Chapter 42: 18.2

“U-um, I-I’m really grateful for the offer, but I don’t plan on being a knight. I’m going to return to my village to help out my father and brother! I want to improve the living conditions there!”

Their eyes widened in shock.

“W-what?”

“W-why? It’s the Royal Knights, you know? More specifically, the Royal Palace Knights. The squadron that everyone wants to enter.”

“Yes, but I plan on staying in my home village. I want to use my abilities for the betterment of it.”

While I had still been riding the carriage, I desperately searched for a reason to reject their offer that wouldn’t come across as rude.

But the moment I reject their offer, no matter how hard I try to be inoffensive, the captain snarls and narrows his eyes, causing them to seem even sharper.

I wonder why he’s upset.

Maybe I said something I shouldn’t. I don’t really know.

A wave of anxiety crashes into me. How can I phrase it better?

If Loendal were here, I’m sure he can think of a better excuse for me. Too bad I currently have no one to ask for help.

“Stay in your village? Are you refusing my invitation?”

“I-I’m sorry, but I’ve wanted to do this for quite some time. I’m already resolute in my decision, so I would like to refuse─”

“Lian, if you stay by my side, your life will be smooth sailing from now on, you know?”

I glance up, the gloomy face of the captain in full view. Then I shake my head, nervous.

“No, I don’t wish for an easy life. I’m satisfied with what I have.”

I’ve been allowed to live well enough. No, more than enough.

I’ve got Loendal and the others in that warm mansion. Marie and the kids in that warm church, always ready to welcome me. I’ve also made many acquaintances and friends in the village. They always greet me with a smile.

And then there’s Alfred, who has always been by my side.

If I want more than this, I feel like I’ll incur divine punishment.

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Compared to my previous one, my life here has been a dream.

There is always someone with me, treating me with care.

And I finally know that… I am no longer alone.

Hearing my answer, the captain frowns and breathes in hard, as if trying to steady himself.

“You know, I’ve taken a great interest in you. Your abilities are amazing, and above all, you also have that beautiful silver hair. Together with that snowy white skin… It seems like more of the Violet family’s blood runs through your veins that that of the Owen family. If I’m not wrong, your mother should be a daughter of Count Violet’s family.”

“That’s true…”

Lian’s mother was born in the capital city.

The youngest daughter of the Violet family, a famous noble clan in the capital.

Apparently, Lian’s father fell in love with her at first sight. He earnestly chased after her and spilled some money, winning her hand in marriage in the end.

“You also have the crystal eyes unique to those of Violet family blood… And yours are especially clear. Completely unclouded. Very good, even that side of yours mimics that person’s… It makes me want to defile it.”

His last words confuse me.

No, it might by my brain refusing to comprehend them.

“Lian. Be my subordinate. I will take very good care of you. Wherever you want to go, I’ll bring you, and whatever you want, I’ll make sure falls into your hands.”

The dark-haired man stands up from his sofa and sinks into the seat next to mine.

I try to inch to the side, but my body feels heavy and won’t follow my commands. It feels similar to having a body fatigued by a cold.

The droopy-eyed knight, who has been silent the whole time, suddenly breaks into a laugh.

“Seems like Captain likes you a lot. The moment he saw you, he said that you resembled his first love, the count of the Violet family. He wouldn’t shut up about you─”

“Shut up, Saular.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll shut up. Please excuse me,” said Droopy Eyes, shrugging his shoulders and playing the fool.

“Please come to my side, Lian. I will take care of you. Okay?”

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The captain smiles again. Leans forward even more.

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“N-no, I…”

I feel somewhat agitated.

It’s probably because I’ve been extremely nervous from the very beginning.

And my chest hurts.

The black-haired man places his hand on my knee. Even though there is cloth preventing direct skin-to-skin contact, his slightly damp hand makes me uncomfortable.

“Are you alright, Lian? Do you feel sick?”

“N-no…”

I press my hand against my chest.

What’s happening?

My body feels a little hot. Have I caught a fever?

The knight with the black locks and a sickening sweet scent stares at me, his smile unfaltering.

“Are you sure you’re fine? You must be tired from the match today. Do you want to rest for a while? It’s fine to stay for the night and relax. Do you want to go to the bed?”

At the sound of those words, Droopy Eyes shakes his head. “How shameless…”

“You’re annoying, Saular.”

“Yes, yes. Then I will leave now. Please take your time.” With that, Droopy Eyes rises from the sofa seat and makes his way to the door. As he passes me by, he shoots me a look of pity, before flashing a smile.

“You should enjoy it too, okay? He did say that he’ll take care of you. Once the captain likes something, he will play with it for the rest of his life. At best, just cry out cutely to retain his affection.”

After saying that, he’s gone.

Cold sweat runs down my nape.

‘Enjoy it too’ and ‘cry out cutely’? What does he mean by that?

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That’s wrong. I know exactly what he means.

I’m not stupid.

I fully understand how bad this current situation is. I was too careless.

“Are you okay? Can you stand?”

A dirty smile tugging on his lips, the dark-haired knight touches my shoulder, seemingly stroking it.

Shivers run throughout my entire body.

Detesting his touch, I slap his hand away.

“Enough. I won’t go to the knight school, nor be your subordinate! I’m sorry, but I definitely refuse!”

“Why? What part of my offer upsets you? I said that I’ll take care of you, right?”

With a smile still firmly plastered on his face, he grabs my hand. Pushes me down on the sofa.

I can’t move my body. Not one bit.

No way! I can’t be this weak!

Then a feeling of dread hits my stomach. The tea from before tasted strange. And neither of the two knights took a sip.

I don’t want to believe it, but maybe this is──

My thoughts become more and more cluttered as panic spreads through me. In spite of my panic, I manage to glare hotly at the man before me.

“I don’t want it! I‘m returning home now! Please let me go!”

“Is that so? But you should be feeling quite good soon, though?”

Special thanks to FrostyMoka-san for the ko-fi!

A spoiler, read with caution. Skip if don’t feel like reading it.

No Alfred in the part.

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Sorry if there are some readers who don’t want to read the spoiler yet it showed up without clicking the dropdown… ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ I make a big mistake there huhuhu now it’s fixed!

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