Chapter 30

Kir parted ways with Theovalt and made his way to Azil’s office. The servant in charge of the front door bowed and opened his mouth as he approached.

“Hello, Sir. Sir Azil has been away for some time.”

Kir’s forehead furrowed, and an irritating voice could be heard.

“Open the door.”

“He told me not to let anyone in while he was away.”

“I know you’re lying, so open the door.”

Now that he’s been found lying, there’s not much he can do. The servant apologized to Azil quietly before opening the door. The dark room was clearly revealed through the door, and Kir entered without hesitation.

“Azil. What’s the matter with you, that you even lie to avoid people? How much trouble I have to suffer because of you—”

“I’m sorry, Kir.”

“Why is it so dark here—? Turn on the light.”

Kir grumbled and walked over to Azil inside, and sat casually on the chair.

The room wasn’t so dark that he couldn’t see an inch ahead, but there was a problem in that the face in front of him was somewhat hidden. He can’t lie about working in such a dark place.

“I’ve solved the tapestry problem well.”

“—You managed to break the Lady’s stubbornness?”

“I don’t know. Theo will take care of it.”

It means that the first thing passed on from Azil went to Theovalt. Instead of answering, Azil swept his face dry.

“Anyway, I’ve dealt with the tapestry issue, so you do the rest. I’m overwhelmed just by rewriting the invitation to the party.”

“Kir. Let’s split the work again. I’ll write the invitations instead.”

“Huh? What about me?”

“The preparations for the party have already passed to your side, so wouldn’t it be more convenient for me to do additional work?”

It’s not wrong. Kir adjusted his beret. It doesn’t make sense; it’s more work—writing invites, arranging invitations, and so on—this is the most difficult part out of everything else.

‘There’s no way he’s willing to put in the hard work for no reason.’

Kir’s intuition was correct. Someone who is always tired of everything suddenly says he will take on an extra job. There is no way that could not be suspicious.

Kir followed his hunch and opened his mouth.

“Hey.”

“What.”

“Why are you avoiding the Lady?”

“Damn it.”

Azil spat a few swear words. How can he admit it so quickly without denying it once? Kir sighed and rested his chin, laughing inwardly at his innocent friend’s stupidity.

“Did you two fight?”

“Do I look like you?”

“No, isn’t it weirder not to fight with her temper?”

Kir was furious, but Azil only shook his head gloomily.

“You’re the only one who doesn’t get along with her.”

“No! I’m on good terms! Really good.”

“You’re not a kid, don’t be childish.”

Bang! Kir jumped up and slammed his hands down.

“Hey, don’t change the subject. What’s the problem with you if I’m not on good terms or get along well with the Lady?”

“….”

“Have you become obsessed with your master all of a sudden? Do you feel like you’re losing your son since we raised His Majesty?”

“What do you think—”

If Kir was Theovalt’s natural enemy, then Azil was Kir’s natural enemy. Kir’s head was extraordinary, but in human relationships, his extraordinary head lost its ability. Just standing in front of Azil used to make Kir feel like an idiot, and now here is one example.

“Rather, I don’t understand you. Aren’t you the one who hates the Lady the most? All of a sudden, you’re coming here and trying to advise me?”

That arrogant jerk. When he attacks, he is very sharp. Kir let out a long sigh and opened his mouth.

“Can’t we just ask these questions between friends? If there’s a reason, I’d like to know what it is. Did you go through puberty all of a sudden?”

“…..”

“And there’s something you’re misunderstanding, I don’t hate the Lady. Rather—I think she’s the right person for our Imperial palace? I’m against the Lady becoming Empress so quickly because it’s obvious people will talk behind her back.”

Azil, who had been silently listening, widened his eyes as Kir continued to speak frankly.

“—That’s true.”

“Right? His Majesty doesn’t really care? Who is it this time that he has placed in charge of the Staff, Duke Edenberg? Besides, a woman entered the Palace as a candidate and was named Empress without having to pass an examination. Would it be wonderful to learn that he’s rumored to be charmed by her skirt?”

Because of the darkness, Kir couldn’t see Azil’s expression, which was lucky for Azil. Kir would have seen something strange otherwise.

“Who in the social world hasn’t heard that the Lady is going to be Empress? She’ll say hello while covering her eyes.”

“You said the theme of this party has changed.”

“Um? That’s right. That’s fine. Now that I can follow the format—”

“Isn’t there any chance that the Lady won’t become the Empress?”

Kir opened his eyes wide. But before he could say anything, Azil stopped talking.

“—Enough. I made a mistake.”

“You. You— This brat.”

“Shut it.”

“Do you hate the Lady that much?!”

The darkness was, of course, fortunate for Kir. Thanks to that, he didn’t have to look at Azil’s insulting expression.

There was a knock on the door while Kir tried to say something because he didn’t know what to say.

“Are you inside? His Majesty has given the orders to summon you.”

It was a good thing Azil didn’t have to come up with an excuse to leave.

******

“1st Division Commander Jaylin Mard! Announcing my return!”

“Don’t act like a crowing chicken and sit down.”

“You’re handsome even though it’s been a while! As expected, you’re a model to everyone, Your Majesty!”

“Stop fooling around, will you?”

“Yes~”

The high reddish-brown hair waved with every sound of the iron armor’s clashing. It seems that the fact that no one takes his pranks as a means of returning to his seat is quite appealing.

Tak. On the table, a helmet was dropped. Jaylin removed his gloves and interlocked them before placing them on the desk, as if tossing them on a helmet.

The desk was filled with all the current high-ranking officials, including Kir, Theovalt, Azil, Ethelred, and the chief of the staff.

Jaylin rolled his black eyes, staring at the people sitting at the round table, and then opened his mouth.

“Well, so why am I here? Kir, if you’re the Head of the Palace, say something.”

“I’m no longer the Head of the Palace, Jay.”

“Huh, really?”

Opposite of Jaylin, who blinked innocently, Ethelred opened his mouth.

“Stop the war and come back to the capital, Jaylin.”

Jaylin blinked twice with thick eyelids and asked.

“Are you going to stop the war, or am I the only one who gets fired?”

“Dismissal.”

“Did I do something wrong? We did three turns, three times.”

“I’ve only done it three times, so you’ll understand if the commander changes. It’s not even a war for conquest, but the loss of manpower is too great. I’d like to concentrate more on the capital.”

There were about ten people gathered, but only Ethelred and Jaylin were speaking. They had gathered for a meeting, but in reality, it was close to Ethelred’s one sided notices.

Jaylin swept his dried face once, then bit his thumb, tapped the desk with his index finger, and finally sighed.

“All right, the scumbag who got fired from his job should go home, wash his feet, and sleep. Well—”

Theovalt gently patted Jaylin on the shoulder. And one more thing to add.

“You can’t go home.”

“Huh? Why?”

“From today on, you’re the captain of the Imperial Palace Guard.”

“What? Really?”

Ethelred nodded his head.

Theovalt laid a red cloth embroidered with the Imperial coat of arms in front of Jaylin from his arms. A cloak or scarf worn by the guards. It is a short piece of cloth that hangs obliquely on a badge that only the Imperial Palace escort knights can sew and hangs down like a cloak.

Ethelred picked up the quill pen and inked it to see if he had finished talking to Jaylin.

“You go west, towards Calende Palace. Listen to Theobald for details. Both of you go out. You don’t have any more tasks.”

The two knights were kicked out of the meeting room. A gentle breeze passed by, making Jaylin’s aching heart sad.

“Theo.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m really sad.”

After the Lady, this time it’s Jaylin. Theovalt nodded his head and began to wrap the cloth around Jaylin’s shoulders.

“I came here after fighting a naval battle in a salty wind, and before the salt even ran out, you immersed me in tears, Our Majesty. Are you trying to turn me into pickled fish? It’s sad, it’s sad— what’s the life of Jaylin like this—”

“It’s done. Look.”

“Well done, I’ll be on duty for a long time without a word of comfort—I’ve given my life to His Majesty, so I don’t intend to live long, but my life is bitter!”

“I’m trying. Let’s go.”

Theovalt slapped Jaylin on the back. It was a light prank between friends, but Jaylin fell forward with a grunt.

“Hey! Tsk, Theovalt! You need to control your strength!”

“Did you go to the sea and get sick? You can’t even take this much.”

“Do I have to hear this myself? I’m gonna get arthritis. Damn it.”

Jaylin grumbled and rubbed his back and strode out. The armor, which had not yet lost its white salt layer, made a crackling sound.

“—Ha.”

Theovalt laughed. It’s been a while since he has seen that angry back. Jaylin took a few steps and widened the distance, and he jumped his weight as if thinking of something, and returned to Theovalt.

“Theo! Come to think of it, what did he mean? Kir isn’t the Head of the Palace?”

“Oh, you don’t know, do you? He got promoted.”

“What? Wouldn’t the complaint be a joke? What did he get promoted to?”

“The Chancellor.”

“Ha—”

Jaylin smiled curiously and shook his head.

“That’s why he looks so dead? Now I get it.”

Actually, that might not be the only reason. He’ll find out soon. Theovalt decided to save his words.

“By the way, you said that a woman entered the palace? Kir said that her personality is not normal.”

There’s no need to mince his words. Theovalt murmured.

“Is there a rumor going around there?”

“Our informants work well.”

“That’s more surprising. We’ll run into her when we work anyway.”

“Is she pretty?”

Theovalt’s walk was dazzling. Jaylin followed and stopped.

“What’s wrong with you? Is she pretty?”

“—See for yourself.”

Theovalt nodded his head. A woman with her silver hair draped in a half ponytail was holding a quaint bouquet of flowers. She was obviously Maribelle.

“Ah, Sir Peregrine.”

With a bright smile on her face, Maribelle approached. She bowed slightly to Theovalt and Jaylin, and opened her mouth.

“I couldn’t see His Majesty, so I was looking for you, but here you are. Who is the knight next to you?”

“This is Jaylin Mard, the new Imperial Guard Captain. Like I said before.”

“Aha.”

This is the person. Maribelle’s head returned and stopped at Jaylin. She recently heard from Theovalt about the “New Imperial Guard Captain.”

‘Now I have to go find the location of the former Crown Prince Baldwin.’

‘His Majesty must trust Sir Peregrine a lot.’

‘His Majesty’s trust is ours, of course.’

She thinks she heard this before.

‘Anyway, someone will come to guard the Imperial Palace instead of me. My guess is that Lady could be escorted by that person.’

‘—Is it His Majesty’s person?’

‘Yes. I hope the escort will not refuse.’

‘Well, all right. Work should be delegated.’

‘Thank you for accepting. It’s a bit of a shame, but you won’t feel uncomfortable about it because you’re honest and don’t have any thorns.’

Watching Theovalt explain the new Imperial Guard captain, Maribelle laughed quietly.

‘You must really like that person.’

‘P-pardon?’

‘You look very happy.’

‘Is that so? Anyway, what I said earlier is just my personal opinion, so you can listen to it lightly.’

‘There’s no reason to listen lightly. Sir has a good eye for people. I’m sure I would like someone who Lord Peregrine likes.’

She wondered who the hell make Theovalt’s eyes to shine brightly,

‘I guess it’s one-sided.’

Maribelle smiled openly. It’s not uncommon to fall in love with a colleague. But, among the knights who are mostly male, to be the commander of the Imperial Palace guard here, that’s great.

Maribelle greets her with pure admiration.

“Nice to meet you, Sir Mard. When I heard from Sir Peregrine, I didn’t know you were a woman.”

“What?”

“Yes?”

“No, how did you know?”

“Huh?”

A beautiful garden with a fountain that you can see right out of the main palace. The three of them met in this garden, which Kir loved, for the second time, and now the group has broken down.