The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 34

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 34

Chapter Title: Don't Leave Me Behind

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"Without calling for him?"

"Yeah."

Nina slightly lifted her body to look at Adrian as she spoke.

"Since it's certain he has a clear identity, he could make for good negotiating material. It might take time to find him, though..."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Nina flopped back down onto his lap.

"Well, if I leave it to you, Young Master, there's nothing to worry about."

Adrian twirled her twin braids around his fingers and wrist.

As she turned her body, the smooth strands unraveled smoothly.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing."

Adrian replied with an innocent face. Nina grabbed her hair with both hands and brushed it down, speaking as if offering advice.

"You can't go alone."

"I know that much. I'll take Lui and some soldiers. I want to track down Myeongcheol while I'm at it."

"Sir Lui, me, and the soldiers should be enough."

"Did I just say your name?"

"You're planning to go without me?"

"Yeah."

"What? Leaving your Nina behind, Young Master? That's ridiculous."

As Nina jumped up in protest, Adrian said,

"You've got plans tomorrow."

"What plans tomorrow? I have no plans at all!"

"Tomorrow's the day we select the new Ebony Knight Order members."

"Ugh, we could push it back a day..."

"Some have been waiting since a week ago."

"They can handle that much patience..."

"Armed folks wandering around are making the people down in the city uneasy."

"Even so, you can't go alone..."

"I'm not going alone."

"Just leaving me behind."

"I'm leaving Jin behind too."

With each rebuttal, Nina pouted. She flopped face-down on the sofa, pretending to cry as she said,

"All I think about is you, Young Master, but all you think about is leaving me behind. You don't care about someone like me, do you?"

Nina grumbled on.

"You actually find me annoying, don't you? You're trying to send me far away. I'm sorry, really."

Adrian's movements froze. Nina still had her face buried in the sofa.

He reached out, stroked her cheek, then slid his hand lower to lift her chin.

Sensing the atmosphere shift, Nina squeezed her eyes shut tight, refusing to open them.

"Nina Randell."

His voice was unexpectedly sweet and warm.

So Nina realized she'd made a big mistake.

"I don't care?"

Nina cracked her eyes open slightly, but her gaze stayed fixed diagonally downward.

"Should I really start caring?"

Nina tried to pull her head back, but Adrian wouldn't let her.

"No..."

As Nina answered softly, Adrian whispered,

"Look at me properly when we talk."

"It's just..."

She thought meeting his eyes might be scary, so she kept her gaze fixed elsewhere.

"Why? Weren't you trying to drive me crazy?"

Her eyes snapped toward Adrian.

"There we go."

He released her and lightly stroked her hair. For a moment, Nina stammered, at a loss for words, then said,

"Adrian."

"What?"

"...Never mind."

Nina shook her head with a deep sigh.

Adrian's pink eyes stared quietly at Nina.

Unlike Nina's golden eyes, which danced like sunlight sparkling on the lake surface, his were as serene as almond blossoms under midnight moonlight.

Nina met his gaze for a moment before looking away and standing up.

"I'll be going then."

"Yeah."

As Nina left, Adrian sighed and rose from his seat.

He wondered if he'd gotten too emotional for a second.

But with Nina,

She was different from others, so her words stung his heart right away.

A casual remark from anyone else wouldn't faze him, but from her lips, every word pricked like a thorn.

Bang-!!

At that moment, the door flew open noisily. As he reflexively turned, Nina dashed in like a flash and grabbed both his shoulders.

"Ugh-."

The force of him trying to turn clashed with her blocking him, drawing an involuntary groan from him.

Of course, her strength was overwhelming, so he couldn't turn.

"Adrian."

She pressed her forehead against his back.

"I know you care about me a ton, Adrian. I also know you're mindful not to make me uncomfortable by caring too much."

"...Nina."

"You're precious to me too, Adrian, so I care a lot. Sorry for joking around like that."

There are words you shouldn't say to those close to you.

And words you must say to those close to you.

The tension drained from Adrian's shoulders. He tried to turn, but Nina held him fast.

"If you call for me, Adrian, I'll come running even if the whole world turns against me."

"I know."

Nina lifted her head sharply. Finally, she hugged him tightly from behind and let go.

"Then I'll be off, Young Master."

In her cheerful voice, Adrian turned. Nina flashed him a grin before leaving the room.

Adrian stared at the door she'd exited through, then dropped his gaze to the chessboard.

"If you call for me, Adrian, I'll come running even if the whole world turns against me."

I know.

But.

'Don't go too far away.'

Jin brushed his hair back. He wanted it to lie sleek and stylish, but his wiry, stiff strands refused to cooperate.

"Argh, seriously."

A curse slipped out as he grumbled, trying his best to tame his hair into place.

He ran a wet comb through it, and it finally settled into something decent.

They said in the capital you applied something called hair oil—maybe he should buy some.

As he checked his reflection from various angles, the door opened.

"Jin, Jin!"

"Can't you knock first before opening?"

Jin sighed at Nina, who quietly closed the door.

Knock knock.

"Come in."

Nina opened the door with a goofy grin. She held a longcoat in one hand.

The Ebony Knight Order uniforms were all black fabric adorned with silver thread.

The captain's, however, used gold thread, making it instantly recognizable.

Nina held up the longcoat and said,

"I don't know where this attaches."

Jin sighed at the thin triangular cloth in her hand.

"It's clipped to the button behind the collar. For when you stand the collar up."

"Ah."

"Give it here."

Jin extended his hand, and Nina quickly handed over the coat. With deft movements, he fastened the button and asked,

"You wearing it, or draping it over your shoulders?"

"I've got the jacket on, so shoulders today."

Jin beckoned her closer, and Nina smiled, spinning around in front of him promptly.

Jin secured the coat over her jacket shoulders. He left the waist strap loose, tucking it into the coat pocket, then spun her back around to straighten her jacket too.

"There, all set."

"Do I look like the captain?"

"You do."

Jin smirked, scanning her up and down, then suddenly frowned.

"You seriously tying your boot laces like that? Does it look okay?"

"I was in a rush..."

As Nina averted her eyes, Jin deliberately sighed loudly and scooped her up, setting her on a tall stool.

He untied her laces and retied them tightly.

Nina gazed at Jin's unusually tidy hair. She wanted to stroke the red strands, but held back, not wanting to ruin his rare effort.

"All tied."

"Thanks, Jin."

As Nina replied meekly, Jin chuckled, "You're only meek like this sometimes," and looked up at her.

His frank stare embarrassed her, so she asked,

"Why are you staring like that?"

"Nah, our Nina's all grown up."