Chapter 5: 5

As a child, I had always dreamed of becoming a knight and had a hobby of collecting children’s books and a series of biographies about famous knights of the Empire.

However, a book about the Duke of Bright, one of the greatest knights of his time, was strangely unavailable.

I asked the butler for it. He could get everything else, but he couldn’t get anything about the Duke of Bright.

That wasn’t all. Everytime I asked the minstrels who came to the manor to sing to me, or the teachers who taught me swordsmanship, they all shook their heads, saying they didn’t know anything about the Duke of Bright.

At that time, I thought the Duke didn’t like the idea of his story being publicized, or that I just couldn’t get a copy because I lived in a mountainous area, but now I realize that the butler and nanny had blocked out everything about the Bright family out of respect for my mother.

“I… miss, did I do something wrong?”

As I was contemplating how to take revenge on the butler and nanny, Sophie suddenly asked nervously.

“You don’t look well…”

“It’s nothing, I was just thinking for a moment, Marquis… No, what is my father doing?”

“His Highness the Duke had come and visited early this morning, so he is dining with him. Would you like to go to the dining room as well?”

“No.”

I replied, not wanting to think about eating at the same table as that uptight duke, I’d rather starve than dine with him in the morning.

“Just bring my food here.” Sophie nodded. I guess she was aware of the commotion that had occurred yesterday.

“Then I’ll just grab it and bring it over Miss.”

“Oh. Right. Sophie, I need to ask you something.”

“Go ahead Miss.”

Aside from the secret of my birth, which I hadn’t known for eighteen years, or the fact that I just reunited with a family I didn’t even know existed, I had the most pressing matter at hand.

“Do you know where I can submit an application form for the Imperial Knights?”

Whether it’s soup or bread, I should first start with what I came to the capital for.

✤

“Stand in line, no cutting!”

“Application number 850!”

‘Wow, so many people.’ 

My mouth dropped open at the sheer number of applicants. I’ve heard they were looking for about twenty new recruits, but the number of people here seemed to be more than the expected amount.

‘All right, let’s not be discouraged.’ 

If a knight drew a sword, he could cut down a scarecrow!

I pulled my hood down tight and approached the gatekeeper at the reception desk.

‘We know that you’re Lady Iris now, but what if you’re mistaken for someone else again…’

‘If it’s for the examination, wouldn’t it be better to ask the master?’

Ethan and Sophie were very worried when I told them I wanted to go score my marks for the knighthood exam. If I had more time, I would have done as Ethan said and asked the marquis, but today was the last day of the examination.

So In a rush, I left behind the butler and Sophie’s urgings and headed to the reception alone.

‘I can’t send you off alone. I’ll arrange for a carriage, so you can ride in it.’

“It’s fine.” I said.

‘But…’

‘Won’t riding in a carriage bearing the Bright family crest attract even more attention?’ 

‘Hmm, that’s true.’ I refused Ethan’s request to go in using the family carriage, citing one excuse or another. It was because I had always done things on my own, without help from others. That’s how I was since I was a child until now.

“I want to register for the Knight’s Examination—”

“866.”

The gatekeeper didn’t even let me finish my sentence. He familiarly handed over the scorecard and application form to me.

“Please go in.”

“Thank you.”

I made sure to cover my face so I didn’t get any weird looks again, like yesterday. I chuckled a bit as I walked into the applicant waiting area and filled out the paperwork. If I could just get through the application process, by the time the selection test came around, it would be obvious that I wasn’t the Young Lady Bright that they all knew, and everything would be fine.

“Applicant numbers 861 through 870. Please enter!”

I wandered around after filling out the application forms and watched people, and it wasn’t long before my turn came around. I walked into the reception area with my heart pounding in my chest.

There were more people inside than I expected, with four receptionists at a long table and about nine people in line.

“Applicant number 866!”

I quickly handed over my receipt, application form, and ID.

The receptionist, whose silver hair was neatly tied back, wore the insignia of the Royal Flag Division on her left breastplate. Just looking at that insignia made my heart flutter.

“Iris Sabrina, age is over ten, specialty is sword…”

The receptionist scratched her head at the identification badge, then read the application form in a very bureaucratic manner. She looked as tired as the gatekeeper. After looking at the papers, the receptionist held up a stamp and looked at me.

“Take off your hood.”

“What?”

“Take off your hood for identification. Please.”

“Uh…. That’s…”

I’m in trouble. I think I’m in a really deep trouble.

I was stumped in a bad situation. The receptionist kept urging me on.

I swallowed dryly, not knowing what to do.

“What are you doing? Take it off.”

‘Do I have to take it off?’

“We need to see your face before the test to prevent proxy candidates.”

“Well, then— Don’t be surprised if I take my hood off.”

The last thing I needed was to get caught in any more trouble. So I asked with deep concern in my voice.

The receptionist narrowed her eyes. I could tell that she was getting impatient.

“Why is there something wrong with your face?”

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“No, it’s not that, but I don’t want people to freak out when they see my face…. because I don’t want to be misunderstood.”

I said with a stern demeanor and sullen voice. I was actually offended, but I had to put up with it. I felt sorry for myself now. It’s going to happen sooner or later, so there’s no difference whether I take it off or not.

“Are you sure you won’t be surprised?”

“Oh, come on. I won’t!”

“Ugh?!”

I instantly snapped. The nervous receptionist immediately grabbed my hood with a swift motion, and before I could defend myself, the imperial knight’s hood came off.

“Huh?”

The receptionist, who had been scowling, saying there’s nothing to be surprised about, noticed my frozen expression and widened her eyes.

“Young Lady Bright?”

“No!”

I shook my head vigorously and hastily put on my hood, but it was too late. The receptionist’s words were barely out of her mouth when all eyes around me had already turned on me.

“Ha.”

The receptionist chuckled and crossed her arms, then glared at me in disbelief.

“What do you think you’re doing, Young Lady Bright?”

You know, I’m feeling ridiculous right now. What in the world has this twin sister been up to? She’s so famous that everyone recognizes her face when they see her.

“I’m not her.”

“This is no place for your mischief, young lady, and I won’t hold you responsible, so please go away quietly.”

“I am Iris Sabrina. I literally showed you the identification badge!”

It’s the same pattern again. I expected it, but I was getting a little frustrated. I said no! Why can’t you trust me?

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but forging an identification badge is a felony, and even if you do, you won’t be able to meet His Highness the Second Prince.”

The Second Prince? Who is he? I don’t even know him. All I want is to become a member of the Imperial knight’s division!

My voice rose as my irritation grew.

“I applied to become a knight!”

“If you continue like this, I will have no choice but to arrest you under the authority of the Imperial Knights.”

“Oh, really. I said it wasn’t me!”

At this rate, I am going to develop a prejudice against the people of the capital. There’s literally no one around here who can properly communicate! They think they’re always right. If you’re not going to listen to people, why do you have ears? Are they just ornaments?!

“What? What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. I heard it was Young Lady Bright.”

“Young Lady Bright? That evil woman? Why is she here?”

After arguing with the receptionist, people started surrounding us. We could even hear people talking amongst themselves. They stared at me and the receptionist who was in the middle of a confrontation.

“One last warning. Turn around.”

“Oh, really!”

I don’t know anymore. I was unable to contain the anger that was surging up to the top of my head, so I pulled off my hood. Then a gasp went up from the onlookers as my face was finally revealed.

“Crap!”

“It’s real! It’s the real thing!”

What does he mean ‘The real thing’? They can’t even recognize a human face!

I was so angry that my head was pounding and I felt like I was on fire. At this point I thought I was going to get vaporized.

“Hey everyone!!!”

I bellowed at the gossipers, purposely making faces at them.

“If you have eyes, look straight ahead! I’m Iris… Argh!”

Ouch! I hissed like an angry bear, but a rough hand grabbed my shoulder and I turned my head. Then, to my horror, I saw the receptionist’s face.

“Your Highness, Young Lady Bright, you are under arrest for disturbing the peace….”

“Ugh.” I was caught off guard. My arm was snapped back, and I was immobilized. As I struggled to find a way out, I heard a voice behind me.

“What’s the commotion?”

“Huh.”

The unexpectedly clear voice stopped the receptionist from holding me down.

I looked up to see who the voice belonged to, but I couldn’t see him because he was blocked by the receptionist in front of me. All I could see over the receptionist’s shoulder was a locks of emerald hair like green, ripe spinach.

“What’s all the noise?”

“That. Young Lady Bright…”

The receptionist stammered, a little embarrassed. The voice seemed to belong to someone high up.

“Young Lady Bright?”

The receptionist’s dewy voice rose slightly in response.

“Yes.”

Dainty footsteps drew nearer, and the scent of fragrant flowers tickled my nose.

“Would you lift your head, please?”

I followed the voice and slowly lifted my head, and my eyes met a pair of shimmering golden ones.

“Ah.”

“Hmm?”

I gasped the moment our eyes met. I stared at the person with a commanding voice with a half-stunned expression on my face.

It was a young master. He had Light green hair with a hint of blue, golden eyes that sparkled like the sun. His white lustrous skin that could be described with the expression from the story I’ve read before,

『Oh my God, this is not a human, it’s a fairy!』

The main character of that voiceover was Lime. It was for a beautiful man who looked so pretty that Lime could hardly believe her eyes.

He looked down at the receptionist, his eyes blazing, and then spoke slowly.

“Is that really you, Young Lady Bright?”

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