The Emperor and the Knightess

Chapter 97

Poliana decided on a few conditions for an ideal person to provide her a temporary place to stay. First, it had to be a married man. Secondly, the person needed to have a house big enough for her. Nanaba was the capital of Acreia, which meant that whoever had that big of a mansion would most likely be a very rich commoner or more likely a rich nobleman.

Sir Bentier was an ideal candidate, but when she asked, he seemed troubled. “There are plenty of rooms at my place, but wouldn’t my place be considered an enemy’s den for you, Sir Poliana?”

“Oh… yes, that’s right.”

Sir Bentier’s castle was also Sir Seeze’s place. Poliana was avoiding the royal castle so she wouldn’t have to face the elders. Going into Sir Bentier’s home would be like entering a lion’s den.

‘Hmm… This is trickier than I expected.’

Would she have to camp outside the royal castle? Personally, she wouldn’t care but it wouldn’t look right. She was the emperor’s royal guard and therefore represented him. People would talk about her emperor because of this.

Just when she was about to give up, Sir Rabi came to her.

“Come to my place! You’re homeless, right?”

“I do have a house as well as a castle, Sir Rabi. I’m not homeless.”

“I have a castle too!”

It wasn’t just Poliana Sir Rabi invited. He allowed many of the knights, who didn’t have a place to stay in the capital, to stay at his home. It was a very generous gesture.

Poliana asked, “Would your wife be ok with it?”

Sir Rabi also had two young unmarried daughters. Would having so many men under his roof be really a good idea? Wasn’t Sir Rabi worried about his daughters’ safety and reputation?

But Sir Rabi said it was perfectly fine. He then called for Sirs Donau and Howe.

“Why don’t you two also come and stay at my place? Sir Donau especially should come! Isn’t it hard to commute to the royal castle from your home?”

Poliana gasped and covered her mouth in shock.

‘Oh my god!’

She finally understood what Sir Rabi’s plan was. Before the arranged marriage plans were announced between his daughters and Sir Baufallo’s sons, he wanted to have them meet in a natural setting!

Poliana put on a serious face while Sir Donau seemed uncertain at his unexpected offer. Sir Howe, on the other hand, grinned and thanked Sir Rabi.

Sir Donau turned towards Poliana and asked, “Hey sis, you’re staying at Sir Rabi’s too?”

“Yeah, you should come too.”

“Alright. Thank you, Sir Rabi. I will accept your offer.”

Sir Donau would’ve loved to spend some quality time with his mother, who he hadn’t seen in 10 years, but his house was also hectic and crowded with his relatives. He knew how tiring it would be to be surrounded by so many people, so perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to stay at Sir Rabi’s for a while until things had cooled down.

***

Lucius the First gestured for Sir Ainno to come closer. However, Sir Ainno didn’t approach the emperor. Instead, he raised an eyebrow as if to ask Lucius the First what he wanted. The tense and always-ready Sir Ainno was no more once the war was over. Now that they were back home, the knight didn’t even move immediately when the emperor, who was also his childhood friend, called for him.

When Sir Ainno refused to come, Lucius the First finally said to him, “Stop being a jerk. Because of you, Sir Pol was looking at me funny.”

“It was so hard not to laugh back there.”

“What was so funny? I know no one thinks my jokes are good.”

Lucius the First said to Sir Ainno that he was giving up on his love, all he wanted was Poliana’s happiness. He was an emperor, but he was just like any other man when it came to the woman he loved. All he wished was her happiness.

But… If her happiness was with another man? Would he really be able to genuinely congratulate her?

Sir Ainno didn’t think so. If Poliana ever got married, Sir Ainno was certain the emperor would do his best to ruin it somehow.

“You are too greedy, your highness.”

“I was a very good boy, you know.”

“Even a good boy can be greedy.”

Most kings were ambitious when it came to expanding their lands, but no one was as greedy as Lucius the First, who conquered the entire continent soon after he took over his throne.

Poliana was nowhere close to getting married at this point, and that was the only reason the emperor could remain cool for now. But knowing the emperor, who never gave up, Sir Ainno knew this love story wasn’t over. This was the man who spent years to find a way to cross the Koemong River.

‘Wouldn’t it be so much easier to seduce a woman than uniting all of the kingdoms?’

Sir Ainno, who had zero experience in love and dating, thought to himself.

***

Lucius the First and the men practiced the victory march carefully. Sir Rabi, who was to lead at the front, was a very demanding boss.

“Get it right, you idiots! Can you guys do this or not?”

Only

“We can, Sir!”

“Stupid bastards! The war may be over, but you are still soldiers. Have you already forgotten how to be real men?”

“No, not at all! Sorry, Sir!”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it! Look at your lines! Do they look straight to you?! Idiots! Are you all blind?”

“No, Sir!”

“You all need to learn some serious lessons here!”

The men had to go through harsh training. Meanwhile, Sir Rabi’s beloved deer Rosy stood nearby, grazing in the field lazily.