I Tried To Be Her Loyal Sword

---

Chapter 193

For a while, silence filled the conference room. I swallowed hard in that suffocating quiet. I felt like a sinner waiting for the verdict.

‘Please, can someone at least crack a joke?’

No matter how boldly I tried to act, my timid nature was still very much intact. I wished someone would throw out some trivial joke like, “If you don’t want to disappoint me, don’t mess things up.”

“I have no intention of adding to this discussion, so let the Ainheart Marquis and Your Majesty decide.”

The long silence was broken by Caesar, sitting next to me. His voice was as calm and cold as usual.

Even though it was a part that had already been agreed upon, his abrupt dismissal felt somewhat hurtful, and without me realizing it, my shoulders slumped. His red eyes glanced at me.

“However, I don’t believe it’s an absurd opinion even if we exclude blood ties and personal feelings.”

I can’t express how uplifting that one sentence felt.

My hunched shoulders straightened a bit. Caesar spoke with such a cold voice that it felt like my words had gained credibility.

“Hmmm.”

Helios let out a nasal sound. He was so much like a sly fox that I couldn’t read his expression. How long did that blue gaze linger on me before his lips slowly parted?

“What does the Marquis think? Since the top officer has given up his speaking privilege, shouldn’t the authority fall to him?”

Helios didn’t share his opinion but instead asked Noah’s.

Certainly, even if Helios permitted it, if Noah opposed it, it would be futile. I anxiously cast a glance at Noah.

Those golden eyes were calm as the eye of a storm. Noah fixed his stony gaze on me.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot appoint someone with no experience in the Knights Order to educate the soldiers. That would lead to significant resistance from the troops.”

It was a firm rejection. I quietly nodded, having already anticipated that reaction.

No matter how much the high-ranking officials agreed, the loyalty of the soldiers was a different matter entirely. They wouldn’t be keen to be taught by a young, unfamiliar instructor.

While I was quickly racking my brain to come up with a plan, Noah continued speaking.

“However, we need to learn how to deal with monsters. Without preparation for this, even the Empire’s grand army could crumble like a rabble.”

He slowly raised the corners of his mouth.

“Since giving you the position of instructor from the start would create considerable backlash, perhaps you could first serve as my aide? Acting as my representative, you could conduct training and earn the soldiers’ trust, proving your abilities before becoming an instructor.”

I could sense in his gaze that Noah truly believed in me. He was granting me an opportunity.

“All right.”

I nodded quickly.

It was an unprecedented situation for a noble lady to take on the position of the Marquis’s aide, and given the difference in status, it could be perceived as a dishonor, but what mattered to me was not honor. Honor was nonexistent to begin with.

“Well, if that’s the case, then you are not asking a favor from me. You are earning this on your own merit.”

Helios chimed in lightly as he had been listening quietly. He narrowed his eyes.

“It wouldn’t sit well with the Emperor to settle for just that. I can’t just easily dismiss the virtue of saving my life. Think of another wish.”

At his remark, I couldn’t help but give a dazed expression. My sole intent was to be involved in training, and I had no other wishes.

“Um… I don’t have any.”

Helios’s brow twitched.

“Really none at all? I could grant you money, honor, or even my son.”

“I think there’s nothing. Just having this opportunity is enough for me.”

I felt something strange at the end of that line but brushed it aside and answered.

Helios looked quite offended. After all, it must be irksome for an Emperor not to provide proper recompense.

‘But I truly have nothing to wish for.’

The Duke’s mansion had more than enough money, and I didn’t need honor that much.

As I pondered whether I should ask for a bronze statue stuck on the roof of the Imperial Palace or a gold-foiled wall hanging, Helios’s eyes lit up.

“Then I’ll keep it on hold. It wouldn’t be right to let this go as it is.”

Helios seemed to have a personality that couldn’t stand becoming indebted to others. I almost considered declining but instead nodded in compliance. If I rejected this, it would surely prick Helios’s pride.

“Then, it seems we’ve concluded this matter. Does anyone have anything special to say? Since we are all gathered, let’s have a bit of a chat.”

Helios, slouched on his throne, spoke in a tone devoid of authority, waving his hand as if looking for some gossip from a bar.

“There’s an official announcement to be made soon, but may I say it now that we are gathered?”

“Oh, go ahead. Is it news of a remarriage?”

Unexpectedly, it was the Deckardo Marquis, Chesler, who broke the silence. His bright red hair resembled a fierce wildfire, in stark contrast to his characteristically quiet demeanor as he suddenly decided to speak.

Chesler lightly brushed aside Helios’s careless words—at that moment, I saw his eyes freeze as he looked at Helios—then continued.

“The second son, Lewellin Deckardo, has been decided as the successor to Deckardo. We are planning to hold the ceremony for the appointment of the next head soon. He will appear together with that child at the next grand noble meeting.”

My eyes widened. A moment of commotion spread throughout the conference room.

‘Lewellin, you finally did it.’

I couldn’t suppress the laughter that bubbled up within me. I felt as if it were my own victory. It was a pity hearing this from anyone other than Lewellin, but knowing how busy he had been recently, I understood.

‘We should toast together to celebrate.’

Just as I was unexpectedly elated, wondering what drink we should have for a toast, El flashed a satisfied smile.

“I think it’s a good choice. Let’s look forward to what she will show as the future of Deckardo.”

As a noble from the Temple faction, Deckardo naturally had the Pope’s support as well. Chesler bowed respectfully, as if full of honor.

“Deckardo is set with its next head; how is the Crisis house?”

After offering appropriate congratulations to Chesler, Helios turned to Caesar. With that question, all eyes in the room were suddenly on me. Even Caesar was looking at me with a curious expression.

As memories of being named the successor at the previous grand noble meeting resurfaced, I steeled my expression.

“First of all, it’s not me.”

Realizing I had interrupted a question directed at Caesar, I interjected. Caesar’s face displayed a strangely regretful expression at my firm refusal.

‘It’s about time you decide, so go home and draw lots together.’

‘Is it really okay for the House of Crisis like this?’

Not knowing where to begin addressing such a statement, I glanced vacantly at the air and then, with resignation, smiled. I just hoped I would not be the one chosen.

“Surely you will decide wisely, so please don’t rush.”

“Oh, the Duke’s persistent temperament makes me want to hasten treatment a bit.”

At Caesar’s impudent remark, Helios looked on in awe. By this point, it seemed that the two were rather close.

“If there’s nothing more to say, don’t drag this out and dismiss the meeting.”

“I’d love to disregard this meeting, but fine. We’ve already covered everything.”

Helios clicked his tongue at Caesar and raised his brows, opening his arms wide.

“Thus, let’s call this grand noble meeting adjourned. Everyone, disperse.”

I felt it might be the first time a grand noble meeting ended in less than an hour. I glanced around, feeling as if I was wasting everyone else’s time, but there was no negative expression from anyone, except for the people of House Cypros.

I let out a sigh of relief and followed behind Caesar, who was the first to leave the room.

“Lady.”

Just as I was about to follow Caesar directly to the exit without having the time to greet acquaintances, I turned back at a voice calling me. The person holding me back was an unexpected individual.

“Marquis Deckardo?”

It was Chesler Deckardo.

As I blinked in confusion, not guessing why he had called me, he glanced at Caesar with indifferent eyes and then spoke.

“I wanted to express my gratitude.”

“…Huh?”

I felt even more confused. Outside of Lewellin, I had no real connection with Chesler. He was known for his stoic demeanor and had no visible emotions, so I couldn’t grasp the meaning behind his words.

“Lewellin relies a lot on you, Lady. His desire to become the successor started after meeting you.”

“Oh.”

“Though he has talent, he had been stuck due to a lack of resolve. I believe your influence has been significant.”

Chesler expressed his gratitude in a voice that sounded as dry as a desert. It felt awkward in this situation, but it certainly seemed sincere.

“I merely did what a friend should do. I also received much help from Lady Lewellin.”

I fiddled with the back of my neck in embarrassment. Such compliments were still unfamiliar to me.

Chesler faintly lifted the corners of his mouth. The slight upward movement of his lips nearly vanished immediately, but I was sure I had seen it.

“…The House of Deckardo holds goodwill towards you, Lady. If there’s a possibility, we could assist at any time.”

Chesler, though stiff, conveyed his sincerity clearly.

‘He might not be such a bad guy after all.’

His image had hit rock-bottom in my mind because of neglecting Lewellin, but thanks to this incident, it seemed to have risen to at least a midpoint. I couldn’t help but grin.

“Thank you for the goodwill. I won’t forget it.”

Chesler and I exchanged glances. We were both silently promising to look out for Lewellin.

“Time to go.”

Seeing others starting to exit the conference room, Caesar pulled me along. He seemed to want to avoid running into others.

‘Well, if I run into El, Diego, and Reiner, it’ll eat up quite a bit of time…’

I wanted to greet my friends, but I didn’t want to keep Caesar waiting. I nodded and headed toward the exit with him.

Since Aria and Karl had gone home early, it was just me and Caesar taking the carriage back to the mansion. An awkward silence hung in the carriage. Caesar appeared deep in thought.

Upon arriving at the mansion, Caesar and I entered. With so much happening today, I had a strong desire to rest quickly. Just as I was about to briefly greet Caesar and head to my room—

“Sister. Wait a moment.”

Aria emerged from the hallway, calling me. She was with Karl. She looked rather serious, which put me on alert.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

Her blue eyes were resolute.

I had no idea what she wanted to say, but it was evident this was no ordinary topic.