.

“Sir Vus! What’s going on here?”

“…”

“Sir!”

I placed my hand on Heliod’s shoulder, and he flinched, shaking me off. I stepped back, my mouth agape.

Lady Arpen, age 22. Rejected by a man for the first time.

My shock was short-lived as I noticed the embarrassed look in his reddened eyes as he glanced at me. I immediately crouched down in front of him.

“What’s happening to us? Is this some kind of magic scroll? We were just in the palace corridor, weren’t we?”

“Lady… Arpen…”

“Are we under attack? What exactly is going on…?”

My gaze drifted down to the prominent bulge in his pants, still straining against his cloak.

It’s still standing.

“Could it be… that you were affected by some sort of… aphrodisiac…?”

Heliod’s face turned bright red. He covered his face with his hands, clutching his cloak tightly around him. I quickly waved my hands in reassurance.

“I-I didn’t see anything! Please, don’t worry!”

I never imagined I’d witness the erection of the Paladin Commander, a war hero who had taken a vow of chastity. This is… well, quite the opportunity… No, no, this is serious. If it’s an aphrodisiac, there could be dangerous side effects if we don’t do something. I steeled my expression and approached him.

“Fortunately, there are plenty of priests in the palace. Let’s figure out how to get out of here. It seems like some kind of barrier creating an illusion, but I have a few magical tools that might help…”

“It’s not a barrier.”

Heliod shook his head. I stopped talking and looked at him. He took a deep breath, his brows furrowed as he apologized.

“I’m… deeply ashamed.”

“Pardon?”

“This is all because of me… Ah.”

Heliod twisted his lower body. He seemed stunned by the low groan that escaped his lips and quickly covered his mouth, glancing at me anxiously. By now, I couldn’t help but feel my own face flush red. Forcing my gaze away from the obvious, I asked seriously,

“Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

“…Yes.”

“Can we get back to the palace?”

Heliod bit his lip and exhaled a heated breath. He wiped the sweat from his face and answered,

“We… haven’t been transported.”

“What? Then…”

“This is… a dream.”

“A dream?”

A dream?

“And this is due to a curse placed on me… Ugh!”

Heliod suddenly let out a pained groan, collapsing forward. Startled, I caught him and struggled to support his weight.

“Sir! Please, explain what’s happening!”

An aphrodisiac, a strange white space—this wasn’t a place we could afford to linger in.

As I decided to take a firmer stance, I froze. Heliod had started rubbing his erection against my thigh.