Chapter 76: Love Triangle
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: Love Triangle
Still, not a chance.
"Speak to the Grand Duke regarding the matter of the escort," I declared, preparing to walk away.
Tiern hurriedly took another step toward me. "I have already spoken to the Captain."
His tone was forceful, as if he were conscious of my previous criticism—that he couldn't even bring himself to speak to the Grand Duke directly.
"And did His Grace grant permission?"
"……He said that Your Highness’s forgiveness was more important."
Ugh. I suppose he actually managed to swallow his pride and ask the Grand Duke after all.
Perhaps it was because the usual rebellious spark in his eyes had faded, but Tiern looked somewhat pitiful today. The slight trembling in his brown eyes was almost heart-wrenching.
Wait, looking at him now, is this brat trying to use his looks on me?
Nice try, but I’m used to the Grand Duke’s face! I won't be swayed by this!
Still… since he’s bowing his head like this, would it be better to play along and let it slide?
Looking back, the 9th Knight Division—men built like mountain bandits—were all looking dejected, which made me feel unexpectedly bad for them.
After all, honor is everything to a knight.
It wouldn't be good to have them branded as the division hated by the Grand Duchess. It might even cause issues with the knighthood's discipline.
"There’s no need to be so disappointed."
I flashed an elegant smile, befitting a broad-minded Grand Duchess.
"We just need to be careful so that such an accident doesn't happen again. I am well aware of the 9th Division’s skills, so I would be happy to have you as my escort."
I turned my head toward Norton, who looked like he was biting back a protest.
"I’ve been feeling bad that the 1st Division has to do all the hard work every time. I think it would be good to have a rotation. Don't you agree, Sir Norton?"
"It is no trouble at all, Your Highness. The 1st Division has more than enough capacity to handle this exclusively…"
I gently cut Norton off.
"I’ll be going out frequently until the delegation arrives. The 1st Division doesn't just handle escort duties; you can't be tied to me all day long."
At my soothing tone, Norton, who had been tensing his jaw, immediately straightened his posture.
"I will follow your wishes, Your Highness."
"Thank you, Sir Norton."
As the situation settled, an awkward silence descended.
The three of us stood there like some strange love triangle. Cecilia, who had been watching the scene with great interest, leaned slightly toward me.
"Your Highness, then which division will be escorting you today?"
Her voice, which was quite loud for a whisper, caused both Norton and Tiern to look at me simultaneously.
Hey, don't look at me with those eyes!
I was momentarily lost for words at the determined expressions of the two knights, who looked like they were waiting for a final selection.
Wait, is this really happening?
*
A weary sigh escaped me as I stepped onto the lakeside promenade.
While Norton had readily agreed to the idea of rotating the escort, he hadn't budged an inch when it came to deciding who would escort me today.
— "Was it not already decided that the 1st Division would handle today's escort? The knights have already completed their preparations."
Tiern showed no sign of backing down either.
— "The 9th Division is also prepared. Hasn't the 1st Division been busy these past few days? It would be best for them to get some rest."
In the end, we barely reached a compromise: both divisions would act as the escort.
Anyone would think we were heading off to war.
All the way to the lake, the sound of hoofbeats following behind and in front of the carriage was so synchronized it was practically a chorus, making my ears ring.
Even when I stepped out of the carriage, Norton and Tiern reached out their hands at the same time.
What on earth do they want me to do?
Ultimately, I had to take one hand from each of them and descend from the carriage like a prisoner being escorted to a cell.
The truly ridiculous part was that the lakeside wasn't even open to the public yet.
How unsightly must Cecilia and I have looked, walking along an empty lakeside surrounded by a swarm of knights?
Enolius, who had arrived at the lake ahead of us, didn't even try to hide his mockery. He let out a snort from a distance.
"We’re the only ones at the lake…"
Enolius slowly curled one side of his mouth upward.
"What exactly are those fellows trying to protect Your Highness from with such a massive crowd?"
"Welcome, Enolius."
I ignored his comment as if I hadn't heard it, though I couldn't help the heat rising in my ears.
Quickly switching into business mode, I led Enolius to the front of the central lakeside area.
"So, you’re saying you want music to play along with the fountain every hour on the hour?"
Enolius arched an eyebrow as if he didn't understand.
"Not just playing music. I want the jets of water to feel like they’re dancing to the rhythm."
I used my fingers to trace the movements of water jets I’d seen in musical fountain shows in the air, adding a detailed explanation.
"And there must be lights."
"Lights?"
"It needs to be visible at night. The colored lights should change vibrantly in sync with the music. I want the fountain show to be the highlight of the night view."
"You’re not just asking me to install a fountain in the middle of the lake, but to make it dance to music and glow in all sorts of colors?"
"Oh, and the most important thing is that it has to be huge. Big enough to be seen from anywhere on the lake. It would be even better if the water could soar high enough to touch the sky."
Enolius stared upward for a long moment, as if sketching the image in his mind, before speaking.
"It’s going to look incredibly strange."
"No, it won't. It will be magnificent and wonderful."
I spoke with a voice full of conviction.
"Do you know why? Because you are an artist, Enolius."
"Don't try to flatter me."
What a way to speak to the Grand Duchess.
However, while gritting my teeth inwardly, I continued to coax him gently.
"I’m serious. I’ve felt that way ever since I saw the streetlamps."
"……The ones in front of the garden?"
"There might be mages in the capital more skilled than you, but it would be hard to find one who can create something this beautiful. I can guarantee that."
At those words, Enolius’s face turned a strange shade of red.
"What? Do you not hear that often?"
When I tilted my head at his reaction—he looked like he was hearing such praise for the first time—he spoke up.
"It’s a fact I know well enough without being told."
Enolius kicked at the grass on the ground for no reason.
"And you’ve got one thing wrong."
"There is no mage more skilled than me to begin with."
I curled the corners of my mouth upward, masking a burst of laughter as a smile.
"Then I can look forward to the fountain?"
"I am not a man who has ever disappointed anyone."
"That is a relief, Enolius."
"……And 'Enol' is fine."
Enolius, looking a bit hesitant, spoke with a grumpy face.
"My name. You can just call me Enol."
"Oh, are you giving me permission to use a nickname? I didn't know you liked me that much."
A nickname after just a few compliments? He’s surprisingly transparent.
"It’s just that 'Enolius' is too long and inconvenient. Everyone else just calls me 'Mage' anyway."
But that’s like calling an office worker "Office Worker." How impersonal!
"Alright, Enol. I’ll make sure to call our mage by his nickname from now on."
"I told you, it’s not a nickname."
The grumbling mage actually felt cute for the first time.
After Enolius left, having perfectly received my order, I was inspecting the construction materials delivered to the lakeside.
Perel, who arrived a bit later than expected, approached with quick strides.
The aide’s face was clouded with embarrassment as he drew near.
"I’ve just returned from the Merchant Association…"
Perel hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
"They say not a single application has been submitted for a shop in the shopping district."
"Hah."
An incredulous sigh escaped me.
Perel looked apologetic, as if he were the one who had committed a crime.
"There’s no reason for you to be sorry, Sir Norton."
They’re the fools for kicking away a stroke of good luck.
When the project first began, Perel had expressed concerns that the merchants of Gold Lane would strongly oppose it.
— "They will object, claiming the new district threatens their right to survival. They might even resort to collective action."
He had explained that a strike during the delegation's visit would be a major blow.
So, to minimize the shop owners' dissatisfaction, we had decided to give them certain priority rights for the new district.
On top of that, we offered unprecedented terms: no entry fees or commissions, and even a three-month rent exemption.
And the deadline for those applications was today.
It was clearly an attractive offer with no downside for the shop owners.
And yet, not a single application had been filed…
That means someone at the top is pulling the strings.