Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Ulstro Kingdom - The Innocent Princess and the Vicious Knight (9)
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"......"
"......"
Serennia, who had called Valdes into the room, surprisingly said nothing at all.
'What's this? Trying to psych me out?'
Serennia leaned back in her chair, silently setting the mood.
Any ordinary knight or squire would have been tense, second-guessing if they'd done something wrong, cowed by the sight of their knight commander. But that didn't apply to him. Instead, he let the corner of his mouth curl up just a touch, enough to seem a bit cocky.
He brushed off the subtle pressure of her mana as if it were nothing.
'Well, look at you.'
Serennia's eyebrow twitched.
Just moments ago, she'd been in a foul mood. She never imagined he'd not only hook up with Mercedes during the mission but even share a kiss with her. It had been a teasing probe, but when it actually worked, she'd been utterly flustered.
In her agitation, she'd let her warrior's aura slip out unintentionally. Yet instead of panicking, Valdes met it with a bold expression. Intriguing.
She'd even unleashed the mana pressure symbolic of a master swordsman, but he endured it with ease. No, "endured" didn't do it justice.
"Valdes, was it?"
"Yes, that's right. Knight Commander Serennia."
"Just 'Commander' will do. So... you're dating our Mercy, huh?"
"I wouldn't know about her being your Mercy, but yes. Mercy sis and I are dating."
"...Sis?"
Ha.
A hollow laugh escaped her. Fine, calling her by a nickname was one thing, but "sis"? Call it intuition, but she figured Mercy had pushed for that one more than the boy had.
'Bloodlines don't lie.'
The cheeky line before that had been amusing too. Not sure if she's the commander's Mercy or not, indeed.
"You're fun. More fun than I expected."
"Glad to hear it. So, what do I need to prove?"
"Oh? That's what I want to ask. What can you prove?"
The gap between Mercy and this boy was like night and day. No, more like the depths of the underworld.
His looks and talent were the only things he had going for him, maybe. His appearance was almost a waste on a half-demon. Mother and daughter both had sky-high standards.
She hadn't seen his skills firsthand, but surviving her aura and mana pressure meant he was at least worth noticing. And from reports of his mission exploits, it was clear he wasn't just a sword prodigy—he was a genius in combat overall.
But that was it.
No matter how exceptional his looks and talent, his limits were clear as day.
"Anything you like."
"...What?"
"I'll prove anything. Just not right now. Give me one year. One year, and no one will question things between sis and me."
"Ha! ...Pfft-hahahaha!!"
She liked him.
Liked him a lot. It was like he'd researched her beforehand.
She'd meant to test if his feelings for Mercy were genuine, but that was pointless now. A guy with that kind of guts wouldn't be scheming for anything else.
If he weren't half-demon, she'd have adopted him on the spot and married him off to Mercy. No kids to worry about, no succession issues. A barony would be plenty for a royal wedding.
...Of course, with her husband hating demons, it was impossible in reality.
"Good. Very good. A man needs that kind of nerve for his woman."
"It's one reason I've survived this long."
Even grinning like a man.
A satisfied smile wouldn't leave her face.
"One year, as you say. Show me."
"Understood. I won't let you down."
"Won't let me down, huh. Hmmm. Sorry, but I don't trust you yet. The bar's that high. So I'll give you a little help."
"Help... you say?"
"I'll be your patron."
"...Pardon?"
This was beyond even Valdes's expectations. He blanked for a second.
He'd studied her youth and recent intel, tailoring his act to her tastes: confident, gutsy guy. It meshed well with his real personality, easier than most. He'd nailed it, and her reaction was golden.
One hitch: she was in a suit, not armor. Those massive breasts jiggling with every laugh kept drawing his eyes—he'd struggled not to stare. Probably earned him extra points.
"A patron doesn't mean much special. Just some financial support. But..."
"It means a backer no one messes with lightly."
"Sharp mind too."
This time, he just smiled softly without replying.
Her favor was secured; time to show relaxed confidence. Not empty bravado, but real substance.
Serennia wasn't the type to nitpick over interruptions or silence.
"But won't there be opposition? Your husband, for instance..."
"My husband... Sigh, he won't mind. ...We barely pay attention to each other anymore anyway."
'Huh?'
She'd muttered the end, but he caught it clear. And her face darkened briefly at the mention. Bad blood between them, or some other issue. Time to tweak the plan.
'A crack to slip through?'
"Hrm..."
Serennia tapped her desk rhythmically, humming thoughtfully.
"Patron. Patron..."
"...You don't have to strain yourself for me."
"No, it's not that. Patron's fine, but... disciple sounds good too."
"...?"
Question marks floated over Valdes's head. Was this opportunity falling into his lap whole?
Once she decided something, she stuck to it relentlessly—a trait from her youth, when she'd even stood firm against the Hero she admired. If she was serious, not even the queen would sway her.
"No, taking you as disciple right away is hasty... Yeah, better test your skills first. Disciple after."
"C-Commander...?"
"Haha, too young for 'twilight years.' Anyway, taking a disciple. Sounds fun. Hahaha!!"
"......"
Her mind made up, Serennia laughed heartily, her short orange hair shaking.
"I'll check your skills tomorrow. Better than just patronage—once I confirm your talent, teaching you swordplay gives it legitimacy. Get lucky, and maybe disciple. Work hard."
'She just wants a disciple herself, doesn't she...?'
"Ah, got it. If that's all, I'll take my leave."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
"Yes. Tomorrow."
After Valdes left, Serennia smiled to herself and pulled a book from her desk drawer.
The Retired Knight and Her Male Disciple
A novel Mercedes had lent her, about a knight who retires young to the countryside and takes on a talented village boy as her disciple.
Truth be told, she wasn't big on books. But since Mercy read it, she'd planned to skim a few pages before returning it.
But wow, it was good. Maybe age, or the author's skill—it hooked her more than expected.
Unaccustomed to reading, she'd usually dip in and out, but this was her first steady novel binge.
It even sparked thoughts on her post-retirement life. Settling in a quiet village like the protagonist, teaching a disciple hands-on? Appealing.
"Already a quarter through."
Having pulled it out, Serennia flipped it open to read more.
She had no idea it was an erotic novel—subtle hints mid-book building to an explosive finish.
Royal Pedro Knight Order.
One of Ulstro's top three knight orders alongside the Capital Defense and Black Eagle Orders—and embarrassingly, the one I'm in.
Not even 20 years old, but with the queen's full backing, it'd grown astonishingly. It drew jealousy from others, clashing now and then with the Capital Defense bunch in the capital.
But the commander stepped in, and issues vanished. Rightly so: Serennia started as the queen's guard, rising from baron to count on her own merits—a poster child for new-blood knights. Top-tier powerhouse too. Who'd dare cross her?
All that made Pedro the dream job for knights. Recruits were all geniuses, but even among them, some stars shone brighter.
For example...
"Hey, Noizel."
My colleague knight Essix snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Oh, yeah. What?"
"Heard Princess Marie's back today."
"Ah..."
"Heh, and your crush Etilene too."
"Ugh, shut it!"
Yeah, like Lady Etilene Profilene, his junior.
Embarrassed, I yelled at my buddy and bolted. Only possible 'cause we're that close.
'Still, Lady Etilene...'
Where was she?
Over two weeks without seeing her, her image kept haunting me. I'd just been lost in a daydream.
I asked around, hurrying along.
Lady Etilene was already at the training grounds fresh off return. True geniuses had that mindset, huh? Could've rested a day after a long mission.
"Hoo, hoo."
In the corner, a female knight swung her sword alone.
Her wavy blue hair fluttered with each move. Sweat flew wildly from her intense swings. Even that was breathtakingly beautiful.
I stared blankly, then noticed something off.
Her movements were fiercer than usual. Total immersion, like blocking out all else. Not practicing Profilene family swordsmanship either—wouldn't in a public yard anyway, but it was outright rough.
'Did something bad really happen?'
It nagged at me. After agonizing, I approached.
"Lady Etilene. Back today, I see."
I spoke as if just noticing her.
"...? Ah, Sir Noizel."
'Oof.'
Classic "who're you?" reaction from someone not close. Hurt a bit, even as her senior's peer.
Made sense, though. We hadn't talked enough for instant recognition.
But I wasn't giving up.
Longtime crush ends up in my order by chance? Heaven-sent. Time to shoot my shot.
"You look down. Something wrong?"
"My face... that bad?"
Her expression stiffened.
Not really. Only I, staring intently, noticed. Excuse to talk, basically.
"Yeah, a little."
"Sigh... I see."
What could've caused that look? Curiosity burned.
"If it's okay, wanna talk it out? I can listen."
"Pardon? What..."
Mistake. Got too eager.
"N-no, forget it. I just like hearing people out... Ahaha."
Awkward laugh and excuse. She didn't press, thankfully. Or rather, seemed disinterested. Guess we're not there yet...
"A-anyway, if you need to vent, I'm here. Or Essix, your senior—he'd listen well."
"...Thanks for caring."
"......"
"......"
Awkward silence. Etilene set down her sweat towel, resuming training. Desperate to connect, I was about to suggest sparring when—
"Ah, here you are. Lady Etilene."
"...Valdes."
The boy appeared.
Tournament alum like her, now squire to Princess Mercedes. An odd kid.
More infamous for half-demon blood than skill. Handsome and friendly, he'd warmed to most, but demon-haters ignored him.
I was neutral.
"What brings you here?"
'Hm?'
Edge in her voice. New tone from her. She had people she snapped at too.
"Didn't you offer to check my training?"
"......Right. Come to think of it, yes."
Affirming, but her voice shook—like she'd forgotten, panicking. Probably that.
Both impressive. Him accepting help from his tournament defeater, her offering. No easy choice.
"I'll wait over there then."
He bowed slightly to us and left.
"You two must be close."
"Pardon?"
"Oh, uh, not?"
Not? But teaching a non-squire? Her tone earlier had bite... Other reason?
"...No. Close... yeah, probably."
Probably?
"Well, I'll head out then."
"Oh? Ah, sure..."
She packed up and went to him.
"......"
Watching her go, unease smoldered in my chest for some reason.