My chest stopped, taking a deep breath.
This gave me confidence.
“As expected, you knew that.”
I sighed without realizing it. And then I realized it later.
I've already confessed to knowing Michael's secret.
This gave me confidence.
“As expected, you knew that.”
I sighed without realizing it. And then I realized it later.
I've already confessed to knowing Michael's secret.
Even if you don't have a clue, I can't help but notice it contained a meaning that was not there.
But Michael didn't ask me anything. He just smiled and answered lightly.
“It’s too much to just leave.”
“...Tell me to be careful.”
“Yes.”
The tense atmosphere caused by the momentous confession was suddenly refreshed as if by magic.
Michael immediately took the conversation forward.
“So, if I just awaken the power of the King, the problems of the Knights will be solved right away. It’s good because it’s simple and clear.”
“Easy? Michael, do you know how to awaken?”
“Roughly.”
I had no idea what Michael had been doing behind my back.
"Mi..."
“Eve.”
"Yes?"
Then Michael brought his face closer with a charming smile that made my soul disappear.
He spoke in a jovial tone, instantly disrupting my thoughts.
“This makes my presence important, whether tactically or strategically. Sooner or later, you will want me even more. It’s thrilling to think that it will happen.”
“I still want you so badly. If my love was lacking, I will reflect on it.”
“Yeah. It’s a shame that you’re acting so polite even though we’re alone in such a remote place. Shouldn’t you at least push me against a tree trunk and give me a kiss?”
“Michael, you like extreme things.”
“Please tell me it’s powerful.”
"Yes."
I also laughed at Michael's joke, but slowly, a rising sense of uncertainty was clouding my mind.
'It's strange.'
It is a situation where one person's secret has been exposed.
The atmosphere was so peaceful. Even Michael had a face that seemed uninterested in me.
I stared at Michael, unmoving. His expression didn't change, even though he didn't seem to notice the searching gaze.
When the time of eye contact became long, Michael suddenly smiled and gave me a light kiss on the lips before leaving.
"Oh."
“What’s so serious?”
“Michael..."
“It’s good that you think about me, but it’s not good that you worry about me. I don’t like it.”
The affectionate words and gazes proved the unchanging affection. I felt at that moment that too felt a sense of relief without realizing it, and thanks to that feeling, I realized that I had been feeling a slight fear.
That was the normal reaction of someone about to have their secrets exposed.
Michael said.
“I’ll be busy today and tomorrow preparing for the dispatch. This story will be a little longer. It would be better to postpone it until later.”
"Yes..."
Is it just my imagination that I feel like it's meant to buy me time to prepare myself mentally?
A task that was both scary and exciting arose. I took Michael's hand, keeping it in mind.
“Let’s go back to our residence.”
For two days after that, I suffered from hard work. I had been at a standstill during the summer rainy season.
Resuming business is a big deal, but this assignment is a long one.
Since I had to leave the office, I had to give some instructions in advance.
“Cedella, please work hard on my behalf this time too.”
“I will make sure that you don’t have to worry. Please be safe and take care of yourself.”
Also, regarding the maintenance of military supply routes and the construction of warehouses.
I had to talk to Anais and get some manpower from the Luciard Building Company.
“Your Highness, four knights alone are a large number of people, so if you increase their numbers significantly, you will be met with disapproval.”
“Yes, Lady Luciard. The capacity of the outpost is also questionable. So, even if we extend the work period, we can recruit ten capable people. I think it would be better to look inside and out.”
“Another... is the problem of material supply. The Gray Wall Outpost is at the western end of the continent. In short, it is located in the wilderness. Above all, the gate of the gray wall cannot be opened without the imperial edict.”
“I have thought about that matter. For now, let’s just prepare the personnel and equipment, Lady.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
Lastly, I had a lot to do with Alben in particular. These two days, I forced Alben to sit in Green's room and gave him all sorts of secret instructions.
“The timing is perfect, and I have entrusted you with a lot of work.”
“Keuheuk! I, a lowly person, am standing by His Highness’s side as you go on a mission. I was left alone in the capital without being able to perform! I am so sorry that my important role was taken away by Lady Luciard!”
“But why is your mouth smiling?”
“Ahem! Look at my eyes instead of my mouth. Since ancient times, the window of sincere communication is the eyes.”
This time it wasn't a countryside that smelled like cow dung, but a remote area swarming with monsters.
It seemed that he was just happy to be free from his assignment. I laughed off Alben's annoyance.
Since Alben had already established an information network within the Imperial Household, he was able to quickly relay information about the political situation in the capital.
According to the decision made at the State Council meeting yesterday, the poor will be relocated to the development zone.
It was said that the task of relocating the people was assigned to the First Prince Rubio, and the task of preventing fires in the capital during the fall was assigned to the First Princess Roxandra.
I expressed my concern.
“Even if that’s true for Brother Rubio, I’m worried that Sister Roxy will side with the Third Princess.”
“Yes, because Chansley is about to start a bathhouse business as a latecomer. Even though His Majesty has strengthened firearms regulations, there is a possibility that he will provide convenience behind the scenes.”
“It doesn’t seem to be very good. I think it would be better to watch the situation by planting or buying people. We also maintain close contact with the security forces in charge of that area.”
I, who remembered the great fire of my past life, prepared thoroughly.
After completing all the preparations, I barely managed to close my eyes at dawn. When I woke up, it was morning and I had to leave for the Gray Barrier Outpost.
I am going on a long journey so I wear light and comfortable clothes.
I came out to the front of the villa, wearing a robe embroidered with the imperial emblem fluttering. People were waiting in the front yard.
Michael, twenty homunculus, and the Knights of Punishment, dressed in their full uniforms, greeted me politely.
“Hello, 7th Princess.”
“Raise your head.”
I scanned the Templars. The Homunculus, their expressions worn down by years of training, were glowering.
Their bodies were adorned with an assortment of jewelry. This was because, in keeping with the popularity of the imperial court at the time, the knights had been bountifully rewarded.
Among the gifts, the most meaningful military equipment was made at the blacksmith shop in Riblo.
The only things that were left were weapons and magic stones that had been airlifted from the magic tower. Most of the rest were worthless artifacts, in fact, nothing more than pure gold ornaments.
Of course, these artifacts were also expected to play an important role in the future.
It was the era when gold and silver coins were used as currency. Pure gold and silver, without any need to trace the source, was almost like a liquid asset.
I have been living in the colony since the Homunculus arrived there.
It was a way to provide settlement funds to make economic activities easier.
'Even if you bring me a special and precious magic stone, it will only make it more difficult to dispose of.'
I, having finished thinking, looked around. I saw the end. Brigitte and Rosenite also had their own plans before departure.
Brigitte was inspecting the Knights Templar. It seemed like she was giving a plausible speech.
Michael came near me and said,
“How about Your Highness also encouraging us?”
I hesitated for a moment and then stepped forward. A gentle yet commanding voice reached the knights' ears.
“The knights belong to the Order of Punishment. However, this is only a nominal distinction and does not affect the knights in any way. I know that you have no sense of belonging. Your loyalty to me is nothing more than a promise based on a ritual oath.”
It was a truly candid understanding of the topic. A hint of confusion flashed through the eyes of the homunculus knights. I continued speaking without paying any attention.
“But by doing this mission together, I believe that a bond greater than the oath ceremony will be formed between us. That's what traveling is all about."
“Okay, from now on, the place we are going to is known by the name Gray Barrier Outpost. Not only is it dangerous, but as you can see, the political risks cannot be overlooked because the family members accompanying them are not on good terms. As the Princess responsible for punishment, I will do my best for you. I will protect each and every one of you. So I hope you will trust me and join me.”
By this time, several homunculus had raised their gaze and were looking at my face.
I finished with a slightly embarrassed look on my face, my eyes widening and smiling.
“Please take good care of me, knights of Punishment.”
Then Michael immediately got down on one knee. He knelt and bowed formally. Then, surprisingly, almost at the same time, the Knights of Punishment also knelt.
“I and the knights of Punishment will follow Your Highness no matter what happens.”
Michael kissed the back of my hand. I was momentarily taken aback, then quickly came to my senses and made everyone stand up.
Michael whispered mischievously into my ear, who was feeling flustered.
“Now you've got twenty more people to protect besides me. It's a shame because I liked it when I was your only knight.”
"What..."
“Well, you are a benevolent ruler, so I will have to turn a blind eye to you all. You must be glad to have such an understanding lover, Eve.”
He came to a conclusion of his own accord before I had time to respond. I smiled with a slightly embarrassed expression on my face.
“Jealousy is bad, Michael.”
“Because I don’t know how to share love.”
The look in his eyes as he spoke those words was terribly serious.
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