Shadowless Night

Afterward, Rosaline asked where the jam was, and Hessa…

[Prince Haqab of Balta held me for a long time, so I burned it. It was all His Highness’ fault.]

Delegated the crime based on the facts. Rosaline was enraged, further inflaming her enmity toward Haqab.

Hessa’s mistake was known only to a few key figures: Haqab and Rosaline, Ricardis, Lewon, who received Ricardis’ orders, and Isserion. Putting aside the confusion that might be caused if the story was spread, this decision resulted from Ricardis’ advice that it would be better to keep quiet if they intend to keep Hessa as an apprentice knight. Hessa hoped to return the favor to him one day.

“It was nice to use the falling weight to add strength, but your movement was too big.”

“Yes.”

“And it was good to kick right away when your attack missed. People don’t usually expect a kick coming from below.”

Hessa smiled in embarrassment. Rosaline also smiled. As he talked about today’s snack, Hessa’s face abruptly changed because of the man running behind Rosaline with a massive bouquet of flowers.

“Sir Rosaline.”

It was Nestor Sihorge. Hessa lowered his head but raised his eyes to express his displeasure.

‘This disgusting man…’

The boy was well aware of how busy the ‘senior knights’ were. Not only did they not have enough time to visit Rosaline for breakfast, lunch, and dinner almost every day, but they were also not supposed to have the time to learn the schedule of other knights in such detail.

“Sir Nestor.”

Nestor was smiling with the same expression as Hessa from earlier.

“I saw the sparring earlier. You’re always amazing. This apprentice also seems to be getting better day by day. He will grow into a very good knight. You are very lucky to be Sir Rosaline’s apprentice knight. I envy you…”

This person spat out his inner thoughts without even realizing it. Nestor smiled and stroked Hessa’s hair roughly.

“What is it, Sir Nestor?”

“Ah, yes.”

The blush returned to the man’s cheeks. He didn’t like the way it looked. Hessa’s eyes grew fiercer.

“H-Here, Sir Rosaline.”

Nestor held out a bouquet of jewels, lace, and ribbons. He brought it from the florist to the training ground. That must’ve been funny, Hessa sneered inwardly.

“If you don’t have a partner for the international ball…”

“She has one.” Hessa immediately intervened. Nestor glared at the boy. “Sir Rosaline has a partner, Sir Nestor. Unfortunately, the next opportunity may be… Cough, cough.”

In your next life. The whispers were mixed with forced coughing, but Nestor understood the atmosphere. Before Nestor could say anything, Hessa snatched the bouquet he held out to Rosaline. It was a fluid, natural act as if Nestor had been blushing to offer Hessa a bouquet.

Nestor looked at his empty hands and tried to express this absurd feeling to the boy. Hessa read his gaze and spoke calmly, “Oh, excuse me. Sir Nestor. However, since Sir Rosaline has to go to the main house soon on an escort mission, I will bring it for her…”

To somewhere other than Sir Rosaline’s room. Nestor also read these inaudible whispers. His stomach was boiled. This rat…

Rosaline was trying hard to infer who the partner Hessa had mentioned was. She didn’t remember hearing about it, but since Hessar said she had one, there must be one.

Nestor couldn’t leave even after hearing that she had a partner.

“If you will excuse me, may I ask who your partner is?”

She couldn’t answer because she didn’t know. Rosaline looked at Hessa. Hessa was embarrassed behind his smile. As the silence grew longer, Hessa witnessed a shining man walking in the distance. He looked like he was looking for someone. A flash of light struck Hessa’s mind like a thunderbolt.

“His Highness!” the boy shouted. And His Highness, Ricardis, who was walking from afar, was startled. Hessa said it once more as if confirming it, “His Highness is going to the ball as Sir Rosaline’s partner!”

“That’s right!” Ricardis took Hessa’s words, breathing hard. Ricardis wondered what the situation was. Hessa didn’t even blink as if embarrassed.

Nestor read the delicate air currents of the man and the boy. Something was a little weird…?

Ricardis came at a brisk pace. As they tried to salute, Ricardis held them back with a light gesture. He was breathing heavily as if he had come running with all his might. Sweat ran down his chin.

Ricardis had become even more colorful in the wake of the founding month. Beautiful robes, earrings, necklaces, and rings. All kinds of accessories, topped with the handsome face he initially had, enchanted everyone who looked at him.

Ricardis swept his hair back. Beads of sweat glistened in the sunlight. The eyelashes that covered his lowered eyes were clear and beautiful, like cracks in a diamond. His tongue moved slowly over his dry lips. The sound of breath escaping from his red lips seemed to tickle the ears.

Hessa turned his head, thinking he shouldn’t see a scene like this at his age. And his senior knight, Rosaline, a fine 23-year-old, was looking straight at Ricardis. Her eyes were wide open, and her hands were shaking. Could he have gone beyond the tolerance of beauty that her brain could accept? Hessa vaguely guessed.

To some extent, his hypothesis seemed correct. Rosaline put her thumb up with her trembling hand. It was the expression ‘the best’ she had learned from Pardict.

“You’re even more blinding today, Your Highness!”

It was the most passionate expression Rosaline could make. Ricardis felt ashamed as her joy looked like she was looking at a work of art of the century. Although he subconsciously spread the temptation, he wasn’t very ignorant about his appearance.

He felt subtle. He couldn’t believe he was drawing that kind of reaction from a person who was like a wooden statue. He was getting much more confidence in his appearance lately, but he wasn’t happy… His mind was complicated.

“Am I going to the ball with Your Highness?” Rosaline’s question was filled with excitement. Ricardis felt a stab in his conscience by that straight gaze, but…

“Didn’t you hear, sir? I thought Chloe told you.”

His performance was smooth. Ricardis then blinked and thanked Hessa. Hessa smiled quietly. Fortunately, the opportunity to repay his favor came sooner than expected.

***

The Moonstone Castle, which was always full of guests, had become crowded with people celebrating Raymond and Chloe’s wedding.

The Cimmaron and the Golgarten. Numerous families attended, crowding the castle. Many people came and went, but there were no unfamiliar faces. As it was an auspicious day, everyone exchanged greetings with smiles.

It was a lovely day without a cloud. The protection of Idelavhim seemed to be on their side. Wouldn’t the two of them live a very long and prosperous life? The ceremonial conversations that started with light refreshments soon flowed subtly. In a way, it was a natural result because the characters who were difficult to meet gathered in one place.

Oh, it’s been a while. Is it the first time in the founding month? It’s called the founding month, but didn’t Prince Haqab come this time? Following the stream of consciousness, the subject changed to a heavy one. A bride in robe was also among them.

“We can’t accurately grasp the prince’s intentions because his movements are limited. It seems like he often meet with His Highness Elpidio.”

“If I had to argue, it was His Highness Elpidio who often visited Prince Haqab’s castle. Haqab doesn’t seem to value their alliance much.”

The middle-aged men gathered in the room frowned.

Haqab defied the expectations of many. In other words, he did not push for meetings with aristocrats from the 1st Prince’s faction or mess around. Although he showed his face at major events, it was no different from how nobles from other countries who attended the founding ceremony usually show.

No conspiracy or goal was big enough to set foot in enemy territory. It was said that he tried to approach Rosaline, a strong demon, once, but after that, there was no attempt to contact her. The question continued to grow because they couldn’t come up with the assumption that a country’s successor would take all the risks simply for Rosaline. What the hell did he want?

Of course, Chloe, who knew more details, left open the possibility that Haqab really set foot in Illavenia for the sake of Rosaline alone.

On the surface, Balta was a country that valued magic, but magic did not simply play a role as a strong weapon. Wasn’t the Blessed Night an axis of mighty power that grows seeds sleeping under the dying ground and blooms flowers? If they knew the secret, they wouldn’t think of Rosaline as just ‘one strong demon’.

However, the possibility of the assassination of a high-ranking official in Illavenia could not be completely ruled out, even if nothing stood out now. Chloe folded her arms and tapped her foot.

“I wonder if he’s waiting for the time when the watchful eye will decrease. We can’t be sure of anything… It’d be better to keep the escorts with Prince Haqab. The Knights of the White Night need to work harder for the time being. We’ll be counting on you, Sir Nathan.”

Nathan ate the chocolate with his sunken eyes. He felt a lack of sugar. Chloe smiled to lighten the mood.

“I wish you all luck, everyone”