Chapter 113
The morning after His First Highness’ birthday banquet, Charles’ travel preparations were interrupted by a soft knock on her bedroom door.
Knock. Knock.
“My lady?”
“Cox?” Charles tilted her head at the familiar voice.
“I’m sorry, I know you’re busy, but a guest has arrived.”
.
A hint of hesitation flashed across Charles’ eyes before she asked, “Guest? For me?”
‘What? No way...’?Charles' face lit up with a peculiar sense of expectation.
“Wait… wait a minute.”
Charles had just brushed her hair, but she looked into the mirror again. She cleared her throat and said, “Come in.”
“Yes.”
The door gently opened, and Cox entered the room along with a man and a woman.
Charles seemed disappointed when she saw the guests’ faces.
“My god…” Cain was unusually dressed in a knight’s robe, and his hair was pulled neatly to his back. He placed a hand over his mouth upon seeing Charles and remarked. “I have heard that Lady Charles is one of the most beautiful women in the empire, but I didn’t expect the Lady to be this beautiful…”
It was still early in the morning, and the sun was still hiding beneath the clouds, yet her beauty was already shining brightly. It seemed that she was beautiful whether it was morning, afternoon, night, or daybreak.
“...”
Charles’ appreciated Cain’s words. After all, a woman would never dislike a compliment.
Of course, Charles responded in kind, “I think it's the first time I'm seeing this handsome knight before me. If it isn’t too impolite, then I would like to ask for Sir’s name.”
“Ah… we are—” Icarus started.
However, Cain was quicker than Icarus, and he stepped forward. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Charles.”
“...” Icarus glared at Cain, finding the latter ridiculous.
However, Cain seemed like he was oblivious to Icarus’ glare as he continued. “From now on, you are my liege—no, my goddess—keugh!”
Cain suddenly fell to the floor, and he held his nape with a pained look.
Icarus had just smacked the back of Cain’s head, but she acted as if nothing had happened as she said with a smile, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Charles. It is my honor to meet the young lady of the Pontier Family. This one’s name is Icarus, and like my lady, I hail from the Southern Province—the Harvest Estate.”
Icarus gave Charles a textbook greeting.
“Ah, you said you’re Icarus?” Charles exclaimed with a bright look. She grabbed Icarus’ hands and continued. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Icarus-nim! Rumor has it that you’re the smartest person in Avalon. I have always wanted to meet you, so the honor belongs to me!”
“Hahaha…” Icarus chuckled at the unexpectedly warm reception.
However, Charles’ reaction was just natural. Icarus was the most prestigious graduate of the Avalon Imperial Academy. In fact, the heads of several renowned houses had already fallen for her brilliant mind. Charles’ excitement upon meeting Icarus wasn’t strange at all.
In addition, Icarus brought her own two feet to visit her.
‘But… Was Icarus a lady?’?Charles thought. However, she shook her head. ‘It doesn’t matter as long as Icarus is here. We’re neighbors from the same province, so…’
Charles’ eyes were slowly becoming tinged with anticipation.
Icarus rubbed her head as her gaze fell on Cain.
“And this man is—”
Cain jumped up before Icarus could introduce him. “Duke Agnus—no! This one’s name is Cain, and I am Lord Sanders’ knight! It is a pleasure to meet my lady!”
“Baron Sanders?” Charles’ eyes widened upon hearing the familiar name. “Could it be…”
“Duke Agnus’ second son, Joshua Sanders. You are correct, my lady,” explained Cox.
“...!” Charles was dumbfounded. It was completely unexpected. “W-wait. Then, you’re…”
Charles hurriedly stared at Icarus.
Icarus nodded and said, “I’m one of Lord Sanders’ men. He hasn’t officially taken me in yet, though…”
“Ah, I see…” Charles was disappointed once more.
Icarus scratched her head once again upon seeing the disappointed look on Charles’ face.
“I believe you should have a more in-depth chat with these individuals, my lady.”
“What do you mean, Cox?”
“Well…” Cox started.
However, Icarus spoke before Cox could continue. “Let me explain.”
“Then, please,” said Cox.
Cox was a count, but he still smiled softly and gave his respects to Icarus and Cain. Icarus returned his kindness with a smile and a slight bow. Afterward, Icarus said, “Our lord—Ahem… well, Baron Sanders told us to look after you. To do that, I mean, you need to give us your consent for us to do that.”
Icarus blushed and cleared her throat after saying the word ‘lord’. It seemed that she just couldn’t get used to calling Joshua ‘lord’.
“His Grace Agnus should be well aware of our household’s situation, and since the two of you are here, His Grace is definitely attempting to assist us by proxy,” said Cox.
However, Charles pouted and asked, “Then, what about him?”
Cox smiled and said, “He’s probably here under His Grace Agnus’ order as well.”
“No, that's not it,” said Cain.
“Yes?” Cox furrowed his brows, doubtful.
Fortunately, Cain assumed a serious look and confidently explained, “My lord, Baron Joshua Sanders, has decided all of this on his own. No one has influenced my lord’s will.”
“Are you saying that…” Cox trailed off as he stared at Cain.
“Yes, even if it's his father, His Grace Agnus…”
“...!” Cox's pupils widened.
Cain casually continued. “My lord doesn't allow anyone to sway his will.”
Even Charles stared blankly at Cain, although in a different way.
'He seems to be a shallow person, yet he has so much faith in Joshua. Joshua, just what did you do?'
Cain’s faith definitely left a mark on Charles.
Pok.
A dull sound suddenly echoed, and Cain bent over like a shrimp.
“UHKK.” Cain groaned upon being smacked.
Icarus grumbled and said, “Why are you trying to show off?”
At that, Cain immediately jumped to his feet. He was all smiles as he retorted, “Are you implying that I looked so cool just now you just had to interrupt by smacking me?”
“Stop tooting your own horn.” Icarus looked like she had given up.
Cain pouted and stared at a certain part of Icarus’ body and muttered, “I’m not really into… it’s not my type.”
“Huh?” Icarus lowered her head to follow Cain’s gaze, and her face instantly turned red. “You…!”
Fortunately, Charles interrupted and said, “Anyway, you’re saying that Lord Sanders sent both of you to me to assist our family?”
Cain immediately responded, “Yes, for the time being.”
“I am very grateful, but honestly, I do not understand. He has to be aware of my family’s situation, so why did he dare to issue such an order?”
At Charles’ question, Cain grinned softly. “My lord has ordered us to assist my lady, and we shall obey.”
“...!” Charles' eyes widened as a deafening silence blanketed the room.
“That's all there is to it,” continued Cain, full of faith.
***
On the top floor of the Imperial Knights Order’s building…
Knight Commander Rod den Hogg sat in front of a table in his office with a stern look. “A letter of resignation. This is the first time a battalion commander is resigning without a clear reason.”
Knight Commander Rod shifted his gaze from the small paper on the table to the dashing young man in front of him. The young man's dark blue hair complemented his handsome facial features.
“Reserve Battalion Commander Joshua Sanders.”
“...” Joshua kept his mouth shut.
At that, Knight Commander Rod said, “Actually, Valmont has just left. It was the first time I saw him so happy ever since he was accepted to the order. He climbed up the ranks without putting that much effort into it, thanks to his talent. Not only was he not demoralized by the spar with you, he actually got motivated to start training for the first time.”
Knight Commander Rod stared deeply at Joshua before continuing. “Your existence alone rekindled his will to train, so I will just ask you one question.”
“Go ahead.”
At Joshua’s response, Knight Commander Rod asked, “Have you already crossed over that wall?”
The Knight Commander’s Office was filled with silence for a while.
Joshua didn’t respond. Actually, he didn’t have to respond because Knight Commander Rod already knew the answer.
After all, Valmont had already reached the summit as a B-Class Knight, and since Joshua defeated the former unscathed, it only meant one thing.
There was only one answer, but it was simply too unbelievable.
'A Master at fifteen. This is insane.'
Knight Commander Rod shrugged and chuckle. There wasn’t really anything he could do.
“As I stated, I will not accept your letter of resignation. I don’t want to miss out on such a talent like you just because I already have too many talents. The decision, thus, will depend on His Majesty’s will. Are you still confident?”
“Yes,” responded Joshua without any hesitation.
Knight Commander Rod revealed a wide smile. “I understand. Once you have made your decision, go ahead and let everyone know your name, Joshua Sanders.”
“...”
In response, Joshua saluted and left. The door closed behind him with a thud, leaving Knight Commander Rod alone in his office.
“I can still remember the first time I met him. I knew this would happen sooner or later, but to think it would happen so soon…”
Knight Commander Rod muttered and looked out the window, letting the sun fall on his face.
“Reinhardt Masters’ Battle.” Knight Commander Rod’s heart became filled with fierce passion and desire after a long time, but he hastily brushed it aside in shock. Afterward, only the sound of his pen writing words on paper could be heard in the office.
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