Chapter 44
The Flower That Bears a Sword - Chapter 44
Translation: godsn
Rosalin Diassant was a beauty with rose-red hair and light green eyes. Her slender waist and ample bosom gave her a voluptuous figure, while her upturned eyes and delicate nose bridge accentuated her intelligent demeanor.
On the afternoon of May 19th, she arrived in Agenka under the escort of the mage Nicole Sizton and twenty royal knights. She was immediately guided to the commander's office for a private meeting with Yurien.
"It's been a long time, Your Highness Yurien."
"Don't call me 'Your Highness,' Lady Diassant. My nationality is Agenka, not Kyrie."
"...Very well, Sir Yurien. Do you remember me?"
"I saw you at your sister's wedding to His Highness the Crown Prince, so yes, I remember. Though I never imagined we'd meet again over an engagement matter."
Yurien leaned against his desk with arms crossed. His downward gaze was cold as ice. He spoke with barely contained irritation.
"This is the first I'm hearing of you being my fiancée. Did I even have one to begin with?"
"I'm not your fiancée yet. Though it hardly matters since we'll soon be holding an engagement ceremony."
"An engagement ceremony I never heard of. How absurd."
"The notification must have reached you?"
"You mean the notice that arrived three days before you did?"
"Yes, that one."
Rosalin nodded nonchalantly and seated herself on the sofa without invitation—it seemed unlikely Yurien would offer her a seat. She rolled her eyes to look at him.
"So, are you going to refuse? You can't refuse, can you? You of all people know exactly what rejecting this engagement would signify."
"......"
Yurien's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. Rosalin crossed her legs while remaining seated on the sofa. Propping her chin on her hand, she remarked:
"The Yurien I knew—no, the Sir Yurien I knew—I thought would accept this calmly. How unexpected."
"Are you satisfied with this engagement, my lady?"
"Satisfied? Of course not. But what can I do? It's the duty I was born into as nobility. This is called marriage, but it's really just a transaction. Though I suppose I'm lucky my transaction partner happens to be you. Do you know how many noble ladies pine for you with lovesickness?"
Yurien closed his eyes wearily. Rosalin's gaze swept over his form leaning against the desk. Even his tired expression was mesmerizingly beautiful. She studied him as one might admire a work of art. After waiting briefly, she quietly asked:
"Well, what will you do, Sir Yurien? Will you declare this an engagement you never consented to and draw your sword against your own flesh and blood?"
Eyes like emotionless glass beads turned toward Rosalin. The white-clad man showed little expression. Had this man been prone to smiling, the number of lovesick noble ladies might have doubled. Rosalin entertained the thought dispassionately. After a silence, he answered in a rough voice:
"I need time."
"I understand. It's not an easy decision. But don't take too long. Those who sent me will be anxiously awaiting your answer."
"How kind of you to advise me."
"For your information, I personally wouldn't mind if you refused the engagement. Frankly, I'd prefer if you overturned it. I lack the courage to do so myself. Ah, not that I'm ungrateful—if you do refuse, I'll be sure to extract proper compensation."
"Compensation? For what?"
"I'll tell you that if you decide to refuse. There's no need to know if you're going through with the engagement, is there?"
Rosalin tilted her head. Flicking the fingers that propped up her chin, she added,
"Well, though I suppose I'll never actually get to say it. You won't be able to refuse in the end, will you? From my perspective, the engagement isn't entirely bad—not when my partner is you. The wielder of the Holy Sword can't act against justice, isn't that right? I trust you won't make a terrible husband."
"......Enough. Leave, my lady. The vice-captain will show you to your quarters."
"Very well. Then I shall see you later, Your Highness."
Without the slightest hesitation, Rosalin curtsied and withdrew. The rustling of her dress was the last sound before the door closed. That whisper of fabric brought to mind Echinacea Roaz, whom he had encountered earlier that morning.
"I don't make choices that sacrifice my own peace."
It was suffocating. As if iron chains were coiling around his entire body, tightening relentlessly. Yurien looked down at his right palm. The golden sigil of the Holy Sword Langiosa glowed faintly upon it.
"I know. I know which choice is better. And yet... my heart refuses to be controlled."
The sigil flickered briefly, as if in response.
"Just... a little more time. Grant me just a little more time. Until I can let go... Before I lose my mind entirely, I will make a decision......"
Yurien buried his face in his hands. A groan slipped between his fingers.
"Eki!"
Thanks to Alice bringing their meals to the room, Eki and Alice had dinner together inside. Just as Eki was rinsing her mouth with tea, a familiar voice called her nickname, and the door burst open.
"......Ah, I didn't realize this wasn't a single room."
Nicole Sizton, clad in a mage's robe, scratched her cheek awkwardly. Eki's eyes widened. She set down her spoon and sprang up like a coiled spring.
"Nicole!"
"Geez, what's with this embarrassing reaction?"
Nicole grumbled as Eki abruptly pulled her into a hug—but she returned the embrace all the same.
"Long time no see, Eki. But wait, you've lost weight, haven't you? No, hold on—you're running a fever!"
"Ah, just a bit of a cold... I'm fine. Have you been well, Nicole?"
"Family?"
Alice asked as she stacked the dishes onto a tray. Eki nodded.
"She's as good as family. Nicole, this is my roommate, Alice Winterbell."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Alice Winterbell."
"Hello, I'm Nicole Sizton."
The two exchanged stiff greetings. Then Alice picked up the tray and stood.
"I'll leave you two to talk. I have evening training to attend."
"Eh? Alice, you don't have to—"
"I'll be back around ten. Have a good time, Eki."
With a bright smile, Alice grabbed her sword and left. Eki, slightly flustered, muttered a quiet thanks. Watching this unfold, Nicole shot Eki a teasing grin.
"Friend?"
"...Maybe."
"Maybe? What kind of answer is that? Honestly, I was pretty worried when I heard you were enrolling in the military academy, but seeing you've even made a friend, it seems you're doing alright."
"Nicole, you make it sound like I've never had a single friend before."
"Well, those young ladies weren't exactly friends, were they? Or am I wrong?"
Eki had no rebuttal and shut her mouth. The "young ladies" Nicole referred to were the noble girls who half-heartedly hosted tea parties and attended each other's gatherings out of obligation.
They weren't on bad terms, but calling them friends would be a stretch. One misstep, and the entire social circle would be buzzing with gossip—so everyone treaded carefully around one another. Now, with fifteen extra years of life under her belt, Eki could barely even remember them.
"But why did you come down with a fever? You've lost weight too. Is wielding the sword too strenuous?"
"No, I'm fine. There were just some things I had to push through. I'm resting now, so I'll recover soon."
"Alright, you know best. You're not a child anymore....What about the Magic Sword?"
Nicole lowered her voice considerably as she asked. Echinacea removed her glove and showed her right palm.
"It's the same as always. Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine."
"...That's a relief. Since you're unharmed, I take it no one has found out?"
[They have. A certain big oaf found out! He knows! He knows!]
Shut up. Echinacea kept the thought to herself and answered calmly. She didn't want to give Nicole any more reasons to worry.
"No one knows. By the way, I saw the telegram—you came as an escort, right? The distinguished guest you're escorting is... Lady Diassant? The one who's come to get engaged to Captain Yurien?"
"Correct. Seems the rumors have already spread."
Nicole nodded and pulled her teacup toward her. Echinacea naturally poured tea into her cup. The old Echinacea wouldn't have even thought to pour tea—that was a maid's job. I've changed in so many ways, Nicole mused as she took a sip.
Echinacea swallowed the question she had been about to ask and posed another first.
"Did you volunteer as an escort just so you could visit Agenka?"
"Yes. The Magic Tower was asked to send a mage, so I stepped forward. But it wasn't just to see you."
"Then why?"
Nicole glanced around. Then, setting down her teacup, she traced a pattern in the air with her fingers and murmured a short incantation. Echinacea sensed mana spreading from her, enveloping the room. It seemed to be some kind of barrier.
"I cast a spell so sound won't leak out."
Echinacea rolled her eyes, and Nicole responded. She folded her hands on the table, her murky green eyes behind her monocle gleaming with a heavy light.
"Eki, listen carefully. What I'm about to say is important."
"Things you found out while tracing the Magic Sword's origins?"
"Right. First, the most urgent matter. The engagement between Captain Yurien and Lady Diassant must proceed. For the sake of the Roaz family, that's the safer option."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"Because there are people who would kill the lady if it meant stopping this engagement. That's why I volunteered as an escort. Even if someone claims to be a mage from the Magic Tower, there's no guarantee they aren't aligned with that faction. Besides, I also wanted to see you and tell you this."
Echinacea stared at Nicole blankly. Nicole gave a bitter smile.
"Eki, excluding His Majesty the Emperor, who are the current direct imperial family members?"
"Huh? The imperial family... Well, first there's His Highness the Crown Prince, and since Captain Yurien is the Third Prince, there must be a Second Prince above him..."
"What is the Crown Prince's full name?"
"Um... Cruen de Harden Kyrie. Right?"
"Right. Then do you know what His Highness the Crown Prince's specialty is?"
"......"
"What is the Second Prince's name?"
"...I don't know."
"Most people don't. Impressions of the other direct imperial family members are vague. But everyone knows about the Third Prince, Captain Yurien. Ask any random citizen of the Empire—or even a traveler from another country—and some could tell you exactly how old he was when he became a Master."
It was undeniable. Youngest Master, youngest Captain of the Azure Sky Knights, imperial prince, wielder of the Holy Sword—not to mention his striking looks and a handful of legendary feats. Yurien de Harden Kyrie possessed far too many elements that drew people's attention.
Nicole leaned closer to Echinacea and continued.
"Everyone remembers only Captain Yurien. Everyone cares only about him. The impressions of the other imperial family members have faded. Because Captain Yurien shines too brightly."