Episode 113

Claudine Ternane, head of the Ternane family and duke, tilts his glass with a serious expression.

He was so worried that his head would break, and he had no idea what to do with his daughter.

After disappearing for a while, he became too strong, and he even said that he would no longer be bound by his family.

That’s why I made a decision in a moment and chose the more profitable side.

“… It doesn’t sound like a joke.”

“If I was joking, I wouldn’t have called you.”

“It’s not even something that can be conveyed by letter.”

“That’s why we set up a place. It wouldn’t be bad to have a meal with an old friend after a long time.”

A seasoned aristocrat will attach meaning to any action, and always tries to predict how the opponent will move.

It was the same with Crodin and Robbins, and even numerous royal families and nobles would show various reactions according to their own policies.

Of course, there was Claudine’s intention behind this dinner, but the words of wanting to hang out with an old friend came from a sincere heart.

“I purposely chose an expensive place so I wouldn’t be turned down right away.”

“You should do this to an old friend.”

“Even if I accept it, the Marquis of Reggiard may not allow it. What are you going to do then?”

“There is not much I can do without you. It’s not easy even without you. It doesn’t even pay off, so I’ll have to give up first.”

“How are you going to convince my daughter and son-in-law? They are knights who fight for their lives. Your daughter might be in the way.”

“That’s a problem my daughter has to deal with. I’m just introducing you to join the Lihines Knights.”

Robbins watches Claudine with a questioning mind.

This was also an unexpected answer.

Even if he went as far as what Claudin had asked for, did he know that he would try to end it simply by connecting with the Knights of Lihines?

“It seems a little different from what you said at the beginning.”

“What could be different? I’d appreciate it if you listened to me and let me join you, but I can’t force you to do that. Your daughter and son-in-law will also have to think about it, so they just said they would introduce you.”

“… You bend a lot more than you think. If I refuse, I will feel very bad.”

Robbins answers nonchalantly, examining Claudine’s reaction.

Even if you have the title of duke, you should bow your head to the king, but in front of other royals and nobles, you will not back down no matter what.

If there is something you want, you will definitely have it, and if there is something you do not like, you will be willing to spend money to replace it.

Of course, if the opponent was the same duke, he would show a slightly different attitude, but he would not give up his faith and pride.

“Write… My daughter left the mansion and is now back. But didn’t he say that he would give up his family name as soon as he returned? So I tried to catch it, but all the knights fell out. What am I supposed to do here?”

“You should either hire a strong knight or watch them run away.”

“Neither way is a good choice. If you bring it in, it will try to run away again, and if you leave it alone, you never know what will happen.”

“So you’re trying to enlist your daughter in the Lihines Knights?”

“I can’t throw it away, so I have to find a place to leave it. I want my daughter to be safe while demonstrating her skills. It would be great if there were strong knights, achievements, and a bright future. The one that satisfies all these conditions is the Knights of Lihines.”

“… … .”

Robbins did not take that word for granted.

If you look carefully, there will be a knights who meet all of those conditions.

Besides, if you want to match Oz Ternane, it’s better to use the entire order of knights.

Rather, he could have been kicked out after being pointed out by Shion and Hanette if he joined the Lihines Knights.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t have asked for it even out of pride. I would rather have looked for another knight.”

“You are right. It’s a bit embarrassing to ask a duke like this. If the other nobles found out, they might laugh at it. But I had no choice but to do this.”

“… Did your daughter say she wants to join the Lihines Knights?”

“You said you wouldn’t listen to me unless it was the Lihines Knights. It’s already twisted a lot, but there’s no way I can handle it if it’s further twisted here.”

Claudine had told her daughter of all the anger and sorrow she had felt, and realized that she could no longer control it.

It was already equipped with a high level of armed force, so it would not be possible to even catch it.

That’s why I made this place by making a compromise on the right line.

“Did I tell you a secret I had to hide? If I knew that, I wouldn’t accept it any more.”

“… I wouldn’t have said that if I really didn’t intend to accept it.”

“Do you think I will have any sympathy for you? Why should I do your favor?”

“You don’t have to listen. It’s not like I’m doing this because I want to. only… I wondered if a friend with a daughter would understand my feelings a little bit.”

“… … .”

Robbins suddenly thinks of Harnette and is gripped with guilt.

Because he suppressed Hannett, he was unable to develop that talent.

He tried to satisfy his own greed with the excuse that he was doing it for Hannett.

Perhaps Claudine made the same mistake as himself and met the worst.

‘I could have been in the same situation.’

Until she met Shion, Hanette must have lived resentful of herself.

He rejected the customs of the nobility and did not want to be friendly with anyone.

Maybe he hadn’t been waiting for an opportunity while preparing to run away.

“You still hate me, but… It must have been better than before.’

From a certain point on, Harnette just avoided herself, and when she ran into her, she just said hello and passed by.

When asked something, he answered simply and did not even show his emotions.

But after Shion came, he laughed a lot, and sometimes he talked to himself first.

Robbins could be content with just that.

‘I have no reason to help… It’s not difficult.’

The Knights of Lichines bore the names of the Duke of Adelaira and the Marquis of Reggiard.

As the Lichines Knights became more famous, the two families would become known as well, and the ducal family of Ternane had no choice but to be relatively pressured.

In this situation, if Oz Ternane joined the Lihines Knights, he would be able to gain an advantage in terms of recognition and position.

“… Did you just ask for an introduction?”

“I don’t ask for more. Even if it goes well, it hurts my stomach, and if it doesn’t, it just hurts.”

“I will replace the meal you served me this time with it. I will persuade the Marquis of Reggiard, but I will only introduce you to my daughter and son-in-law.”

Robbins then raised his glass and took a sip.

He hadn’t drank since giving up his lingering feelings for Hannette.

However, this glass had to be emptied.

It was a difficult position, and it was a drink given to me by an old friend.

‘I must have weakened a lot too. Hearing words like that would shake my heart… … .’

* * *

The residence of the Duke of Adelaira, the drawing room.

Shion and Hanette were sitting side by side waiting for guests to arrive.

Shion had plans to meet with the guest, but Hanette had a lot of complaints, so she even said that she would not come.

In the end, it was only after Shion managed to persuade Hanette that she was able to come to this point.

“… You can meet alone.”

“Sister, the opponent is the daughter of a duke. You have to protect what you protect.”

“In my eyes, she doesn’t look like a duke’s daughter, but as an enemy who tried to kill me.”

“You said you didn’t mean to hurt your sister.”

“How can you believe that?”

“Whoa… sister. You kept your promise. Shouldn’t we match it too?”

“You made that promise, not me.”

“Even Cardinal Selena agreed.”

“… You should consider that separately.”

“Why should I think differently?”

“If it were you, would you be able to vomit at what Setinos Quasar is saying?”

“You can do it.”

“Ugh… If you can’t speak… … .”

Hannette turned her head away with a disapproving look on her face.

At the very least, if only Enrite had raised that opinion, she could have said it.

However, if Zion joins in, it becomes impossible to even oppose it.

It was because Shion and Enrite had been leading each knightly order and exerting a strong influence.

“My sister must have believed in me and Cardinal Selene.”

“Oh, do you know? You say that even though you know?”

“Because my sister believed in me, good results came out. If you don’t trust me, I can’t do anything.”

“… It doesn’t matter what I believe. You have to be good at it.”

“How can you do well without faith? If you hesitate, you will ruin things.”

“So you should do well! I only believe in you If you shake, I shake too!”

After Hannett made up her mind, she somehow tried to believe in Zion.

Of course, I had doubts at times, but after a while I was able to make up my mind.

Considering the results alone, Shion’s judgment was correct this time, but the experience at that time did not disappear, so he could not shake off the unpleasant feeling.

“So I am working hard… … .”

A knock came from the hallway at the door.

Shion and Hanette hurriedly lowered their voices and stood up.

At the same time, the door opened, and a familiar person entered the drawing room along with the lady-in-waiting.

“… … .”

“… … .”

The maid had already left, but none of the three opened their mouths.

I thought it would be quite difficult to meet again, but in just a few days, I was introduced through Robbins.

Freed also agreed to this, and if Shion and Hanette agreed, he would join the Lihines Knights.

“first… Oh, it’s the second time I see you. This is Oz Ternane.”

Oz lowered his head softly with a stiff face.

Shion belatedly greeted, and Hannette glanced at Oz a few times before reluctantly being polite.

‘Why are you dressed like that?’

Harnette sits down and continues to spy on Oz.

The princess of the duke, who always wore a dress, was wearing a suit.

I wondered if the blue suit looked good on me, so my eyes went out on its own.

Now that she is free from the dukedom of Ternane, wouldn’t it mean that she will act as she pleases like herself?

“How did you manage to get here?”

“… Yeah, looks like how it worked out. I want to say thank you again.”

Oz avoids Hannette’s gaze and continues his conversation cautiously.

Harnette still hated herself.

Maybe it was because they were wearing the same suit that the feelings were even stronger.

“You want to join our knights?”

“Yes, if I can’t join the Knights of Lihines, I really want to join the Knights of Silreys.”

“There is nothing impossible. only… You have to prove that you have the skills.”

Shion answered calmly and looked at Oz.

Oz’s skill could be grasped to some extent by sword-to-sword back then.

But since I’m not sure, I thought I’d have to check it out a bit.

“Confirmed by sparring with me… … .”

“I will fight for you. Is that okay?”

Shion kept his mouth shut and slowly turned his head.

Harnette was glaring at Oz, her eyes colder than ever.

It was clear that he was going to go out on his own with the work at that time in mind.

‘Can I leave it to you? I shouldn’t get hurt… … .’