The Banquet (2)
Having spotted Karen belatedly, Randolf offered his respects.
"Ah, Grand Duke Karen. I was so delighted to see you that I... please forgive my rudeness."
Karen was equally puzzled.
Randolf Silvester.
He was the head of the prestigious Silvester family and a great man who had once served as the empire's Knight Commander. At present he had passed on the family headship and retired from the commander's post as well. Though he now served as the First Princess's guard knight, his stature was by no means something to be disregarded.
The only people in this place who could treat him casually were Karen and Alice — just those two.
Hmm. I never noticed any such signs.
This was the first she had heard that he and her own guard knight were acquainted. Karen studied Orion's expression. Anyone could see he looked completely bewildered.
As I thought.
Convinced, Karen narrowed her eyes and surveyed the banquet hall. At the far end she could see the princess — grinning and waving her hand, as if to say, Didn't I do well?
"It's fine. Don't mind me — go ahead and talk."
"Thank you."
Karen left Orion with him and turned around. There stood a man sweating profusely.
"Ah, right. Sir Albino, was it? My apologies. So what business did you say you had with me?"
He glanced around at the surrounding atmosphere, then immediately bowed his head — a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor.
"Ah, no. I'm sorry for blocking your path when you're busy."
"I'm not particularly busy, but—"
He didn't wait for the rest of Karen's words. Clapping the shoulder of the guard knight behind him, he fled. Murmurs rose from the surroundings — but they were the complete opposite of the gazes she had felt upon first entering the banquet hall.
...I should at least thank her later.
It seemed to have been resolved somehow. Karen returned to where Orion and Randolf were standing. They had already grown friendly enough to be shaking hands.
Would it have been fine if I'd just left them alone...?
She didn't think he would lose, though.
The banquet ended in a subdued atmosphere after that incident. It was inevitable. A guard knight was like a mirror reflecting their house — and that guard knight was on friendly terms with Randolf, known as one of the empire's foremost powerhouses. Those who had come targeting Orion had no choice but to keep their mouths shut.
"Is our guard knight back?"
"Yes. Has Lady Alice been well?"
"Me? I just stayed quietly in a corner. I was so nervous about being found out, you know? If I showed my face, there'd definitely be a commotion."
"You must have been bored."
"It's fine. Watching people is pretty fun in its own way."
Alice leaned in with a curious expression.
"More importantly, how was he?"
"You mean that young man?"
"Yeah. What did our guard knight think of him?"
He smiled at the corners of his mouth — a smile rarely seen even by her.
"He was a lively and cheerful young man."
"Oh? Sounds like you took a liking to him."
"Yes. Though I approached him at Lady Alice's request, when I spoke with him I found myself forgetting that purpose and simply enjoying the conversation."
"That much?"
He nodded. Though it had only been a short while ago, he seemed to be reminiscing about his conversation with Orion.
"Had I been unable to speak with him, I would be kicking myself with regret right now. For that, I can only be grateful to Lady Alice."
The highest of high praise. That such words would come from him. Alice's expression filled with surprise.
"Ahem, ahem. Still, it was an unreasonable request, so thank you for going along with it. Our guard knight."
Regardless, Alice had felt apologetic toward him separately from this. A man of Randolf's stature — every word he spoke carried tremendous influence. And words flaunting a friendship needed to be especially careful. If it hadn't been Randolf, who had no remaining ambitions in his later years, he would have been reluctant even at a princess's command.
When the empire's people thought of Randolf, the word that came to mind was martial prowess. His flaunting of a friendship would naturally lead people to assume that acquaintance also possessed tremendous martial power. But what if that person turned out to be nothing special? In that case, it would certainly deal significant damage to his own reputation as well.
Yet his reaction differed from her expectations. Randolf shook his head.
"It's fine. Or rather, I should say there's no need for you to feel sorry."
"Hmm?"
Randolf clenched and unclenched his hand — the hand that had shaken Orion's.
"That young man is certainly strong."
"...How do you know that?"
"There's a saying that the strong recognize the strong."
"You can tell that from just one handshake?"
"Yes. Faintly, but I can tell."
Alice made an expression of disbelief. To that, Randolf merely shrugged.
"How does he compare to our guard knight?"
"In pure martial prowess, he would be about equal to me — or perhaps greater."
"...Really?"
Randolf nodded. Alice couldn't close her gaping mouth.
Had she actually hit the jackpot?
The next day.
Most of those who had come to Agnes Territory for the inauguration ceremony headed for the train early in the morning. Having achieved their purposes to some degree, they wanted to leave this cold continent as soon as possible.
"I should get going too."
"Yes, go on quickly."
At the main gate of the Agnes mansion, Karen — who had been tormented by her the previous night — looked thoroughly exhausted.
"Whaaat? Isn't the proper thing to say in this situation, 'You've come all this way — why not stay one more night?'!?"
"Hmph. You'd leave even if I said that."
"Well, that's true. I've got work piling up."
Behind them, another conversation was taking place.
"I'll see you again, young Orion."
"Yes. Take care of yourself too, Uncle."
Randolf patted Orion's shoulder. The two had rapidly deepened their friendship overnight.
"Aww, you didn't all have to come out."
After the farewells, Alice and Randolf stood at the main gate receiving their send-off. To her words, Karen replied without a shred of lingering attachment.
"Then go quickly. We have work to start as well."
"I was going to leave anyway!"
A carriage had been prepared before the main gate. Before heading to it, Alice spotted someone and trudged over.
"Hmm. Orion, was it?"
She suddenly thrust her face close. Orion quickly averted his gaze.
Is the princess always like this?
"You. I've memorized your face."
"......Yes?"
What, am I marked now?
While Orion stood frozen—
"What are you doing? Hurry up and leave already."
"Ah, I'm slipping!! I'm slipping!!!"
Alice was shoved from behind by Karen.
"Haaah."
Orion sprawled out on the bed, limbs spread wide. Something big seemed to be over. They probably wouldn't call him for a while now.
Just then, his hand brushed against a book that had been left open by the bedside.
"Ah, right. I wonder what happened next~"
With an excited heart, he picked up the book.
Knock knock—
An ominous feeling.
"Nah. Just my imagination."
It was probably nothing. Orion trudged over and opened the door.
"Lord Orion, the family head summons you."
It was Heily, back in her usual maid outfit. Orion's response was already decided.
"...Let's go."
He couldn't refuse her words, even if he could refuse anyone else's.
Half-forcibly dragged along, Orion entered the office.
"You've come."
Since work was work, Orion had nothing particular to say — but as a last act of resistance, he pouted.
"Why do you always send the secretary? She must be busy."
"Because you wouldn't come otherwise. Did you think I wouldn't see through your schemes?"
"Urgh......"
Immediately seen through. As if she had expected this, Karen continued right on.
"More importantly, how does it feel to have officially become a guard knight?"
"How does it feel? Hmm, I don't really feel anything."
"Good. Then I can put you to work right away."
At her words, Orion hastily spoke up.
"Ah, now that I think about it, my heart is pounding so hard with excitement. In this state, normal work would be impossible......"
"It's fine. You only need to follow along anyway."
Then why did you even ask?
Orion glared at her with a resentful look, but she seemed busy and gave him no attention.
"And Heily. Come over here, would you?"
"Yes, what is it?"
The two seemed to be discussing work while looking over documents in turn. Technical terms flying back and forth — Orion couldn't make out what they were talking about.
"Well? Can you do it?"
"Yes, I'll give it a try."
"Good. Don't worry even if you make mistakes — just try."
Heily took the documents and returned to Orion's side. Orion casually glanced over the papers. Confronted with a sea of numbers, he quickly turned his head away.
"You will follow Heily around and protect her."
"Yes, well, that much."
Trailing along is my specialty.
"Then may I go now?"
"Wait a moment."
Karen stopped Orion just as he was about to leave the office. She looked him up and down. Then she rose from her chair and drew a sword that had been mounted behind her.
"Take this."
"Hmm? Are you giving this to me?"
"Yes. It's yours now."
Orion accepted the sword in a daze. A blade resembling a Japanese katana, covered entirely in pitch-black from the scabbard. When he drew it slightly, the blade itself was stained black as well.
"As a guard knight in name, you ought to have at least one sword at your waist, no?"
"Oh my. I didn't expect to suddenly receive a gift. I'll put it to good use. Thank you."
"I'm the one who should apologize for giving it so late. I've been busy, you see."
"Ah, don't worry about it."
Swords are expensive these days, after all.
I just saved some money.