I’m Not the Final Boss’ Lover

I couldn’t turn around due to the handmaidens doing my hair, so I moved my lips only. “Show them exactly who you are today. And don’t even give them the time of day. If they ever try approaching, then cuss them off.”

“C-can I? Wouldn’t it be a disgrace to the Dark Knights…?”

“It was the same in my case. His Excellency stepped up to the job for me.” I recalled how Mayer had reproached the village chief and my parents before we left the village. How exhilarating that moment was! If it wasn’t for that time, I still would’ve been harboring a grudge in my heart.

I finally got to stand up once my hair was done, so I walked over to Julieta. The earring looked as good as I thought it would on her, but she was still shooting anxious eyes my way. Gripping her shoulders, I reassured her, “The greater disgrace is to have our members ignored. Don’t ever let yourself waver.”

Julieta’s eyes shook slightly and determination began to replace the uneasiness within them. It was then that Sevi and Nova ceased being quiet. “Just leave it to us!” they said.

“We owe Julieta a lot for the help she gave in our dungeon raids, so we’ll make sure to keep her safe in the banquet.”

“Well, aren’t you boys trustworthy? But don’t do any drinking, you hear?”

The two lost their gusto in an instant, falling silent. They had clearly intended on riding the festive atmosphere to get drunk. I firmly pointed out the bigger problem child between them. “Especially you, Nova.”

“Yes, ma’am…” Nova replied dispiritedly, realizing there was no wriggle room.

Julieta smiled quietly as she watched them. From the look on her face, I could tell that she had firmly made up her mind.

“Jun Karentia.”

Mayer Knox came over at that moment. It was such perfect timing that I wondered if he had been watching us from some corner. True to his title of Dark Knight, our captain was dressed in all black. I often got to see him in uniform or armor, but it was rare for him to be wearing a formal suit. He wasn’t prone to attending banquets very often, not even in the first playthrough.

Mayer entered the dressing room, exuding an air of elegance and dignity that wasn’t there when he donned armor. Immediately, he raised a brow. I guessed he wasn’t too happy to see that the three kids of my unit were intruding in the room that was for his partner’s exclusive use. Noticing his visible discomfort, the kids laughed awkwardly and scampered out. Even they could read the mood when it showed like this. But before they were completely gone, their poked their heads around the corner of the door to have a final say.

“W-well then, have a good time!”

“We’ll be right over there in the front!”

“Don’t forget that we’ll be entering the banquet hall together!”

Mayer glanced after them before tossing a question. “Did you decide to go to the banquet hall together?”

“Yes. I think they’re feeling awkward because it’s everyone’s first time attending an event like this.” I smiled slightly, reminiscing the past. I had been the same, feeling cautious about this and that…

“Is the special unit helpless without you? And they have no manners.”

“But the kids are so polite.”

“Polite? Is it polite to be loitering in my partner’s dressing room before even I come?” he groused.

“They’re kids.”

“Where do you find such grown kids like them?” Mayer raised his voice, staring at me in disbelief. I shot him a reproaching look, afraid that the kids outside might hear. They were scared enough as it was, turning frozen at a mere glance from Mayer. They would certainly be petrified to know he disapproved of them.

“Really…” Mayer shook his head before casually taking a seat in one of the connected Bergere armchairs near me. “You treat them too much like kids.”

“Well, you treat me like a kid, Captain.”

“I do not. I worry because you always treat yourself too harshly.” Mayer sighed and shook his head again before changing the subject. “Are you finished preparing?”

“I think it’s almost over, but…”

I turned to the handmaidens, who hastily lowered their heads and answered, “We just need to tidy up your skirt and it’s done.”

“It’ll be over soon so please wait a moment,” I said to my captain.

“Will do.”

The handmaidens looked frightened to see me make Mayer wait. They acted in a hurry, seeming very uncomfortable to make the Mayer wait. After hurriedly putting the finishing touches, the handmaidens exited the dressing rooms with a bow, leaving me alone with him. It felt like the girls had given us space on purpose and I wrinkled my brows in discomfort. As for Mr. Knox, the solitary man who attached no particular meanings to the behavior of others… He paid no mind to what the handmaidens did and simply came over to offer me a hand in escort.