The Royal Court (2)
The Kingdom's Princess, Laela.
Her lively, vibrant orange hair and the exotic charm of her eyes created an aura that instantly conveyed the nobility of a royal family member.
Flanking her was the Kingdom's sole Holy Maiden, Clotila.
Also a beauty with brown hair and amber eyes, she carried a more delicate charm than Laela.
…Ugh, I can't even look at her.
Seeing Clotila standing so prim and proper in front of me, hands clasped together and projecting that saintly composure, made my stomach twist.
Both of us stole glances at each other before silently agreeing to look away.
"Hello. I'm Lir Ostrin, and this is Dalek Ron Lagrand."
From the front, Princess Laela offered a bright smile and extended her hand toward us.
Dalek and I bowed without a word.
Then Dalek and I each took one of Princess Laela's hands and gave our greetings.
"Dalek, it's been a while. The last time we met, neither of us had reached adulthood yet, right? You've grown into a fine young man."
"Your Highness has matured beautifully. I never imagined I'd meet you today, so my joy is even greater."
"Prince Blayke is in good health, I hope? If you could, please pass on my regards."
"Of course. I'm sure your father will be happy to hear from Your Highness."
I watched the political scene between royalty and nobility unfold before my eyes.
They knew each other well.
Exchanging pleasantries and lightly formal conversation didn't suit my cynical nature at all.
During the exchange, Clotila the Saintess also looked at me.
She seemed to sense the same thing and discreetly averted her gaze while subtly furrowing her brow.
Both Clotila and I carried the same post-war vibe—tattered and blunt from the battlefield—and this place didn't fit us at all.
"Then, Prince Lir Ostrin, it is my pleasure to meet you both."
"To think I'd meet the Princess… I'm both honored and pleasantly surprised."
I had seen Princess Laela before.
Back then, when I received a commendation from Prince Colt for my hard work, I had run into her while touring the palace.
Back then she never stepped into the spotlight like this.
Hardly anyone had met her either.
Now she was finally appearing as the Princess.
Was she finally using her royal title? Or was there some hidden purpose?
I hadn't expected Princess Laela to appear at a place like this.
"Actually, when I first heard the news, I believed Dalek had single-handedly slain the Demon King."
"Then I learned that a commoner had done it… The Kingdom is paying close attention."
"Ah, yes…"
"I thought it would be a colossal feat, but to find out you're this adorable… I'm even more amazed by your skill."
"I truly admire your ability."
Smiling brightly, Princess Laela gazed down at me with a loving, almost maternal expression.
If this weren't a public setting, she might have patted my head.
Well, the age gap was only a few years at most.
"Both of you are expected to become the next Rigel Belheim."
"Clotila Saintess, am I right?"
"Ah… yes."
Clotila was desperately suppressing a laugh.
I could see the strain in her facial muscles, though no one else would notice.
"Ah, introductions are late."
"You two are both meeting the Kingdom's Holy Maiden for the first time."
"It is an honor to greet the Saintess."
"The honor is mine."
Dalek, you are surprisingly eloquent.
He bowed deeply and greeted Clotila with perfect respect, while I could only manage a lame response from the side.
"Dalek Ron Lagrand and… Lir Ostrin, correct?"
"…cough! cough!"
Clotila's tone was gentle and refined.
The mismatch made me laugh before I could stop myself.
Thankfully, I coughed it away instead.
Pressing a hand to my chest and bending forward, Clotila caught my body and whispered in my ear.
"Play it straight. Got it?"
After swallowing my laugh and cough, I looked up at Princess Laela and Dalek to apologize.
"I'm sorry. I was so nervous meeting the Saintess…"
"That can happen."
"I was just as overwhelmed the first time I met her."
She generously let it slide.
Clotila continued.
"I've heard you two are promising students at the Academy."
"If you can face monsters and demons without fear, coming to the battlefield would be a great help."
"Thank you. I'll work harder to be useful on the front lines."
"I'll do my best."
Dalek, still a young sprout, looked full of passion.
I couldn't say I was going to the front lines.
I vaguely evaded the question while addressing Clotila.
Princess Laela smiled and finally got to the point.
"I invited you two here to commend you for your achievements in the Academy, despite being students who have already fought monsters and demons."
"…Are there no others?"
"Only the two of you."
"Among those who have fought on the battlefield as knights, no one else has accomplished this."
I found it surprising.
I didn't recall any such small-scale commendations.
Having had little interaction with royalty, I might simply not know about them… but even if I had seen a few, I doubted they'd gather ten people and do it all at once.
Thinking about it, the Knight Academy… there were only two of them.
The Kingdom tended to look down on knights compared to mages.
As a result, the Knight Commander and Grand Mage had unequal authority, and even political and financial power went to royal mages first.
Naturally, rewards differed too.
Mages usually received higher status for the same achievements.
Therefore, in such gatherings, mages outnumbered knights.
There were cases where only mages received rewards, but never only knights as here.
Is this related to Princess Laela?
I wasn't sure.
It could be pure coincidence, or I might be overthinking it.
The only change was that Princess Laela had taken over the role that Prince Colt had once overseen.
"The matter at Ebonic Tower is regrettable."
"But thanks to your efforts, the Kingdom was able to prevent a larger crisis."
"We even thought something might have reached the entire Lagrand territory."
"Your achievement was tremendous, Lir, and the other mages assisted with the aftermath."
"Mages are truly impressive."
"But being talented also brings arrogance."
"Sometimes they do things they shouldn't."
"I heard Ebonic Tower was caused by one such act."
These words from Princess Laela could not be spoken lightly by anyone.
"But knights are different."
"Their loyalty to the royal family and to humanity is recognized by everyone."
"The fact that most traitors are mages proves it."
It was a dangerous statement.
Mages, who had built absolute power in the Kingdom, would surely feel uneasy hearing it.
Of course, there were no mages present to be offended.
Can a princess say something like this?
While it felt refreshing in my chest… it was still cautious.
Saying anything without thinking at this gathering would be too risky.
"Honestly, I trust knights more than mages."
"I know how heavy the sacrifice of facing the front lines is."
"The Heroes were all knights, weren't they?"
By class, Heroes were knights.
They didn't just receive blessings from magic.
"That's why I'm placing greater expectations on both of you."
"I myself focus more on the Knight Academy than the Mage Academy."
Princess Laela took both of Dalek's hands.
Then she took mine as well and made eye contact.
I stole a quick glance at Clotila the Saintess.
I wondered if she could somehow convey my intent.
But Clotila looked equally confused.
"Soon, I will award you both the title of Chevalier."
"Even though my authority prepared it modestly, I hope you know I value knights."
The Princess nodded.
I couldn't accept her words with good grace.
My instincts told me something dangerous was at play.