Flower of Steel

“Actually, someone was hostile towards me recently.”

“Who was that?” Uncle asked with a fierce expression.

I figured it was pointless to hide it from him, so I answered, “It was Marquis Schuteiner. I came across him one day, and he spoke to me with a motive. He said, ‘I will look forward to it,’ to me.”

Uncle nodded at my answer as he seemed to understand. “Yes, he is famous for his love of his daughter.

Then, Lumi added, “That’s right. That’s why people are saying he would even kill for his daughter, which of course, is true as he has a history.”

“History?” I asked.

Lumi nodded and continued. “One time, Lady Schuteiner tripped while her knight from the House of Schuteiner wasn’t paying attention. I heard Marquis Schuteiner blamed him for being disloyal. Then, he punished him by cutting off the knight’s muscles on his dominant hand. I mean, who considers disloyalty a crime these days? Anyway, the knight took his own life after that, but the Marquis even stopped rumors from spreading.”

To nobles, knights were their servants and swords. A knight captain of a powerful noble family was treated the same as a baron. The fact that Marquis Schuteiner had done such terrible things to a knight with the rank of a noble proved that he cared for his daughter so much that he didn’t even care about his own reputation. Bad thoughts filled my mind, but I had a hint of doubt in it.

‘Is he really the culprit?’

“Anyway, don’t mind too much, sister. Even if he is behind all of this, I won’t let him put his hands on you,” reassured Lumi.

I smiled and nodded, “Thank you for saying that. I feel relieved.”

“You’re welcome. You’re really precious to me. It’s nothing.”

That’s right. I would also step forward if I saw someone trying to harm Lumi. Now that I think of it, chess can’t be won with one piece. What makes chess interesting as a game is the various pieces around the king, the piece that determines winning or losing, and the queen, the piece that is the strongest one.

“Lumi, I know this can be hard, but I want you to help me,” I asked for help from my cousin, who had just changed from a pawn to a queen. She grabbed my hand with a smile. And like that, I acquired the strongest queen of all.

“Yes!”

And there were more of my people.

“Hmph! Don’t put your uncle out,” said uncle.

“Sister! I’ll do my best to help too,” said Jianne.

As I smiled at both of them for their words, that’s when the door to the drawing room burst open.

“Father! My brother and sister- Marin- …You’re all safe!”

Yes, I couldn’t leave you out either. A smile appeared on my face at Chelleno, who was drenched in sweat. And…

“Sir, I was shocked when Sir Chelleno told me of what happened and had to come to help. It is good to see you all safe.”

There was Rian. It was obvious. He was here because he was worried about me.

“Oh, I didn’t expect you to come too. Thank you, Sir Droinel,” Uncle replied.

“You’re very welcome, Captain.” Even when he was answering uncle, Rian’s eyes were fixated on me. Soon, they moved away from me as he spoke in a relieved voice, “Now that I’ve confirmed you’re all safe, I will return to my post.”

Uncle deeply nodded at his words. “Of course, of course. It’s an honor to have an associate like you! Hahaha!”

I felt embarrassed by my uncle’s huge laughter. What will he think when Uncle finds out that Rian came here not because of his superior’s safety but because he was worried for the woman he likes? Anyhow, Rian just left with a huge smile on his face, even at Uncle’s words.