Chapter 88

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Garnet's Resolve to Become a Knight
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"Because of imperial law, I can't become the family head, but you're different. Female knights don't exist in the Empire yet, but there's no imperial law forbidding them."

Garnet's eyes widened like saucers.

"I've secretly followed you on those early morning outings. I liked seeing how hard you were working."

"Sis..."

Garnet flushed with embarrassment. The thought that Dia had seen her clumsy efforts made her face burn.

"I'll support you."

"Thanks, Sis. And what I really want to say is... I want to earn his recognition—no, His Grace the Duke's. I know I shouldn't say this, but he's the one who protects the Empire best. If I learn under him, I can protect well too. I'm not forgiving him or anything, and I know I shouldn't betray first like this..."

Garnet blurted out her words in a jumble, her expression dark.

The situation of betraying her family to protect them left her utterly confused.

Seeing this, Dia gently patted Garnet's hand with a kind look, as if to soothe her.

"Garnet, it's okay."

"Why? Why is it okay?"

Garnet's eyes brimmed with guilt.

"I've already forgiven His Grace the Duke. That's why I've been keeping my distance from him, though there's a reason."

"What? How could you!"

Garnet shot to her feet, looking betrayed.

Dia simply smiled faintly without a word.

Garnet quickly realized what she'd said and slumped down, covering her face.

"I'm such an idiot. Sorry, Sis."

"His Grace didn't explain everything, but it seems like he did it to protect us."

"What do you mean?"

"It means our danger isn't over yet. We're family. His Grace's enemies are our enemies too. I think he drew attention with that lavish party on purpose, to hide us from them."

Garnet's pupils dilated in shock.

She hadn't the slightest inkling of the behind-the-scenes truth. Why had he endured their resentment without even defending himself?

"But why didn't he tell us anything?"

"Hmm. Just my guess, but maybe he wanted us to truly hate him."

"To fool the enemies?"

"Yeah."

"Oh..."

Garnet nodded unconsciously, trying to accept the truth.

Did that mean she could learn under him without guilt?

As the guilt faded in her heart, hope began to well up.

Her eyes sparkling, Garnet asked Dia as if seeking permission.

"So, can I go to His Grace and ask to join the knights?"

A troubled smile tugged at Dia's lips.

"I'm not sure His Grace will allow it."

"I'll make him. I'll grab his pants and beg if I have to!"

Garnet declared with eyes full of fervor.

* * *

For the first time in a while alone with the Duke, Olive handled Marin's duties in her stead. He couldn't read reports as smoothly as Marin, but he did his best.

"Your Grace, you seem in good spirits."

The Duke was always expressionless, but today his mouth corners were subtly lifted.

***

"How's Marin?"

"She says her hangover is bad."

"Send her some medicine good for hangovers."

"Yes. There's a famous remedy that sobers you up fast."

It felt like something similar had happened before.

As Olive tilted his head, the Duke's mouth corners lifted a bit more.

"Tell her to come straight to the office once she's recovered."

"Yes. I'll do that. Then I'll take my leave."

Unable to figure out why the Duke seemed amused, Olive turned to go when the Duke called him back.

"Olive. Tell the person outside to come in."

"Yes."

Stepping out of the office, he saw Garnet standing there fidgeting.

"Miss Garnet."

"I've come to see His Grace the Duke."

"Yes, you're to go in."

Garnet gave a slight nod in greeting and entered the office.

There sat the massive Duke behind the desk.

Even sitting silently, why did he look so huge?

"Um..."

"What is it?"

The Duke, eyes closed, slightly raised his head. For a fleeting moment, Garnet glimpsed her late mother's face in his.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

"I want to become a knight."

He'd probably laugh. Still, she'd beg every day if she had to.

"...Why?"

The people of the Duke's castle were all so curious. They asked for reasons instead of just saying no.

Garnet cracked her eyes open and poured out her heart sincerely.

"Because I want to protect my family."

"You don't need to become a knight to protect your family."

"You're right. But as I learned swordsmanship, I started wanting to get better and better. I want recognition for it. I want to be a knight who can protect my family and, beyond that, other things too."

No approval or rejection showed on the Duke's blank face.

Garnet brought forward the scissors she'd hidden behind her.

"I'm not just saying this. Let me show you my resolve."

She grabbed a fistful of her prized lush golden hair.

It would only get in the way once serious training began anyway.

Just as she was about to cut, the Duke's lips parted.

"Put down what's in your hand."

"Huh? You can see I have scissors?"

"Can't you see my eyes are closed?"

"That's why! How do you know?"

Garnet looked back and forth between the scissors and the Duke in bewilderment.

"I just know."

"So you'll let me into the knights?"

"Learn basic knight swordsmanship from the butler. I'll assign you squire Ubis too. He has solid fundamentals."

"Yes!"

"It'll be tough. Living as a knight in the Empire, especially as a female knight. Your enemies aren't just monsters. You'll have to fight countless prejudices too."

"Yes! I'm prepared!"

There were no female knights in the Empire.

Women learning the sword was extremely rare, and even then, it was just for self-defense, like her late mother or Marin.

A proper knight.

***

No matter what sparked it, she now had a dream. No matter how difficult, she had no intention of letting it go.

"If the butler approves later, I'll allow you into the knight order."

"Yes! Thank you!"

Garnet bowed briskly in thanks, turned to leave, then spun back.

"Sis said she forgives you."

"..."

No emotion was readable on the Duke's blank face.

"Since Sis forgives you, I'll follow her lead."

"...I see."

The Duke's heavy lips finally parted.

"You shouldn't hide your feelings too much. People might run away."

"Who?"

"Who else? The one you like. Senior Marin."

"You call Marin 'senior'?"

The Duke, steadfastly expressionless until then, softened at her name.

Garnet stared at him in wonder.

"Yes."

"She told you to call her senior because she learned the sword first?"

"Yes."

His mouth corners stretched further, as if holding back a laugh.

He really can't hide it when he likes someone. Garnet chuckled inwardly.

"Then I'll be going."

"...Do your best."

Stunned by the unexpected encouragement, Garnet broke into a bright smile.

"Yes!"

* * *

After taking the medicine Yuria passed on from Olive, her stomach and head felt fine like magic.

I shouldn't have taken the medicine. If I'd stayed sick longer, he wouldn't have made me come like this.

Feeling like she was eating mustard while crying, Marin stood before the Duke's office.

Since she hadn't read him his picture book last night, he probably hadn't slept. Two nights without was starting to prick her conscience.

"Come in."

She flinched. Her small shoulders trembled.

Why? Why did his voice sound amused? Couldn't he just pretend not to know!

Marin lightly patted both cheeks so they wouldn't hurt.

Get it together, me. Play dumb. Play dumb.