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Time flows unceasingly, carrying an unstoppable current forward. Today, as the sun drives away the dawn and begins to cast its warm light, Shione and I get up even earlier than usual to start our day.

Recently, Aheira, who has been attending to Shione in my stead, is also busy checking Shione’s formal attire from early morning since a meeting with the princess is scheduled. She’s going through the final details of the itinerary too.

As the atmosphere buzzes with activity, just as we finally get some time alone together, Shione immediately starts to mumble weakly.

“The princess is coming today… I wonder if I can really do well.”

“But you’ve been discussing everything diligently with the Head of the Family, haven’t you? I’m sure you’ll manage just fine.”

“But when I actually meet her, what if I freeze up? Talking to Lady Leona was already difficult.”

“Still, you’ve had quite a few conversations with the princess, haven’t you?”

“Do you know how much I struggled to be careful with my words back then?”

The royal family possesses authority far stronger than one might expect.

The major families of the kingdom, being part of the royalist faction, support the royal authority, making it difficult for nobles to challenge them. The royal family’s immense military power and deep legitimacy provide a solid root for their dominance.

Moreover, this generation’s princess has inherited strong traits from the very first king, manifesting as a distinguished ability and powerful symbolism.

“The princess is definitely different from other nobles. I feel like my every thought is laid bare when I stand before her.”

“You seem quite tense.”

“Of course! It’s surprising how calm Ray is about all this.”

As for me, I have no reason to blush just because I’m here to congratulate her for enduring hardships. I’m just swinging by after passing through the northern territories.

Since she is expected to arrive around late lunch, I thought it might be tomorrow or even the day after before I could even start a conversation with her.

So, I allowed myself to feel a bit relaxed inside.

Shione instinctively sensed Aelhaite’s background and the princess’s ability to read destinies. She felt troubled at the thought of making a mistake in an unwritten future yet to come.

“The princess said she’d arrive at the Count’s House around late lunch… So, if you can relax and prepare in the meantime, it should be fine.”

“I suppose so…?”

“Isn’t welcoming the princess something everyone in the Count’s House will participate in, not just you? Ainel will coordinate everything well.”

But still…

Ainel, Siabel, and Sion, who have been busy engaging in heated debates at the fort’s church. They’re all ready to give her a formal welcome.

Although I might not worry about Sion, Ainel and Siabel are quite skilled in conversing with other nobles. There shouldn’t be any real issues.

In that case, maybe it would be a good idea for Shione to talk to her sister in advance.

Curious about something I hadn’t heard yet, I asked her, “By the way… what about Aheira?”

“Well, I can’t give a definite answer yet, but it seems like there was some progress.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“The remaining decisions are up to Aheira. If she comes over to side with us and settles in, it would be ideal… but Lady Diolia mentioned she caught wind of something suspicious.”

Apparently, Aheira’s connection with the maid and the retainer that I heard through Bronte. It seems she asked Diolia to investigate this matter, and it looks like she’s captured some new clues.

“Even without Aheira, we can proceed step by step.”

“Lady Diolia truly is impressive. To lead the knights while digging up information like this…”

“Lady Diolia is a knight who possesses strength beyond just her own martial skills. No one has received as much affection from our mother as she has, so naturally many people gravitate toward her. If she could have turned them into her own allies, that might have been something… but she didn’t push them away.”

In my mind, Diolia has long since transformed from an exceptional knight of the Count’s House into a woman who often cracks jokes. Moreover, she’s often expressing her loneliness and seeking help unexpectedly often.

While I listened to discussions about Diolia’s continued greatness, I nonchalantly said, “Then I should have a word with Lady Diolia about that matter today. I could help manage the knights and if there’s time, ask her a bit.”

At that, Shione suddenly turned wide-eyed and stared at me.

Her tightly shut lips parted slightly, and she struggled to find words.

Looking at her adorable reaction, she finally opened her mouth.

“…Weren’t we supposed to be together all day today?”

“Well—”

Her reaction was so cute that I smiled slightly, intending to tease her a bit.

“I can’t just barge in on a meeting between the princess and high-ranking nobles. Until I receive a special summons, I plan to be with the knights today, as it wouldn’t be a bad idea to show them how dedicated I am.”

“Well… I guess that’s true, huh…”

While I understood her reasoning, after reading my expression, Shione looked as if she had been betrayed.

With a deep sigh, she lowered her head. As her silvery hair covered her face, she swept her bangs aside and lifted her head again.

Her cute forehead and the little spikes in her hair added to her adorableness, yet her expression resembled that of a sulking child.

With a smirk, Shione suddenly hugged me.

“What, you said you’d be far away today.”

“I never said that.”

“You told me to relax and get ready. I am indeed relaxing!”

“No—”

“Why are you dissatisfied?”

Raising my head, I could see Shione gritting her teeth as if she wanted to say more. In the end, I couldn’t resist her cuteness and gently patted her head.

As the sun rose higher, shining not in a sunset red hue but in a bright blue sky, Shione naturally found herself left alone as she headed towards the knights.

She gravitated towards Siabel.

Before noon had even arrived, news reached us that the princess had entered the Count’s territory.

“…Um, sister? The princess has already arrived…?”

“She arrived quicker than expected. The princess is looking forward to meeting you. This time, it would be best if our main character stood right behind our mother, right?”

Shione could not help but be dragged away by Siabel.

*

For a visit from the princess, our special assignment’s routine was quite unremarkable.

With an expedition on the horizon, we figured it would be better to train hard as usual rather than to show off a display of formality.

As a result, I was chatting about archery in the midst of the rangers while Diolia was supervising the knights.

Suddenly, Diolia announced some news.

“Deputy Commander, the princess has finally arrived at the Count’s House.”

“Already? I heard she was supposed to arrive after lunch.”

“I heard that too, but a servant hurriedly came to inform me that the princess’s carriage has crossed the Count’s castle wall. I thought you should know.”

Apparently, Adelhaite Aisiliah had arrived at the estate much earlier than scheduled.

Since it would take a while for the news to reach, it would be wise to assume that the princess is closer to the lord’s castle than to the castle wall currently.

Thinking that, I observed Diolia’s expression. It seemed she was expecting a certain answer from me.

I complied with her clear request and responded.

“Thank you for letting me know. Since the princess has come to the Count’s House, we have no choice but to train harder than usual.”

“That’s exactly it. Since royal family members are coming, our knights must show them a display coveted by even the Royal Knights Order.”

“If they see how these excellent knights are struggling in the Demonic Realm for the kingdom, the royal family will undoubtedly look favorably upon the Count’s House.”

“As expected of you, Deputy Commander, you grasp the gist of things instantly.”

Seeing that I had understood her intent, Diolia laughed heartily.

“Moreover, the face of the knights is defined by the prowess and judgment of the Commander and Deputy Commander.”

“…?”

“The two of us showcasing our abilities through sparring would allow them to easily see the strength of our knights.”

“Ray, do you want to get docked pay? Don’t even think about sparring. I have no desire to be embarrassed in front of the royal family.”

After joking about sparring once more, I focused back on training with the rangers.

‘At this point, Shione must have met the princess.’

I’ve heard meeting royalty can be quite tense. I wonder if she’s doing well.

But there’s probably no way Adelhaite would have a private meeting with Shione right away. Ainel and Siabel should ensure the conversation flows well.

‘Sorry for Shione, but… I think today will pass without any major incidents for me.’

Moreover, the princess had come all the way down from the northern territories.

She must have faced the icy wastelands of the north and the perilous mountain paths of the west. No matter how luxurious the carriage is, it’s said that getting out is akin to going through hardships. The princess must be feeling quite fatigued.

Given the care provided by the Count’s House, today should be a day where she unwinds her travel fatigue, smoothly getting through it.

Feeling grateful for a day easier than Shione’s, I focused on my training when a woman’s loud voice rang in my ears.

“Stop, stop…!”

Ah, could it be?

I’ve never seen a knight, even when being summoned by the head of the household, addressing them with such a tight voice.

Turning my head slowly toward the source of the trembling voice, I saw…

‘What in the world is happening—’

Next to her was Ainel, and behind her were Shione, Siabel, and a multitude of guards and close attendants.

The woman with lavender hair and striking violet eyes exuded an extraordinary aura as proof of her noble lineage.

Each step she took toward the knights, while scanning them, made them all stiff.

And the moment her violet eyes met mine, Adelhaite Aisiliah, with her cold face, lightened with a hint of joy.

‘No, why…?’

Why is a lady who has just arrived at the Count’s House inspecting the knights…?

 

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