The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 57

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 57

Chapter Title: Flower Crowns

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A short while later, the two agreed to drop the formalities since they had become friends.

She pulled a pitch-black, piping-hot potato from the embers of the dying campfire, peeled off the skin, topped it with salted butter, and handed it over.

"Not too hot?"

At Randell's question, Nina showed him her wrist. The mark of the Sun spirit gleamed faintly.

"The spirit's power makes it fine. Here."

'Using a spirit to roast potatoes...'

Nina thrust the plate toward Randell. He watched the butter melt slowly over the baked potato.

He took the plate carefully and speared a bite with the wooden fork.

"It's good."

It was surprisingly delicious, widening his eyes. He hadn't eaten potatoes since his days in the slums.

Those memories had left him with bad associations about potatoes.

Yet, amazingly, the one she had roasted was tasty. The fluffy, perfectly baked potato soaked up the nutty butter, with salt adding a perfect salty tang.

"Tasty, right?"

Nina said proudly as she peeled the remaining potatoes. Inevitably, some soot clung to the snowy white flesh, but that was unavoidable.

After finishing the potatoes, Nina gathered rabbit grass and taught him how to make a flower crown.

Her skill was impressive, while Randell's attempts were clumsy.

He tossed the crown aside, grumbling loudly, "What's the point of this crap?" "It's just kid stuff."

Nina ignored him and made a large one, placing it on his head before making another for herself.

She also showed him how to make bracelets and rings from the rabbit grass flowers.

Randell stomped on a few ruined crowns before finally managing a clumsy one.

He wasn't pleased with it at all, but Nina happily wore it on her head.

Seeing that, Randell flushed and bowed his head.

"Randell? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing what?"

"I said nothing."

Nina stared at him before grinning.

"Being childish is normal."

His face burned at her words. He covered it with both hands and flopped back into the rabbit grass field.

A sweet floral scent wafted up.

He knew full well his anger wasn't justified, that it was childish beyond measure, and that he was acting like a ten-year-old.

Emotions felt convincing in the heat of the moment, but regret always followed.

"Why is it normal?"

He asked in a low voice, and Nina pretended to adjust glasses as she replied.

"You've been like that since you were little, right? So you're still stuck there."

Nina wasn't hurt or annoyed by his outburst; she acted completely unfazed, which put Randell at ease.

He apologized, and she graciously accepted.

They tried hunting for a four-leaf clover but failed.

Randell seriously considered using Tarot.

Time flew by in enjoyment, and they barely made it back to the castle just before dinner.

Returning to the lab, Randell was scolded by Kiril and only then realized he'd been wearing the flower crown the whole way.

He sheepishly removed it but secretly placed it neatly on a bookshelf instead of tossing it.

"Have fun?"

At Kiril's question, Randell answered, "Yes."

Then, as if bragging, he added softly,

"Next time, we're going to catch masu salmon."

Kiril's eyes widened before she smiled. "Good for you." Randell nodded and quickly sat down.

His mind felt refreshed.

"Nina."

At the call, Nina opened her eyes. She was still adorned with a pure white rabbit grass flower crown and bracelets. The basket of flowers she'd gathered was scattered around.

Lying on the watchtower floor, she looked up at Adrian.

"Adrian."

"It's night."

Nina chuckled at his words.

"I know. Look at all the stars."

Adrian gazed down at her quietly before lying beside her.

"How'd you know I was here?"

To her question, Adrian replied, "I just know."

"Ooh."

Nina made a sound that could have been admiration or teasing, then turned her gaze to the sky.

The stars here were always spectacular. You could see the flowing Milky Way with the naked eye.

It might be familiar to the people here, but the night sky never failed to awe humans.

Nina and Adrian watched the sky in silence.

Drifting clouds occasionally veiled and unveiled the stars. As the constellations tilted, Nina spoke.

"Remember when I whined about wanting honey?"

Adrian murmured, "Ah..." and sighed.

"That's an embarrassingly old story."

"Why? I'm grateful to the Adrian who went honey-hunting for me."

"I got stung and looked like a mess. I didn't know you could smoke the bees out to knock them drunk."

"I thought you looked cool even then. I nursed you all night. Remember?"

"I cried that I didn't need honey and begged you to stay. Then the next day, I ate oatmeal with honey and said, 'Honey is necessary after all.'"

Nina laughed softly.

"Today with Randell, it reminded me so much of back then."

Adrian sat up. He slowly removed the bracelets from her wrist one by one, then took off her crown.

His touch was as careful as a valet undressing a weary lady after a ball.

Nina smiled faintly at the pampered feeling.

He gathered even the fallen rabbit grass from the floor and tossed it all outside the watchtower.

Adrian sat beside her again.

"It won't stay just a memory."

The fun times they'd shared,

The happy days they'd laughed together.

Adrian reached out, gently brushing her bangs into place, and said again,

"There are more days ahead for us."

Too early to reminisce by counting good days past.

Nina looked up at him and held out both hands. Adrian smiled faintly and pulled her to him, letting her lean against his legs.

She sighed and said,

"I just got a bit sentimental, thinking of the old days. But, Adrian."

Nina closed her eyes.

"As long as you always come find me, it's fine."

She feared getting lost,

Feared her existence fading away,

Like at five years old,

Like at eight years old,

Being forgotten and forgetting terrified her.

Losing everything scared her.

"Nina, I..."

Adrian paused and covered her eyes with his hand.

"Even if you become a water droplet, turn to rain, flow down valleys and rivers to the sea, I'll find you. Even in those deep ocean depths, I'll find that one drop that is you."

I will never let you go.

Nina's lips curved into a smile. She whispered, "Yeah."

She turned, propped herself up slightly, and hugged his waist tightly.

"Then I can rest easy anywhere, anytime."

Adrian stroked her hair, and Nina exhaled deeply, relaxing her body.

After comforting her for a while, Adrian said,

"Nina, I have something to tell you."

Nina lifted her drowsy face. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up.

"What is it, Young Master?"

Adrian pulled a note from his pocket.

"It's about Rorokomo. Just came in."

Nina took the note. She unfolded it, made a strange face, then handed it back.

"I can't read the code."

"You should learn."

"The path of learning never ends. So, what's it say?"

"Rorokomo's carriage was ambushed. It was looted, his companions captured, and he himself beaten half to death."

Sleep vanished instantly.

"What? For real?"

"Yes."

"What happened to Rorokomo? His companions?"

"Luckily, a passerby from a village found him and took him home. The bandits took the companions and wagons."

Nina's mouth fell open. Gauging the timing, she asked,

"Where?"

"Outside the duchy."

She hesitated, furrowed her brow, then asked,

"Can I go?"

"You want to?"

"Yes."

"Fine."

"It's okay?"

"It is. It's outside the territory, but bandits on the pass into the duchy are concerning."

"Understood."

Nina jumped to her feet and lightly pulled Adrian up by the hand.

"I'll show you the location."

They descended the watchtower quietly, unseen by anyone. Nina changed first.

She donned the Ebony Knight Order uniform boldly, took the map marked with the location from the office, and grabbed a compass.

Standing by the window, Adrian said,

"Be careful, Nina."

Nina turned and grinned.

"Young Master, your sword is unmatched in the empire."

"Even if you're the only sword on the continent, I'd still worry."

"Then I'll be careful." With that, Nina leaped out the window.