Okoborehime to Entaku no Kishi Vol 1 Chapter 2
CHAPTER II THE PRINCESS’ TEA PARTY
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The attempted poisoning of Princess Leticia was not made
known to the public and was simply declared as a case of colds.
Fabricated statements such as, “It was just a slight fever,” or “The
princess was already on her way to recovery,” were intentionally
leaked out to complete the story. Duke did not have the means to
find out how Leti fared after he had left her, and he often found
himself wondering how she was doing while unconsciously
looking east, where the Royal Palace was.
“Senpai1
, has your father recovered from his cold?”
“His cold… Ah, yeah, yeah, he’s healthy now. I doubt he’ll be
leaving us any time soon.”
During the three days that Leti was on the brink of life and
death, Duke told a lie that he was asked to go home for a while
because his father, Lord Barchet, was sick, in order to cover up for
his absence while he stood as Letis bodyguard.
‘That was close, I nearly forgot the story I made up as my excuse.’
“Ah, I heard that the Princess was sick as well.”
“So I heard, though she doesn’t seem to be one defeated by a
mere cold. She’ll be fine,” Duke said with a tinge of hope, wishing
that Leti was truly well. Duke was worried about her, enough for
1 Senpai – a j.a.panese honorific used in addressing one’s senior
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him to think that he would endure Letis relentless invitations to be
her knight if only it would make her feel better.
“Hmm… Then I won’t really know which of them is…” Death
would have proven they were mere humans. Astrid had a vague, fleeting
thought and Duke did not catch what he said.
“What was that?”
“Eh? Did I say anything?”
Duke was puzzled with Astrid’s reaction, so he thought it was
just the wind. After dismissing the thought, his heart went back to
Leti, and he even thought of asking Prince Friedhelm directly to
inquire about her condition.
Just as Duke was thinking of how to get information on Leti, it
came to him instead – not through reports or rumors, but through
Leti herself.
“…Ah. …Good day, I’m glad you’re fine now.”
“Thank you.”
Duke had returned to the camp after being called to clean up a
squabble in town. Upon his return, he saw Princess Leticia in the
camp with all her elegance and grandeur like she owned the place.
The other knights were staring at her from a distance, whispering
of how beautiful and elegant she was, while Duke wanted to shout
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“Don’t be fooled by her looks!” at them because he knew that
beyond her pretty face was a woman with more guts than any
knight in the Order.
“Unfortunately, I am busy and cannot stay long.”
“I understand. May I know your business then, Your
Highness?”
“I came here to give an invitation.”
Leti took out from her purse a white envelope sealed with red
wax and gave it to Duke. The envelope was so high cla.s.s that
Duke knew he’d be chastised if he tore it open with his bare hands.
“Ah, Senpai, I’ll get you a paper knife!”
Duke took the expensive-looking antique paper knife Astrid
brought and carefully opened the envelope.
“Thanks.”
Duke returned the paper knife to Astrid, opened the invitation
and read its contents.
“Tea party?
“Yes, as thanks for the other day.”
Duke remembered that Leti did say she’d thank him. He
appreciated Leti’s sincerity, but wearily thought that she could’ve
thanked him in a different manner. A tea party hosted by the next
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queen couldn’t possibly be anything but grand, and he – the son of
a poor baron – would definitely be a fish out of water. He could
already imagine how awkward he’d be in there.
“…I’m very honored by your invitation, but please allow me to
decline it. Such a gathering is too much for someone like me who
has yet to even inherit the barony.”
“I was expecting you would refuse, so I just made it a small,
intimate party with only my close family in attendance. It is a
simple event I wished to host in order to show them that I have
fully recovered. I did not want them worrying too much.”
Duke once again took a look at the elegant invitation. Strictly
speaking, Duke was part of the n.o.bility – though barely making
the cut. But even if he came from a baron’s family, he was not
familiar with the ways of high society, such as going to the theater
or tea parties.
“If you have a fiancée or a lover, you can take her with you.
Once I become the queen, things will be busier, so it is best if you
introduce her to me, your future master, early on.”
“Wait, wait, wait. In a broad sense you will be my master but
specifically speaking you won’t be…”
He really could not let his guard down around Leti, who kept
on talking as if he really would be her knight in the near future. On
the other hand, he wouldn’t mind going to the tea party if it really
was just a small family affair. Besides, it was highly likely that even
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if he refused the invitation, Leti would find some way or another
to drag him to it on the day itself. He decided the safest reply
would be, “I’ll think about it,” since he’d have to leave if anything
came up with the Order.
Duke escorted Leti until the camp gates, and soon after she
was gone, he let out a deep, deep sigh of exhaustion and relief.
“A fiancée, huh… Guess it won’t be rude even if I came
without a partner. It’s not an evening ball anyway.”
Duke thought of asking a friend familiar with the customs of
high society when realization suddenly hit him.
“Wait a second, her close family, meaning…”
It had slipped past him, but he just realized now that the family
members of PRINCESS Leticia meant the Royal Family. Her small,
intimate gathering meant only the Royal Family would be in
attendance because if it were something bigger, then there’d be
other peers and n.o.bles to attend.
“…all the more I won’t fit in!”
Leti had known that and deliberately used those words to
make Duke think otherwise. He was such an idiot, to be tricked by
Leti with such a simple play on words. Now that she was back on
her feet, she immediately dragged him into something troublesome.
He chided that part of himself that actually wanted to congratulate
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Leti on her recovery and decided he’d better bring a companion
with him to the party.
“Astrid, are you free on the day after tomorrow? Yes, you’re
free so come and accompany your senior to Her Highness’ tea
party.”
Of course, Duke’s primary choice for companion was his
bubbly junior in the Order, Astrid, who was quite a fan of the
beautiful princess. Needless to say, Astrid immediately accepted
the offer.
“But is it fine for me to come? I’m just a commoner.”
“That’s exactly why I chose you. You’re a commoner and you
can be my conversation partner. I doubt I’d have anyone to talk to
there. We’ll go home immediately after drinking a cup of tea.”
Astrid dreamily imagined a world he could not even fathom,
and the only clear image was the beautiful Princess Leticia.
“Ah! Should we bring presents? Are there rules on what to
bring or not? There’s a bakeshop in town I highly recommend.”
“…When I’m with you, I feel like I’m stupid sometimes.”
It would be good if Duke could just innocently enjoy the
upcoming event, but he was a serious man by nature and he could
not help but worry about things.
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“Wear your formal uniform. Don’t forget your cape and white
gloves. And polish your boots. Don’t bring any speck of dust with
you.”
“Yes sir! Is the cape the grey one we wore during the
Induction Ceremony?”
“Yeah, that one. Is it still grey? If it’s too dirty, borrow one
from the others.”
“…Yes. …I think?”
The Royal Chivalric Order had ten ranks and their ranks were
shown by the color of their capes and the lines on it. So the
neophytes, including Astrid, were Knights of the Tenth Rank and
they had grey capes with no lines. The Commander of the Order
was a knight of the First Rank and his cape was black with lines.
The color got darker the higher the rank, so one could easily know
it.
“They should reverse the color-coding. The younger ones have
a higher tendency to dirty their capes, making the color closer to
that of the Commander’s.”
So here were two knights going to the same tea party: the
junior with a cape nearing the color black, dreaming of the
upcoming party, and the senior wondering how things ended up
happening this way and deciding to review and reflect on the
events that lead to it.
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“It is an honor to be here today, Your Highness.”
Duke preparing for the obligatory greeting for such an
occasion, but since he lacked practice in saying such words, his
words were monotonous and lifeless. After the customary
acknowledgements, he took Letis fair and slender hand and
respectfully brought it to his lips.
“It is my pleasure to have you here. Please enjoy yourselves.”
Leti welcomed him with her perfected smile, just as an ideal
princess would, and looked at the lad behind Duke.
“My name is Astrid Gale, knight of the Tenth Rank of the
Royal Chivalric Order. I humbly give you my thanks for letting me
join this occasion.”
“I have heard things about you from my younger brother, such
as your exceptional skills as a swordsman despite your young age.
Do share some of your stories with me later,” Leti said and flashed
a smile at Astrid.
Duke, watching the exchange, thought that he would keep in
the deepest parts of his mind the image of Astrid’s idiotic, blushing
face, as if he had seen a G.o.ddess brought to life from a painting.
He had long given up on warning Astrid against Leti’s beauty,
knowing that his efforts would only fall on deaf ears.
“This way.”
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As Leti showed them to the garden, they saw Friedhelm
playing with the children, carrying a child on each of his arm.
When he saw who the newcomers were, he slowly lowered the
children and waved his hand to greet Duke.
“Is that Astrid Gale behind you? This is a good chance to
invite him to Seventh Heaven2
.”
Friedhelm greeted Duke briefly and went on to pat Astrid on
the shoulder. While Friedhelm was extending his pa.s.sionate
invitations to Astrid, Leti coldly called out Duke’s attention.
“I remember asking you to bring your fiancée or lover, but…
anyway, I am a generous and understanding master and I will not
be saying anything about your preferences as long as you do your
job well.”
Duke understood the meaning behind Letis words and
decided to clear up any misconceptions she was forming inside her
head.
“One, I do not have a fiancée or a lover. And two, I brought
Astrid here as my companion to have someone to talk to ‘cause
I’m quite sure there’d be no place for me in a tea party for the
Royal Family.”
“Oh, I see.”
The relief on Letis face only added to his vexation.
2 Seventh Heaven: Friedhelm’s own chivalric order
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“You need not to worry since I have everything arranged. You
shall be at the adult’s table. Think of this as a way to train your
junior.”
Duke’s table, as Leti promised, was composed of the older
guests in the party. The youngest was sixteen and the oldest was
three-and-twenty. However, with a table composed of Friedhelm,
Leonhardt, Duke, and Astrid, finding a common topic for
conversation was impossible.
“Duke-senpai! The tea is amazing! This is the first time I’ve
drank a tea this fragrant and smooth.”
“…Good for you.”
… … … …
“Let’s just say this is better than having Guido-ani’ue3 here as
well.”
Leonhardt’s words were indeed true, for if Guido were to join
them, the atmosphere would no longer pa.s.s as awkward – it would
automatically be a unanimous decision to just go home.
“Well, I’ll just go and have a heart-to-heart talk with my
younger brothers.”
3 Ani’ue: A j.a.panese honorific used to address one’s older brother. More oldfashioned
than the common Onii-san
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Leonhardt escaped the awkward atmosphere and moved to a
different table, carrying his teacup and some snacks. At least now,
the group could have small talk. Duke threw Friedhelm a topic.
“…Your highness, are you in good terms with Princess
Leticia?”
“Of course not. She just invited me here as an apology to what
she did a while back.”
“Apology?”
“For serving me a goblet of water when I visited her.”
“Aaaah…”
Duke commented as if it were something astonishing with a
wry smile, and looked at the same Leti who poured the goblet of
water talking with the younger guests at a different table.
“All of them are your siblings?”
“No. There are some cousins. But truthfully, not seeing us as
siblings despite being one just shows how much of a bad older
brother I am. I’ve got to admit, she has the advantage on this one.”
Duke could not hide his surprise at Friedhelm’s words. He
sounded like he was giving Leti credit and recognizing her for it.
Friedhelm gave Duke a wry smile, admitting it was the truth.
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“It’s not like I only think of myself, you know? The country is
my top priority… I don’t want to divide the kingdom and start a
war.”
Friedhelm still could not completely rid himself of the pride he
held as the first-born prince. He grew up being told that he would
be the one succeeding the throne – of course he could not accept
it if Guido took the crown, but he was ready to convince himself
for Leti. But he had a condition: Leti would be a good ruler, or
else he would bring her down. That was Friedhelm’s condition, his
point of compromise.
“I think Your Highness will also be a good ruler.”
“‘Also,’ huh? Wonder who the other one is… Anyway, I
gratefully accept your compliment.”
Hearing the conversation over at the men’s table, Leti turned
around and pointed in their direction. Holding the hand of a small,
young lady, Leti approached their table.
“Astrid, could you act as her practice partner for
introductions?”
“Me-me-me…me?”
Astrid was surprised at the sudden request.
“The best partner is someone she does not know. The
nervousness that comes with it is nearly the same as the real one.
Well then…”
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“Uhmm… It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Misty Fal Edelle.”
Misty gathered her skirts to the side, raised it a bit, and bent
her knees in a curtsy.
“I am Astrid Gale, Knight of the Tenth Rank of the Royal
Chivalric Order. It is an honor to meet you.”
Astrid took Misty’s hand to kiss it, but it was awkward due to
the difference in their height.
“Astrid, you’ve got to kneel down and meet her eyes,”
Friedhelm said.
“Oh, right. Pardon me.”
Following Friedhelm’s advice, Astrid knelt down, then chastely
placed a kiss on Misty’s dainty hand. Misty looked up at Leti with
sparkling eyes, waiting for her approval that she had done it well.
“You were excellent.”
Misty’s face glowed upon hearing Leti’s praise and having her
head patted. Even Duke could not help it but smile at such a
heartwarming scene.
“Friedhelm-onii-sama4
, carry me!”
4 Onii-sama: Onii =Older Brother | Sama = formal honorific for a high person
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In an instant, their table was surrounded by the royal children
pulling Friedhelm’s arm, begging him to play with them. Friedhelm
gave in to their requests and stood up.
“We’re gonna take turns, line up! Remember, your cool
brother is no longer that young, so don’t push me too hard. Astrid,
come and help me.”
“Yes, sir!”
Friedhelm and Astrid carried and swung the children in the
s.p.a.cious garden. Leti, freed from the role of looking after the
young ones, took a seat beside Duke.
“Was it fine to invite Prince Friedhelm alone? Weren’t you
going to keep the balance?”
“I will invite Prince Guido next time, though I know not if he
will come.”
“Next time? I thought this tea party was to celebrate your
recovery?”
“Well, it is, partly – but this party is really a regular event I host
once a month to train my younger siblings how to comport
themselves. If they learn and acquire the necessary manners
needed early on, they will develop these as habits and will no
longer be embarra.s.sed or awkward when they go out into society.
You are welcome to join us.”
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Duke could not reconcile this kind and caring older sister Leti
with the high-handed queen he encountered on a regular basis. But
this kind older sister was the reason why the neutral faction held
the majority of the royal children.
“…No, this one time is enough. I feel so out of place here.”
“You should get used to these kind of events. You cannot
keep on saying that when you become my knight.”
“How many times do I have to I tell you? I have no intention
of becoming your knight.”
Duke always corrected Leti whenever she snuck that
suggestion in. With those statements from her becoming more and
more frequent, he remembered someone who sounded just like
her. Yes, Leti was very much like her older brother Friedhelm,
who was currently playing with his younger siblings.
“The two of you really are brother and sister. Especially that
independent att.i.tude you both have, and your tendency not to
listen to what others are saying.”
“I get that quite a lot. That I look a lot like Prince Guido
outside, but inside I am similar with Prince Friedhelm. But I am
really connected to them only by half… I think I should wrap this
up. This is no longer study but play time.”
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Leti gathered everyone and said that it was time to go home.
She led each child back to either their nurses or governesses,
leaving only the adult group behind.
The tea party started and ended peacefully without any
problems. For Leti, this tea party was not just a mere gathering. It
was a carefully calculated plan that was executed to meet certain
objectives: one – to teach her younger siblings, two – to deepen
her friendship with Duke, and three – a chance to repair her
relationship with her older brother. Now that the tea party was
over, she concluded this plan as a success and started to give her
closing greetings.
“Thank you very much for coming today. I hope…”
The leaves on the tree rustled behind Leti, and then everything
else happened in a flash.
Friedhelm pulled Leti closer to him, Duke stood in front to
protect them, and Astrid took out his sword.
Leti was surprised with the sudden turn of events, but she
remained calm, surprised but not scared, and she peered at Astrid
through the s.p.a.ce between Friedhelm’s arms.
“Senpai! Cover for me please.”
Astrid walked along the sides of the table and grabbed an
empty cup. He threw the cup to the tree, aiming for the part where
the branches were still shaking. But the cup hit a branch and broke
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into pieces. Then, to everyone’s surprise, they heard a high-pitched
cry and a black lump of ma.s.s fell on Astrid.
“Uwahuwawawah!”
Astrid caught the soft, black fur ball. It had large circular eyes
and a long tail. The only word to describe the fallen creature
was…
“This… looks… like… a cat.”
“Let’s still check. Astrid, climb up.”
“Ah, roger! Please hold the cat.”
Astrid deftly climbed up the tree and confirmed that there was
nothing else on top. He jumped straight down to the ground and
landed perfectly on his feet.
“Glad it’s just a cat, right? I was utterly surprised. Both with
the cat and how good your cooperation was! Why don’t the three
of you just be Aneue’s5
knights? Ahahaha!”
Leonhardt’s words, poking fun at them, brought the three men
back to their senses. Friedhelm quickly let go of Leti and distanced
himself from the sister he was protecting in his arms, and Duke
awkwardly moved his hand up and down the handle of the sword
he was holding in battle stance.
5 Aneue: A j.a.panese honorific used to address one’s older sister. More oldfashioned
than the common Onee-san
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“This is just my knight’s instinct at work, you see…”
“Oh, I see…” Leti said.
“And I just move on instinct. You see, Guido has been
targeting me for a while and…”
“Oh, yes, I see…” Leti agreed with Friedhelm.
“I’m glad you’re safe, Your Highness. Ah! Sorry for breaking
the cup!”
“That’s fine. Thank you for saving me.”
Duke and Friedhelm sighed, both thinking that they were
idiots. If they just acted the way Astrid did and honestly told Leti
that they were glad she was safe, then that would’ve been the end
of it. But no, they had to let their egos get in the way and make
ridiculous excuses.
“Aaah, I get it. Gimme the cat. I’ll go find someplace I can
leave it. The tea and snacks were delicious. See ya!” Friedhelm said
as he took the cat by its nape and walked away. Then they heard
Friedhelm shout, likely because the cat scratched his face. It
looked like both of them were not being honest with themselves.
Putting aside the older brother whose relationship with Leti
still needed to be patched up, Leti looked at the men left. Leti saw
Leonhardt busy helping Astrid take off the cat fur stuck on
Astrid’s knight uniform, and then she faced Duke.
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“Duke, thank you.”
Duke did not know how to respond to Letis unexpected word
of thanks. He could not retort with “be grateful” since he already
said a while back that it was all his knight’s instinct at work.
“That… That was nothing.”
“Better accept my grat.i.tude while you still can, because I do
not have any intention of thanking you once you become my
knight.”
“Why do you keep on saying that?”
Duke pressed his temples with his fingers, screaming inside,
wondering why in the world Leti could not understand him.
“Hey, didn’t you see Astrid a while ago? He’s a good knight,
isn’t he? He is a commoner and maybe a bit too young, but his
skills are top-notch within the Order. And based on what I see,
he’s pretty willing to be your knight. So why don’t you just give up
on me and take Astrid instead?”
“Astrid Gale… Indeed, he is a good knight, but…”
Astrid was a good knight, and even Leonhardt recommended
him. So Leti had asked for him to be investigated, and she came
up with a conclusion based on that information.
“I do not have the confidence to control him. He is no
ordinary knight and it might become troublesome.”
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“…Oi.”
“I was incessantly told by my great-great-great-great uncle to
train my eyes in discerning people, so I am quite confident with it
– that is why I chose you.”
Leti did not say anything else; her silence declared that this
conversation was over. Duke, on the other hand was secretly
astonished at how perceptive Leti was. He had also thought that
Astrid Gale was no ordinary commoner. Astrid had not said a
word about it, but having seen him – a novice knight – kill
without flinching, Duke had thought Astrid might have worked as
a mercenary before. And Leti had noticed that immediately.
Indeed, Duke could no longer see Leti as a sheltered princess.
Leti nonchalantly walked towards the tree Astrid climbed,
looking up its height. She stepped forward to the tree and her
heels made soft knock. There was one thing that the other men
did not notice, but Leti did, because of the fact she was the only
one who underwent the rigorous training of being a perfect lady.
‘If he can kill the sound of his footsteps at such a height…I can only
conclude not so good things about him.’
One of the things required of an accomplished lady was to be
able to gracefully dance the waltz. Evening b.a.l.l.s would have
dancing, and dancing included waltzing, so not being able to do it
was unacceptable for any lady of good breeding. Moreover, to
claim the t.i.tle of an excellent dancer, one had to glide and move
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like a fairy – gracefully and silently. A dancer with noisy feet was
found to be vulgar and barbaric.
“…I guess he is someone to be wary of.”
The tea party Leti hosted as training for her younger siblings,
as a way to deepen her relationship with Duke, and as an
opportunity to repair her relationship with her brother ended up
leaving uneasiness and worry upon its conclusion.
One clear and fine day, a cheery Leonhardt came to visit Letis
room, saying that her tutor had arrived. He handed her a light
overcoat. Leti had a bad feeling about where this was going, so she
asked Leonhardt what this was all about before putting it on.
“Well, we’re currently airing the scrolls of the artifact inventory
and you, Aneue, are most welcome to join us.”
“Is that related, in any way, to my lessons?”
“Ehhh… uhmm… ah! I’ll explain which are owned by our
family and so on… plus, plus we also have in there one of our
national treasures! The original ma.n.u.script of the book on the
Knight King’s legends! You know, the one about him fighting
Evil?”
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“You are the only one who would get excited about that.
Anyway, I understand. I shall lend you a hand.”
Leti reluctantly wore the coat and gloves and helped in taking
out the ancient scrolls. Doing such work made Leti asked why
copies of it weren’t made, but they answered that it would be a
problem if the original ones had molds. Leti, seeing the logic in it,
agreed as she dusted off a sheet and laid it neatly on the wooden
stand.
“Don’t you find it interesting that the Knight King’s sword
and the phantom twelve Promise Swords are included in the list?”
“Well, is it?”
“Think about this: putting aside the question if they are real or
not, we have the age-old, rusted and worn out Knight Sword
owned by the Knight King Christian himself, but the twelve
Promise Swords said to have been granted to his knights are
nowhere to be found. So here’s the interesting part, at least for a
historian. Why did Administrative King Karlheinz include the
Promise Swords in his inventory? Was it just for the sake of an
idea, an impossible dream? Or was it because those swords indeed
existed during that time and are only lost now? Interesting, right?
Ahahaha!”
Leonhardt showed Leti the sheet containing the swords.
Indeed, the Knight King’s sword and the Promise Swords given to
his twelve knights were written in the inventory.
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“Your beloved King Karlheinz was the one who compiled this
inventory, you know? I’m sure this took a lot of his time to do this,
but we are really grateful for his efforts.”
“Well, he seems to be the type of person who would like these
kind of meticulous tasks.”
Leti was quite certain that the ones who did the actual job were
his servants following his orders, but someone who would even
come up with an idea like this qualified King Karlheinz as
meticulous. She wanted to know the reason why he kept such a list,
but she had yet to meet him in his later years, so she hadn’t had
the chance to ask him directly in that place.
“I haven’t heard that in a while,” Leonhardt said as he opened
the book he was holding and brushed off a dead insect’s body.
“Heard what?”
“You speak as if you’re friends with some historical
personalities. Don’t you remember you taught me history that
way?”
“…Really…”
Leonhardt’s body was weak when he was small, so their
mother stayed with him while Leti was left alone most of the time.
To overcome that loneliness, she frequented the Knight King’s
s.p.a.ce and talked with the his other reincarnations, and when she
woke up, she shared the stories they talked about with Leonhardt.
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“Your stories were like vivid dramas written by a wonderful
historical playwright so I remember them well. I became a
historian because I was attracted to those behind-the-scene stories
you told me. In other words, it was you who made me become like
this. Ahahaha!”
“Do not put the blame on me.”
Leti took another volume of the inventory, scanning its pages,
and her eyes stopped on a particular article.
“Is this book worthy to be included in this list?”
“The original copy, yes. The one available in the Archive is just
a replica.”
The article that caught Leti’s attention was a book – a
collection of stories on what happened to Lion King Alexander
after his dethronement.
According to history, King Alexander’s most trusted friend
and Prime Minister lead a revolution against him – killing him in
the process. However, one of his loyal knights brought his corpse
outside the kingdom and continued to lament for him, so the body
of the Lion King was not in the Royal Tomb. Since there was no
body and particular location of death, some theories came out
saying that he was not dead. Then, during the time of
Administrative King Karlheinz, a book compiling those stories
was written, and the original copy made its way into the Royal
Inventory.
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“Is the original one an academic book? I have only read the
idiotic book containing unbelievable after-death theories on King
Alexander.”
“Exactly as you say, they were all unbelievable stories. Though
I find the one saying King Alexander did not die, but continued to
live and become a pirate in the Southern Seas and conquered a
country, making him their king, the most interesting.”
Hearing Leonhardt say the theories were fict.i.tious stunned Leti.
Upon finishing arranging a batch of the inventory, Leti took off
the coat and gloves and told him she was done helping them.
Leti started to walk faster towards the Royal Villa. She wanted
clean herself since she was still feeling dust all over her despite
wearing an overcoat, and she kept brushing it off her dress. She
chose to take the route less traveled and pa.s.sed by people to
prevent seeing her in such a disheveled state. However, despite her
efforts, a palace guard came out of a corner and bowed his head to
her. She continued to walk on, imagining how nice a bath would
be, when she stopped sensing anyone around her. She silenced her
footsteps and quietly moved toward the presence she felt.
“Isn’t it ‘bout time? The race to the throne is finished. Make
up your mind and join Seventh Heaven already. Your seat has yet
to be taken.”
Leti heard the voice of her older brother, and he was probably
talking with his best friend. She came to the conclusion that the
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 29 -
only thing they would talk about in a deserted place such as this
would be their true feelings.
“You’re wasting your time, your talent, and your skills at being
an unaffiliated knight.”
“If, as you say, the race for the crown is over, then all the more
I should stay under Prince Guido’s faction out of duty. My family
may be at the tail end, but we’re still part of the n.o.bility, and that is
a complicated world.”
Duke wanted to end the conversation there, but Friedhelm still
had something to say.
“I’m surprised you’re still bringing up Guido’s name in this
conversation. I was sure it would be Leticias.”
“That is more unbelievable.”
Duke, feeling as if his defenses were being stripped down,
turned his back on Friedhelm, and walked away thinking of how
pointless the conversation was. But Friedhelm was not yet done
with him.
“Do you know what it means to be Leticia’s knight?”
Friedhelm wrapped his left hand around Duke’s neck.
“If you were ordered to, you’ve got to kill me like this. Can
you really do it?”
- 30 -
Friedhelm’s action tested Duke’s friendship with him – and he
was testing whether or not Duke was worthy to be Letis knight.
Leti, on the other hand, let out a silent sigh as she watched the two
men’s compet.i.tion of stubbornness from afar.
‘Duke never considered anyone else but you. You are a fool to doubt that.’
Leti wanted to wait for them to go their separate ways, but
since their glaring contest seemed like it would last forever, she
decided to end it herself.
“Would you please stop hara.s.sing my knight?”
“…Leticia.”
“I am not one to intentionally wound other people. If I wanted
you dead, I would not ask Duke to do it for me; I would do it
myself. Just like this.”
Friedhelm felt the chill of cold metal pressed against the small
of his back. He could acutely feel the shuddering cool of the metal
but his clothes and skin were still intact. Leti was pressing some
kind of blade against him with no hesitation, leaving only his
clothes as his shield. One wrong move and he was sure that Letis
weapon would cut into him.
“At least make your hands shake a little. You really ain’t
adorable at all.”
“Shall I make my hands tremble next time?”
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 31 -
Friedhelm raised his hands in surrender, and Leti finally
stepped away from him. He turned around to see what her weapon
was but she had already hidden it.
“…Well, I guess it is better for you to have a knife to protect
yourself. We are supposedly targeting your life, after all.”
“Yes, that is about it. So would you mind going ahead and
leaving me to court my knight in private?”
“Yes, yes. See ya ‘round Duke!”
Friedhelm waved his hand in goodbye. To lighten up the
mood, Leti jokingly said to Duke that their friendship was quite
disturbing. She was also starting to hate that part of herself that
was always trying to calm everything down. Being neutral for eight
years found a way to ingrain such an att.i.tude in her.
“Where are your guards?”
“I left them inside the treasure room with Leonhardt, who is in
heaven right now. Besides, I do not think anyone would be stupid
enough to attack me in broad daylight.”
“But still… oh, forget it. I understand perfectly that you’ll
listen and literally listen only to what I have to say. Moving on,
where exactly did you hide that knife? A girl with a hidden knife is
just as disturbing, in my humble opinion.”
Duke was thankful for Letis kindness in lightening up the
mood and changed the topic. He examined Letis appearance from
- 32 -
head to toe and did not find anything amiss from her usual perfect
stance. But just when he was convinced, Leti reached out for the
ribbon on her back.
“Hiding a knife in a dress is impossible. That was a spoon.”
“…Huh?”
“It need not be a real blade; anything that can produce the
same cold metallic feel when pressed on one’s back can be
mistaken as one. Besides, I cannot kill anyone with a spoon no
matter how hard I press it against someone.”
Let took out from her ribbon a silver spoon and showed it to
Duke. He was dumbfounded by the fact that she really had one,
but Leti just shrugged her shoulders at him and returned it to her
ribbon.
“You can’t protect yourself with a mere spoon, you know?”
“I know… besides, I do not need a knight; I can protect
myself. The only reason why I need one is to fill up all of the posts
for the Knights of the Round. So I am here now, bowing my head
and begging you to take the first seat.”
“I’ve told you my answer already. And I haven’t seen you bow
your head to me,” Duke instantly retorted, but restrained himself
from saying anything else that could lead the conversation astray.
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 33 -
“I’m perfectly aware how brave and intelligent you are, but you
should also know that sometimes those qualities alone are not
enough to deal with the situation.”
“Are you worried about me?’
“…Yes. If anything happens to the kingdom’s future queen,
it’ll be a huge catastrophe.”
Duke’s reply was still unsure and not honest with himself, but
Leti said that such a reply would do for now. She walked away and
left Duke alone.
“Them being close friends makes things complicated.”
Leti was not demanding Duke to be her knight in the truest
sense of the word – a knight that would swear his life and loyalty
to his master. But she knew well that Duke couldn’t be anything
else but a true knight.
“Lion King Alexander and Revolution King Julius were best
friends, too. King Julius betrayed King Alexander, but King
Alexander never found it in his heart to hate his friend. That
proves how strong their bond was, and I am sure that what Duke
and Onii-sama has is the same.”
Letis feet stopped, wondering whether or not she really had
what it took to break into that bond.
‘If only I had the qualities Friedhelm Onii-sama has, qualities suited to
be the king, then…’
- 34 -
Leti shook her head, driving away the negative thoughts, and
told herself that there wasn’t anything good in wishing for
something she did not have. She only had to give her best efforts
to be her ideal self.
“I will not give up on you, Duke. Not until you are the one
that will come to me, crawling and begging to be my knight. I will
not stop.”
Duke might have shouted, “Give me a break!” if he heard
Letis encouragement for herself.
Duke, completely ignorant of Letis newfound determination,
went back to camp to take his meal. The food from the camp’s
cafeteria was quite decent in taste and generous with the servings.
Upon taking his seat, he fiddled with the unused spoon and fork
with his fingers.
“Senpai?”
Duke pressed the spoon on Astrid’s back, befuddling his
junior by his actions.
“Astrid, what is this I’m pressing on your back?”
“Eh…? A spoon? A fork? ...A spoon.”
“How did you know?”
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 35 -
“It would be p.r.i.c.klier if it were a fork.”
Duke removed the spoon from Astrid, then took the fork in
his hands. He agreed with Astrid’s answer and asked another
question.
“Then you wouldn’t mistake a spoon for a knife?”
“That’s a bit hard to identify. I mean both have round tips…”
“Round? I don’t mean a dining knife, I mean a weapon, like a
short blade.”
Astrid thought of what Duke said.
“I don’t think I’d make a mistake on that. But maybe the
presence, the impression can change it.”
“Right…”
Now it was Duke’s turn to think. Leti said it was a spoon, but
was it really a spoon? She also said the same thing before, that it
was a spoon that broke his cup6
, but he was not really convinced.
“This is the second time I felt that there’s something different
about her. I can no longer convince myself that everything was my
imagination.”
Duke felt that Leti was hiding something, and that something
was definitely not a spoon.
6 See Chapter I.
- 36 -
“An art inventory? That sounds like a very tiresome thing to
do.”
Leti asked the young Administrative Karlheinz she met in the
Knight King’s s.p.a.ce today about the inventory list, but the young
King still hadn’t thought about it.
“But I can think of several reasons why I would do such a
thing. One of them is to aid in destroying Ghost Energies that
sometimes pose as art pieces. I may have come up with that idea
to help the next reincarnation of the Knight King, as sometimes
the interval between one is long.”
“Ghost Energy?” Leti and Heart-broken King Ludgar asked in
unison.
King Ludgar was a reincarnation of the Knight King after
Letis time. He would be leaving great accomplishments in his
name, and he had a proper posthumous t.i.tle worthy of those. But
the countless number of times his heart was broken left a mark in
history, earning him his other t.i.tle of the Heart-broken King, to
which he was more known for – or so Leti had heard from later
kings after him.
“Ghost Energies are artifacts from the Knight King Christian’s
time. These are imitations of the twelve Promise Swords King
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 37 -
Christian granted to his knights – in other words, weapons created
by his enemies to defeat him. But these Ghost Energies have a
flaw, so they were later known as cursed items.”
“What is their flaw? Do they suck life?”
“Yes. Ghost Energy can give its user the strongest power they
desire by converting the user’s life force. Thus, these items are
branded as cursed by those who knew nothing. Most people die in
half a year after harnessing its power.”
Karlheintz story provided the source of the cursed articles
coming out in stories. Leti nodded as she knew another of
history’s secrets.
“Ghost Energies no longer exist in our time, don’t they?
Creepy,” Heart-broken King Ludgar said, shrugging his shoulders.
“I believe most of them were already destroyed in King
Alexander’s and my time, but there might have been one or two
left in your time, Queen Leticia.”
“How shall I deal with it?”
“Well, you…”
“…Intruder!”
Leti jolted up, took the short blade hidden under her pillow,
and looked around. She only had to stall the intruder until her
- 38 -
guards came, and besides, she could protect herself even if they
came in late.
“Someone, come here quickly!” Leti cried out in the dark to
her guards, who were supposed to be right outside her room.
Suddenly, she felt a strong, murderous intent. She lifted the
darkness with something unseen, and then a shrill sound came,
followed by knives – but neither touched Leti, for she was
surrounded by something shielding her from the knives, leaving
them on the floor.
“Don’t tell me you’re…” The a.s.sa.s.sin murmured in the
darkness. Leti felt as if she had seen the sharp, piercing green eyes
of the a.s.sa.s.sin. His voice sounded familiar as well. She frantically
searched her memory to piece the information together.
“I am what?”
“You’re the kni…”
“Your Highness! Are you safe!?”
The a.s.sa.s.sin chose to retreat when he heard the voices of the
guards. He quietly climbed down the window where he seemed to
have entered from.
“Your Highness!”
The guards came rushing into the dark room, but Leti
answered calmly that she was fine.
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 39 -
“The intruder ran away through the window. Station a guard
by it and then contact the Order. Tell them to go after him,
though I doubt they can catch him.”
Leti gave her orders one after the other and drove her guards
out of her room. She cut several wounds on herself using the
a.s.sa.s.sin’s knives, and she scattered those on top of the sheets to
make it look like she used them as her shield. She wouldn’t want
people to wonder how she was able to evade all of the knives in
the dark.
“Argh! And we were in the middle of talking about Ghost
Energy.”
Leti still didn’t know what kinds of things were considered as
Ghost Energy or how to destroy one. But since she hadn’t heard
any news pertaining to cursed items, she could simply ask King
Karlheinz again about this topic on a later date.
“Your Highness, we have come to clean your room. Shall we
prepare a different room for you to rest?”
“No, thank you. It is a bit early, but I shall continue on with
my day. Could you prepare tea for me?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
If she were being honest, Leti wanted to lie down and sleep
again, but decided against it. After all, today was an important day
for her.
- 40 -
“But to think I am going to start this day like this…”
Leti’s day started with almost getting killed. She didn’t feel
good about it, but decided to put it on the side so as not to ruin
the rest of her day. Today was the day she was given permission to
attend, or rather to observe, from the inside the Kingdom’s
politics. She was allowed to join the morning sessions to show her
how the Kingdom was run. Her two older brothers had attended
several sessions already, but she was never given the chance to join,
since they thought that she would be given to some other country
or a powerful member of the peerage as a bride, and there would
be no use even if she did join the meetings.
A king’s day was normally composed of meetings in the
morning, and official visits and holding audience with his subjects
in the afternoon. As of this day, Leti would be taking part in some
of these responsibilities. Her mornings would be spent in the main
castle more, and her afternoons would be slowly filled with visits
around the kingdom as the King’s representative. It was also
highly possible that she would play a bigger role in foreign affairs
by going on diplomatic visits in the name of the Kingdom.
“But diplomacy and foreign affairs management is best suited
for Prince Friedhelm.”
One, he was handsome. He was such a beautiful lad, and his
amicability and friendliness radiate from his face. Two, he was
open-minded and had the charisma to attract people around him.
Leti thought it’d be better to leave foreign affairs with him. He
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 41 -
probably did not realize it since it was so natural for him, but he
had this part of him that could make people feel safe and believe
that everything would be fine if they left it to him. This was
something innate in him, and no amount of effort could make one
attain it.
“Prince Guido is ideal for internal administration; he is just the
perfect Prime Minister type.”
Compared with First Prince Friedhelm, who was suited for
foreign affairs, Second Prince Guido would be better working on
the internal affairs of the Kingdom with his detailed planning and
the needed drive to execute the plan flawlessly. He’d fare better
with managing the taxes, or planning and giving the instructions
for ceremonies, rather than weathering through the unpredictable
tides of foreign affairs. These tasks required flexibility and
versatility in dealing the situation. He could simply gain the trust of
the people as he worked along the way, completing one task after
the other.
Leti could easily think of reasons why her two older brothers
could be the better kings, but she did not envy them, rather…
“…If the three of us can just cooperate and rule the kingdom
together, Sommevesle will be stable…”
If the three of them would help each other in ruling the
kingdom, maybe they’d even get the “Sibling Kings” posthumous
t.i.tle. Leti gathered the hem of her gown and started walking as she
thought of the impossible future she was secretly hoping for.
- 42 -
“That is for all today. Session adjourned.”
Leti wondered how many names she had taken down in her
mental diary during the session. Around half of the cabinet
ministers were in foul moods, and dozed off during the meeting.
The man beside her kept saying things off the point, and then the
other members would follow in their own irritating opinions. If
the sessions were always like this, then Leti was sure she’d really be
known as the Rant Queen. She hid behind her papers her
twitching, forced smile and straightened the appearing creases in
between her eyebrows.
‘Seniority is… plain troublesome. The worst part is that I cannot do
anything about the stupid ones that only have high statuses… Well, I really
cannot do much about low-ranking stupid members, either.’
Despite all that, Leti was aware of her own shortcomings. Her
plate was already full just by quietly attending the meeting, trying
to read in between the lines and planning what to do for the future.
“Princess Leticia!”
“How may I help you, Earl Brightkreutz?”
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 43 -
“If it pleases you, would you like to join me for luncheon after
this? We may talk about the proceedings this morning…”
Leti answered that she’d be glad to join him and placed her
hand on the young earl’s offered left arm, despite knowing the fact
that her complaints in her diary would increase. She just convinced
herself that making the connection now with Earl Brightkreutz, a
young man few years older than her, might prove to be useful in
the future.
“I see I cannot be a Lion King or an Administrative King…”
“Pardon me?”
Letis soft whisper did not reach the earl’s ear and she replied
with a smile that it was nothing.
‘I cannot be like Lion King Alexander, who can gallantly round up
matters, nor be a genius like Administrative King Karlheinz, who was able to
continue to execute internal reforms and external revolutions even after losing
his wife, who was his partner in life.’
Leti mockingly thought of herself as a half-baked queen in
comparison to the past and future reincarnations of the Knight
King. She could only be a queen whose sole talents were to
skillfully manipulate people of talent to work for her and return
whatever trust is given to her.
- 44 -
Duke wanted to say it was all a coincidence. It really was. He
was just out in town for patrol duties when he saw a golden-haired
lady. Even he didn’t want to believe that the said blonde la.s.s he
saw was Her Highness, Princess Leticia, roaming around town and,
of course, without her guards. Duke knew at once that she was out
for her incognito walk. He wanted to scold her right at once, but
they were not in the right place and nor was he in the position to,
so he had second thoughts on calling out to her.
“Is she headed to the North Cemetery? Visiting someone
there?”
The North Cemetery was where the Royal family was laid to
rest, and no outsiders were allowed to go there. At the deepest part
of the cemetery was the bas.e.m.e.nt where the Kings of the past lay.
One day, Leti, too, would be placed there for her eternal rest. It
wouldn’t be peculiar to find her there; no one would scold her if
they saw her there. Besides, it was a no trespa.s.sing area, but there
weren’t real guards stationed, so it had become a playground for
children who did not know what treason meant yet.
Duke couldn’t decide whether he should call her or not, but by
the time he had made up his mind, his shadow was already long
and the sun was beginning to set. He had lingered on his decision
for far too long.
“Lady Cia! I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to stay here as long
as you want to if you have your guards with you. But if you are
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 45 -
alone, I think it’d be better for you to go home now while there is
still light.”
Leti, having s.p.a.ced out, was surprised when she saw Duke by
her side, their long shadows standing close to each other. She,
unusually, agreed silently and started walking after giving a slight
bow to pay her respects to the grave.
“I did not plan to stay long, but look at the time.”
Leti seemed tired, for her steps lacked their usual spirit. Duke
normally did not have to adjust his pace for Leti, but today, he had
to walk a bit slowly.
‘Her Highness just turned seventeen last month right… She’s too young.’
Those her age normally felt lost or confused and had a lot of
things going on inside their heads. Of course it was natural to feel
those things, especially for someone like her, who was carrying
such big responsibilities.
“Are you worried about something?” Duke made sure that his
question sounded nonchalant.
Leti replied with a sigh, “I was just disappointed with myself,
that’s all. So disappointed that I was nearly able to convince myself
why I am called the Leftover Princess.”
“Those who stand on top have great responsibilities to bear.
That is also the reason why they have to complain sometimes, to
have someone that’ll listen to them… I’m willing to be the wind
- 46 -
now, you know?” Duke’s kind and understanding voice said those
words as if he were an older brother persuading his younger sister
to tell him her fears. Leti faltered for a moment because of that,
but it only lasted for a moment, for strength came back quickly in
her eyes. Her eyes sparked, showing Duke that there was no need
for his help.
“That stubbornness you’ve got there inside you does not suite
a beautiful young lady… but that is exactly what a ruler needs. I
am sure you will be a great queen.”
Duke’s casual words touched Leti’s heart.
‘You keep on refusing my invitation to be knight and yet you know and
tell me the words I desire to hear the most…I hate this situation. It just
makes me want to have you as my knight even more!’
Releasing her sentiments made Leti feel a little bit better, and
her steps naturally got lighter. Duke was relieved to see the usual
spirit back in Leti’s steps. And just as she was coming back to her
normal self, Duke walked quickly and stood in front of her. Three
members of the Order, Duke’s colleagues, waved at him.
“Why should it be him!?”
If they had just been normal Order knights, then he could
easily tell them that he was an escort to Princess Leticia. But
unfortunately, some of them were under Guido’s faction. If they
found out about Leti going out of the castle alone… He could only
think of ominous things awaiting her.
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 47 -
“Duke! Hitting on girls while on duty, are we?”
“Of course not!”
Duke covered Leti with his back and wished for his colleagues
to go away. Leti, on the other hand, was preparing for the worst. If
the need arose, she would voluntarily reveal her ident.i.ty and admit
that she was out on a date with Duke to cover up her incognito
walks.
“…Hey, just play along and don’t move,” Duke whispered in
Leti’s ears.
Leti turned around to face Duke when he slowly wrapped his
left arm to her waist and placed his right hand on her neck. Before
Leti could ask him what he was doing, Duke leaned in closer and
covered her face with his. Duke’s fellow knights yelled at him with
jest – exactly how Duke expected them to react.
“Sorry guys, but as you can see, I’m in the middle of a date. So
don’t interrupt us.”
Duke, with all his might, buried Leti’s face into his chest,
shielding her face from their sight. With this, the only information
they’d have on the lady was her golden locks. None would be the
wiser that the lady was Princess Leticia.
“Wow! Being showy, aren’t we?”
“We get it, Duke. Take all the time you need.”
- 48 -
People liked to snoop their noses if something were being kept
a secret, but flaunt it and they’d be the ones to back out. Duke
finally relaxed when his colleagues were in a distance far enough
for them not to notice Leti’s face.
“Oi, we’re coming home. Now. Things like that might happen
again, so you’d better stop going out of the castle alone.” Duke
warned Leti, who he was still holding in his arms.
Leti looked up at him, and with all her might, punched him in
the stomach. He unconsciously leaned forward, gasping for breath
as he struggled to identify what, exactly, hit him.
“What…the…heck…are you doing?”
“This is not about what I am doing. This is about what you
did!”
His thoughts hadn’t even cleared yet when he felt a stinging
pain on his cheeks. The punch was followed by a slap delivered by
Leti’s delicate hand. The only thing Duke could do was to clench
his teeth. He, teary-eyed from the pain, looked up at Leti – her
face was flushed and her body was shaking in anger.
“…It was just an act! Pretend!” Duke answered in his defense
when he understood what all of this was for.
“You were too close!”
“Getting that close was not a big deal. You are seventeen. I
won’t believe you if you say you haven’t had any experience with
Okobore Hime to Entaku no Kishi
- 49 -
this sort of thing. Prince Friedhelm was playing to his heart’s
content at your age.”
“Don’t underestimate a sheltered maiden’s inexperience! And
don’t you ever group me again with my stupid brother!”
Duk