Return of the Female Knight

“I met you once at a jewelry store in the south, My Lady.”

Elena found herself knee-deep in work, not only because of the wedding preparations, but in finalizing the all documents for House Blaise. Once Elena was married, the management of the household would fall to Mirabelle. Although Elena started preparing advance, she became very nervous once the wedding date was set. She wanted to solve every singular issue so Mirabelle could smoothly take over without any difficulty, and naturally Elena was driven to overwork herself. As always, she was at a desk approving some documents when–

Tak tak–

There was a faint sound coming from the window. When Elena turned, she saw a face she didn’t expect.

It was Kuhn. He entered the room with his usual dry expression. She never would have guessed he was injured from his present appearance. His movements seemed slightly awkward as if he hadn’t fully recovered yet, but he looked healthy enough.

She nearly asked if he was alright, but she remembered that she was not supposed to know he was hurt. Elena looked at him innocently.

“I haven’t tied a handkerchief. What’s wrong?”

“The General asked me to tell you that the wedding venue has been decided.”

“He could have sent a message through official means…”

The question of why Kuhn came here despite his injury remained in her mouth, but despite her not asking, he answered naturally.

“I don’t know. He just told me to let you know as soon as possible.”

Perhaps Carlisle deliberately sent Kuhn to show her that he was well. However, she felt that Kuhn could have rested a little longer, and there was no reason for him to return so soon. Unfortunately Elena couldn’t even say that to him.

“I understand. Where is the wedding venue?”

“It will be held in Bellouet Square, the largest square in the capital.”

“I suppose it will be a public wedding if it’s not held in the palace.”

“Yes. It is the will of the Emperor.”

Even if the Crown Prince’s wedding were to be held within the Imperial Palace, there would still be a massive gathering of nobles and delegates from nearby kingdoms to celebrate the occasion. However, an open wedding would attract even larger crowds.

‘The Emperor likes a big plate.’

More guests meant a larger burden in wedding planning, but it was impossible for her to reject it. Traditionally, it was the groom’s family that decided the wedding venue.

“I see. I’ll take that into account.”

She had another headache in deciding how to decorate Bellouet Square, but that matter could be considered later. Elena pressed her fingers against her temple out of habit, then looked up at Kuhn and spoke again.

“Did he say anything else? When I was at the Crown Prince’s palace I asked him about something.”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard that some men broke into my sister’s room when we were staying at the palace.”

“…!”

Kuhn’s shoulders flinched when he heard Elena’s words. Elena noticed this unusual behavior, but it was so quick that she might’ve misjudged it.

“I asked him to find out about the men from the Empress’ palace that broke into Mirabelle’s room. Is there any information on that?”

“…Can I ask why you want to know?”

It was disrespectful to ask about orders, but Elena decided it was it within acceptable limits and answered.

“I wasn’t there for Mirabelle when they came in. I’m the older sister, and I can’t just let that pass. I will deal them the appropriate punishments.”

Kuhn hesitated uncharacteristically for a moment, then continued.

“Did you hear anything else from your sister that day?”

It was a question she didn’t expect. She replied with a curious look on her face.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that if let me know what the situation was like, it will make it easier for me to find them.”

“Fortunately, nothing too serious. I don’t think she was dressed properly when they came it. That’s it.”

“…I see.”

Kuhn replied with an enigmatic expression on his face. Elena didn’t intend to easily forgive the culprits, and she spoke up again.

“Even so, it is rude to intrude in a lady’s room. I don’t want this to happen again, so please investigate as soon as possible.”

“Understood. I’ll look into it right away and report back to you.”

Somehow, Elena sensed that Kuhn’s tone was sharper than usual, but she nodded her head without thinking on it too deeply. Kuhn bowed to Elena, as the both of them had work to attend to.

“I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes. Good health to you…and be careful.”

Elena’s words made him slightly suspicious, but he also thought little of it.

“Thank you. Then…”

As usual, Kuhn made his exit through the window. She watched him disappear, then turned her head back to the papers spread out on her desk.

*

*

*

Kuhn crept on the roof of Blaise mansion, taking care to silence his footsteps as usual. Normally he would’ve moved more swiftly, but his wounds hadn’t fully healed yet.

It was then.

A few Blaise knights began to approach in Kuhn’s direction.

“…Oh no.”

He wouldn’t be fast enough to leave the perimeter, and Kuhn quickly slipped through a window and into a room where no one would sense his presence. The knights made their rounds about the mansion, and as long as he waited a little longer they would move onward.

As Kuhn was waiting, a completed unexpected voice spoke from a nearby room.

“Is this the first person to apply for a position?”

“Yes, Young Lady. He has experience working for jewelry stores.”

Kuhn was drawn towards the direction of the voice. He peered through an open slit in the door and saw Mirabelle talking to the butler, Michael. Kuhn recalled the words Mirabelle told him at the palace.

— Please…let me see you one more time. When you’re well, come see me. My name is Mirabelle Blaise.

It was as if she promised that she would wait forever for him. Maybe that was why he sometimes thought of that memory as he recovered. But now Mirabelle was in her usual sunny mood, as if what happened before had all been a dream.

‘You said you’d wait for me…’

Mirabelle’s expression was as if she had already forgotten about it. But that was fine. There were no plans for him to appear in front of her. In the future she would not be aware of him, and Kuhn would only look at her alone.

Kuhn secretly watched Mirabelle’s smiling face a little longer, then quietly disappeared from where he had entered. There was no sign that he was ever there, save for the breeze that slid through open the window.

Unaware of Kuhn’s presence, Mirabelle and Michael continued to interview the job candidates for the mansion.

“Have we met before? What was your name again?”

The question was answered by smiling man standing opposite of the two.

“I met you once at a jewelry store in the south, My Lady.”

He was a man who had already encountered both Elena and Mirabelle. He first tracked down the bead ring to Elena, and now he had a new order from Paveluc to keep an eye on her.