Chapter 33
At Ulric Sherman’s sudden offer of admission, murmurs rippled through the hall like waves.
“No way.”
“The young master has only just come of age, and already the First Knight Order?”
“He must have inherited exceptional talent in swordsmanship, like the former Grand Duke.”
“At this rate, the gap between him and the eldest son will be….”
The First Knight Order.
It was an elite knight order composed only of those who had proven their skill among all the knights of the North.
Their mission was to defend the northernmost frontier—protecting both the North and the Empire while subjugating demonic beasts. As noble as their duty was, they enjoyed immense prestige and authority throughout the North.
In other words, even the Grand Duchess herself can’t mess with them freely~
Sure enough, the relaxed smile on the Grand Duchess’s face had completely vanished at this unexpected turn of events.
I tugged hard on Sion’s clothes again. Then, making eye contact with him, I frantically gestured, sending telepathic signals.
Say yes! Hurry!
This was the perfect opportunity.
A chance for Sion to establish himself as both a noble son of the North and a knight—to rise through the ranks and succeed.
And besides, becoming a knight who protects the North has always been his dream, hasn’t it?
Originally, in the story, Sion only became a full-fledged northern knight far in the future—after meeting the main male lead and repairing their relationship.
But now, that future had arrived much sooner.
“……”
Sion stared at the admission proposal held out to him for a moment before speaking.
“I’ve heard that the First Knight Order selects its members through very strict standards. Yet you’re offering me a place without any verification process. Are you giving special treatment just because I’m a member of the Grand Duke’s family?”
“Of course not. I simply trust my judgment.”
“Your judgment?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? I was present in the main hall when you made that spectacular scene the other day. It was quite a worthwhile visit to the castle.”
Ulric Sherman stroked his chin, chuckling as if recalling that chaotic incident.
It seemed he had carefully observed Sion’s confrontation with the knights during the merchant guild incident.
“I can’t speak for other knight orders, but the First Knight Order under my command values skill above all else. Frankly, after seeing you that day, not offering you a position would be closer to negligence.”
“……”
“Of course, we’ll still follow the formal procedures. If you accept my proposal, we’ll meet soon at the training grounds.”
Worried that Sion might refuse, I discreetly pinched his collarbone.
He flinched slightly before answering slowly.
“…Alright. I’ll consider it.”
“I look forward to your answer. Then I’ll take my leave.”
After showing proper courtesy to both the Grand Duchess and Sion, Ulric Sherman calmly disappeared into the crowd.
The Grand Duchess, whose presence had momentarily faded, smiled again.
“…Congratulations, young master.”
Of course, it was only her lips that curved—her eyes weren’t smiling at all.
“To achieve something like this right after coming of age… It seems the goddess must be favoring you greatly.”
“That’s not the case.”
At Sion’s flat response, even her forced smile faded.
Then suddenly, her gaze shifted to the person standing behind him—Genebia Lilo.
Her eyes sharpened.
“I don’t recognize you. Which noble family do you belong to?”
Despite her shabby appearance, Genebia’s beauty must have led her to be mistaken for a noble lady.
Sion glanced back briefly, his expression saying, You’re still here?
Caught off guard, Genebia hesitated for a moment before smiling politely.
“I formally greet you, Your Grace. I am Genebia Lilo, a common priest newly assigned to the Luxior Grand Duchy this year.”
It was a very practiced social response.
Like the smile of a salesperson who instantly realizes the customer is trouble.
“…Ah, a common priest.”
The Grand Duchess relaxed her gaze, clearly pleased that the person beside Sion wasn’t a noble lady of any importance.
She immediately lost interest in Genebia and turned back to Sion with a cold smile.
“Enjoy the festivities today, at least. I’ll send for you again soon.”
With that, she left with her attendants, and the crowd that had gathered dispersed like mist.
A moment later, Garen appeared, finally freed from his ex-girlfriend.
“Young master, congratulations! An offer from the First Knight Order!”
Unlike Garen, who was delighted, Sion replied calmly,
“I said I’d consider it. I haven’t decided yet.”
I popped my head out from his collar and shouted,
“What are you saying, Sion!? Of course you should accept! This is your chance to rise!”
“Miss Rin is right. Becoming an elite knight at your age would be unprecedented in northern history.”
“Exactly! Everyone can see how exceptional you are!”
Sion sighed.
“Garen, stop the nonsense and take this one to the stable caretaker at the annex.”
He stroked Enoch’s mane.
“He doesn’t seem very accustomed to people, so I’ll train him gradually.”
“Yes, understood.”
As Garen led the horse away, Elda followed.
“Young master, Miss Rin, I’ll head back to the annex as well. I hope you two enjoy a cozy and pleasant time together!”
She winked and left.
…A cozy and pleasant time?
I slowly turned my head toward Sion and Genebia, who were left standing awkwardly apart.
You’ve got the wrong idea, Elda.
Looking at the two standing like a dog and a cat, I swallowed a sigh.
…First, we need to fix that awkward distance between them.
Clapping my hands energetically, I said,
“Alright! Let’s at least enjoy the banquet together!”
“No. Let’s go back. I don’t want to waste more time on something meaningless.”
“I agree with the young master.”
“……”
I stared at the two of them with deadpan eyes.
“Sion, Genebia. Are you serious right now? You’re both young—shouldn’t you act like it?”
They were roughly the same age, after all.
“Come on, people should have some fun, date a little—show some humanity!”
“I can live just fine without that.”
“You may not know this, but being a common priest means low pay and a heavy workload. There’s no time to be carefree.”
“Ugh…!”
Why were they suddenly so in sync at times like this?
Unable to argue back, I slumped my shoulders.
…So the banquet opportunity is a failure too.
But it wasn’t over yet. For now, Genebia would be staying at the annex with us.
“…Alright. Let’s head back.”
Once we returned, I needed to come up with another plan.
The next day.
“The young master went to the main building with Garen. He said he had some administrative business. He should be back soon.”
“Really?”
While waiting for Sion, I lay sprawled out, deep in thought.
“Ugh… there has to be some way.”
It was about Sion’s completely stagnant love life.
At this rate, the main male lead will show up soon and snatch Genebia away. I need a breakthrough before that happens.
I twisted a strand of hair around my finger—though it wasn’t mine, but Genebia’s thick curly hair.
“Miss Rin… why are you lying on my hair again like it’s the most natural thing in the world?”
Now a semi-permanent resident of the annex, Genebia sighed.
I played with her curls shamelessly.
“Well, obviously because of this excellent cushioning and ride quality. Look at this—springy like a coil.”
At that moment, the door opened, and the long-awaited Sion appeared.
“Sion!”
I immediately flew over to him.
“Where did you go this early in the morning?”
Instead of answering, he showed me something—a small document stamped with the Luxior Grand Duchy’s seal.
“What’s that?”
“A formal pass.”
“Oh?”
“That means I no longer have to sneak over the walls to avoid surveillance.”
As he opened the wardrobe and put on an outing robe, he added,
“I’m heading out for a bit. Want to come?”
“I do, I do!”
I plopped down onto my designated seat—his left shoulder.
“Where are we going?”
“To see a blacksmith.”
Sion slung his sword over his back and said,
“I need to have my sword worked on before the entrance exam.”
