Chapter 172
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: Not a Knight, But a Big Sister! -1-
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"Huu... Sorry for grabbing you like this when you're so busy."
"No way. Aren't you busier than me or Chloe, big sis?"
Before heading to work, Eclair sat in the study facing Rike. There was nothing to jot down, but out of habit, she picked up a pen.
In truth, she had mountains of work waiting even if she went in right away. But the busier things got, the more efficiency and focus were demanded in handling them.
To achieve that, she needed to clear away anything that might snag her nerves first.
Her workload had always been heavy, but lately it was downright brutal—no exaggeration to say she wouldn't even have time to breathe once she stepped into the office.
Put simply, it was so hectic that even talented people good with paperwork couldn't catch a break all day.
The biggest issue was the massive deployment of Church personnel, imperial knights, mages, and officials to the Floyd territory for the investigation.
And with the Floyd lord—whom physical restraints couldn't easily hold—under multiple surveillance details with his own permission...
If he was truly innocent, he'd submit to a thorough territory inspection and come to the capital on his own two feet as per the imperial decree.
Once he arrived, the personal investigation would follow.
Well... fine by her.
These were tasks that could be handled methodically with care and steady progress.
The immediate fires had been put out and resolved.
But the imperial palace simmered with tension over this unknown incident without a clear thread to pull.
It must have been giving everyone headaches and exhaustion.
Still, these matters would all sort themselves out step by step with time.
In practical terms, they were nuisances to her, but not real worries.
For Eclair, the position of "Chloe's big sister" mattered far more than her title as one of the Empire's Five Knights.
And right now, the truly important issue in her worldview sat before her eyes.
"Coincidence... or did I use that as an example once before?"
Rike knew exactly which conversation that single remark from Eclair referred to.
The day they'd left the academy and had lunch together.
It wasn't long ago that they'd talked about what to do if Chloe developed those feelings of admiration.
The girl receiving the question showed her empty hands to prove her innocence and gave a light smile.
"I did bring it up, sure, but I didn't do anything. I don't have some great power to see the future or anything."
"I know. I didn't think anything outdated like that. It's just... after hearing that story that day, I wondered if something like this might happen."
"So, have you reached a conclusion?"
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Eclair's pen dotted meaningless points on the paper as silence flowed.
"...I want Chloe to be happier than anyone."
It wasn't direct, but Rike nodded at the perfect response that said it all anyway.
"I want Chloe to be happy too."
The fact that Rike didn't say "happier than anyone" here stemmed from her stubbornness—the kind that would let her cast aside everything without hesitation for one man.
That's why Eclair trusted Rike's answer.
Stopping her pen-dabbing, Eclair let out an inexplicable sigh she wasn't even aware of and met those faintly glowing purple eyes.
"You planning to push her toward him like you did with me?"
"That depends on how lunch turns out."
"..."
"If you're too busy, want me to go instead?"
"No. This is something for Chloe's big sister to handle."
Rike had already pinpointed exactly why Eclair was squeezing out time during lunch to visit the Church.
"Probably... Chloe thinks the feelings she's harboring don't show on the outside. It spills over sometimes, like this morning, but you can tell she's trying to hold back her emotions."
While her little sister wrestled with her feelings alone, Eclair pressed her fingers to her temple, deep in thought.
"Don't hint to Chloe that something's off or she's acting different. If she starts trying to control her feelings more than she already is, it'll only make things harder for her."
Rike nodded in full agreement.
"Got it. We're all new to this and have no experience, so that's just how it goes."
Knock-knock.
An exquisitely controlled knock, perfectly gauged.
This wasn't some hulking holy knight who smashed doors without a second thought.
"Mm."
Just for fun, she'd dulled all her senses.
And in doing so, she'd gotten hooked on judging people by their knocks.
She'd realized even a single motion carried each person's unique feel and temperament.
The impatient knock from someone dying to open the door but holding back for permission? That was Rike.
The one with hesitation woven in, naturally spaced-out intervals? Chloe.
So this calm, composed rhythm with just a hint of upward flick in the fingertips...
"Come in~"
Creeeak—
The door to her single room opened, revealing a beauty in black uniform.
Silver hair tied back to exude presence, swaying as red eyes met hers.
"Kitty~! Weren't you super busy lately? You don't have to push yourself."
Eclair had been so swamped she couldn't even drop by every evening—sometimes just peeking in briefly. There had been days when she'd only delivered lunch in the morning and left.
Her showing up at lunchtime like this made it seem like she'd finally caught a breather at work.
"Busy or not, I have to eat properly at least. We all work to survive—skipping meals would turn things upside down and make life a joke."
"Healthy, sound thinking~ And the Church's last lunch being with Kitty? That's another fond memory."
She did occasionally miss meals from sheer busyness, but whether sincere or joking, if she held that mindset inside, it put Roman at ease.
⋯
⋯
The overly lavish meal ended, and Eclair—tea cup in hand—approached not the opposite seat, but him.
"Pardon me."
No chance she'd topple backward, but he extended a hand to her waist for support anyway, accepting her with a greeting.
"Welcome~"
His lap became an exclusive seat for Rike and Eclair.
Clink—
"..."
The half-full teacup returned to the table.
His eyes narrowed instinctively upon noticing.
'What's up?'
Appetite, intake of preferences, usage frequency—they were all signals.
Eclair always drained her post-meal tea cleanly, so putting the cup back untouched sparked concern.
"Kitty? Something wrong?"
Unlike usual, she didn't plaster herself right against him, sitting close to his knee instead.
She chewed her lip in thought, resembling Chloe, then slowly spoke.
"Roman. That absurd example—like some fairy tale to teach kids a lesson..."
"Just say it casually."
He'd sensed it during the meal too—she wasn't focused, lost in heavy thoughts.
Not work overload, then. Some other problem? He leaned in to listen.
"If some transcendent being suddenly appeared and forced me to choose between your happiness and Chloe's... I wouldn't pick. I'd agonize until I died. That way, any misfortune wouldn't be my fault..."
"Hmm."
"A hypothetical choice that's basically fiction. And I can't even say 'you first' right in front of you... Did that disappoint you? Am I that selfish?"
It came out of nowhere.
He had no idea why she was bringing this up, but he pulled her biting her lower lip in anxiety closer by the waist.
"Not selfish at all. I love you including that honesty. And in that situation? Of course I'd pick Chloe."
Slide—
Only now did she lean into him fully, nestling in. Hearing his words, she laughed happily, shoulders shaking, her excited breath warm against his chest.
"Haa— Where'd the empire find a guy like you, and why'd he fall for me? You didn't even ask why I brought this up first?"
"You gonna tell me? I'll listen intently if you do, or we can do it later. No pressure if you don't want to."
What came from his mouth wasn't an answer, but a question.
Still, Eclair looked a bit relieved.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be stroking his cheek so tenderly.
"...Of course that's why I came. Not to vent or complain—that'd make me the worst kind of woman."
"I'm ready to listen anytime, so just speak freely. If you change your mind midway, today doesn't have to be it."
Right before his eyes.
A woman full of humanity wrestled with inner conflict.
The Empire's Five Knight who seemed immune to tension, destined to nail anything perfectly.
That public image contrasted with the true face of the lovable woman, Eclair Dreitna.
Long inhales and exhales stretched on.
The chest hidden beneath her uniform swelled and fell.
How many times did it repeat? Finally, ruby-like eyes gleamed with jewel-like resolve, conveying her determination.
"Answer my question without holding back or sugarcoating. Even if the words are crude or lowly. Don't worry about my feelings at all—just be completely honest..."
Her lips looked drier than usual, weighed by the emotions inside.
What on earth was she about to ask, dragging it out like this? Worry crept in.
He'd aimed for a soft, comfortable atmosphere, but he had to stay sharp or he'd catch her tension.
"Promise."
Meeting his eyes as he answered, she squeezed hers shut the moment she spoke.
"...What do you think of Chloe?"