LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 203
Chapter 203
“Well. How was your first day at work?”
Noah, sitting at his office desk, sipped from his cup. It smelled like hibiscus.
I stood in front of him, my soul half gone, unable to help but smile.
“It wasn’t exactly smooth.”
“Ah. I’ve heard some things.”
Noah’s golden eyes sparkled with interest. It was clear that amidst the boredom, something entertaining had come up.
“So, you had a duel with Lord Kasia, did you?”
“I’m sorry for causing a commotion.”
Before discussing the situation, I bowed my head and acknowledged my mistakes. As Noah’s aide and representative, my rash actions could tarnish his reputation. Regardless of the context, I needed to apologize for this.
Noah laughed heartily. He didn’t seem inclined to scold me.
“When I was young, we all had our scuffles. That news helped alleviate today’s monotony, so come now, give me the juicy details.”
Noah’s eyes sparkled like a young man of the social circle, eager for gossip. If left alone, he might even munch on cookies while listening as if watching a play.
‘I thought he was just like Reiner, but this part is a bit different.’
Compared to Reiner, who was so rigid he seemed devoid of humanity, Noah seemed to have a playful side. I had always thought of him as a stern elder, but this was a refreshing side of him.
I carefully explained what had happened with Kasia. As Noah listened, sipping tea, a faint smile appeared on his face.
“Kasia is quite a well-known knight.”
“Oh, do you know her?”
“She has significant potential. I’ve been keeping an eye on her. Although she’s talented, her tempestuous nature causes trouble everywhere she goes. Every time she meets with noble scions, I often receive letters suggesting she be expelled.”
“But you haven’t expelled her yet.”
Among the nobles, many hold their pride as dearly as their lives, so she must have caused quite the annoyance for Noah. He shrugged it off lightly.
“Every incident has mutual blame. It wasn’t severe enough to warrant expulsion. I’ve found those letters quite handy for kindling.”
Enduring troublesome nobles was undoubtedly simpler than expelling a commoner knight, yet Noah chose not to take that path. He was truly commendable.
‘Not all nobles are bad.’
There are good people like Noah among the nobility. As for Kasia, I wasn’t sure, but she was already receiving the favor of the nobility.
‘I didn’t want to believe that my most respected figure was no different from the despicable nobles.’
But why does Kasia show such clear hatred toward the nobility?
“It seems Lord Kasia dislikes nobles intensely. Do you know why?”
At my question, Noah’s expression shifted subtly. He seemed to know something, yet he appeared somewhat sad and bitter.
“…Our generation made many mistakes. It’s common for people of a certain age among the current commoners to have experienced oppression by nobles. It’s a personal matter for Lord Kasia, so I can’t elaborate further. But suffice it to say there’s a reason—it isn’t groundless hatred.”
Noah gazed at me with a soft look.
“Why not ask the person directly? That knight seems to like you a great deal. She’s practically a devotee. Well, not just her; it appears your popularity among the young knights is quite remarkable.”
His friendly advice ended with a playful tone. I felt my face flush.
“Please, don’t tease me too much.”
“Haha. Just bear with me a little. As I get older, teasing the youth becomes one of life’s joys.”
In this relaxed setting, Noah was a bit mischievous; if his mischief were like birthday fireworks, Helios’ would be on the level of a black magic bomb.
Noah smiled kindly.
“You’re so popular that I can understand using such shortcuts to give you opportunities.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean by that…?”
I was about to ask when I halted, sensing a presence approaching from a distance.
The sound of steady, solid footsteps. Though resembling Noah, they were different.
Knock knock.
“May I come in, Commander of the First Knights?”
The Second Knights’ Commander from the royal palace, Noah’s son, the Viscount Reiner Einhart, stood at the door.
“Yes. Come in.”
Noah joyfully granted him entry. The office door opened gently.
“…Good to see you, Lord Crisis.”
As soon as he entered, Reiner lightly bowed his head upon seeing me.
He didn’t seem taken aback by my presence in his father’s office, but it appeared he struggled to comprehend why I was there.
“Greetings, Viscount Einhart.”
I smiled instinctively at the scent of rosewood brushing my nose and locked eyes with his golden glass beads. Hearing me addressed as “Lord Crisis” felt somewhat awkward; I was used to being called by my name by Reiner.
“Could I trouble you for the documents you mentioned?”
Reiner, forcing his gaze away from me, crossed the office to stand beside Noah’s desk. True to his personality, he maintained a strict division between public and private interactions and demeanor.
“Yes. I need to hand them over. Please wait a moment. I’ll look for them here.”
Noah, showing no sign of hiding his enjoyment, rummaged through his desk. It looked more like he was cluttering it rather than finding anything.
After about 10 seconds of that, Noah smiled slyly.
“Ah, it seems I left them in the garden. Please wait here for a moment; I’ll be right back.”
His gleaming golden gaze turned to me.
“If it’s alright, I’d like Lord Crisis to keep my son company. Isn’t entertaining guests the job of an aide?”
That was true. I nodded willingly. After all, it was right after the morning training, and I didn’t have anything special to do, and I was fine with Reiner at any time.
“Father…”
At that moment, Reiner murmured softly beside me. Startled by the address, I turned to him. His golden eyes glared at Noah, and his cheeks had a slight flush, obviously distressed.
‘He keeps treating Noah with such formality.’
Perhaps captivated by Reiner’s youthful demeanor, Noah laughed heartily as he stood to leave.
“You’ve already given your thanks.”
Noah lightly patted Reiner on the shoulder and walked past him out the door.
Click.
With Noah gone, only Reiner and I remained. He took a deep breath, performed a brief wash of his face, and turned to me.
“Would you care to sit for a moment? It might take a while before he returns.”
Reiner gestured to the sofa. He was quite adept in Noah’s office, as if he was used to it. I nodded readily.
“It’s been a while since the swordsmanship tournament.”
I broke the silence, starting a conversation as I comfortably sat on the sofa. Reiner, sitting across from me, nodded.
“How have you been?”
“I’m back to my routine. Just a bit busier now, what with preparing for the war.”
Reiner spoke calmly. His silver-gray hair glimmered like the moon, reflecting the sunlight seeping through the slightly open window. Perhaps lost in admiring that beautiful sight, I found myself captivated as Reiner, lowering his silvery eyelashes, slowly began to speak.
“You’ve revealed that you are Mir.”
His voice was heavy. I smiled and nodded.
“That’s right. I had previously asked you not to mention my being Mir… but now, you needn’t worry about it. It’s no longer a secret.”
“I see… I’m sorry to hear that.”
As Reiner stroked the rough tips of his fingers, he met my gaze.
“It felt special to have a secret to protect. I enjoyed that.”
His low voice echoed lazily in the early afternoon. I chuckled softly.
“You’re already special to me, even without those secrets.”
“How so?”
“Huh?”
Hearing my response, Reiner’s yellow eyes were locked on me. That color was soft like sunlight, yet the shape reminded me of a predator’s eyes.
“Why am I special? What significance do I hold for you?”
At that sudden question, I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. It was difficult to answer, and after a moment’s contemplation, I finally spoke.
“Reiner is the most trustworthy person in my eyes.”
His integrity and uprightness were unparalleled. I smiled brightly at him.
“If I had to pick someone to watch my back on the battlefield, I would undoubtedly choose you, Reiner. I trust you.”
His golden eyes flickered slightly. He had been gazing at me thoughtfully when he sighed and swept his bangs back.
“Then, let’s see.”
Reiner extended his hand towards me.
“Could I have your hand?”
At the unexpected request, I tilted my head, but without hesitation, I placed my hand on top of his. I felt no resistance. His large hand gently enveloped mine, warmth spreading like a tickle.
“Is this what you call special, like how Kashmir says it’s okay to hold hands?”
I looked down at our interlaced hands for a moment. Then I nodded.
“Of course.”
This wasn’t the first time I held hands with Reiner, and his warmth was enough to make me want to reach for him on cold days. This was entirely acceptable.
“Then, how about this?”
His thick fingers slowly pried our hands apart and interlocked fingers tightly. I rolled my eyes slightly and nodded.
“That’s fine.”
Somehow, I felt a bit strange.
Reiner chuckled softly. His usually stiff lips drawing a crescent shape was a sight to behold.
As his eyelashes fluttered, Reiner briefly kissed the back of my hand before standing up and closing the distance between us. He didn’t stop at my hand but caressed my arm slowly with his cheek, progressing upwards. The sensation sent chills down my spine, reminiscent of a snake slithering up.
It wasn’t that I felt bad; it was just strange.
Reiner’s face traveled up along my shoulder line, nearing the nape of my neck. His warm breath tickled my sensitive skin.
I held my breath. It felt as if his heated presence would evaporate all the air around me.
With his face tucked into my neck, his golden eyes remained locked on me. I felt a strange sense of danger in the very gaze I cherished.
Despite the odd tension, his face hovering near my neck made me too nervous to swallow my saliva.
The moist warmth skimmed the sensitive skin on my neck that the knightly uniforms couldn’t quite conceal.
“May I do this too?”
His low whisper made my face flush bright red.
As our clasped hands lightly shook, the grip grew firmer. Reiner, who had been staring intently at my neck, chuckled and traced my throat with his other fingertips.
“You’re blushing. It looks like it would be sweet if I bit you.”
At that whisper, I didn’t know how to respond, taking a deep breath.
Reiner lacked the sugary sweetness or flowery language that could make one’s heart flutter.
Yet he possessed a candid honesty and an audacity that disregarded the past or future. Pure and devoid of malice, it felt all the more dramatic.
“May I bite?”
At his earnest question, I squeezed my eyes shut. My heart raced strangely, and I was distressed by not knowing what this was.
The strength in his grip interlocked between my fingers was enough to easily break free if I chose to; with one word, Reiner would surely let go immediately. It would be painful, and I should just push him away or refuse.
But for some reason, I didn’t want to do that.
The one I trust most. The face that pops into my mind first when I’m in danger was this very person, bringing mischief to my neck with every breath felt far from unpleasant.
Reiner slowly opened his mouth. The sudden glimpse of his sharp canines was surprising, and perhaps captivated by the rich rosewood scent, I didn’t stop him.
“…I suppose it’s still not the right time.”
Reiner sighed, pulling away his face from my neck.
“Let’s wait a bit longer. I’d prefer it when Kashmir could ask directly.”
Reiner smoothly released our interlocked hands. The lingering warmth felt somewhat disappointing as I stared up dreamily. Reiner smiled gently.
“I’ll go get the documents from my father directly. You take it easy, Kashmir.”
He gave a brief nod, turning away with an air of formality that felt excessively neat. No, it seemed like he was barely keeping something tightly restrained, almost overflowing.
Reiner paused briefly by the door, then turned to look at me.
“Your red face is so lovely… I felt I might not be able to hold back any longer.”
His golden eyes sparkled sharply before narrowing into a charming smile. Reiner’s unguarded grin was definitely stunning enough to blind me but also seemed to serve as a mask to hide something deeper.
“I will see you again soon.”
Tap.
As Reiner stepped out and closed the door behind him, I was left alone in the empty room. The tension that had been held rigidly in my spine softly unwound as I slumped wearily against the sofa and covered my eyes with my arms.
‘It seems like Einhart is… quite a tease…’
The blush across my face showed no signs of subsiding.