Chapter 218 (1/2)

Chapter 218: Chapter 218

“Oh, you’re welcome. Thanks to you, I learned lots of things back then. So, I would like to thank you, too.”

“Well, I was clumsy in many ways. Thanks for saying so.”

“You’re welcome, Lady Monique. Um…I’m not sure you can believe me, but I really like and respect you.”

I was a little embarrassed when she kept looking at me, with her eyes sparkling. When I adjusted my uniform to shake off my awkwardness, she asked me, staring at me blankly, “Isn’t it hard for you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you are now doing two things, right? Taking care of the housework and training to be the full-fledged knight. Although there are female knights, there are not many of them. I think as a female knight, you might have many setbacks…”

“Well, it’s my family business anyway.”

“But Lady Monique…”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, nothing. Anyway, I hear that they are reorganizing the knights divisions, right? That’s the biggest news in social circles these days.”

During the late emperor’s days there were five knights divisions, but they were reduced to three because of the emperor’s dramatic purge, which caused lots of problems. As they recruited mainly those knights skilled in fencing only, there was a big deficiency in the administrative work. Even if there were an excellent pool of apprentice knights, the government could not hire them because there were no available slots for them.

Accordingly, there was much discussion of the need to reorganize the existing knights divisions, but the friction of the rival factions made it impossible until now. Only now did the current emperor accept the reorganization plan, which excited lots of young men from the noble families who had been waiting for such a golden chance.

“I can understand their moods. You know they have been waiting for this chance for a long time.”

“Really? In fact, I don’t know much about this field.”

“Well, young ladies are not interested in this field, of course. Anyway, two marquises are supposed to settle in the capital once they create the two additional divisions. I expect lots of changes will take place in social circles.”

“What do you mean by the two marquises?”

“I’m talking about Marquis Enesil and Marquis Mirwa. I hear they will be in charge of the new divisions respectively.”

“Marquis Enesil, too?”

Although I said it inadvertently, she reacted with delight.

I narrowed my eyes and looked at her.

‘Why is she happy about it?’ Come to think of it, she blushed, too.

“I think he is great, given he’s becoming the captain at such a young age. I met him recently. I was quite impressed with his dignity. When he talks about something with a small voice, with his eyes sparkling, lots of young ladies find themselves carried away with his story.”

“… Really?”

“Oh yes. Besides, when his bright white-blonde hair is reflected in the light, it really sparkles like melted gold …”

I sighed deep down, watching her praising Marquis Enesil.

What kind of position is she in now? Did she forget she is a candidate for the emperor’s concubine? Besides, she is supposed to exercise her power as the empress, not his concubine, to keep Jiun in check? How could she set her mind on some other man than the emperor?

“Lady Whir.”

“Yes?”

“I hope you won’t mention him at other places.”

“Ah… ”

“As the emperor is very much interested in you enough to call you on a regular basis, it is certain that the noble faction will try to put you down. In such a situation, you don’t want them to find any fault with you, right?”

“Ah, yes. You’re right…” She closed her mouth slowly, nodding at me.

I swallowed a sigh again in an awkward silence. I supported her because she seemed to be ambitious, but she was too naive. I wondered if she could deal with the noble faction’s attack.

I felt a bit sorry because it was me who pushed her in a situation like this.

I had no problem causing trouble for Jiun, but I wondered if I could do something bad to Grace.