The Knighting Ceremony
It had been a full week since Milia and Schwarz first set foot in the royal palace.
"I never thought we'd be coming back here so soon…"
"Neither did I…"
Milia spoke in a voice tight with nerves, and Schwarz answered in an equally awkward tone. The two of them were walking down one of the palace corridors. The greatest difference from their previous visit was the hour: where the palace had once been silent and empty in the early morning, it now thronged with people. And every single pair of eyes was fixed on them.
"I really don't suit clothes like these…"
"On a day like today, there's no helping it."
Milia tugged at her collar with clear discomfort, and Schwarz offered an awkward smile in reply. She wore a pristine white dress uniform embroidered with the crest of the Count's house. For a girl who preferred plain, practical clothes that let her move freely, the garment felt little better than a straitjacket.
Schwarz was no better off. He wore the same white dress uniform marked with the Valentine crest. It was not so different from the butler's attire he usually wore—except that where his everyday clothes were plain and unadorned, this uniform was laden with so many decorations it bordered on excessive. For someone who already found attention burdensome, it was pure torment.
How long they walked that endless corridor, neither could have said. At last a great set of doors appeared at the far end. They stopped before them.
"Haa…"
"Are you nervous, My Lady?"
Schwarz asked as Milia let out a short breath. It was a question that scarcely needed answering.
"Of course I am. What about you?"
"I'm nervous too."
He gave a faint smile at her grumbling. The martial arts tournament, the incidents in the Countship, the guild war… none of them had made his heart race quite like this. Schwarz cleared his throat and straightened his posture.
"Are you prepared?"
A familiar voice sounded behind them. They turned to find Bernus approaching in full ceremonial dress. True to form, the Count showed not the slightest trace of nerves; this sort of occasion was clearly old hat to him.
"Haa… I'm so tense."
"The first time is always like that. Just don't let the tension go completely."
"Yeah. Got it."
Milia nodded at her father's quiet counsel. A single misstep today would make them the laughingstock of the entire realm—something that absolutely could not be allowed to happen. She drew a steadying breath and forced her racing heart to calm.
Royal Knight. Ordinary knighthoods could be conferred by any noble of Count rank or higher. A Royal Knight, however, was appointed by the king himself—Alfons Leoric von Elianos—and the weight of that title was on an entirely different scale. Only those who had rendered exceptional service were granted it; their names were recorded in the royal chronicles, and they received honors nearly equal to those of a Count. For Milia, already the daughter and heir of a Count, the practical benefits mattered little. But among nobles who lived and died by honor, the prestige of the name itself could never be dismissed.
Just then—
"Is everything ready?"
"Lord Rendrin."
From the opposite end of the corridor came an elderly gentleman they had met before: Rendrin del Vain, the king's personal aide.
"Milia. Schwarz. Shall we begin?"
"W-wait just a moment… one last check."
"I'll check once more as well."
At Bernus's question they both began fussing over their attire. A minute or so passed.
"Yeah. I think I'm good."
"I believe I am as well."
"Schwarz. Hold still a second."
They nodded almost in unison—then Milia reached out and took hold of his necktie.
"Ah—My Lady?"
Schwarz's voice rose in surprise.
"Don't move. Your tie looks a little crooked."
"Ah…"
She adjusted the knot with careful fingers while he let out a soft sound of resignation. In truth the tie had not been crooked at all. He had checked himself in the mirror dozens of times and was certain of it. Still, the small gesture was her own way of easing the tension that gripped them both.
Another minute slipped by.
"There. Perfect."
"Thank you, My Lady."
Milia squared her shoulders; Schwarz inclined his head in a light bow.
"A fine sight. Reminds me of my own younger days."
"I'm glad to hear it."
Rendrin offered the quiet remark, and Bernus answered with a short chuckle.
"…!!"
At their reaction Milia flinched and flushed scarlet. To any onlooker the little scene would have looked for all the world like that of a married couple.
I must be out of my mind… Why did I do that…!!
An attempt to calm her nerves had only made them worse. Regret came too late; there was no turning back the clock now.
"It seems preparations are complete. Shall we proceed?"
"That would be best."
Rendrin spoke, and Bernus nodded, turning to the two of them once more.
"Ready?"
"Yeah. Ready."
"Yes. We are ready."
Milia and Schwarz managed to quiet their pounding hearts and nodded.
"Then I wish you both a successful investiture."
With that brief word of encouragement, Rendrin opened the great doors before them.
"Let's go, Schwarz."
"Yes, My Lady."
Side by side, they stepped through the open doorway.
Beyond the doors stretched a long, spacious hall. A deep blue carpet—the color of the kingdom—ran the full length of the floor. On either side the royal guard stood in perfect ranks, and behind them countless nobles held their breath, every eye fixed on the pair who had just entered.
A moment later the royal orchestra waiting at the rear began to play. At the signal, Milia and Schwarz started down the carpet. The distance was not truly great, yet to them it felt as endless as a thousand-mile road.
At last they reached the far end of the hall and slowly sank to one knee. The music ceased.
"Raise your heads."
A solemn voice rolled through the chamber. Looking up, they beheld Alfons Leoric von Elianos, King of the Elianos Kingdom, seated upon the throne and regarding them with a steady gaze.
"Milia Valentine, daughter and heir of the Valentine Countship, and her attendant Schwarz. You uncovered and destroyed a threat that had long lurked in the shadows of this kingdom. Is this true?"
"It is, Your Majesty."
They answered as one, their voices firm.
"Furthermore, three years ago you defended the Valentine Countship against a horde of monsters that invaded its lands, and with your own strength you slew an unidentified monster that posed a grave danger to the entire realm. Is this true?"
"It is, Your Majesty."
"Then do you swear, upon your honor and your very souls, that these deeds are fact?"
"We swear."
At their reply Alfons turned without a word and took the ceremonial sword offered by a waiting page. He stepped down from the throne and approached them, laying the flat of the blade first upon one shoulder, then the other.
"Then here, in solemn declaration, I proclaim: your strength shall become a sword wielded in the name of justice, and your will shall become a shield that protects the innocent…"
The entire hall held its breath as the king returned the sword to its case and took from another page a golden medal—the emblem of knighthood.
"In the name of Alfons Leoric von Elianos, King of the Elianos Kingdom, I hereby appoint you both Knights of the Realm."
The orchestra struck up once more. At the signal Milia and Schwarz rose to their feet.
"Milia Valentine. I look forward to your future deeds."
"I shall strive with all my strength to meet Your Majesty's expectations."
Alfons pinned the medal to her breast, then moved to Schwarz and fastened an identical medal upon his chest.
"From you as well I expect great things."
"I will work hard so as never to disappoint you."
With Schwarz's answer the king returned to the throne. The moment he sat, applause thundered through the hall.
"Thus concludes the knighting ceremony of Milia Valentine and Schwarz."
Alfons's voice rang out over the clapping. Milia and Schwarz bowed deeply to their king, then turned and began the long walk back down the carpet and out of the hall.
And so their investiture came to a successful close.