Chapter 27

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 27

Chapter Title: Treasure of the Golden Lion and Polluted Water (11)

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A knight's oath was a vow made in the name of a knight's title and honor. If broken, the news would spread like wildfire, bringing such dishonor that everyone would point fingers. That was why knights didn't make such oaths lightly, even to their own liege.

Hexston was now declaring he would make that very oath to Roxiana, someone he hadn't even properly conversed with once.

"Sir Lenadro. Please, don't do this."

Roxiana pleaded, but Hexston didn't lift his head.

"If the princess won't permit it, I'll stand here for a month or even a year."

Watching his stubborn resolve, Roxiana thought of Robert, her former guard knight. Tears welled up, and she covered her mouth with both hands as she spoke.

"My guard knight Robert used to grumble that I shouldn't make him swear a knight's oath every time I caused trouble."

Hexston chuckled without raising his head.

"I hope you and I can become that kind of pair."

She couldn't hold out any longer.

She wanted to die, felt guilty for surviving alone, even breathing felt like an apology.

And yet, this kindness that reminded her of happier times was so desperately missed. Selfish and cowardly as she was, craving warmth even after her family had been thrown into a cold well.

She could no longer refuse Hexston's request.

And so, Roxiana slowly raised her right hand.

At her permission, Hexston didn't hesitate. He dropped to one knee and gently took her fingertip, pressing a brief kiss to the back of her hand.

He looked up, meeting her eyes. With loyal, slightly playful rust-colored irises fixed on her, Hexston declared,

"Hexston Lenadro and the Golden Lion Knight Order swear to protect and safeguard Princess Roxiana Franche, to open the path before her without hesitation, sword in hand."

The knight's oath should have ended there, but Hexston added, "Furthermore."

"The Lenadro family will be Princess Franche's dearest friend."

Roxiana held her breath for a moment, then drew in a deep one. Her chest swelled, filled to bursting.

"Thank you."

The end of her voice trembled slightly.

"I will cherish Sir Lenadro's oath in my heart with deepest gratitude."

Roxiana tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Hexston's oath had gifted her an emotion she couldn't quite name. Longing, sorrow, pain, despair—her heart, filled with such darkness, now held a tiny spark flickering to life.

It was so small it was nearly invisible, but it carried a definite warmth. She didn't know what it was, but Roxiana embraced it, curling up to accept a coziness she hadn't felt in ages.

She writhed until faint light seeped through the curtains, then noticed the commotion outside and got out of bed. Pulling back the curtains, she peered out, but from the bedroom, she could only see the Lily Palace gardens.

Habitually reaching for the bell to summon a maid, she stopped herself. For a moment, lost in the past thanks to Hexston, she'd forgotten her current reality.

A slave with no country, no family.

No matter that she stayed in a guest palace, that didn't change. Even with the Grand Duke's orders, no maid would relish rushing to a slave's call.

Roxiana left her room on her own and ran into the maids who had started their day early.

The ones wiping windows and sweeping corridors widened their eyes at the sight of her, then bowed. Among them was the maid who had come for bath duty recently, made a sour face, and left.

"Is something wrong, Princess? If you need anything, you can just ring the bell..."

Roxiana found the maid's tone surprisingly gentler now and replied,

"It's noisy outside, so I came to check."

"Ah, His Highness the Grand Duke is heading out with the Red Spider Knight Order to subjugate magical beasts today. That's probably why it's so busy with preparations. It'll quiet down soon."

Magical beasts were strong, fast, and wielded malevolent power. Even groups of knights who could fell bears barehanded often died against a single small one.

Holy knights blessed by the god Weden countered them with sacred power, so expeditions usually requested at least one from the Empire.

Of course, regular knights weren't helpless, and they knew this beast was just one small one. Still, it was surprising that the retainers showed no worry at their lord leading the charge.

'He truly has their trust.'

Floyd was different from any royal Roxiana had met. He ignored palace etiquette, rushed into problems first, spoke roughly, and wore his emotions openly.

Yet he had everyone's trust.

"Um..."

Mistaking her pause for concern, the maid asked cautiously,

"Would you like to see His Highness off as he departs?"

A slave's farewell wouldn't bolster the knights, so Roxiana shook her head.

"No, that's fine. But I would like to watch them leave..."

"Then climb the Lily Palace tower. It has windows facing all directions, so you can see all the way to the main gate."

Guided by the maid, Roxiana ascended the tower. It was elegantly furnished, likely for enjoying tea and views.

The quick-witted maid left her alone. Roxiana stood by the window, gazing at the distant Grand Ducal Palace gates.

Dozens of knights in red uniforms fittingly stood at attention for the Red Spider Knight Order. She spotted a man with dull silver hair and a slight build pacing before them on horseback.

She recognized him as the one who grumbled irritably whenever he saw her.

Soon, Floyd appeared. Astride a red-maned horse, his bearing was majestic, noble, and commanding. On the eve of battle, he exuded unprecedented dignity and fierce authority.

'Ah, that's why...'

She couldn't help but respect him. Couldn't help but pledge loyalty.

With a lord like that, one could only trust and follow.

Roxiana watched, entranced.

He drew his sword before the knights. The blade caught the dawn light, gleaming crimson. That seductive, radiant glow, enough to mesmerize and madden, held the knights, the attending retainers, the servants—and Roxiana—in awe.

Then his voice boomed. Loud and hearty enough to reach the Lily Palace.

"Let's end this in one go!"

The casual tone clashed so utterly with his dignified air that Roxiana nearly burst out laughing.

Only then did she realize she'd forgotten everything, utterly absorbed in him. She hastily swallowed her laughter.

Roxiana didn't descend the tower until Floyd and the knights had vanished from sight.

'The Grand Duke must use that fire against magical beasts.'

Roxiana looked down at her palm. Thin, weak-looking, without a single callus. Suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind.

-"Princess, your hands are too big. You should try not to show them to others. Men prefer petite women, after all."

That concerned, pitying tone.

-"His Highness the Crown Prince seemed a bit burdened by how unladylike tall you are. Oh, not that he doesn't love you... You know, that thing where you love someone but wish they'd change just a little?"

Lucas always lamented her height; Elise fretted over it endlessly. In a world that prized tiny women who fit perfectly in one's arms, with dainty hands and feet, Roxiana was as tall as a man, her hands and feet large.

Seeing it as her flaw, accepting it as sincere advice from a friend, she'd worn low heels and hunched her posture. She hid her ugly large hands in gloves, clenched her fists in others' presence to conceal their size.

'There was a time like that.'

Now she realized it was all futile.

No matter how she tried to appear smaller, Lucas chose petite, lovely Elise from birth—and her family died as a result.

Roxiana wondered if he'd picked Elise first or plotted betrayal first, but she dismissed the thought.

Whichever came first, reality remained unchanged.

"Lady Roxiana."

Petria's call snapped her from reverie.

"You have visitors."

The second ones since Hexston yesterday. As Roxiana looked puzzled, Petria added,

"It's Viscountess Persy Lenadro, Sir Lenadro's wife, and their children. They're waiting in the drawing room, but they said if you're still unwell, they'll come back another time."

Hexston had vowed the Lenadro family would be her dearest friends, but she hadn't expected them to actually visit.

Though not fully recovered, Roxiana couldn't turn away guests who'd come specially.

"Tell them I'll prepare and be right there."