Chapter 10: 10

Similar to my astonishment, Prince Maynard was also surprised by Firman’s intrusion.

He couldn’t have imagined that a mere knight would ever dare barge into our conversation.

Maynard may have his hopeless sides to him, but he was never the overbearing kind and had many friends for it. One of them is Lord Bertrand, the vice captain of the 2nd Order of Knights, who is intimate enough to exchange railleries with the prince. There are many others like him, but they are all strictly those with high statuses to their names, likely because those of lower status still wince from associating with Maynard even if he does not mind their company.

So I can’t blame him for finding the piercing stare of a mere knight, and a commoner one at that, so surprising.

Firman is no noble. I underwent a formal education as the queen candidate and remember all the names of nobility.

There is no young lord by the name of Firman Adler. Although Firman may be able to claim a peerage for himself through the accumulation of merits, he is certainly currently titleless.

My grandfather may have previously served the late king as a prime minister, and my father, a central figure within the noble society, but House Conrad—although this could be due to my father’s personal disposition—does not obsess itself with social statuses. My father’s credo is that great finesse can be found in people across society’s highs and lows. It may have also been due to his influence that pedigree does not cross my mind whenever I associate myself with people.

Maynard was not the kind to be particular about it either, but he had likely never in his twenty-two years of living, experienced the intimidating gaze of those with lower status. You can even watch as the bewilderment traverse his entire body.

‘You are…?’

Maynard, who did not seem to be acquainted with him, asks Firman while consciously giving fleeting looks at his arms wrapped around my shoulders. Yet, he does not demand the knight to unhand me anyway. He has always been a timid man, this former fiancée of mine; Obstinate on the strangest parts, but spineless when it comes to confrontation of this kind.

Firman unhands me, then places his arm to his chest to do a knight’s greeting.

‘I am Firman Adler, sir.’

‘Adler? Your affiliation then?’

‘Well, sir…’

Firman pauses for a moment, seemingly hesitating to answer, but he took a shallow breath and responded.

‘The 1st Order of Holy Knights, sir.’

‘Order of Holy Knights?’

Both Maynard and I were surprised by his answer. The royal castle has up to seven regiments of knights, but the Order of Holy Knights,  composed of three regiments, is operating directly under the Holy Church.

They are principally the guards of the pope and the cardinals, and because of their lack of public activities, even Maynard, who is a prince, looks to be hardly acquainted with them.

‘Firman, you were from the Order of Holy Knights?’

‘My apologies for not speaking about it. I was not trying to be secretive, lady… the topic was just never broached on.

True enough. Nobody would even consider that the escorts dispatched by the royal castle would have a holy knight within its ranks, much less ask about it. They never escorted anyone outside of the holy church, after all.

(Maybe because I am a Saintess, then.)

But then, being chosen by the sacred orb doesn’t necessarily make me an affiliate of the church either.

‘Holy knights, mhm. Adler, how many holy knights are there among Aileen’s escorts?’

Maynard’s face turned serious.

Naturally, he would make a complex face. Dealing with holy knights is complicated even by his means. After all, they are directly under the sacred church, and thus, are not obliged to heed his orders. The royal family has the church’s allegiance, but their jurisdiction over holy knights is a delicate topic.

It may have been two hundred years in the past, but the church had previously launched a coup against the royal family. It was never an obedient faithful dog and acts as if it could easily bite its owner at any inconvenience.

‘I am alone, sir.’

Firman’s answer made sense to me. I have never seen him associating with any of the knights on the way to the duchy, nor after our arrival. I even admired him for it, thinking he was like a lone wolf, but now I see; knights and holy knights just don’t act together then.

 

‘I see. So, why are you alone amongst Aileen’s guards?’

‘It was by his eminence’s command.’

‘This eminence being?’

‘I believe you already have an idea who, sir.’

‘…..I never heard anything about this, you old fart.’

Maynard mutters.

What a nasty tongue. Aren’t you supposed to be reserved in referring to his majesty as your father in public?

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Maynard’s face turned sullen as he looked up to Firman.

‘So? You spoke about not handing Aileen over. She is my fiancée.’

‘Formerly.’

‘F-Formerly my fiancée. You’re aware of that, right?’

Maynard. A ‘former’ fiancée does not have any right to impede his advances, regardless of his awareness or the lack thereof.

Firman held me around the shoulders again and nodded in affirmation.

‘I am completely aware. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your engagement with Miss Lina, sir.’

Oh, Firman! Very well said!

Maynard swallowed his breath. He became fidgety; his eyes swam around.

‘We are not talking about my engagement right no—’

‘My apologies, sir.’

‘So, what are you to Aileen? You’ve been acting way too overfamiliar for a mere personal guard.’

Or so he spoke as like I was a property being stolen away from him. My head starts aching.

As I explained to you earlier, Maynard, the two of us are of no longer any relevance to each other. Do you even listen?

Firman gave me a fleeting glance and emitted a sweet smile.

‘With all due respect, sir, the two of us are lovers.’

Oh, he said it.

Selma suddenly turned her head my way; her eyes grew so wide that they almost pop out of their sockets. Oh gee, judging from her stare, I may have some sermons in store for me. Oh, It makes me happy, Firman, but I would’ve liked to keep it a secret a little longer.

‘Lovers!?’

Maynard rose to his feet with clutter, and wobbly pointed his finger at me.

‘You and Aileen, are lovers!?’

Maynard, pointing at people is rude, you know. I get scolded by Selma for that often, even.

Maynard’s face turns paler and paler at each second.

‘What is the meaning of this!? You and I are engaged—’

‘Only formerly! As I have been saying! My relationship with his highness is done, so is there any problem with me finding a new lover for myself?’

‘Mountains of them! I will not accept this!’

‘Whether you accept it or not, there won’t be any obstacles as long as my dearest father gives his consent.’

I haven’t talked to him about it yet, though. Although Firman’s affiliation with the holy knights might become off-putting, I believe I can convince father through tears. After all, he knew just how much the cancellation of engagement has hurt me and so, will be much more reluctant to any idea of hindering my happiness.

Rather, the one I would have the most trouble with is dearest mother, but we can probably overcome her tribulations with Firman’s splendid character. This mother dearest of mine even previously arduously tell me, fist in hand, that a woman’s life can be determined by her choice of men alone, and that while I may have no choice in the matter anymore due to my engagement with Maynard, a marriage with a strange man is a life full of regrets. She will likely do persistent background checks on Firman the day I introduce him to the duchy.

She is also the reason why I have many lady friends, previously telling me that, I should treasure my female companions more than men, and that I will have painful experiences in store by fully giving men my trust.

 

Ah, do not jump into funny ideas, reader. My parent’s marriage is doing well. It’s just that… mhm, come to think of it, just what did my father do in the past? Because you see, my mother sometimes nags my father about his youthful days, and whenever I check my father’s face during those moments, he does look somewhat ashamed.

Oh pardon me, that was a small digression. Anyhow, Firman does not need Prince Maynard’s recognition at all.

‘Aileen…’

Here they come again, Maynard’s abandoned puppy eyes. That would not lead you anywhere, sir. Pardon my repetitiveness, but I wish to seek happiness with my dreamy knight, Firman! I’ve had enough with princes already!

‘You heard him, your highness. I will be pursuing my happiness with Firman.’

‘I won’t accept it.’

Maynard feebly asserts, but I just responded with a cold shoulder and turned my face away.

Soon enough, Maynard heaved a deep exhale, despondently dropped his shoulders, and left the manor.

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