DYBAR - Chapter 70 < Oaths, Loyalty, And Strange Stories >
Do Your Best And Regret
The spacious banquet hall of Vikander Castle.
A low, captivating voice fell into the banquet hall, which was filled with vassals and knights who had returned from subjugating beasts.
"The beginning of the reorganization of the Jeniv street area."
The transparent wine glass held up by the Grand Duke, the golden fruit wine inside was flowing.
The Grand Duke, who was giving a toast, paused for a moment. At the same time, the vassals and knights all held back their laughter. Everyone in the room knew that this grand banquet was held to celebrate the start of the Jeniv Street district reorganization, which was the first project the precious Young Lady had promoted in Vikander. But, the look in the eyes of the Young Lady who was looking at the Grand Duke while holding a glass next to him was clear.
Silver hair is elegantly styled with a jewel pin and mysterious green eyes. Seeing the noble appearance of the woman, the knights unconsciously took her side.
Silent pressures to quickly continue the next sentence piled up. The Grand Duke shrugged his shoulders.
".... And for the knights who returned safely."
"For all of us!"
The chorus was so loud that it seemed like the banquet hall was about to leave, and at the same time, there was a loud sound of clinking glasses. It was the first time that His Highness the Grand Duke, who was always strong and ruthless, was seen obediently following someone else's will.
From the moment they entered the busy street, Sonnaire Street, rumors were spreading that His Highness the Grand Duke had met a good companion.
Haha~
Soon, boisterous laughter spread from everywhere as if they couldn't hold back.
"Oh my God. Before I die, I received a banquet from His Highness the Grand Duke to celebrate my trip to exterminate beasts."
"So that's it. It's no big deal to subdue the animals that are always there."
"You say this is all thanks to you? Bethany brought out plenty of fruit and wine. It feels like I'm still dreaming at the border?"
The knights who had just returned rubbed their eyes in amazement. It was natural to marvel at the reality that did not change no matter how much they rubbed their eyes. Howard, who was listening to their story, quietly nodded. It was all thanks to the Young Lady that the Grand Duke was able to hold a banquet to praise the subjugation of beasts and drink plenty of Bethany's fruit wine.
"I heard Bethany always sets off fireworks during festivals? She's truly amazing!"
If you look at it strictly, the Lady was the reason Bethany went to the street festival. With sparkling eyes, she praised the hard work of setting off fireworks at every festival, so she had no choice but to go to Sonair Street to set off fireworks today as well.
Of course, the fact that the person whispering behind her back was Dean and that the Grand Duke was behind Dean, was a secret that only Bethany knew.
Howard gave a rare grin and looked in the distance towards the platform where the Young Lady and the Grand Duke were sitting. Then, when Dean and Howard made eye contact, the two nodded meaningfully at each other.
"Anyway, why isn't everyone drinking?"
One of the knights who just returned today said curiously. Not only his colleagues, who would normally be able to empty three or four oak barrels in an instant but even Sir Howard Interfield, who is reputed to be sober, was only moistening his lips with his glass.
"Today is a really important day."
Howard said briefly. The driver who was looking at Howard widened his eyes and made an expression of confusion. And he clicked his tongue as if he didn't understand
"No, no matter how much it is, everyone is wearing formal clothes and swords. It feels like the day I offered my knightly oath to His Highness."
At those words, a vague memory flashed across the fierce knights' faces. The day they offered their knightly oath to His Highness the Grand Duke, who had brought back shining glory to the cold and barren northern Vikander, was a precious memory that no knight here could ever forget. Maybe today would be that important of a day.
"Swear to My Lady?"
He also received firm permission from His Highness the Grand Duke, who looked a little surprised.
Howard and the other knights looked at the platform where Olivia was sitting with solemn faces. Just wait a little longer.
Now it was time to offer the knight's oath to the Young Lady.
***
As I took my first drink, I was inwardly embarrassed. The atmosphere of this banquet was different from the last banquet. Even though there were more knights, today's banquet was quite calm, unlike last time when it was very heated.
Could it be the influence of the knights who returned from subjugating the beasts?
Because I met them for the first time today since coming to Vikander, there was a high possibility that they would not like me. Edwin must have seen the nervous face and said with a small smile next to me.
"Why are you so nervous, Olivia? They say Anthony paid attention to the turkey today. Take a bite, huh?"
Of course, it's a turkey. On top of the tension, thoughts about the 'unknown knight' also arose. If I think about it, I couldn't just jump to conclusions based on Vikander's knight. In that camp, there were also the Imperial Palace Knights, including Jade.
To soothe my trembling, I clasped my hands together, as was my habit. Edwin, who was looking at my trembling hand, muttered with an ambiguous face.
"If it wasn't now, I wouldn't be able to eat properly."
"Yes?"
I asked back. Edwin just smiled without any response.
"I see you, Your Highness, the Grand Duke."
A gruff voice approached. A knight with brown hair whom I had never seen before looked at me and Edwin with polite manners. The presence of his stylishly grown mustache was unfamiliar.
Edwin grinned at the knight.
"It's been a while, Lord Drowyn. You still have the mustache."
"Ha ha ha. Isn't a great mustache my symbol?"
The knight, who was smiling brightly, looked at me for a moment. I blinked at the goodwill in his gaze.
"Your Highness. Can I say hello to the Lady for a moment?"
Naturally, it was unfamiliar to me to receive permission from Edwin. Now that I think about it, I have never seen Edwin receive permission for me from the Grand Duke's residence in the archipelago and this Vikander territory.
As I looked at the knight for a moment, Edwin's handsome brow furrowed. In an instant, a tremendous sense of intimidation enveloped the banquet hall, as if something invisible was pressing down on my shoulder. The banquet hall became quiet as if cold water had been poured on it.
The knights and retainers all looked at the Grand Duke, even paying attention to the sound of swallowing. The Grand Duke, whose red gaze alone overwhelmed every corner of the banquet hall, spoke quietly.
".... As always, just as Olivia wants."
At those words, Howard glared at Brock with fierce eyes. The Young Lady was finally able to reveal what she wanted. Accordingly, the most important thing in Vikander was the Young Lady's own will.
He emphasized that His Highness was the one who nailed it first, but that loyal idiot seemed to have forgotten.
"Nice to meet you. Lord Drowyn."
I said, feeling something strange. The knight, who froze for a moment, lowered his body and bowed to me.
"... Nice to meet you, lady. Brock Drowyn, a knight of Vikander loyal to His Highness the Grand Duke. I am the vice-captain of the 4th Knights who went to the border of the Grand Duchy to subdue beasts."
It was a very friendly first greeting. I, who was smiling brightly with joy, paused for a moment.
4 Knights.
I didn't know that the Vikander Knights were divided into several groups. Edwin seemed to have noticed that I was puzzled and gave an additional explanation.
"For convenience, the Vikander Knights are divided into four organizations. The vice-captain of the 1st Knights is Lord Interfield, the vice-captain of the 2nd Knights is Sir Calter, the vice-captain of the 3rd Knights is Sir Szellin, and the vice-captain of the 4th Knights is Lord Drowyn here."
Edwin's eyes, as he looked at Brock, were secretly filled with mischief. Then he placed his body on me. As I opened my eyes in surprise, a howl like a wolf's howl erupted from a corner of the banquet hall.
"Wow, really. His Highness the Grand Duke. It's too much for you to change like that!"
I felt like my face was turning red. Either way, Edwin whispered as if he was telling an interesting story.
"In Vikander, knights are not given separate ranks, but Lord Drowyn really likes giving them titles."
Ah. Only then did I nod my head.
Brock added, nodding at me with a proud look on his face.
"Of course, the leader of all knights is the Grand Duke."
"Yes. I am that kind of person."
Edwin narrowed his eyes at me. I burst into laughter involuntarily at his proud face and the way he shrugged his shoulders.
Olivia was very beautiful, smiling brightly with her eyes wide open. The Grand Duke was also smiling brightly as he looked at her. The knights who had just returned smiled happily as even the onlookers were in a good mood.
However, the knights who had been watching the Young Lady in the main castle knew that this was an opportunity.
"Hey, lady. If you don't mind, I would also like to say hello to you."
"Me too! It is an honor to greet you, Miss!"
The seasoned knights who had been through numerous wars did not miss the timing and jumped toward it with courtesy. My face glowed brighter as she received greetings from numerous knights.
A banquet was held in which everyone enjoyed it.
"I guess My Lady is too popular."
I will correct it. The banquet continued with everyone having fun except for Edwin, who grumbled.
"Today, I deliberately took Bethany away so that I could hang out with you. If I had known it would be like this, it would have been better to just have Bethany."
The Grand Duke's lament continued. It was as he said. There was a line of knights waiting to greet me in front of the altar.
Howard, who was standing next to Edwin, asked curiously.
"Isn't this what you wanted?"
"Me?"
"Yes."
"When did I?"
The Grand Duke quirked his eyebrows as if he felt unfair. A moment ago, his face looked too beautiful and good-natured to have taken over the banquet hall all at once. But Howard didn't give up.
"Don't you remember? The person who sent Winster under the pretext of serving her medicine, saying that he wanted to be the destination for the Young Lady at the Grand Duke's residence in the archipelago, told me this."
Edwin sighed softly as the voice recited the facts without any pitch, right. It was like that back then. After the last day of the victory banquet, when the Young Lady was sick in bed, he sent Winster to see Olivia. He just wanted to become more attached to the Grand Duke's residence and never leave his side. He never thought he would have less time alone with Olivia like this...
Should he just tell them to let go of everything and live comfortably?
Edwin looked at Olivia with deep sunken eyes and then laughed empty-handed. It was a desire he could never achieve. Telling Olivia, who smiles brightly like that and does what she wants, to stay still?
Edwin tried to get Olivia to get over it, but he ended up getting over it helplessly. That smiling face alone is enough to make him wander around like an idiot.
Howard, who looked at the Grand Duke's sweetly relaxed face, came to his senses. And he looked at the shrinking line of knights. Now, the time for the oath has arrived. Five, four, three, two, and one.
Even the last knight turned around with polite manners, and Dean was about to raise his voice loudly
Boom-boom-boom-.
"And...."
Colorful fireworks exploded above the high ceiling with a sound louder than Dean's voice. Olivia and everyone else in the ballroom looked at the ceiling with wide eyes.
"Bethenny?"
When I saw the heavy door of the banquet hall open, I muttered involuntarily. In the open doorway was, of course, Bethany, and there was one more person I hadn't even thought of.
"Your Highness the Grand Duke, meet My Lady. It's been a while since I've seen you, so I would appreciate it if you could forgive me for being late to the banquet."
"Lord Calter!"
I shouted happily. The person who came in with a playful voice was Winster Calter.
Winster, who appeared in a flashy manner, was dressed in formal attire and a formal sword. Winster came to the front of the platform with a very nervous look on his face.
"I have a lot to report, but...'
In principle, reporting came first. But Edwin twitched his eyebrows and chuckled. He smiled as he took a look, and Winster said, pulling out his sword. A quiet attitude, even a formal sword, and fancy clothes.
I stood up from my seat without realizing it as the scene gave me a sense of déjà vu. And I went out in front of Dean.
"First of all,"
Dean and Howard, who had lost their turn in vain, raised their eyebrows. They thought they would be the second knights to take the oath after His Highness, but they were robbed of their turn by Winster who suddenly appeared.
Winster, heedless of their stares, knelt down on one knee in front of Olivia and lifted the handle of her sword as if offering it up.
I pursed my lips. Winster's voice rang loudly in the high-ceilinged banquet hall.
"Knight Winster Calter. As a knight who has sworn loyalty to Vikander, I would like to be granted the honor of becoming the Lady's sword."
It felt like I was dreaming. The scene of Edwin receiving his oath flashed across Winster's face as he looked at him with a very nervous expression, and.
"I was asking about loyalty. Not a sincere helper."
I remembered the conversation I had with Sobel. Sobel couldn't answer when I asked him if he thought the people of Vikander would be loyal to me. I thought it was natural. I thought I would love all of Vikander, but it would take a while for me to win their hearts. I feel like all of this will disappear like an illusion.
I, who was a little scared, reflexively looked at Edwin. Fear, joy, disbelief, and tension mingled in my green eyes. Edwin cheered by raising the corners of his mouth and nodding his head.
Watching Olivia's face light up at that single nod, Edwin swallowed back his seething possessiveness. Jealousy burned as hot as a fireball, but Edwin only needed that one smile and everything was fine.
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