Carlex aroused his wrath? This stately duke, just because I sat next to the Crown Prince? impossible! This is unreasonable.
I couldn't believe it, so my gaze narrowed and I looked closely at Carlex.
But it seemed like it was just a wrong feeling, as I caught his usual cold indifferent expression as he looked at the Crown Prince.
“You should avoid the wood arrows yourself. I will not protect you from everything unless there is a threat to your life.”
“Ah, so cruel. My loyal knight.”
Ludving clung to Carlex's shoulder, crying.
Here it is starting again.
I don't know if it's a child or an adult.
I shook my head left and right, then my eyes met Michael's.
The boy's emerald eyes sparkled and he smiled brightly at me.
Oh, it's amazing.
I can't look at him directly.
“Sister, you were really amazing. How could you be so skilled at archery?”
“Thank you, young master.”
Just seeing Michael's bright, beautiful, endearing smile is enough to make me feel rewarded.
Don't worry. This sister will protect you forever.
I hid my satisfied smile full of evil thoughts behind the cup as I drank, then inadvertently looked to the other side.
“Oh.”
A familiar, arrogant face, it's Zeke.
I thought he went away complaining about his loss.
It was strange that he stayed until the banquet.
This is good. In fact, I was feeling guilty for having conquered the spirit of a minor spirit animal.
I, the eldest, must initiate reconciliation.
“Young Master Zeke, it was a good match.”
When I raised my glass to suggest a toast, Zeke turned his head away disapprovingly.
"Hmm! Show off your victory."
This little boy has a knack for pissing people off until the end.
I approached him, barely keeping a smirk on my lips.
Zeke trembled like I was a ghost.
“What, what's wrong?”
"You seem to be short. I'm the eldest and as a noble, shouldn't you be polite?"
“……”
Zeke puffed his lips with an expression full of exasperation.
While I was trying to hold back the urge to bash this kid in the head, Michael seriously intervened.
“Enough. This miss is the savior of the Reinhardt family. Miss Diehl’s humiliation is equivalent to humiliating our family. If you continue your insolent behavior, I will not tolerate it any longer.”
Michael, who looked like a cuddly little rabbit, looked at Zeke with a serious look.
When this happens, I see that he is really Carlex's brother.
The strength and integrity hidden in his emerald gaze held a strange sense of pressure.
Zeke seemed to collapse in front of the image of Michael, who looked like a completely different person, and lost the ability to speak.
Then he lowered his head and apologized to me in a low voice.
“…I apologize for insulting Ms. Miss Dale.”
“I hope the little animal spirit has gained a lot from this incident. Let’s have a better match next time.”
To express reconciliation, she took the initiative to shake his hand.
Zeke stared at Bede blankly for a moment without saying anything.
What is this? Why is his face red?
Where did that confidence go? Does he suddenly feel shy? He couldn't even meet my gaze.
Did he eat something wrong?
Zeke tried to shake hands with a slightly trembling hand, but three hands reached out like lightning to block his way.
Carlex, Michael, and Ludving all extended their hands as if in agreement.
“What are you all doing now?”
The three looked at them in amazement.
Michael answered with a serious face:
“I can't let them shake your hand lightly.”
Ludving agreed, smiling slyly.
“I completely agree with Michael.”
Finally, a short phrase from Carlex:
“It's mine, forbidden.”
The bombshell statement delivered suddenly resonated with weight.
A heavy silence fell on the noisy banquet hall.
The surprised Michael opened his eyes wide, while Ludving whistled lightly with a meaningful smile.
Even the knights who were eating and drinking merrily froze like statues and stared at me and Carlex.
Lloyd, who was greedily tearing at the meat, dropped his mouth open, while Gilbert, who had been drinking, seemed to choke and cough.
Band leader Liam shook his head with a bitter smile.
I clenched my hands tightly, using all my strength.
I felt my face getting hot.
I felt ashamed and embarrassed and at the same time angry.
To this selfish hero!
I stared at Carlex and gritted my teeth.
“It seems that His Highness the Duke has a big misunderstanding, I am no one’s property.”
Carlex looked at me as I tried to hold back my anger, then smiled softly.
This makes me even more angry!
“Oh, I was drunk and said something inappropriate. I'll apologize, my friend.”
He didn't seem remorseful at all.
Moreover, he only uses the title “my girlfriend” when he needs it!
As if he felt pity for me as I was seething with anger, Michael tried to calm me down while smiling.
“It seems my brother has had too much to drink, sis. Calm down.”
Ludving tapped my shoulder, pretending he couldn't bear to be sorry.
“Understand my Persian’s slip of the tongue. That person only knows how to swing a sword, and does not understand the subtle feelings of a lady. I feel a deep responsibility as his master to teach him personally and accurately about the psychology of ladies.”
I exhaled internally and downed my cup in one go.
Deep, bitter red wine wet my burning throat.
As the alcohol got to my head, my anger subsided a little.
This hero cannot understand my situation.
How I work hard to survive in this world as “Erica.”
How desperately I try not to lose my way and fall in love that is not mine.
I'm in a different situation than you.
Hero and heroine, just fall in pink love and there will be no problems.
The whole world encourages their love, and crises and tribulations are only spices in their journey towards a happy, long-lasting ending.
But I am a secondary character.
Rather, it is a secondary character whose head is cut off due to betrayal of love.
In Erica's life, love was destruction and suffering.
So destined.
If I mess up even a little, I might fall into the predetermined abyss at any time.
So, I won't choose any love.
"Brave knights, raise your glasses again! Let us fight all night today not with swords but with wine!"
The Crown Prince excitedly raised his cup over the table, which had become silent like a dead mouse.
With the strong suggestion of the elites, the atmosphere as if nothing had happened turned noisy and lively once again.
“For the heroes of Ruberia!”
“A toast to His Highness Crown Prince Ludfeng!”
Ludving turned his gaze to me and smiled gently.
Then he poured me the wine himself into the cup.
“Miss Erica, do you remember that today is a feast for the winner? Duke Reinhardt fought bravely for your honor.”
“I know that very well, Your Highness.”
I replied, avoiding Carlex's gaze that had been intently focused on me a moment ago.
Ludving said words of encouragement to the knight sitting in front of him, and then continued his conversation with me.
“Thanks to Duke Carlex’s fight against the Spearn Family, we also obtained an achievement in assessing the strength of their knights.”
Ludving laughed happily and patted Carlex on the shoulder. Although it was a playful move, a deep confidence could be felt from it.
“Your Highness Duke Reinhardt, congratulations on your victory.”
The young nobles came carrying their cups and hurriedly offering their congratulations.
“I heard about your brilliant performance in the recent monster eradication campaign. It is amazing.”
“If His Highness the Duke had not been there, the civilian casualties caused by the monster would have been great.”
“That's right, thanks to you eliminating the monsters that appeared in the northern mountain range, the neighboring countries also requested Ruberia's favor first.”
It seems that because they were young nobles not yet involved in political struggles, they looked at Carlix with pure admiration and envy.
“It was only in implementation of His Majesty’s order.”
When Carlex answered rudely, the Crown Prince raised the corner of his mouth and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.
“My knight is too humble. Today is for you, so have more fun.”
The Crown Prince also turned his gaze towards the young noble and smiled a smile full of tolerance.
"I was very impressed by your knights' match. I will remember that."
With the Crown Prince's praise, the young nobles bowed in deep reverence.
These are truly dealing skills worthy of a Crown Prince.
It is as if I am witnessing exemplary employee management by the CEO.
Carlix was besieged by the young nobles.
They seemed happy just to see their respected hero face to face, and asked many questions with joyful faces.
The Crown Prince was looking at this scene with satisfaction.
In the original story, Ludving and Carlex were essentially a relationship of trust between a ruler and his soldiers.
It was said that they spent most of their time together since childhood training as knights together, apart from family.
That relationship began to unravel when the Crown Prince fell in love with Freesia.
When he learned that she was Carlex's lover, the Crown Prince began to hate his old friend.
This relationship still exists, perhaps because Carlex has not yet fallen in love with Freesia.
“I can understand why His Highness the Duke is favored by His Highness the Crown Prince.”
The corners of Ludving's eyes rose and he winked seductively.
“Are you jealous, Erica?”
She smiled with a slight wave.
You must listen to the end of the speech, Korean...no, people talk.
“Just having the Duke of the Reinhardt Family, who has devoted himself to the Kingdom of Ruberia over the generations, as a knight directly subordinate to you, will strengthen Your Highness’s position. He can also restrain the other hostile noble families.”
The seemingly friendly mask was shattered in an instant. The Crown Prince's cold gaze swept over me.
“Amazing for the judgment of an ordinary librarian, but a reckless and unpleasant remark. Are you saying I am using Duke Carlex as a shield?”
There was even anger in his tone.
By seeing him honestly angry, I realized how much he cherished Carlex.
The Crown Prince was not close to Carlex because of the throne.
She quickly tried to contain the situation.
"If you're upset, I sincerely apologize. I didn't mean to."
“So what did you mean?”
“It's just… I feel sorry for the Duke who has to devote his life as a Ruberia Sword. I wonder if there is no life for himself.”
It can be said that it is solidarity among workers.
I work for a living, but Carlex dedicates his life to the kingdom and family.
Even if it is a class society, isn't that too irrational?
Ludving's cold gaze regained warmth under the torchlight.
The Crown Prince leaned his body towards me.
No one noticed his proximity to me.
Carlex is surrounded by nobles.
The knights were laughing and talking happily, and Michael was talking to Zeke without hesitation.
Ludving's breath was so close to my ear that I could feel it.
He whispered to me in a confidential tone, as if he were revealing the oldest secret in the world.
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation