The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 38

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 38

Chapter Title: The Sage's Visit

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"How many years have I been with you?"

I didn't raise you to be some idiot who can't even untie his own shoelaces by himself.

Nina rolled her eyes at Jin's words, muttering, "As if you've ever raised me," but she groaned and let her shoulders slump.

"The Young Master is strong, sure. But is it really okay? We'll have to go deep into the forest to find Myeong-cheol. Who knows what else might pop out in the Violet Forest. And it'll take a long time to get there and back."

"But he left you behind, didn't he?"

"Exactly! That's just it! How could he leave me behind!"

"You leave the Young Master behind all the time."

"That's different. The Young Master is the Young Master, and I'm me."

"Right, so the Duke went off to do what the Duke has to do."

Sweet, right?

Jin spoke in a coaxing tone, making Nina burst out laughing. Whenever she fought with Adrian and sulked, Jin would soothe her like this.

Awkwardly, like the eldest brother caught between squabbling little siblings.

"What should I do? I like Jin too much."

"Yeah, yeah. You like me a lot. I know. That's why you whack me with a stick during training."

"It's all out of affection."

"Of course it is. Sure, sure."

Jin said that as he reached out to ruffle her hair, then slid his hand down to pat her back with light taps.

He might say that, but worry lingered in his green eyes too.

Nina grabbed his wrist as he patted her back and leaned her cheek against his arm.

"Jin."

"What?"

"I'm glad you're alive."

Jin bit his lip slightly before opening his mouth.

"You too."

"If you'd died, I really would've bawled my eyes out. Cried until my eyeballs melted."

"Thanks for that."

"I'm serious."

"Me too."

Nina pouted up at Jin, who smiled softly. Knowing his words were sincere, she blinked in surprise.

"But don't cry so hard your eyes melt."

"If you say so, I guess I have no choice."

Nina rubbed her cheek against his arm and sighed.

"Feels like just yesterday you were telling me to 'get lost,' and now you're thanking me for crying. Talk about a change of heart."

Jin's face flushed red.

"Hey, why drag up my embarrassing past like that?"

"You know it's embarrassing?"

"Yeah. Totally. I was wrong back then. Really. How many times have I apologized now?"

"As many times as it takes. I'll milk it until the day I die."

Jin ran a hand over his face.

When Nina arrived, he'd been so disillusioned with his life and humanity that nothing she did to look after him felt welcome.

Nina grumbled only about the "get lost," but he'd even roughly shoved her away, making her fall once.

She'd been a scrawny thirteen-year-old girl at the time.

'No, I thought you were a boy, okay?!'

That was his final defense. If he'd known she was a girl, would he have said such harsh things or acted so roughly?

He'd been shocked when he found out later.

And he wasn't the only one— their faces said it all once they knew the truth.

Back then, Jin couldn't even sleep a full day without alcohol.

He raked a hand through his hair roughly and said,

"I'm really sorry about that time. I wasn't in my right mind."

His apology made Nina grin widely.

"I know. I know."

She let go of him and hopped down from the desk. Picking up the shoes she'd flung away earlier, she said,

"I probably won't sleep tonight, but I should try to get some rest early. Important guest coming tomorrow."

Jin snorted.

"Important guest my ass."

"He is important. A Sage from the Isle of Sages is coming."

"Won't he bring a bunch of attendants? That's annoying."

"No, it said he's coming alone."

"Weird. Some kind of eccentric?"

Everything seemed to irk him, making Nina laugh.

He didn't seem to have a high opinion of Sages.

Nina turned her gaze to the window, but Jin blocked it with his palm.

"Don't go flying off in the middle of the night."

"!!"

Nina looked at him with a face that said, That's a great idea? Jin added,

"Don't. You'll just get scolded and come back."

"Damn. You're probably right."

Nina grumbled and looked down. Jin grinned and asked,

"Want me to sleep with you?"

"No thanks."

Nina waved him off.

"I'm going to wash up and crash. I'm beat."

"Yeah, yeah."

Go on and sleep already.

Nina gathered up the captain's paperwork scattered on the desk and headed to her room.

Today, she'd handled Adrian's and Lui's duties too, so her own work was still piled up untouched.

Back in her room, Nina gazed at the glowing seed crystal.

It was still shining brightly.

It saved on lamp oil costs, and there was no oily smell like from cheap candles.

Those who used expensive beeswax ones probably didn't know the struggle.

'And the light's so bright.'

If she replaced all the lamps with these crystals, the servants would talk.

They made good side money selling leftover wax and wicks.

'Not that I have enough crystals for that.'

But this crystal was beautiful on its own.

Watching the golden wick flicker inside and the rainbow sheen sparkle on the surface, she felt like she could stare at it all day without getting bored.

'The sales pitch is up to the seller.'

With that thought, Nina moved the crystal over her documents.

"Ah, no lamp shadows. That's convenient."

Under the bright light, Nina worked through her paperwork.

Considering most knights were illiterate and struggled with basic math, the Ebony Knight Order was an elite group.

All three remaining members could handle administrative work.

'They really are unusual.'

Nina finished the budget draft and set down her pen.

Tomorrow was the day she'd meet the male lead.

'Time to sleep early.'

She couldn't extinguish the light, so she covered the crystal with its lid.

Then Nina slipped into bed.

"Nina, hey. Wake up. Nina Randel."

Shaken, Nina cracked her eyes open groggily.

"Whaaat...?"

"You're sleeping so soundly you can't hear the door knocks or me calling. Had to shake you awake? Your discipline's shot."

Jin's grumbling voice sparked irritation in Nina, but the next moment, fear jolted her upright.

"Something happen to the Young Master?"

Jin shook his head at her wide eyes.

"No. The Sage is here."

"What? What time is it? Shit, it's not even dawn."

"Yeah. But he's here."

Now Nina noticed Jin's face was full of annoyance too, his hair disheveled.

"The butler came to me when he couldn't wake you."

"Ugh."

Nina scratched her head furiously and crawled out of bed. At least the shock woke her up fully. She twirled her finger, making Jin turn around.

She threw on yesterday's clothes as they were. Splashed water on her face for a quick wash, then combed her hair with her fingers and tied it into two tight braids.

"How do I look?"

"Like someone who just woke up."

"Can't help the truth. Let's go. Keeping him waiting longer won't leave a good impression."

Nina threw on just her jacket and headed downstairs. Entering the guest reception room, the seated man stood up.

"Sorry for the delay."

As Nina apologized, the man waved it off with a smile.

"No, no. Thinking about it, on the Isle of Sages everyone’s up at this hour, but normal nobles aren't."

He chuckled as he said it.

"Thank you for understanding."

Nina extended her hand.

"I'm Nina Randel. Captain of the Ebony Knight Order, currently acting as proxy for the Duke."

"You're the one who sent the letter. You have a lot you want to talk about."

He shook her hand and said that, leaving Nina dumbfounded as she asked,

"So you're the one who replied...?"

As she trailed off, he finally introduced himself with an "Sorry."

"Randell, Sage of the Isle of Sages. I humbly hold one of the seven Sage seats."