Chapter 8 – The Princess Who Doesn’t Want to Lose
“It’s a black lion.”
While caressing the paws of a huge lion statue made of black marble, the princess muttered in a somewhat subtle tone.
“I’m sure Sir Wolfgang has just been appointed here as the knight commander, I heard.”
Her voice resonated beautifully, like her oriole’s chirping.
Compared to that beautiful voice, the content of the conversation I heard was not so beautiful.
And it was the same for the vice-captain, the princess’ conversation partner.
“Curiously, this lion statue does indeed resemble Sir Wolfgang’s dignified appearance. Don’t you think so, Sir Agnes?”
“Indeed. It looks big and scary, but it seems to have a kind heart on the inside, just like the leader.”
“… Hmm, is that so? Sir Wolfgang seems to have felt quite pitiful for you, who alone took charge of the Knights, who were on the verge of collapse.”
“Yes, that’s right. The captain cares about me personally. Thankfully, he even received a gift of clothes last night.”
“What, what?! Personal care? Gift clothes?”
I don’t know why there are thorns growing out of every word I say.
Also, why did the vice-captain speak in such a way?
Apparently, it was admirable that he voluntarily worked overtime to prepare for the visit to the unit, so he introduced me to a tailor who made custom-made clothes ahead of schedule.
They said that I would pay for the cost, and he advised me that it would be better for my health and work efficiency if I ordered a design that was more comfortable than the current one, while meeting the standard as a uniform.
So, to sum it up, ‘personal gift of clothes’ is correct, but doesn’t it sound strange to say it in that way?
—Chirit
Besides, why the hell is the princess looking at me with such terrifying eyes?
Could it be that the anger of that night still remains?
“As you can see, my body shape is a bit different, so the captain is usually very considerate.
“Ah, is that so? As a knight, it must be very uncomfortable. It’s dull, so it looks like it’s very difficult to wield a sword.”
“As a woman, it’s a blessing, but as a knight, it’s as the princess said.”
“Then…”
“However, thankfully, I was able to be recognized for my skills and dedication from the Empire. All of this must be the grace of His Majesty the Emperor.”
Listening to the conversation made me feel ashamed.
A conversation between an excellent female knight who had risen to the position of vice-captain at a young age and the Golden Jade Leaf of the Empire.
It was because the level was similar to that of young children childishly holding each other by the tail.
“Glory to the Imperial Family, eternal loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Ugh, uhm! Let’s end this story here.”
Still, looking at the flow, it seemed that the vice-captain had won in the end.
Even though the content is extremely absurd, isn’t it better to win than lose if you’re going to fight equally childishly.
Young Ae-ra, a baron who subdued the imperial princess. It seemed like a good fit for the title of a cheap novel.
“After…”
Really, it was a really good thing.
Looking at that funny scene made my head hurt, so I looked up at the sky to catch my breath and thought.
‘How the hell did this happen?’
About an hour ago.
Clearly, at first, the whole knights were upset, and the visit to the princess’s unit proceeded extremely peacefully and smoothly.
As soon as the schedule for the princess’ visit to the unit was decided, of course, the servants and servants stayed up all night from then on.
In the end, even the knights, who should have devoted all their energy to honing martial arts and tactics without doing chores, were mobilized to beautify the unit.
The princess, who actually came to inspect her, didn’t pay as much attention to her as we did, as she was surprised by the fighting power of the Black Lion Knights and the well-maintained facilities.
Whatever I show you, ‘Wow! That’s great~’ or ‘Hmm, that’s right.’ He just followed me around like a baby bird, sticking to the reaction that didn’t deviate from the two frames.
That’s why she came to avenge that night, rather than pointing out the many flaws of the Black Lion Knights, or to harass me and my men.
I’m just trying to create an opportunity for just the two of us, wondering if I’ve come all this way because I have something to say.
It seems that the atmosphere started to get weird little by little due to the unexpected situation that happened suddenly.
When the princess dismissed the escort, saying she wanted to talk with me, I also tried to let the subordinates who followed her in to guide her unit.
‘Oh… !’
The vice-captain, who had not been able to get off work for days and was suffering from overwork while preparing for a visit to the unit, collapsed with a scream.
Since he was the vice-captain who always complained of tightness in his chest and had a hard time, he thought that the worst situation had come.
‘This! Are you okay, vice-captain?’
So I hurriedly approached and helped the poor vice-captain to raise him up.
Now that I think about it, it seemed that the princess’ expression had hardened slightly since then.
‘Oh, how tired you must be… Shouldn’t the vice-captain have to go back? Seriously, Sir Wolfgang is a very harsh boss.’
‘… No. The rest of the main building was lacking, so it showed an unsavory appearance. It’s all something I prepared myself because I wanted it. Captain, you didn’t force anything on me.’
And it was only after a conversation that roughly felt like that that the atmosphere between the two became strange in earnest.
‘Hmm… Okay. I made a mistake.’
‘It’s a mistake, it’s a word that doesn’t even make sense. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask the main office. The main building has been staying here since the days of the servants.’
At least I could definitely notice the fact that it was never a pleasant conversation.
I didn’t know that the language of the two women had bones in them because I had no talent for a duel with a tongue rather than a cold weapon.
And again, the present.
In fact, I have already toured most of the main facilities of the unit.
There were only a few places that were a little ambiguous to introduce separately or too trivial to take a look.
In the midst of moving along the shiny, well-polished road without any particular purpose.
It is a movement unique to a unit inspection, where you have to go around all the facilities in sequence if possible.
As the journey slowly came to an end, the three of us naturally returned to the central training ground, which was the starting point of the journey.
‘Huh, it’s better to go out and fight. I almost died from suffocation.’
Still, at the moment I tried to put my mind at ease, wondering how a large-scale incident like this could end without any accidents.
“Now this place. The central training ground is the place where Commander Wolfgang Knights held his inauguration ceremony.”
One word from the vice-captain led the conversation to the side where I recalled the incident during my inauguration ceremony.
“Ohh, it’s an inauguration ceremony… Somehow, I don’t think it ended normally.”
“The princess’s intuition is at a level that is miraculous. It’s just as she said.”
But, for some reason, the chilly atmosphere that lingered between them suddenly became friendly again.
“Ahaha! Really?! Did you?”
“Yes. It was frankly a little funny to see him run away, gasping for air. Although Sir Pietro is the former superior of the main building, he was honestly not a respectable person at all.”
I can’t even guess why. It certainly wouldn’t be such a fun story.
To be honest, now that I think about it, from my point of view, it’s just an embarrassing memory.
Even so, what was so funny about it, the corners of the vice-captain’s mouth, who rarely smiled unless he was alone with me for a regular report, went up.
The princess was laughing openly, covering her mouth.
As a result of that, I became a burden to listen to the conversation quietly behind the scenes, as if I had become a sack of barley that I had borrowed.
The vice-captain’s personality is very calm and calm, which doesn’t match her feminine appearance.
Except for the unavoidable gender aspect, I’ve treated it no differently than my male subordinates.
“A manly and respectable man indeed. Commander of the Knights Wolfgang.”
“Hmm, is Sir Agnes thinking like that…”
Seeing that I fell into an incomprehensible world with the princess, I wonder if she is a woman after all.
The world of women seemed to be very complex and subtle.
“Yes. That’s right. I want to remain loyal to the current captain for as long as possible.”
“Yes. I understand your thoughts.”
However, upon listening, the contents of the conversation are quite unfamiliar.
I haven’t done much for you yet, but the vice-captain burned so much loyalty to me.
Of course, these may be empty words, but even so, I still feel grateful to the vice-captain. He was honestly just slightly moved.
‘Yes. That’s right.’
Also, it was made more certain by the emotions I had just felt. After all, she seemed to me to be an unmistakable subordinate.
He had experienced countless times of losing loved ones during the war, so except for a few of the subordinates he led when he was a first-time officer, he hadn’t intentionally attached affection.
Now that the war is over Wouldn’t it be okay to dig deep into a new relationship?
‘A superior subordinate… I’ll have to make sure I don’t let him go again.’
Assuming that the deep loyalty the vice-captain just showed me was sincere, not empty words.
I will do whatever it takes to keep the vice-captain by my side.
To never get hurt.
Never leave on your own.
‘Captain, I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you until the end.’
Although Lieutenant Laurent, who was following Captain Schwarz, the 21st assault company commander, was not able to protect it in the end.
Vice-captain Agnes, who follows Sir Wolfgang, commander of the Knights of the Black Lion, will never let go.
Until I lost my strength and judgment as a leader.
Or, until she left me on her own.
* * *
‘It can’t go on like this!’
Princess of the Empire, Alicia von Diana Solaris was currently in a great crisis.
“The schedule is almost over now. You’ve worked really hard, Vice-captain.”
“No. It’s all thanks to the strong support of the captain.”
“Honestly, what did I do? You did all the practical work.”
On the other hand, Alicia is being treated as a complete uninvited guest at some point.
That ignorantly large-breasted female cat and Wolfgang von Schwarz, who still stirs her heart, are having a friendly conversation.
Of course, as we talked, it seemed that she wasn’t such a bad bitch. This subtle emotion I feel right now is a completely separate matter from that.
Clearly, Alicia and Wolfgang had no relationship yet.
But above all else, it was Alicia who met Wolfgang first.
That night. Didn’t she even allow Wolfgang a disgraceful appearance she couldn’t bear to express in words?
However, that reprehensible man did things to Alicia, the princess of the Empire, without hesitation, and played with other women without even thinking about taking responsibility.
And that too in front of her with her eyes wide open.
‘My, even though I tried so hard… ‘
At the resentment of her drumming, Alicia felt her tears welling up.
The plan has already been ruined long ago.
Besides, things weren’t supposed to go this way. If it just ends like this without anything happening…
Doesn’t this make it seem like she, the princess, is losing herself?
Alicia looked at the two ahead of her and held the hem of her dress meaningfully.
‘As expected, this is the only way.’
