Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Sweet Trap (1)
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On the way to the imperial box.
I took a moment to organize what I would say to the princesses.
They would probably start questioning me from the moment I barged into the duel.
Since the prime minister knew, the perceptive princesses must have caught on long ago.
This was the perfect chance to apologize and excuse myself from the party.
After all, I had only done my duty as a defense knight—there was no grounds to punish me for that.
If I showed remorse for my mistakes and volunteered to leave, even they would end up satisfied.
My next plan was simple.
Head back to the office, munch on the nuts I had picked up off the floor, and take a nap.
'Perfect.'
This was exactly the scenario I wanted.
All that remained was to carry it out.
"Now, be careful from here on. Remember the appointment ceremony? Same as then—observe proper etiquette."
My senior reminded me at the bottom of the stairs.
I nodded to the client and entered the imperial box.
Three massive thrones.
Flanking them were the guards from each knight order.
Veterans with higher knight ranks than Allen or Vashu.
They seemed irritated that defense knights like us had made it this far, scowling openly.
The sturdy knights parted toward the walls.
Then, the three princesses seated there all turned to look at me in unison.
Especially today's star and party hostess, Lydia.
She stared straight down at me, chin propped on her hand.
Irina and Lea sat to either side.
"Bail Mikhail, greeting Your Highnesses the princesses."
I bowed my head matter-of-factly.
Lydia narrowed her eyes and asked,
"So, you know why I called you here, right?"
Since this was the imperial box and not a formal platform, Lydia had switched back to speaking casually with me.
"Of course. It's because I caused a scene during the sacred duel."
I lifted my head slowly.
And offered my apology to the banquet's hostess for the incident.
"For daring to try mediating the duel without the skill to back it up."
"For botching the mediation entirely."
"For jumping onstage without permission."
I put on the most crestfallen expression I could muster toward myself.
Then, humbly confessed my failings to the Third Imperial Princess.
"My acts of disloyalty are so numerous, I can scarcely count them."
After my confession, I quietly gauged the princesses' moods.
Irina kept a calm, expressionless face.
Yet her eyes were busily scanning me for any injuries.
Lea gazed at me, teacup held primly in hand.
The dim lighting of the imperial box made her face look especially pale.
She merely listened to my words.
No interrogation. No anger.
"This party was never a place for someone like me anyway. I'll withdraw responsibly now."
I bowed my head deeply.
And waited in silence for the princesses' reply.
"---."
But no matter how long I waited, the response from the party's host—the Third Imperial Princess—never came.
'What?'
Finding it odd, I snapped my head up.
In that moment, Lydia had risen from her throne and closed the distance right up to my face.
"What was that supposed to mean?"
Hands planted on her hips, the princess.
She leaned down to match my bowed gaze.
"This party doesn't suit you? So you're saying it was my mistake to invite you?"
Lydia tapped the Water Guard insignia on my chest with a finger.
Half-lidded eyes bored into me relentlessly.
"You're right. I was the one who decided to call you."
She had read Vashu the Lancer's strike.
And the wastrel Allen's swordplay.
But for the first time, Lydia's question left me flustered.
"No such thing. I only meant I worried I might inconvenience the others."
I had heard the Third Imperial Princess had an eccentric personality, but not to this degree.
"Is that so? Then let me ask around. Any noble guests who felt inconvenienced?"
Lydia turned her haughty face away.
Her eyes swept over the cheering nobles down on the first floor.
"Hmm—no issues there."
Next, she glanced at the princesses seated to either side.
The two nodded affirmatively under her gaze.
First, Irina.
"Was a defense knight stepping up to a threat wrong? On the contrary, he deserves praise for facing down anyone so boldly."
The Second Imperial Princess came to my defense as she looked my way.
She even winked at me, as if to say, 'How'd I do?'
Like she was settling the score from the market incident.
'That's not helping...! Why are you defending me?!'
Right—Lea was still there.
As the eldest, the First Imperial Princess would have received the strictest imperial etiquette training.
Plus, with the stage collapsing and throwing off her plans, her mood had to be sour.
She would surely back kicking me out.
"Sir Bail was clumsy this time."
Yes!
The eldest daughter lives up to her name!
Eyes closed, I braced for the interrogation to come.
But...
My eyes flew open wide again.
The First Imperial Princess had outdone even Irina.
"Excessive humility can make the other party uncomfortable."
She spoke to me with a grown-up smile.
"So it's fine to stand by your actions sometimes. Yours were justified."
Why the leniency here of all places...?
Was this really the same world I remembered?
I knew all three princesses had tempers.
But right now, they were being far too soft for no reason.
"See? Nobody's bothered. Nothing but praise."
Lydia flashed a sly, impish grin.
I let out a heavy sigh at that smile.
And conceded with a nod.
"Then I'll return to standby on the first floor."
The idea of enduring this dull party all evening.
Muttering inwardly, I turned to leave.
My steps froze.
The princesses' guards had suddenly blocked the stairs down.
"No? First floor's a mess right now. Spend the night up here."
Lydia sidled up beside me.
Red eyes peered up intently.
As if questioning where I thought I was sneaking off to.
"How could I possibly sit with Your Highnesses."
I refused as best I could.
But Lydia had already slyly pinched the lapel of my jacket.
"It's fine. The more guards, the better."
Her hand tugged me toward the thrones.
I followed, inching farther from the exit.
My sweet holiday...
The cozy sofa...
Gone. Forever.
"Now, take a seat somewhere suitable."
The three thrones loomed close once more.
Instinct screamed danger at the sight.
For some reason, the imperial box had...
No guest seats left—only consort seats.
'Damn it...!'
All three princesses pointed to spots beside them in unison.
As if telling me to sit right there.
"Uh... no other seats available?"
"Right—only us three royals showed up today, so we didn't prepare any."
Lydia tittered as she replied.
Trapped. That's what it felt like.
Seats or no seats, putting a common knight in a consort spot?
Absurd.
Especially Irina.
She had been staring at me with those signature green eyes since earlier.
Our gazes met, and the princess asked coyly,
"Perfect timing—there's something we need to discuss. Mind coming over here?"
Irina's eyes subtly indicated the empty seat beside her.
"What sort of discussion?"
From a safe distance, I asked. She explained, looking a touch embarrassed.
"My knight order needs an instructor. Just till we hire a pro one—I'd like you to fill in."
Instructor.
At the word, the other two princesses turned to Irina as one.
Very displeased looks.
But Irina stood firm against their glares.
She even smirked faintly, as if brushing them off.
"The knights here are all far too perfect already—no need for instructors."
Pure fox, feigning innocence.
Irina pressed gently.
"You know my order's still brand-new, right?"
Lydia, listening from the side, scoffed.
Gaze on her sister, she spoke magnanimously.
"Need an instructor? We'll send one over."
"Indeed, Irina. I'll lend a veteran from the Radiant Knight Order."
The pair shut Irina down cold.
Rivals by nature—yet perfectly in sync right now.
"We shouldn't steal rest time from knights busy defending the realm, no?"
"Ahem..."
Irina pouted at their meddling.
While they traded glares.
I spotted a lone guest seat tucked in the corner.
Snatching up its chair, I said politely,
"I'll sit here, as befits a knight."
And already occupying that seat.
Guided there by the princesses' guards: Miya.
"Even short on seats, how could a mere knight presume on a consort spot."
I took a wholly different seat, prompting the princesses to stare at the interloper Miya in unison.
Impaled by their gazes, Miya froze mid-motion.
"Bail. Who's the lady who joined us?"
Irina was smiling, clearly.
But something about her smile felt off from the usual.
"Yeah. Never seen her face before."
Even the previously quiet Lea chimed in.
"Y-Yes...? Um, earlier, that is..."
Sudden spotlight panic hit Miya.
Killing intent radiated from the eyes fixed on her.
"My knight order senior."
I introduced her on her behalf to the princesses.
"Your knight order senior?"
Lydia eyed Miya, face full of dissatisfaction.
A dress clinging tightly to her figure.
A beauty mark placed oh-so-seductively.
"Doesn't look like knight attire. More like some princess."
Arms crossed, the party hostess snorted alone.
Lea then coaxed her youngest sister with a gentle look.
"Lydia, it's a party. Guests dress accordingly, naturally."
Miya finally exhaled in relief at the First Imperial Princess's defense.
But soon, greater dread awaited.
Her defender, Lea, approached her directly.
"Still, it's odd. Never heard of a 'female knight' down in Water Guard ranks."
Clad in white dress, the princess eased into a seat at our table.
She smiled as she regarded Miya steadily.
"What's your name?"
"Mi-Miya... Your Highness."
Miya shrank inward.
Lea gazed down at her like a pampered pet.
"Cute name. Like a kitten."
The princess even set a teacup at her spot.
Then naturally took the lead in conversation.
"Surprising. Your mana feels awfully strong for Water Guard."
"Ahaha... Thank you."
Miya mustered a smile at Lea's compliment.
But amid the easy banter, I couldn't crack a grin.
The First Imperial Princess's offhand remark had chilled me to the bone.
'Her mana feels strong...?'
I stole a glance at Lea.
To perceive Miya's robust mana.
That took near-mastery in magic.
'Does that mean...'
She might have spotted my sword aura back at the appointment ceremony?
Anxiety flooded in.
Lea happened to meet my eyes then.
Lustrous golden locks.
Delicately lidded, feminine eyes.
Red lips beneath curved to speak.
"You look lost in thought, Sir Bail."
"My apologies. First time in a seat this far above my station."
Lea beamed at my reply.
And dropped a loaded line.
"Mind sparing a moment? There's something I'd like to ask."