NOVEL WEB Chapter 25
A nasty glare scanned Yurasia from top to bottom.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Shivria Eustetia, the second daughter of Baron Eustetia.”
She then performed a dignified greeting toward me.
“I have the honor of meeting Lady Eliaernes Eustetia. My name is Aaron Kularus.”
Soon after, a grim-looking man behind her also offered his greeting.
More accurate to say, it felt like he was presenting rather than greeting.
He knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
Well…
I know he’s a side branch of Eustetia, but who is Baron?
“It’s located in the Veruna Region, where the iron mines are.”
“Oh, I see.”
Did Shivria read my expression? She kindly explained about her family.
If it’s a place rich in iron ore, it seems like a powerful side branch.
By the way, speaking of side branches…
The fact that she recognized me while I was wearing a hood suggests she must have seen us coming from the start.
This feels ominous from the get-go.
I tried to hide my expression as much as possible and offered my greeting.
“I am Eliaernes Eustetia.”
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
Shivria received my greeting with a bright smile.
The knight behind her stood up.
But when did we meet for you to act like you know me?
I intended to say that but simply nodded instead.
“Yes.”
“Is the head of the family still well?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a relief.”
Even my short reply, filled with an intent to shoo her away, didn’t faze Shivria, who continued with the noble-specific smile.
“I heard you’ll be enrolling in Karela Academy. I’m also a student there.”
“I see.”
“How was the exam?”
“No problems.”
“Hmm, have you applied for the research department?”
“I applied for the battle department.”
Shivria raised an eyebrow slightly.
“…I see? That’s… unexpected.”
And for a moment, her pink eyes, closer to red, scanned Yurasia and me.
“You certainly seem to wield a sword, in true Eustetia fashion.”
“I don’t use one.”
“Oh? Then, a bow?”
“I don’t use that either.”
“…A spear?”
“I don’t use it.”
“Wow… Then magic—”
“I don’t use anything.”
Shivria’s eyes widened.
Her smile cracked.
The knight looked surprised too.
“…Unarmed?”
“Yes.”
The corners of her slightly parted lips trembled, eyebrows drooping down.
If she were a clueless person or even a bit naive, that expression would seem concerned.
But it was filled with sneers and contempt.
“Is that so…”
Should I poke her eye out?
“I see you’re attending Karela Academy, so we’ll meet again soon. Well, then—”
I tried to end the conversation as I feared I might slap her, but that didn’t happen.
“What about that one?”
As if she hadn’t heard my words, Shivria’s voice casually pulled on Yurasia’s ankle.
“Oh, hello. I’m Yurasia Espirot, a member of the Eustetia First Knight Order and the personal knight of Lady Eliaernes Eustetia.”
So, I had no choice but to stop in my tracks.
“A personal knight, huh? But—”
Shivria, who had belatedly bowed her waist slightly to greet Yurasia, wore a mysterious smile.
“That greeting is a bit different from what I know?”
She uttered an infuriating remark.
“…Yes?”
“A greeting should be exchanged by making eye contact, that’s what I know.”
With that, Shivria’s gaze was fixated much lower than Yurasia’s.
“Being a commoner, I suppose you lack understanding. Didn’t you see what Aaron just did?”
Meanwhile, Yurasia, not quite grasping Shivria’s words, momentarily opened and closed her lips.
“Do you not realize that such foolish behavior diminishes your master’s authority?”
Shivria’s fingers moved up and down, like she was teasing.
“Oh, um… Sorry, sorry.”
Seeing this, Yurasia finally seemed to understand and attempted to kneel.
“Yurasia.”
I stopped Yurasia from making that move.
“…Uh, my lady?”
“Don’t.”
“…Oh my. Lady Eliaernes is quite kind. If it were Eustetia’s knight order in our territory, there wouldn’t have been such leniency.”
Shivria then gazed at Yurasia while saying to me, not even looking.
“This tarnishes the name of Eustetia. We cannot afford to have our reputation marred by such ignorance.”
Following Shivria, Aaron’s gaze also fixated on Yurasia.
Yurasia shrank back.
Her complexion turned pale, and her hands trembled violently.
Look at these bastards.
I grabbed Yurasia’s hand firmly and stood in front of her.
“Thank you for your concern, but it’s unnecessary.”
I thought I was speaking in a noble manner, but it seemed Shivria’s perspective was different.
Her face soured.
The knight behind her was no exception.
Regardless, I continued speaking.
“By the way, when was the last time you visited the main house?”
“…Yes?”
“Nothing major, just seemed like it’s been quite a while, so I’m asking.”
“…It was ten years ago, on the day of your coming-of-age ceremony, my lady.”
“Aha. Then it makes sense you might not know.”
I smirked.
“The Eustetia Knight Order’s regulations at my household changed just under ten years ago.”
Not us.
Not the side branch.
But the real Eustetia Knight Order.
I emphasized each word.
The unpleasant expression in front of me crumpled beautifully.
“The head said once, ‘It’s absurd for knights of our Eustetia to kneel before others. We must put the old rules behind us and establish new ones.’”
I gripped Yurasia’s hand tightly.
Warm, moist sweat seeped into my palm.
But her trembling stopped. The warmth of her hand returned.
“Since then, our family’s knight order no longer kneels before ‘others.’ It seems there’s a distance to Veruna Region since the message didn’t reach you. Well, you can’t blame them. It must be hard to set foot in a place surrounded by that large mountain range.”
After finishing my words, I gazed at Shivria’s hair and muttered softly.
“By the way, Veruna Region probably doesn’t get much sunlight due to the iron mountain range. The colors seem a bit faded.”
Hearing my mutter, Shivria’s smile twitched—shiver—and then vanished.
“In any case, with this, you needn’t worry. The Eustetia Knight Order at the main house stands distinctly apart from common riffraff.”
I directed that remark at the gloomy-faced knight standing behind her.
But he continued glaring at Yurasia.
Where does the scrawny dog think he’s looking at my Yurasia?
“Of course, that rule applies only to the ‘main house’ Eustetia Knight Order, so don’t misunderstand. You should continue as always. Lower your eyes, kneel, bow, and pay respects.”
I pronounced the last words clearly, carefully articulating each syllable.
At that final statement, the knight’s gaze dropped.
A heavy silence descended.
It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. Quite the opposite, it was enjoyable.
Of course, putting my family name out there to press down the opponent in this way isn’t how I like to do things.
Nor do I wish to.
In my past life, my conversations simply involved losing a few teeth to get things sorted out.
That’s a faster, comfortable, and assured way to communicate.
However, this girl is a branch member of Eustetia.
If I truly go into a rampage, it’s clear my father and mother would get into trouble, so I have to hold back.
There are many eyes watching as well.
Anyway, that concludes the conversation.
Did my intention get across clearly?
With a nervous heartbeat, I stared directly into Shivria’s eyes.
Her red-veined pupils quaked ominously.
I felt like she’d burst out in tears anytime.
Right in front of her, I smiled again—a sly grin.
“If you keep laughing like that, you’ll soon have deep frown lines. Be careful.”
Whether that was the decisive blow, but Shivria quietly responded, her previously maintained expression crumbling.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Then she walked away, grinding her teeth.
Of course, I didn’t move until Shivria disappeared from sight.
I personally saw off the arrogant little girl until she turned her back.
By the way.
How can a mere second daughter of a side branch act so confidently in front of me?
Even if we meet again at the academy, it’ll only be for a mere three years, or even less.
It wasn’t a light manner of speech to dismiss as mere rebellion against her main house.
It feels like there’s something more.
With a nameless person in the main house, it’s clear my father isn’t ignorant either.
What could it be?
“Hmm…”
As their figures vanished from view.
A damp voice from Yurasia cut through the silence.
“…Um, my lady…”
“Yeah?”
“The things you just said… Were they true?”
“It’s a lie.”
“Uh…?”
I chuckled, lifting my face.
I saw Yurasia, huddled up like a drenched puppy.
Tears glimmered in her blue eyes, and her glossy red lips were nervously chewed.
“But to some extent, it’s true.”
“True…? What do you mean…?”
“Well, maybe not the Eustetia Knight Order, but you. My knight, Yurasia Espirot, doesn’t need to kneel before others.”
I snickered, recalling Shivria’s twisted, wicked expression just a moment ago.
“Because I’m your master.”
And then, I released the hand I was holding and started walking away.
“I’m feeling uptight, so let’s just head back. We can come to the library on a day off from the academy.”
Yurasia didn’t respond.
She just silently followed me.
“Next time, come with me and help find some books.”
As for what Yurasia’s expression was like, well, who knows?
She probably was smiling.
*
On the way back to the lodging, Yurasia was quieter than usual, but the atmosphere wasn’t uncomfortable.
The bustling street contributed to that, and giving Yurasia something sweet lifted her spirits.
What was the name again?
Tanghulu?
It’s made by coating fruit in sugar and letting it harden; it’s delicious.
What I’m holding is strawberries and green grapes.
Yurasia has blueberries and oranges.
One strawberry wouldn’t fit in her mouth, so we had to share and chew half, but each time, my gums would sting a little.
Yet, it was delicious.
What an irony.
Crunch crunch—as I bit into half a strawberry, nearing our lodging.
“Yurasia, go on inside first.”
I decided to send Yurasia in ahead.
“What about you, my lady?”
“I want to buy you a gift since you’re entering as the top student this time. It won’t be fun if we choose it together.”
Yurasia’s eyes widened.
“G-gift?! No way, really?!”
“Yep. So go inside first. I’ll be back before the restaurant reservation time.”
Bouncing on her feet, swaying her body, Yurasia’s face erupted in a bright smile.
“Okay! I’m looking forward to it!”
“Just don’t expect too much.”
As I waved goodbye to the departing Yurasia, as soon as she disappeared from sight, I turned my back.
Crunch crunch—I quickly devoured the tanghulu in my hand and hid the stick in my pocket.
I need to get back home before dinner.
But somehow, I feel like I’m running out of time.