Princess Shu

Chapter 5.1 – Marquis Garth

Contrary to the knight’s concerns, Valia easily fit in with the knights. To their surprise, she displayed a familiar knowledge with swords and weapons. Finding or talking about something in common was an important factor in growing a friendly relationship between people, and the knights themselves were proud to serve a lady. The knights were kind to Valia, and Valia spoke freely with them.

“I’ve heard that the broad sword is good for cutting off a person’s entire neck,” Valia said.

However, their conversations were different from what a lady and knight would usually speak about.

“Ah, yes…that’s correct…” a knight said awkwardly.

“I hear you need monster-like strength to hold the sword and shield in one hand. Knights are amazing. Why did you even have a shield when you could use the broad sword to defend yourself?” the young woman continued.

“Oh, that’s because—”

The bemused knights answered her questions in a sincere manner. Valia’s knowledge of weapons was not deep, but it was enough to hold a conversation. Naturally, the men began to take a liking to her.

 

Then, a sudden loud voice drew people’s attention. “Hahaha! Unlike other ladies, I see you are very interested in weapons, My Lady.”

While Valia and the knights had been absorbed in their conversation, Sean—the Knight Commander—took an interest and gave a bark of laughter while thrusting his foot out.

Another knight gave a nod of agreement. “Other ladies are always only interested in jewelry, lace, and ribbons. I can’t help but stare absently at them when I see them foolishly talking about jewelries. They weren’t even the least bit interested about weapons… You certainly are different in that regard, My Lady. Hahaha!”

Valia answered calmly. “I’m not too sure about that. Even ladies don’t prefer jewelry from birth. They were just educated to like those kinds of things. If they showed any interest in weapons, they would be scolded for not being lady-like. So then, is it still their fault?”

“Well…”

“I don’t think it’s right to call each other’s interests ‘foolish’. Knights should be men who are proud to honor ladies. It was like that at the kingdom I come from. Aren’t you all like that too?”

“You’re right, My Lady,” Sean said, and he jerked his head towards another knight. “Apologize, Ark.”

Even Sean was forced to agree with Valia’s words, and Ark also gave his apology to her. He was often on the receiving end of glares because of his reckless mouth even within the Knight Order, but once he apologized, the rest of the knights gave a sigh of relief. They probably would never be able to serve such a lady again, no matter where they went.  Or perhaps all the girls in this kingdom were like that?

***

Into the Empire.

 

It was late at night. A brown carriage arrived at the gate of the capital of the Ghel Empire. The carriage itself looked common and nondescript, but to the trained eye, one would know that it was a well-made carriage crafted with high-quality materials.

The carriage’s wheels hardly made a noise on the pavement towards the capital. The destination—a temple located in the capital of the Gel Empire.

Since entering the Empire, the carriage windows remained completely shut for security purposes, so Valia had to behave well inside the whole time. No matter how many comforts were offered, it was still a carriage. Valia wanted to sleep with her feet stretched out on a bed that didn’t shake. She was starting to feel fatigue from traveling when—

“My Lady, we’re almost there.”

She could hear the voice of the knight. Her eyes glistened. Normally, she would have felt fear at entering an unknown place, but her mind was too tired to think of anything else.

“Would it be okay to come down?” Valia asked.

Her voice was so full of anticipation that it could be heard from outside the carriage. A smile crept into the face of the young knight, who had been in charge of her matters for the whole day. He was about to open the carriage door, but then his expression suddenly hardened.

“My Lady, don’t come out until I say it’s okay to,” he said sharply.

“What?” Valia quavered.

But the knight did not even have time to answer Valia’s question as he moved into position, as if to protect the carriage. The entire escort stood in a cautious stance.

A group of people emerged from the darkness, holding lanterns as they moved towards the backyard of the temple. There was an aura of faithfulness about them. They were the priests.

Sean stood firmly in front of the carriage and addressed the other men. “I thought we asked for cooperation in advance, so what’s going on?” Sean had been strongly warned by the Marquis that he should meet the princess first before the Great Priest did, and never to give her up. “‘That person’ is in here.”

“I know,” a voice replied.

The Great Priest stepped forward. The knights extended their formalities simultaneously.

“Greetings to the Great Priest.”

The Great Priest lifted his hand. “Be at ease. I just want to extend a simple greeting to the guest in the carriage.”

Sean, however, remained firm. “Your Grace, the Marquis should see her first.”

“Ho ho, you are quite impudent,” the Great Priest chuckled. “I see you knights are very loyal.”

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The Great Priest expected their stubbornness, but they stood even more firm than he thought. He turned his curious gaze towards the carriage. It seemed unlikely that he could appease her when she wouldn’t show her face.

The Great Priest’s purpose in life was to inherit God’s will, and he worried that the lady in the carriage was not the Marquis’s type, and that the marriage might not come true. And so wanted to give her a simple blessing, but the knights were headstrong. The fact that a priest could personally pass down the blessings was a secret only known to the High Priests, so he could not speak the truth in front of all these knights.

‘This is a good thing, but even I can’t tell them about it.’

No matter. Marquis Garth would arrive shortly. After a hard moment of contemplation, the Great Priest cleared his throat.

“Hmm, Lady Valia.”