The whereabouts of the heart (11)
People gathered in the city's main street. It was the road leading to Eldern Castle.
As the carriage entered the main street, it slowed down rapidly.
The place was so full of people trying to see the improvement that I couldn't go at my own pace.
"Nadia, let's get down."
"There are so many people? Just look from the carriage."
"I don't think I'll be able to see it from here?"
"Ah... Then please get off carefully."
I got out of the carriage with Nadia.
Few people recognized me. Everyone was so focused on the Knights that they didn't even notice who was next to them.
As I was weaving through the crowd of people and finally finding a spot at the front of the main street, someone shouted.
"Coming!"
In the distance, a line of knights in white uniforms was marching. It was a spectacular sight to see again.
I found Ian without knowing it.
It was not difficult to find a white horse running slightly behind the knights.
'It's Ian.'
Contrary to my worries, he didn't seem to be hurt. He even looked strangely neater than other people.
"Ha..."
I sighed in relief and turned my gaze. Kalit, who was in the lead, came into view.
Behind them, a large cart carrying the corpse of a monster rattled along. A faint stench drifted in on the wind.
There were no casualties among the knights.
Although he wasn't as neat as usual due to the monster's body fluids, he gave off the air of a warrior returning from an even more intense battle.
"Waaaaah!!!"
"We won! We defeated the monsters!"
"Long live Eldern!"
Cheers erupted from all direction
"Ah..."
Only then did it hit me.
The Knights won. I was not wrong. That's fortunate.
I can't tell you how anxious I was because the battle started when I mentioned Orquidwood at the villa.
No one was hurt. That was enough.
"Nadia, let's go back."
When I whispered softly, Nadia, who had been watching with her mouth open, opened her eyes wide.
"Huh? Already?"
"I think it'll be hard to get out if more people gather. It's better to go now."
"Well, it's a shame, but you're right, young lady. If we're not careful, we might not be able to enter the castle today. Young lady, I'll go first, so follow me."
Nadia pushed her way through the crowd ahead.
People were flocking to see the Knights Templar, but we were going in the opposite direction, so we couldn't go fast.
It was still a long way to the carriage, but the crowd kept us from getting any closer.
"Oh, get out of the way!"
"Ugh! No, why is this girl pushing like this...Gasp! Guardian!"
The person who had been yelling at Nadia took a deep breath. That made people nearby start to notice me.
"Oh my, the Guardian is coming! Get out of the way! Don't block the road and get out of the way!"
"Oh, what's going on? Move your face away so I can look around!"
"Stop right there!"
There was a commotion between those who recognized me and those who simply wanted to watch the Knights.
As expected of northerners who never back down from a fight, the mood quickly turned tense.
"I shouldn't have come out.'
I stood close behind Nadia with my head bowed.
As I was waiting for the road to open up, the surroundings suddenly became quiet.
The clatter of horse hooves drew near.
With so many people around, who would be talking?
I turned around absentmindedly and stopped. Somehow I knew, Kalit was standing in front of me.
He took my hand politely.
"Guardian."
"...Your Highness?"
"Are you here to pick me up?"
"Ah... Yes, I congratulate you on your great victory. Your Highness."
"The glory of victory goes to the one who goes first."
Kalit kissed the back of my hand.
I think I know what scene he wants.
The Prince and the guardian who led the victory, they probably wanted to create a scene from a fairy tale.
Because simple yet powerful images resonate best with the crowd.
"Wow!!!"
"Long live the Guardian!!!"
"Long live His Highness the First Prince!!!"
As expected, cheers erupted from the people who had been watching us with bated breath.
The cheers were so loud and enthusiastic that it hurt my ears.
"That's why I plan to take advantage of this situation. So don't be disappointed in me. You already know that I'm this kind of person."
You're really using me effectively.
I wasn't disappointed because I wanted this from the beginning. Rather, I was surprised that Kalit moved so well according to my will.
However, I didn't know it would be like this in this situation.
I was just trying to check if everything was okay and then go back quietly, but since it turned out like this, I had no choice but to follow Kalit's rhythm.
"Shall we go together?"
"Yes."
Kalit put me on horseback and joined the ranks.
Ian, who was standing in the middle of the line, caught my eye. He was staring straight ahead with an expressionless face.
The march began again. Kalit, leading the knights at the very front, whispered to me.
"Do I stink? Sorry, I didn't have time to shower."
"It's okay."
"If I had known you would come out to meet me, I would have washed up like a little Duke right before leaving. I regret it."
I barely managed to keep my head from turning back.
The reason why Kalit was encouraged to participate in the battle was because this battle was the best stage for him to establish himself as a successor.
As I expected, the Knights of Eldern achieved a great victory, and Kalit played a leading role in leading the victory.
As a result, I ended up taking the ball away from Ian with my own hands.
Of course, I never thought that Ian would resent me.
He doesn't have the personality to do that, and although it's secret, he and Kalit have a close relationship.
Still, my heart was heavy.
I don't know if this feeling is guilt or something else. I pressed down on my stuffy forehead.
The cheers of the people continued until we entered the castle.
In front of the castle stood Duke Eldern, Armian, and Tail.
Behind him, the employees stood together with faces filled with joy.
As we dismounted, Duke Eldern approached us and bowed his head.
"Congratulations on your great victory, Your Highness."
"You are too kind. This is a result I would never have achieved without the Guardians and the Knights of Eldern."
Duke Eldern smiled softly at the humble answer. Then, after checking the cart, his expression distorted.
Armian's expression wasn't much different.
Having lost many comrades in a bloody battle with monsters in the Great Rift 30 years ago, they still have not been able to let go of their hatred for monsters.
"They are the ones who have been abandoned by God. Display their heads in the center of the square for all to see."
Beorn, who had received the order, nodded, and several knights disappeared into the backyard of the castle, pulling a cart.
It was a place with prisons and execution grounds, and the leaders of the assassins and thugs who had been caught earlier were also imprisoned there.
When Duke Eldern ordered the remaining knights to disperse, Ian dismounted and stood quietly behind me.
It smells like familiar soap.
"Ha..."
It was hard to hold my breath in the vibrating stench, but now I can live.
It was when I finally let out a low breath that I felt relief.
Ian came a little closer. I could feel his presence right behind me. My heart was beating fast.
The conversation between Duke Eldern and Kalit continued.
"I heard that the people of Duchy are holding a victory celebration festival tomorrow. Although it is a festival for the commoners, I would like to ask Your Highness to attend and brighten the occasion."
"A festival? That's great news. Millenia, let's go together."
"..."
"Millenia?"
I was so focused on Ian's movements that I didn't even notice Kalit asking a question.
I quickly came to my senses and answered.
"I have already made my presence known enough during the parade. If you accompany me to the village festival, it may be a distraction, so it would be better for Your Highness to attend alone."
"Is that okay?"
"I won't be able to see it anyway... I think it'll just be a nuisance to the people. I'll just stay in the castle."
It was the first festival in my life, so of course I wanted to see it.
But it would be a problem if a commotion like today's was caused by me at a festival where only Kalit should be in the spotlight.
In that case, it would have been better to endure it even if I wanted to see it.
At that moment, a low voice was heard from behind.
"I will take care of it."
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