Translator and Editor: Lea and Aki
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 50
Previously, Ian had given it to her because she seemed very fond of it. However, he cautioned her not to use it since it could hurt her neck.
“It’s mine, but I’m lending it to you so you don’t get hurt.”
And here she was pushing it towards him, blatantly claiming it to be hers. But her tone was full of concern.
Ian was stunned, noticing the sudden hardening of her face.
After a few minutes, a knight knocked on the door and walked inside.
“Please confirm the necessary supplies, Captain.”
Laritte let the knight in before she walked out of the room.
She didn’t want to disturb Ian when he was busy.
She gave up her precious helmet and gave up her wish.
“I’ll be back later. Please excuse me.”
She turned around without a second thought while the helmet stayed still in Ian’s hand.
“Captain?”
The knight held out a document of supplies, but Ian paid no attention.
He could only hear a cracking sound from the helmet he was holding. Not long after, a tendon sprang up in his hand.
“C-Captain?”
“……What is wrong with me?”
He sighed heavily.
He needed a quick talk with her.
***
The squadron was set up quickly. All from the Knighthood of Reinhardt. Enough for the troop.
But with about two-fifth of knights leaving, the mansion would be quite deserted.
After Ian was cleared of the false charge, it was taking quite a long time for the other knights to return.
“A few knights are left behind, but they’ll have no problem in protecting the mansion.”
Ian said to Laritte.
The mansion was situated atop a hill.
The knights leaving with Ian used to ramble on to Laritte. Now, however, the knights who would be with her were elite.
“Protecting the mansion?”
Ian nodded when she asked.
“We were able to strengthen our security with help from Count Reikla. She’s a Knight of our Order.”
Even so, the Duchy had impenetrable defenses, so there was nothing to worry about.
However, it seemed Ian was overprotective.
Redra, who was standing next to Ian, bowed her head.
“I am Redra Reikla, madam.”
The red-haired knight already knew about Laritte. Well, unilaterally.
“On the day Madam came to the mansion, I accompanied her.”
Laritte seemed surprised. She had no memory of it.
“I was unconscious at the time. But I don’t think I have seen you ever since that day.”
“You’re right, Madam. I haven’t been present in the mansion since I was performing operations outside. All the knights of aristocratic descent did.”
When the Duke’s people were separated by the stigma of treason, knights of noble origin were allowed to work for another family.
Due to their contracts with those families, their return had been delayed.
Like Redra, only a handful of nobles were released immediately. They helped manage the Dukedom outside the mansion.
It was Ian’s ruse as well.
They didn’t help Laritte adjust to the mansion. Aristocrats grew up, learning how to treat illegitimate children.
“Lady Redra isn’t dressed in armor?”
“No. I’ve been given orders to stay at the mansion. I’m tasked to protect you during Captain’s absence.”
Redra was different from the knights Laritte had met before. She was tough and concealing. Though she was of noble birth, she was on the side of Laritte’s delight.
On the day Laritte arrived at the mansion, Redra was defeated by Ian’s stubbornness and forced to swear to serve Laritte.
Now, the time had come for the punitive force to leave for their destination.
Ian, who was in the lead, climbed up his horse.
“I’ll be seeing you soon, Laritte.”
“Please return safely.”
“I’m more worried about Laritte getting bored here.”
He wasn’t joking.
“If you need anything while I’m away, just let nanny Ava know. She’ll help you get everything your way. Except for divorce.”
“What if that is what I want?”
He frowned under the helmet.
“When you make a joke, make sure to act like you are.”
“I tried my best.”
With that, he nodded to her as a sign of taking departure.
Hooves thudded on the ground as the squad followed their leader.
***
But there was something Ian missed.
Laritte’s enemies could arise not only from outside the Dukedom but also inside.
Knights from noble families said they would at least take a month to return.
“What is happening?”
A few days after the punitive force left, Redra rushed to the annex, frowning. She started to reorganize the knights.
Bartolt, the knight in deputy who betrayed Ian, was not the commander anymore.
Redra was the top interim deputy commander of the Order now.
“Find out the number of people who came back. How’d this happen?”
“The families they were serving had broken their contracts early.”
As a result, most of the knights, who belonged to the remaining three-fifths of the Order of Reinhardt, have returned.
The situation was like this.
When Ian caused the house of Brumayers to fall, other families became frightened. That’s the reason they returned the knights before the end of the contractual period. They wanted to appear cooperative in the eyes of the whole nation.
A family servilely broke the contract, and everyone followed suit. As a result, something so unprecedented happened.
“All have returned, except for five or six.”
“That many?”
This left Redra concerned. The knights were directed toward the annex.
She didn’t want them to run into Laritte, but it was a difficult task now, considering how many have returned.
‘Those guys wouldn’t like her. It’d be a hassle.’
The Knights of Reinhardt could sacrifice their lives for the Duchy.
But the question was, ‘Would they recognize Laritte as their Madam?’
Since Ian chose her, there would be no formal problem.
But humans were known to act on emotions. Their subtle hostility would haunt Laritte. Since Ian wasn’t here.
“Anyway, I’ll have to let her know.”
All the knights were supposed to return here as of today.
She needed a place to convene and introduce them to the Madam.
Redra walked to Laritte, who was strolling through the rose garden.
“Madam, may I ask you something?”
Laritte’s tone was kind.
“What is it?”
She couldn’t even spend time with Laritte since she was in charge of maintaining the defense of the mansion.
She used to think that talking to a beautiful woman usually made a man tense. Yet, being a woman herself, she felt so awkward.
“Madam, we received a report that the rest of the knights have returned. I think they should be summoned for the Madam to be introduced.”
“Okay, at what time shall I be present?”
“It doesn’t need to be anything grand, so anytime will be fine. I recommend 4 in the afternoon today. It’s spring, but the sun might irritate your skin at this time of day.”
“If there’s no other possible choice, we will go with your suggestion.”
Redra jogged back to prepare for the meet.
By 4 PM, Laritte was out on the rough floor of the field. But not all of the knights were present before her.
Laritte flashed a smile.
‘According to the data sent by Lady Redra, shouldn’t this place be packed with knights?’
Rather, it seemed to be half of what Redra said.
In the distance, Redra was seen screaming angrily.
“If he’s not coming, drag him by the hair!”
Laritte walked up to where she was.
“Is something the matter?”
Redra, who was furiously breathing, closed her mouth in embarrassment.
“That….. Many knights are absent here. They appear to have fallen sick.”
“They must’ve caught a cold.”
Of course, everyone knew that wasn’t the reason.
Since they heard their Captain wasn’t here, they were unwilling to see an illegitimate child as their Duchess. This was a type of protesting.
Redra shook her head firmly. They should take care of Madam.
“There’s no such thing. I apologize, but if you wait a little longer, I’ll call for them again.”
“Then are the rest of the knights attending?”
“Allow me to speak to them. I have an idea.”
Redra Reikla.
Her greatest ability was how she ‘spoke’.
She was one of the most prominent and promising women in the Empire of Iassa. It was not uncommon for a woman to take responsibility for a County. In addition, she was the closest of the eight, strong Swordmaster candidates of the Empire. Originally, she was ranked the third among the Knights of Reinhardt and became the second in command after the disappearance of the traitor.
Redra was an icon for female knights.
Translator and Editor: Lea and Aki
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chapter 50
Previously, Ian had given it to her because she seemed very fond of it. However, he cautioned her not to use it since it could hurt her neck.
“It’s mine, but I’m lending it to you so you don’t get hurt.”
And here she was pushing it towards him, blatantly claiming it to be hers. But her tone was full of concern.
Ian was stunned, noticing the sudden hardening of her face.
After a few minutes, a knight knocked on the door and walked inside.
“Please confirm the necessary supplies, Captain.”
Laritte let the knight in before she walked out of the room.
She didn’t want to disturb Ian when he was busy.
She gave up her precious helmet and gave up her wish.
“I’ll be back later. Please excuse me.”
She turned around without a second thought while the helmet stayed still in Ian’s hand.
“Captain?”
The knight held out a document of supplies, but Ian paid no attention.
He could only hear a cracking sound from the helmet he was holding. Not long after, a tendon sprang up in his hand.
“C-Captain?”
“……What is wrong with me?”
He sighed heavily.
He needed a quick talk with her.
***
The squadron was set up quickly. All from the Knighthood of Reinhardt. Enough for the troop.
But with about two-fifth of knights leaving, the mansion would be quite deserted.
After Ian was cleared of the false charge, it was taking quite a long time for the other knights to return.
“A few knights are left behind, but they’ll have no problem in protecting the mansion.”
Ian said to Laritte.
The mansion was situated atop a hill.
The knights leaving with Ian used to ramble on to Laritte. Now, however, the knights who would be with her were elite.
“Protecting the mansion?”
Ian nodded when she asked.
“We were able to strengthen our security with help from Count Reikla. She’s a Knight of our Order.”
Even so, the Duchy had impenetrable defenses, so there was nothing to worry about.
However, it seemed Ian was overprotective.
Redra, who was standing next to Ian, bowed her head.
“I am Redra Reikla, madam.”
The red-haired knight already knew about Laritte. Well, unilaterally.
“On the day Madam came to the mansion, I accompanied her.”
Laritte seemed surprised. She had no memory of it.
“I was unconscious at the time. But I don’t think I have seen you ever since that day.”
“You’re right, Madam. I haven’t been present in the mansion since I was performing operations outside. All the knights of aristocratic descent did.”
When the Duke’s people were separated by the stigma of treason, knights of noble origin were allowed to work for another family.
Due to their contracts with those families, their return had been delayed.
Like Redra, only a handful of nobles were released immediately. They helped manage the Dukedom outside the mansion.
It was Ian’s ruse as well.
They didn’t help Laritte adjust to the mansion. Aristocrats grew up, learning how to treat illegitimate children.
“Lady Redra isn’t dressed in armor?”
“No. I’ve been given orders to stay at the mansion. I’m tasked to protect you during Captain’s absence.”
Redra was different from the knights Laritte had met before. She was tough and concealing. Though she was of noble birth, she was on the side of Laritte’s delight.
On the day Laritte arrived at the mansion, Redra was defeated by Ian’s stubbornness and forced to swear to serve Laritte.
Now, the time had come for the punitive force to leave for their destination.
Ian, who was in the lead, climbed up his horse.
“I’ll be seeing you soon, Laritte.”
“Please return safely.”
“I’m more worried about Laritte getting bored here.”
He wasn’t joking.
“If you need anything while I’m away, just let nanny Ava know. She’ll help you get everything your way. Except for divorce.”
“What if that is what I want?”
He frowned under the helmet.
“When you make a joke, make sure to act like you are.”
“I tried my best.”
With that, he nodded to her as a sign of taking departure.
Hooves thudded on the ground as the squad followed their leader.
***
But there was something Ian missed.
Laritte’s enemies could arise not only from outside the Dukedom but also inside.
Knights from noble families said they would at least take a month to return.
“What is happening?”
A few days after the punitive force left, Redra rushed to the annex, frowning. She started to reorganize the knights.
Bartolt, the knight in deputy who betrayed Ian, was not the commander anymore.
Redra was the top interim deputy commander of the Order now.
“Find out the number of people who came back. How’d this happen?”
“The families they were serving had broken their contracts early.”
As a result, most of the knights, who belonged to the remaining three-fifths of the Order of Reinhardt, have returned.
The situation was like this.
When Ian caused the house of Brumayers to fall, other families became frightened. That’s the reason they returned the knights before the end of the contractual period. They wanted to appear cooperative in the eyes of the whole nation.
A family servilely broke the contract, and everyone followed suit. As a result, something so unprecedented happened.
“All have returned, except for five or six.”
“That many?”
This left Redra concerned. The knights were directed toward the annex.
She didn’t want them to run into Laritte, but it was a difficult task now, considering how many have returned.
‘Those guys wouldn’t like her. It’d be a hassle.’
The Knights of Reinhardt could sacrifice their lives for the Duchy.
But the question was, ‘Would they recognize Laritte as their Madam?’
Since Ian chose her, there would be no formal problem.
But humans were known to act on emotions. Their subtle hostility would haunt Laritte. Since Ian wasn’t here.
“Anyway, I’ll have to let her know.”
All the knights were supposed to return here as of today.
She needed a place to convene and introduce them to the Madam.
Redra walked to Laritte, who was strolling through the rose garden.
“Madam, may I ask you something?”
Laritte’s tone was kind.
“What is it?”
She couldn’t even spend time with Laritte since she was in charge of maintaining the defense of the mansion.
She used to think that talking to a beautiful woman usually made a man tense. Yet, being a woman herself, she felt so awkward.
“Madam, we received a report that the rest of the knights have returned. I think they should be summoned for the Madam to be introduced.”
“Okay, at what time shall I be present?”
“It doesn’t need to be anything grand, so anytime will be fine. I recommend 4 in the afternoon today. It’s spring, but the sun might irritate your skin at this time of day.”
“If there’s no other possible choice, we will go with your suggestion.”
Redra jogged back to prepare for the meet.
By 4 PM, Laritte was out on the rough floor of the field. But not all of the knights were present before her.
Laritte flashed a smile.
‘According to the data sent by Lady Redra, shouldn’t this place be packed with knights?’
Rather, it seemed to be half of what Redra said.
In the distance, Redra was seen screaming angrily.
“If he’s not coming, drag him by the hair!”
Laritte walked up to where she was.
“Is something the matter?”
Redra, who was furiously breathing, closed her mouth in embarrassment.
“That….. Many knights are absent here. They appear to have fallen sick.”
“They must’ve caught a cold.”
Of course, everyone knew that wasn’t the reason.
Since they heard their Captain wasn’t here, they were unwilling to see an illegitimate child as their Duchess. This was a type of protesting.
Redra shook her head firmly. They should take care of Madam.
“There’s no such thing. I apologize, but if you wait a little longer, I’ll call for them again.”
“Then are the rest of the knights attending?”
“Allow me to speak to them. I have an idea.”
Redra Reikla.
Her greatest ability was how she ‘spoke’.
She was one of the most prominent and promising women in the Empire of Iassa. It was not uncommon for a woman to take responsibility for a County. In addition, she was the closest of the eight, strong Swordmaster candidates of the Empire. Originally, she was ranked the third among the Knights of Reinhardt and became the second in command after the disappearance of the traitor.
Redra was an icon for female knights.
