Knight Escort Cecile
*Ding.*
Elysia's trait Inevitable Fate (EX) has formed a new path!
I nearly faltered at the message that briefly obscured my vision, but I kept my composure and barely managed to wrap up my meeting with the princess.
"Then I'll take my leave, looking forward to our next encounter. I hope Your Highness remains well in the meantime."
"...Yes, please return safely, Your Grace."
"No need to see me off."
Feeling Elysia's intense gaze on my back, I slowly turned away. In a way, staying an extra day at the Outer Castle was something that shouldn't have happened in the original timeline.
'It'll mess up the schedule.'
Knowing the original story's future as I did now, I had to stick as closely as possible to the original path while changing fate. That meant heading straight back to the Northern Region.
After handling minor procedures like drafting a copy of the contract, I finally exited the Outer Castle. A lavish Balder family carriage awaited at the gates.
"You've arrived, Your Grace."
And standing before the carriage was my knight escort, her gray hair neatly arranged, dressed in crisp attire to greet me.
"Cecile, I kept you waiting."
It was Cecile, my personal knight.
"Not at all. Even departing now, we'll stay on schedule. Please, board. Everything is prepared."
She bowed her head slightly with a bright smile.
Clank.
Even as I followed her into the family carriage, my mind was a whirlwind of complexity.
'First things first, I can't outright reject or oppose Elysia too strongly.'
One thing was clear from today: her trait had created a new path due to my changes. Like it or not, my connection to the princess would continue.
"...Your Grace, did things go well with Her Highness?"
At that moment, Cecile sat across from me and asked cautiously.
"Not bad at all."
I nodded casually in response.
Clatter-clatter!
As the carriage lurched forward with a cheerful rumble at the signal, my gaze settled on Cecile directly ahead.
"I'm glad to hear that."
Beneath her long gray hair, Cecile's clear, refined features stood out. Her uniquely transparent aura matched the novel's descriptions but felt even more vivid to me.
However.
'Is it because I just saw Elysia?'
Cecile was a knight with striking beauty that could turn heads, yet for some reason, I felt no particular stir. Perhaps the original Kairon had always regarded her with such detachment.
"Truth be told, I was quite worried while waiting."
"Worried? About what?"
I reflexively asked, and Cecile let out a small laugh, gently brushing back her gray locks.
Swish.
My eyes followed her gesture for a moment before her blue eyes met mine.
"You've always been weak to Her Highness. A single word or gesture from her, and you'd react strongly."
Her calm words drew an unwitting chuckle from me.
'Fair enough.'
In the story, Kairon was the type to worry those around him. Especially when it came to the princess—his retainers were always on edge. The usually composed and rational Kairon in the North would surrender everything the moment he faced Princess Elysia.
"Don't worry about it."
"Pardon? What do you mean, Your Grace?"
"I won't just hand things over blindly anymore. I'll maintain a friendly relationship with Her Highness, but from now on, I'll expect something in return."
For now, I needed to let Cecile know first that I'd changed from my past self.
'She's the one who's been by my side the longest.'
That way, the Northern vassals and close aides would naturally accept me later.
"...You've changed, Your Grace."
Cecile's eyes glistened ever so slightly.
"You have no idea how long I've waited for those words over the past few years."
When she wiped at the corners of her eyes, I froze instead. I hadn't expected such a strong reaction.
'Does this warrant that kind of response?'
Suddenly, memories flooded back—Kairon's life in the North. Memories of him throwing everything away at the sight of the princess. So, Cecile's joy made sense.
"As for this meeting, I signed the patronage contract. The Balder family will now officially sponsor Princess Elysia."
"...Pardon me, Your Grace. Doesn't that contradict what you just said about not giving in easily?"
Cecile's teary eyes suddenly hardened with chill.
Meeting her icy gaze, I nodded calmly.
"It might sound that way. But I didn't yield Northern interests. I drafted an entirely new contract myself."
"Her Highness accepted your terms?"
Cecile stared at me in shock. She probably thought I'd made another sucker deal with the princess, like the original Kairon.
But the contract I'd pushed through was nothing like the original.
"Yes."
"Then... she accepted your intentions?"
"She did."
For the first time, Cecile faltered, speechless. Shock, astonishment—her eyes brimmed with utter incomprehension.
'Am I that different?'
To Cecile, I might seem like a completely different person overnight. But I had no choice.
"That's why I told you. Things will be different this time."
I pressed on with shameless resolve.
Before meeting Elysia, I'd always cautioned vassals and Cecile alike against rash signatures or yielding to her demands. This time, I'd put words into action—not empty talk.
"...I can hardly believe it."
"Cecile, don't you trust me?"
"N-no! That's not what I meant at all, Your Grace. So, you showed a different attitude even before Her Highness?"
She startled, asking as if my words made even less sense.
"......"
Rather than answer immediately, I paused, watching her.
'I've changed a lot, that's true. I have no intention of acting like Kairon.'
But how much of my change should I reveal? Even loyal Cecile was this shocked—what about the others?
They'd be even more stunned and resistant, no doubt.
"To be honest, it wasn't easy. Keeping my resolve in front of Her Highness was a real struggle for me too."
So, I left a little room—admitting the change wasn't simple.
Clatter!
Right then, the carriage jolted hard over a rock, shaking us both.
Thud.
But our eyes, locked together, didn't waver.
"That means you've finally started seeing reality, Your Grace."
"...Hey, that's a bit much. I've always put the North first."
Like Kairon in the story, I tossed in a light jest, and Cecile covered her mouth, bursting into laughter.
"Of course, I know that well. How could I, who's stood by your side, ever doubt you? It's just... seeing your great resolve makes me all the prouder."
"Cecile, 'proud'? Come on."
I chuckled in disbelief.
"You and I aren't that far apart in age, you know?"
Though she was my knight escort, Cecile sometimes treated me like a child.
"True enough. But sometimes, Your Grace, you're even more childish than a kid."
"Cecile."
"...I've spoken too boldly. My apologies."
She bowed nonchalantly, but her curved eyes still held a teasing glint.
'Not bad.'
I'd been a bit tense around Cecile. She might sense something off or awkward in me.
But our brief exchange showed no such signs. If anything, she seemed even warmer toward me.
'Cecile's reliable, as expected.'
Kairon's memories confirmed it. She wasn't just an escort. She managed my schedule and documents indirectly, even briefing me on the Imperial Capital's mood at times.
"Anyway, I'll show you the contract copy later. Give it a once-over."
"Thank you, Your Grace. I'll review it thoroughly and inform the treasurer and trade company."
Cecile carefully took the copy and began scanning it quickly.
Gazing at her trustworthy form, I added,
"Yes. Especially tell the trade company clearly: no action on requests in Her Highness's name or from the treasurer without my personal seal."
"Of course. Everything proceeds only with your approval."
Cecile's eyes settled calmly as she acknowledged me.
Then—
Clop-clop-clop!
Hoofbeats rapidly closed in from outside the carriage. Not passing by—they were pursuing us.
"Your Grace, something's approaching."
Cecile's expression shifted instantly.
I glanced toward the window.
"Check it out."
"Yes."
The moment Cecile cracked the window—
"Your Grace! Urgent dispatch from the Balder Trade Company!"
Balder Trade Company. My eyes narrowed at once.
'Already?'
It had been mere hours since drafting the contract. An urgent message from the company already?
"Your Grace, what shall we do?"
"Stop the carriage."
The carriage slowed to a halt at my command. Soon, someone dismounted outside.
Clank.
At Cecile's gesture, the door opened. As I stepped out, a young man knelt urgently before me. Gray coat. Small Balder wolf emblem on the chest. Sealed letter in hand.
"Leman of the Balder Trade Company Central Branch! I greet you, Your Grace."
"Urgent dispatch, I hear. When did you set out?"
"A day ago, an urgent request came to the company from one of Her Highness's aides."
I pressed my lips silently. Cecile's eyes iced over beside me.
"Cecile, verify it."
Leman cautiously offered the letter; Cecile took it first and checked swiftly.
"Her Highness's seal is authentic. Your Grace, you should see this yourself."
I extended my hand wordlessly. Unfolding the passed letter revealed densely packed text.
Funds for Her Highness's future political activities. Funds for refurbishing the Outer Castle. Expenses for attending social events in the Imperial Capital.
"...What an incredible woman."
Laughter escaped me the moment I read it. This was the letter meant for when I'd blindly accepted everything like a fool.
"...Your Grace?"
"It's nothing."
I kept chuckling, folding the letter and handing it to Cecile.
As she examined it closely, her face frosted over like a winter chill.
"...Your Grace, what will you do?"
"This was probably sent before my new contract—before her mind changed."
I shook my head firmly. Or perhaps her aides acted on their own. Either way, my response was clear.
"Leman."
I eyed the knight before me.
"Yes, Your Grace."
He bowed, meeting my gaze.
"Did the company make any moves already?"
He swallowed hard before answering with head lowered.
"Her Highness's requests have always been approved by you, so the branch chief ordered preparations."
"Did you send the goods?"
"Not yet. Lady Cecile instructed us to wait for direct approval."
I glanced anew at Cecile. She met my eyes with a casual smile.
"Just in case. But now that you've resolved yourself, it's even better."
"Well done, Cecile."
I patted her shoulder sincerely.
'The original Kairon would've sent them right away.'
But from now on, I'd set everything straight. Above all, Kairon's closest aides were far from incompetent. Cecile proved it.
Funds for Her Highness's forthcoming political activities.
Funds for refurbishment within the Outer Castle.
Various expenses for attending social gatherings in the Imperial Capital.
"Return this with a polite refusal."
I handed the letter back to Leman.
'This is just the beginning.'
The Balder family's free sponsorships ended today.