IDMH - Chapter 12
I Decided My Husband
"I think it's too late to enter the academy now. The average age to enter the academy is around 10 years old."
But that didn't mean I couldn't get into it at my age. However, I knew through my second life that entering the academy would be very difficult, so I didn't want to take on a reckless challenge.
Nowadays, becoming a Duchess is more important than a knight.
Of course, It would be easier to become a Duchess if I became a knight. But now, no matter how much I thought about it, there was no way to become a knight, so I was giving up.
"At my age now, it's better to go to a social party and meet a decent man and get married than to the academy."
Although I had no intention of getting married, I tried to make Sir Aldor understand.
Then Sir Aldor said, his expression darkening slightly.
"I don't understand why Your Excellency didn't send you to the Knight Academy."
"I know, right."
I rested my chin, looked out the window, and muttered.
"I also wonder why my father didn't send me to the Knight Academy. If he were alive he would have asked..."
Sir Aldor was startled by my words and lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, Miss. I made a mistake."
Oh, is this how it works?
I didn't mean to say that. But he didn't say it was okay or anything like that. No matter what I say, Lord Aldor will think it's his fault.
"It's been a while since I swung a sword, so I'm a little tired."
In cases like this, it was better to just change the topic of conversation.
I said, massaging my still-stiff neck.
"I couldn't sleep well at night."
Sir Aldor half-raised himself.
"I will go out so that you can lie down and sleep comfortably."
"But the carriage itself is uncomfortable, so I don't think I'll be able to sleep comfortably."
"Then a new carriage.."
"There's no need for that. Can you lend me your shoulder instead?"
Sir Aldor blinked widely as if he did not understand what I was saying.
"I'm asking you to lend me something so I can sleep on Sir Aldor's shoulder. Then I think I can sleep a little more comfortably."
"Ah."
Sir Aldor must have realized only then, as he let out a short exclamation and tightened his lips into a straight line. It was a face that looked quite uncomfortable.
"You can refuse if you don't want to. I'm not forcing it."
"No."
Sir Aldor took a deep breath, let it out, and moved to sit next to me. His expression still wasn't good.
"Is this really okay?"
"Yes. You can refuse if you're uncomfortable. I'm not really forcing it. I'm just asking."
"It's not uncomfortable."
Nope. His expression looks quite uncomfortable. I told him several times that he could refuse, but it was Sir Aldor who did not.
"I'll borrow it for a while."
So, without hesitation, I leaned on his shoulder. I could feel Sir Aldor tensing up and stiffening his body through my head resting on his shoulder.
He is just lending a shoulder, so why am I so nervous?
If I had asked you to lend me your knee, you would have fainted.
I smiled to myself and closed my eyes. A cloud of water rushed in like a tidal wave and covered my consciousness.
Just before I completely lost consciousness, the last thing I felt was a gentle hand wrapping around my shoulder.
***
Because I met Pushik on the way, I arrived at the Matina estate half a day later than expected.
I took a carriage to Martina's castle and looked around the estate. The snow has not yet completely melted in Leopold's estate, but the snow has completely melted in Martina's estate, perhaps because it is relatively south.
Perhaps because the train, which had been suspended due to heavy snow, was running again, it was crowded with people even though it was a little late. The streets were full of life.
It would be great if we could build a train station in Leopold's territory. It's good that it's safe from monsters and external invasions thanks to the red dragon's protection, but it's disappointing at times like this.
While looking around the estate, we arrived at Matina Castle.
"Welcome, Your Royal Highness."
Count Martina, who had been notified in advance, came out to meet us in socks. Since the Prince of the Empire had come, it was a natural courtesy.
"I'm sorry I'm later than I promised, Count Martina. Something happened on the way, so I was late."
"No. You're late because of Pushik. I understand."
The story of Pushik has already reached Count Martina's ears. The news is fast.
Actually, when Chernosor's escort sent a messenger to Count Martina, he must have also written down the reason why he was late.
Count Martina, who greeted Chernosor warmly, turned to look at me. There was a twinge of pity in his eyes.
"This is my first time seeing you since the funeral, Lady Leopold."
He was one of the few people who attended my father's funeral despite the extremely heavy snow. That's how close this Count was to my father.
A long time ago.l, Duke Leopold built a train station in Martina's estate, and I knew that the two had been friends since they attended the Knights' Academy.
"When I saw you before, I was worried because your complexion was very bad, but now it seems to have improved a lot, so I am relieved."
"Thank you for your concern."
Count Martina, who briefly said hello to me, spoke politely to Chernosor.
"Then please eat inside, Your Highness. I will guide you to a room where you can rest."
***
I slept for a bit in the carriage, resting on Sir Aldor's shoulder, but I was still tired.
I wanted to lie down on a soft bed, cover myself with a cozy blanket, and sleep well, but there was something I had to do before that.
"When I heard you were coming. I hurriedly prepared it, and I hope you like it."
It was to attend a dinner invited by Count Martina. I could have refused because I was tired, but Count Martina took the utmost care to prepare dinner despite the sudden visit, but it was not polite to do so.
Well, he probably cared more about Chernosor than me. He was a grateful person who came to my father's funeral despite the heavy snow, so it was right for me to attend if possible.
I sat down on the chair that the butler had personally pulled out for me.
If I had sat across from Chernosor and eaten, I would have been happy. But luckily I was sitting next to him.
It was uncomfortable here, but it was better than seeing that annoying face every time I looked up.
It could be seen from the food laid out on the table that Count Martina paid great attention to dinner.
He would have been very disappointed if I hadn't attended something like this.
As expected. I thought it was a good thing I attended and ate the soup the servant brought.
As I ate warm soup with just the right amount of pepper, the fatigue accumulated in my body seemed to melt away. The conversation was mainly between Chernosor and Count Martina, and I only responded occasionally.
I didn't really feel like I was being alienated. On the contrary, it would have been more troublesome if I had asked him various questions out of interest.
"Anyway, I was very surprised to hear about His Royal Highness's performance."
When we were sufficiently full, Count Martina spoke with sparkling eyes.
"Pushik is a monster that even veteran knights have a hard time dealing with, but you defeated it so well! Your Majesty will be very happy to hear this news! "You are truly amazing. Your Royal Highness."
Who defeats what?
So. Chernoser defeated Pushik? He said with a white face, trembling, that it was dangerous and to leave it to the guard knights to defeat Pushik.
After getting off the carriage, instead of helping, he started screaming, which actually aroused the Pushik. Chernosor, who couldn't overcome the rising tension and fear and eventually fainted, successfully defeated Pushik?
It was absurd, so I looked at Chernosor and he looked away. Still, it seems like conscience exists.
I laughed at Chernosor in my heart and drank the water. I had no intention of going around and receiving praise for defeating Pushik, but I certainly had no intention of handing the credit to Chernosor.
Chernosor, who didn't do anything, took the credit and covered it up with his heroic story, which was a bit disgraceful.
Part of me wanted to tell the whole truth, but doing so now would have been foolish. Although there were many eyewitnesses to the fight with Pushil, most of them were Chernosor's escort knights. My only escort knight was Sir Aldor.
So, no matter how much I told the truth, all I had to do was deny that they were Chernosor's guard knights.
I wouldn't know if it was known that I know how to swordsmanship. But since I didn't even know that, people would criticize me as a liar. Chernosor must have known that and proudly intercepted my ball.
Anyway, he was a man who didn't have anything he liked.
"I've been having a lot of trouble lately due to Pushik's rampage, but I was very surprised to hear that Your Highness was able to kill them with ease."
Count Martina, who knew nothing, spoke innocently.
"Tell me the story later. Your Highness."
"Hmm, I understand."
Chernosor answered while looking at me.
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