Chapter 65 (1/2)

I stood blankly looking at Carsein whose uniform was shining brilliantly. I was pleased with his amazing achievements, and I was very envious. Somehow, I felt subdued by such contradictory feelings.

‘Can I stand there someday? Will there be a day when I can stand there to swear an oath and get out of the net that binds me?’

Accompanied by the chief of the Royal Guards and the captain of the 1st Knights Division, the emperor left, followed by the knights who attended the ceremony. I remained there. I felt a bit depressed somehow.

How long did I stand there? I came to my senses when someone pat my shoulder. A young man with red hair quickly approached and looked at me.

“Why are you standing there?”

“…Carsein. ”

As one of today’s protagonists, he had to be very busy, but Carsein was alone for some reason. He said with a smile, “Hey, you look aghast. Are you carried away with my gorgeous uniform?”

“… ”

“Tell me. Did you like it? When I looked at myself, I thought I was awesome. Don’t you agree?”

“… Well, you were soundly defeated by my father today. Do you still want to boast?”

“Hey, you shouldn’t compare me to him! By the way, your father is really terrific. To be honest with you, I thought I might be killed,” said Carsein, chatting me up.

He was very happy, even though he had a tough time because my father sparred with him to certify his skills.

“It was still a good experience for me. You know it’s very rare to have a chance to compare and learn the fencing skills of your father. By the way, do you feel better now?”

“Yes.”

“Wait. I’m going to make you an official knight pretty soon. Don’t complain even if the training is tough for you.”

“Thanks, Carsein.”

“Good. Don’t complain later. Oh, are you coming tomorrow? It’s been quite a while since I sent you the invitation, but I haven’t received any reply from you.”

“Oh, it’s because…”

A few days ago I received an invitation contained in a sealed letter. It was the invitation sent by the Duke Lars family asking me to attend a party to celebrate Carsein’s knighthood and a letter in which he asked me to be his partner.

Of course, I could congratulate him, but attending the party as his partner was another matter. When I hesitated after receiving the invitation, my father advised me that I had better not attend a party that would generate ungrounded rumors about me. I agreed with my father’s opinion, but it wasn’t easy for me to refuse his invitation, so I was putting off RSVP until now because it bothered me not to attend the party for Carsein on that monumental day, one of my two close friends. When he saw me face to face and checked with me about the invitation, I was kind of embarrassed. I was so sorry.

“Oh, you can’t come as I expected. Okay. ”

“…Sorry.”

“Well, that ‘s fine. We had better be careful especially in times like this. They are hellbent to find fault with you anyway.”

“Still… It’s a memorable day for you. I’m really sorry I can’t come to celebrate.”

“That’s fine, that’s fine.” Carsein, who had lightly waved his hand, said with a smile, as if he had thought of it, “If you’re so sorry, can you do me a favor later?”

“Favor?”

“Yes. If you hear it and think you can’t, you don’t have to do me a favor. What do you think?”

“Sure. Thanks for understanding.”

Is it because he has become a knight who took an oath? I smiled at him who seemed to be unusually mature today. This was the first time I felt he was trustworthy.

“Thank you so much, Carsein. And congratulations!” I muttered to myself as I walked back with Carsein.

I was depressed somehow in the morning.

As I thought I would feel better in a crowded place than being alone at home on this day,

I followed my father to the Imperial Palace.

However, there were few people in the training field today, and the office of the captain of the 1st Knight Division was empty.

‘Well, today there was the celebration party for Carsein, so Duke Lars is perhaps at home.’

While I was killing time, skimming through paperwork, an attendant came in and handed me a letter. It was an invitation to a tea time.

‘Who is inviting me today?’