I Tried To Be Her Loyal Sword

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Chapter 229

“What you were thinking is a misunderstanding.”

I forcefully pushed Yulian’s head off my shoulder and shook my head vigorously. I was puzzled by why Kasia was here, but first, I needed to clarify things with her, who seemed to have misunderstood.

“Commander, or rather, I realized today that you have a strong interest in men.”

“That’s not true!”

Seeing Kasia’s sour expression made my voice rise involuntarily. I ground my teeth and looked over at Yulian and Serenon.

“Because of you two, we’re in this situation, so figure something out!”

Caught in their squabble, I felt like I was the one being wronged.

Yulian, blinking at my glare, shook his head firmly.

“I don’t know who you are, but the Commander and I are not lovers.”

“Exactly!”

I sighed with relief in my heart. Surely, that clear statement would resolve the misunderstanding.

Yulian smirked and hugged my arm tightly like a child.

“I’m completely devoted to the Commander!”

“Are you insane?”

I almost screamed out loud. I cast a scornful glance at Yulian, and Serenon stepped forward.

“Let’s set the record straight here. I am not in a relationship with this person.”

Since becoming my student, Serenon had been plagued by rumors about us, and he looked determined to put an end to it. I held on to a glimmer of hope that he would clarify the situation more solidly than the insane Yulian.

“Remember this clearly: my relationship with my instructor is not a flimsy and easily broken one, but a deep and sticky bond that connects our souls and cannot be severed.”

“Damn, that’s even weirder!”

The concept of sense has died.

Kasia looked like someone who had just stuffed their mouth full of lemon pulp, her face contorting.

“Not that I was particularly curious about this information… but yes, have a terrible day.”

Kasia, ever bold and straightforward even in front of a princess, a minister, and a prince, muttered something inappropriate and started to leave, clearly not wanting to be part of this situation.

I hurriedly grabbed her.

“Please listen to me first.”

“I’ve heard that heroes and great figures are open about their romantic affairs. I won’t interfere, so leave me out of it.”

“No, I’m serious!”

I felt like I was going to lose it.

“So, what I’m saying is that the Commander and the Prince are in a priestly relationship, and the Commander and the High Priest are just friends.”

“That’s obvious.”

“Honestly, I can assure you that this won’t make the rounds of gossip… so please believe me.”

Kasia, still skeptical, rubbed her chin thoughtfully but eventually nodded in response to my plea, though she still looked uncomfortable.

“By the way, how on earth did you come to be here, Kasia?”

After settling down under a tree, enjoying the cool breeze, I asked. Winter had been dreary, but with the sun shining brightly for the first time in ages, it lifted my spirits.

“I applied to support the troops heading to Atara from the Knights Order of the Imperial Palace and came as part of the first battalion.”

“I see. I didn’t know because I hadn’t fully checked the soldiers’ roster. Was there a special reason for coming?”

Kasia’s clear blue eyes rolled slightly. She glanced at me then turned her head away nonchalantly.

“I thought it would be a good experience. It’s definitely not because of the Commander.”

‘She’s actually here because of me.’

After sorting through her rough words filled with trial and error, I smiled a little. Now Kasia seemed cute for not being honest.

“Do you two know each other?”

Yulian, sitting cross-legged on another rock and munching on his raisin bread pulled from his pocket, tilted his head. Serenon, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, switched his gaze between me and Kasia.

“I understand you are a knight of the Imperial Palace’s First Knights Order, correct?”

“Yes.”

“With black hair and blue eyes… you must be the ignorant knight who supposedly challenges my instructor every day.”

Kasia blushed slightly at Serenon’s accurate observation as she scratched the back of her head. Her reaction to being called ignorant suggested she wasn’t exactly normal either.

‘What a strange combination.’

I suddenly glanced around. Under the large tree, bathed in sunlight, were Serenon, Kasia, and Yulian together.

The only common thing binding us was that we were part of the Atara support forces. Although we lacked deep friendships and held different statuses, our gathering felt unique and intriguing.

“I was nervous about my first deployment to a foreign country, but I feel reassured with you three around.”

I spoke sincerely.

Each of them brought something different for me to lean on. I felt a satisfying smile spread across my face, like packing vitamins A, B, and C.

“I’m the special darling of the Commander, chosen after fierce competition in the Temple. If you have any ailments, relax! Yulian is here!”

Clearing his throat and trying to act dignified, Yulian winked at me and poked his cheek with his finger.

“Why do you live like this?”

“When you return, make sure to visit a hospital. I’ll recommend you to a great place. I genuinely care about you, you know.”

Kasia, who usually threw decorum out the window, wore a genuinely scornful expression towards him, while Serenon looked like he was about to retch.

Of course, Yulian, who had long traded in his shame, was completely unfazed.

“Are you all attending the banquet tonight? I have to be there.”

I forced myself to change the subject. Yulian, who had been pondering thoughtfully with his chin resting on his hand, nodded.

“Nothing else to do, so I’ll go. There should be a lot of good food, right?”

“I’m going too. It’s my first banquet, so it would be appropriate to attend formally.”

I thought I would be alone without anyone I knew, but at least there was someone I could count on.

Kasia blinked and stubbornly looked at the ground.

“I can’t go because I’m a commoner.”

“Oh.”

I sighed briefly.

It was impossible to accommodate all of the support troops for a welcoming banquet, so only noble status was allowed to attend. Kasia appeared indifferent about not being able to go, but for some reason, it made me feel disappointed.

“I’m not fond of crowded places, so it’s fine.”

“But I want to go together… if it’s okay with you, Kasia, would you accompany me as my escort?”

Kasia looked at me in surprise at my proposal.

I expected her to refuse outright, dismissing it as unnecessary talk, but surprisingly, she seemed hesitant. Her prickle was much improved compared to before.

“If I go as an escort, wouldn’t that reflect poorly on you, Commander? I know nothing about etiquette nor am I used to banquets.”

“What does that matter?”

I chuckled softly. Worrying about trivial things didn’t seem like Kasia at all, but it made my heart feel warm as I sensed her concern.

The chilly breeze from the east tousled our black hair in the air.

“I want to go with you. It doesn’t matter what others say. What matters to me is not the nameless people but you, Kasia. So if you don’t mind, would you go with me?”

I asked with a gentle smile.

Kasia blinked.

Her long black lashes fluttered rapidly. After staring at me blankly for a moment, her neck flushed bright red and she hurriedly stepped back.

“What are you trying to do to me? Do you think I’d just jump at being swayed like that?!”

“What do you mean?”

“You seem to know how to use your looks, but having gone through four waterfall training sessions and learned five mental control techniques, that doesn’t work on me!”

‘I don’t know what that meant, but I get that something was effective.’

Blushing nearly as red as an apple, I comprehended as I watched Kasia, who looked like she was chasing away a demon.

“I see why that poor guy got caught up. What a pity…”

Ignoring Yulian’s nonsensical comment, I asked Kasia.

“So, will you accompany me?”

Her white cheeks, clenched as she was about to explode in anger, were blooming with a peachy tint.

“…I’m not going because you invited me, Commander. I’m just curious about Atara’s culture, thinking it would be a good experience…”

“Of course, that makes sense.”

I briefly felt a mischievous urge to tease Kasia, but I thought that if I did, she might storm off and leave the banquet behind, so I readily agreed.

She turned her head sharply, though she didn’t seem displeased.

“Oh.”

At that moment, I abruptly turned to a familiar presence I felt behind me.

“It looks like you have many friends, but will you still give me the first dance?”

With another gust of wind stirring the winter-resilient leaves of the mystical tree, Leo’s striking white hair and deep green cloak fluttered in the breeze. The sight felt unreal in its beauty; I found myself momentarily entranced.

Amid the natural colors, he was the only artificial presence. His vivid green eyes, similar to the dark emerald leaves but entirely different, were fixed on me.

“I present my respects to His Majesty the King.”

Serenon, understanding the situation first, quickly bowed in greeting. Yulian and Kasia followed suit, while my reaction was the slowest.

Arrogantly ignoring the greeting, Leo stepped closer to me.

“Surely, you know? We are the closest, after all.”

He cattily narrowed his eyes.

“…I present my respects to His Majesty the King.”

Putting my formalities aside, I managed to say something. No matter how trustworthy my acquaintances were, I was reluctant to treat Leo casually in front of others.

“Seeing you try to maintain decorum in front of me isn’t bad. It adds a nice touch to our conversations. Is that an unusual taste?”

As Leo looked down at me, stroking his chin with a smirk, I felt his softly whispered words clearly pierce my ears.

“What brings you here today?”

Though taken aback by his blunt remarks, I quickly regained composure and pretended not to hear. Leo chuckled softly as he observed me dodging his gaze.

“Perhaps it was fate leading me. I happened to be strolling, and my feet found their way here.”

Being outdoors in front of the palace where the support troops were stationed, it wasn’t too far-fetched to say he ended up here after a walk.

Of course, if it were the King himself showing up without a guard, that would be a different story.

With the confused gazes of the three emanating from behind me, Leo stepped in closer.

“So, about that first dance?”

His sweet voice brushed against my ear, and instinctively, I stopped breathing, then relaxed and chuckled softly.

“Who else would I give it to if not you? It’s only you.”

In a fleeting moment, I sensed a concern about the eyes around us, but I dismissed it. After all, the only people I would continue seeing and speaking with were not those nameless onlookers but him. As long as he was fine with it, I didn’t have to care about relationships.

In this foreign land, the most important person to me was Leo.

“Then let me gladly accept it. If you’ve finished chatting with your ‘new’ friends, shall we head back? I want to dress appropriately for the occasion.”

With a satisfied smile, Leo extended his hand to me, emphasizing the term “new friends,” as if to flaunt that he had a longer connection with me than with the three.

‘Is it okay to go ahead?’

For a moment, I pondered.

Just as I was about to glance back at the three, Leo grabbed my cheek gently with his other hand. The touch of his gloved fingers brought forth the smooth feeling of fine fabric.

“Look at me. Decide after looking at me.”

His voice was firm, as if not allowing me to turn my gaze away. Staring into his oddly covetous eyes, I let out a low chuckle.

‘He still acts like a child.’

Leo stood at the crossroads of maturity and immaturity. I decided to indulge him in his childish whim.

“Alright.”

Our hands clasped together securely. He held my hand tightly enough to be firm yet gentle, refusing to let go. Leo, like a tail that couldn’t be seen, spun around me as he led the way.

“I’ll head in first. See you at the banquet.”

I slightly turned my body and bowed my head. After that, I was led away by Leo and didn’t catch the responses of the others.

“What am I supposed to do… he seems even more extravagant than El. Still… El has a tragic beauty to him. He won’t easily lose charm.”

“I guess I’ll have to send a message to my brother to take better care of his looks… but since we’re citizens of the same country, won’t that give him some bonus points? Or, being from a distant land might even make him more attractive…”

“What nonsense are you both talking about? The very idea of handing over the Commander to someone who looks like that is absurd. Obviously, he’s someone who’s been slinking around everywhere.”

Once the two had completely vanished, the three murmured things that would remain unknown to the Cashemir Crisis for a lifetime.