LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 31-2
The Marquis Laird residence, Office Room.
Fred constantly agonized over his thoughts after receiving a letter from the commander of the royal knights.
Whether Sion joined or didn’t join the royal knights was not particularly important.
What was important was to find out Sion’s thoughts to resolve other issues at hand.
“… Have you been to the palace?”
“Yes.”
Sion came to his home immediately after being called by Fred.
He could easily guess the reason Fred called him.
It would be best to put an end to this matter in this place.
“Do not beat around the bush. Do you have any thoughts about joining the royal knights?”
“No, I don’t. I’m content where I am now.”
“If you’re giving in because of your older brother, you don’t have to. You have your own opportunity.”
Fred continued speaking with a heavy heart, feeling his chest resonate with emotions he found hard to express.
In all honesty, he wanted to tell Sion to give up for the sake of his older brother.
Although Sion could be compared to Barchen for being his younger brother, it would only lead to Barchen being miserable if it were the other way around.
“I don’t consider it an opportunity. And it’s not something I’m saying for Barchen’s sake. I want to live my life the way I want to.”
“Can you tell me what you’re thinking?”
“…I want to observe a little more until the wedding.”
Just like before, Sion had been dreaming of a peaceful and stable life.
Obtaining the Exceed Rain, protecting Hanette, and Barchen joining the royal knights.
All of these were acts for his own benefit and ways to maintain the flow of the original story.
“Can I take that as a sign of finding your own personal happiness?”
“Yes. Although it’s an unwanted marriage, I’m trying to find a way to be happy as you suggested.”
“… Are you getting along well with your fiancé?”
“So far, nothing special has happened. It seems nothing has changed from before.”
Fred nods his head and swallows his silence.
If it’s the same as before, it means there hasn’t been any disturbance at the very least.
Perhaps their relationship had even improved, but they were not aware of it.
If it was only that much, they could have a wedding without any problems.
“I guess I was worried about nothing. You should go now.”
“…Are you doing well?”
“I’m doing well too. Sometimes I feel like I’m missing you… but I’m adapting to it now.”
“I’m glad to hear that you’re doing well. Then, I’ll go first.”
Sion lightly bowed his head and left the office.
Fred, left alone, thought for a while before getting up from his seat.
‘I can’t stop them, can I?’
Whether it was Barchen or Sion, he could be happy if at least one of them joined the Royal Knights.
But now both were refusing to join.
Sion was forced into a political marriage, while Barhen had an unintended sacrifice.
‘Was my ambition too much?’
He only hoped for the Laird family and its members to do better a the head of the family.
But at some point, their children began to compete with each other and hurt each other’s feelings.
Where and how did things go wrong?
‘… I should accept their decision even if they don’t join. It’s my fault, so I should fix it.’
* * *
The palace, the royal office.
Brandis was flipping through documents while waiting for someone to arrive.
The evaluation by Glenone was already done, and the results were quite satisfying.
Especially since Glenone’s assessment deeply resonated with him, she couldn’t help but feel hopeful.
‘It felt like I was competing against my younger self…’
Before she became king, Brandis often sparred with Glenone.
They exchanged swords lightly, and sometimes they showed sincerity by using their magic.
Occasionally, we challenged each other’s sword skills to gauge our level, but now that I think about it, I wonder if it seemed like we were playing games.
‘I started using the sword skills at the age of 20. But that guy is…’
Being a year younger than her meant he had superior qualities.
Perhaps in a short time, he could become a Setinos Quasar at an early age if he had been taught properly.
‘I need to see what he looks like. I wonder how arrogant he is…’
As soon as she heard the knocking on the door, she sensed that the person had arrived.
Glenone and the young man with a silver hair entered the office together.
“Your Majesty, I have brought Sion Laird, the Son of Marquis Laird.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Brandis rises from her seat and quickly moves towards them.
Sion bows respectfully with Gloane by his side in the silence.
‘She looks quite different.’
Sion briefly glances at Brandis and is puzzled.
Despite her age, Brandis looks young and slender enough that she doesn’t look like a sword user.
Above all, her beauty was so remarkable that it made Sion wonder if the character setting was believable.
‘The reason why the silver villain has a crush on the king…’
(TL: I don’t know who the silver is or if that is right term until we get more about that charecter in furure, so I might chance at that time.)
“Raise your head.”
“I greet Your Majesty, who is at the pinnacle of the Kingdom of Alain, the owner of the palace, and who has achieved great accomplishments.”
Sion slowly changes his posture and recites the ceremonial sentence.
Brandis smiles and starts scrutinizing Sion carefully.
“Are you Sion Laird?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“They say you can use sword skills at that age?”
“… I can only can use sword skills, Your Majesty.”
“Does that mean you didn’t learn swordsmanship?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How talented must you be to wield a use sword skills without learning swordsmanship? Truly remarkable.”
“…”
Silent, Sion avoids Brandis’s gaze, realizing that whatever excuse he comes up with, she will do whatever it takes to get him into the royal knight order.
In the end, he had to resort to his last option.
“Truly, you are the talent I have been looking for. I will make sure you join the royal knight order no matter what it takes.”
“Your Majesty, may I speak my mind?”
“Speak.”
Sion feels his heart trembling as he recalls the words he had prepared in advance.
If the king asserts the authority, Sion would have to risk his life and honor.
Although it was a momentary lie, but it would never be found out because I had told her beforehand.
“I swore to become a knight of my fiancée. I pledged my life to that oath, and now, I cannot break it. If you wish to include me in the royal knight order, you must first obtain permission from my fiancée.”