Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Office Takes Shape (3)
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“No way, that can’t be right. There’s no way they’d just lay something that precious on the floor!”
Luper shoved the hide in my face, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“If this is really a gift from Her Highness, then it’s all your fault for treating it so carelessly!”
I curled the corner of my mouth into a smirk as I listened to his outburst.
“Sure. You shouldn’t mishandle a gift from above.”
I took the hide from him.
Then, I carefully spread it out on the floor again.
“But what if it was being used exactly as intended?”
Luper furrowed his brow at my pointed remark.
“What do you mean, ‘as intended’?”
“Yeah, I hear the hide from a Samid leopard is meant to be laid out in front of the entrance.”
Luper’s jaw dropped at the unexpected meaning behind the hide.
Soon, he stared blankly down at the princess’s gift by the office door.
But the hide was already covered in dirty boot prints.
I approached him, who must have been quite shocked.
And patted his shoulder gently.
“It’s okay. I’ll keep your damaging of the gift a secret.”
“R-Really?”
Luper snapped his head up so fast his jowls shook.
“But there’s a condition.”
“A condition…?”
His senior’s face hardened coldly in an instant.
He swallowed hard and waited for my offer.
“Yeah, nothing major. Let’s just switch our assignments.”
I grabbed the patrol armband on his sleeve.
And ripped it off with a flourish.
“Hand over your patrol duties to me.”
Patrol duty.
It seemed like a hassle at first glance.
You had to roam the northern capital all morning.
But strangely, patrol assignments were mostly taken by the veterans.
In fact, no one interfered with them because they had a special perk.
No miscellaneous chores.
Patrolmen could slack off in the market in the morning, check off their patrol card, and call it a day.
“Why should I hand it over to you? Newbies are supposed to start with the grunt work!”
Luper muttered to himself, reluctant to give up the post he’d barely snagged from the other seniors.
“Fine, don’t. Then I’ll have no choice but to report this tragic accident to Her Highness.”
I looked down at the leopard hide with a regretful expression.
And stroked it gently, as if soothing an injured child.
“Miya-senior, what did the vice-chief say about this hide earlier?”
“Princess Lydia said she spent the whole day ‘agonizing over’ her choice.”
Miya picked up on my intent and answered innocently with her cat-like eyes.
“Urk… you sneaky bastard…”
Luper ground his teeth.
“Why are you acting like this? You’re the one who dirtied it first.”
For the still-indignant man, I rolled up my uniform sleeve myself.
Revealing the cuts and bruises on my forearm.
“If you don’t like it, settle it with a spar. Like a proper knight.”
Traces of long training.
Luper shuddered and twisted his body at the sight.
“Agh… fine! I’ll hand it over, happy now!”
Finally relenting, he backed away as he stood.
Only then did I flash a bright, newbie-like smile.
“Alright then, senior. Patrol duty starts for me tomorrow.”
Luper gave no reply to my words.
He just clenched his fists tight and headed for the door.
“Let’s go, Miya! It’s almost quitting time!”
Luper kicked the door open.
The bang echoed through the entire hallway.
“Senior.”
At my firm call, Luper halted in his tracks.
He slowly turned his trembling head.
“Did you just kick that door with your boot?”
Was it conditioned fear?
Luper frantically shook his head in denial.
“No! A gust of wind slammed it open!”
“Please be careful. Princess Lea installed that door herself.”
Only then did Luper hurriedly inspect the door he’d kicked.
He rubbed it with his fingers, then shuffled awkwardly down the hall.
As Miya followed him, she glanced back at me.
She smirked and gave a light wave.
“See you tomorrow, Bale.”
The senior closed the door gently in Luper’s place.
The sound of their receding boots.
As I listened, I sat on the sofa.
“What kind of mangy dog is that guy? Thinks he’s made it big just ‘cause he got a gift from a princess?”
Luper’s faint voice carried from beyond the wall.
I snorted to myself at his backtalk.
He’s right.
It’s not like I’ve climbed the ranks.
I’m just a lowly knight in the Water Defense Corps.
In time, this kind of favoritism will fade away naturally.
“He must have some backing somewhere. Guess I’ll have to tell Dad and get someone to rough him up…”
Even as he left, he was admirably pathetic.
Once the footsteps fully vanished.
I lay back fully on the sofa and closed my eyes.
“Well, expensive stuff really is better.”
Sleep came easily on the sofa, more comfortable than the dorm bed.
I surrendered to that comfort for a moment.
―――.
How much time passed?
Darkness had fallen over the sunset sky.
The footsteps of departing citizens.
The creak of merchants’ carts.
I rubbed my eyes awake at the sounds.
The golden clock pointed to 8 p.m.
I wasn’t one for naps usually.
Sleeping over three hours.
Maybe this old body just needs more rest.
I hauled my stiff body up and poured water into the teacup.
As I stared blankly at the surface.
All my movements stopped abruptly.
The still water trembled ever so slightly.
I looked toward the office entrance.
No sounds from the hallway.
But a faint presence grew stronger.
Someone was approaching the office, deliberately muffling their steps.
‘A knight?’
No.
What knight would hide their presence to approach?
‘Especially to a mere defense knight.’
This felt more like a rogue or thief.
I calmly reviewed my memories.
‘Is there anyone at this point who’d send an assassin after me?’
Then Luper’s dumb face popped into my head.
I couldn’t help but scoff.
‘Already sent mercenaries, huh.’
Planning revenge just hours later.
With that kind of energy, he should’ve trained his mana instead.
I clicked my tongue, grabbed the sword hanging on the wall.
And quietly headed to the entrance.
―――.
A light knock.
After sneaking up silently, now a knock…
Highly suspicious.
I placed my hand on the scabbard and slowly opened the door.
Ready to counter if they lunged.
But…
The figure before me was far too small for a mercenary.
And alone, no companions.
“Who are you?”
The door opened fully.
The golden chandelier from the office lit up the hallway.
‘A woman?’
Her face was shrouded in a white robe.
Below it, a blouse and skirt clung tightly to her body.
A basket held delicately in both hands.
The contents veiled by silk.
I furrowed my brow at the sight.
Magical energy emanated from the robe worn by the mysterious woman.
‘A perception-lowering spell.’
That explained the silent footsteps earlier.
As I calmly assessed her alone.
The unknown woman spoke.
And in that instant.
I let go of the scabbard in my hand.
“The lights were still on, so I thought I’d drop by.”
I knew the voice’s owner.
The woman pulled down her robe with one hand.
Silvery hair cascaded softly over her chest.
“Your Highness?”
I asked louder than intended.
Irina replied with a faint smile.
“Why so surprised?”
“I apologize. I didn’t expect you to come here in person.”
I bowed my head in apology.
Irina covered her mouth with her fist and chuckled.
“It’s fine. I heard you were pulling an all-nighter on your first day, so I came to encourage you.”
She entered the office gracefully with the basket.
As natural as if it were her own home.
“Mind if I come in?”
She was already in the middle of the room, asking coyly.
I forced a smile in response.
“Of course.”
I glanced cautiously down the hall and closed the door.
Did she really come all this way alone…?
Irina set the basket on the table.
Then, hands behind her back, she casually looked around the office.
“Nice office. I expected the Water Defense Corps to be rundown.”
“Thanks to Your Highnesses’ attention.”
At ‘Your Highnesses,’ Irina’s expression faltered.
Her gaze soon turned to the vase on the table.
The golden rose inside.
Irina tapped it with her finger.
“I see…”
She seemed displeased with the rose and bent the stem to hide it in the vase.
“Thanks for yesterday.”
Irina pointed to the rosary on her chest as she spoke.
I bowed my head in response.
“Just doing my duty.”
“No, any other guy would’ve bragged about it everywhere.”
Irina smiled wryly and sat at the table.
She placed the basket on her lap.
“So I came to say thanks.”
I cleared my throat and approached her.
Looking down at the basket in the princess’s hands, I asked.
“May I ask what this is?”
“Oh, this?”
Irina approached me as if she’d been waiting.
And gently unwrapped the silk covering the basket.
Red, vibrant skin.
Firm, plump flesh.
‘Northern sun apples…’
The capital’s signature fruit, only in season in December.
Common in markets, but renowned for their taste.
“I pass by this market often. Picked some up on the way.”
I glanced down at Irina’s legs.
Her white stockings slightly torn.
Subtle dirt smudges too.
Still wandering the markets alone, I see.
I silently took an apple.
Our reflections shone on the smooth skin.
I’d eaten them often in my past life too.
Whenever she suggested dining together, I’d say one of these was enough.
But really, it was a white lie to spare her finances.
We were so strapped even food costs terrified us.
Irina drew closer.
Hands behind her back, she looked up at me.
The princess’s face meeting mine smiled brightly.
“A congratulatory gift for becoming a full knight.”
“Thank you…”
I wiped the surface lightly with my sleeve.
And took a bite right before her eyes.
‘Sweet.’
A slightly underripe green apple, but nostalgic.
As if returned to that time, even briefly.
“Hey… Bale.”
As I savored it, I turned at her call.
Irina clasped her hands together and asked slowly.
“Why choose here over the palace?”
Her expression was hurt.
Her fair face flushed red, like the apple she’d brought.