The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 66

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 66

Chapter Title: The Duke Like a Painting

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“Rorokomo.”

When called from above, Rorokomo, who had been handing a cloak to Miminaga, lifted his head.

His face brightened.

“Captain.”

Seeing Nina sliding down along the railing, he made a strange face but soon adopted a polite expression in front of her.

Nina landed perfectly.

“You said you had business, but you came back early?”

“The Brennan Ducal House summoned me, so I thought it might be something major and went there, but it was just a probe, so I wrapped it up appropriately. May I give the detailed report to the Duke?”

“Of course.”

Nina nodded, then asked,

“By the way, do you happen to know the Chara Viscounty?”

“I do.”

“Any word on dismissed servants from there?”

At Nina's words, Rorokomo blinked, then said,

“You arrived today, but your information travels fast. That was something I planned to bring up anyway.”

“I think I know what you mean. Let's head up.”

Nina extended her hand to Miminaga and asked,

“Want to come along, Miminaga?”

Miminaga blushed faintly and lowered her eyes as she said,

“I have instructions to issue.”

“I see.”

She waved her hand as if to say it was fine, and Nina headed upstairs. Adrian's room was on the second floor of the townhouse.

The room was spacious, but with hardly any furniture, it felt even emptier. Above all, the carpet was so worn that its color had completely faded.

Can't have Randell cleaning again.

That had worked at Black Shield Castle since no other nobles were around, but trying it in the townhouse would have rumors reaching the Imperial Palace in under a minute.

Adrian, seated on the shabby sofa, looked exactly...

Like a fashion pictorial.

Nina crossed her arms and thought.

The shadows draping his face, his delicate and sensitive pale skin, and the navy clothes he wore created such a striking contrast that even the worn sofa seemed like a prop from a painting.

Adrian disliked his own pale skin, but with a constitution that never tanned, there was nothing to be done.

His shadowed, translucent pink eyes slowly lifted to gaze at Nina.

“Why are you just standing there?”

“Ah, I was appreciating the view.”

Nina replied casually.

Rorokomo bit his lip to suppress a smile before offering a polite greeting.

“I greet the Duke.”

As if to show off, Nina crossed her arms in an X salute, and Adrian gave a lazy flick of his hand as if it were a bother.

Nina strode over to stand beside him. Rorokomo halted at a proper distance.

While Adrian and Rorokomo conversed, Nina stood silently.

“You've arrived today, but rumors have been circulating for some time. Do you plan to attend the imperial ball this evening?”

“I'm considering it.”

“Understood. And regarding the servants...”

Rorokomo briefly explained the recent events at the Chara Viscounty, then added,

“If possible, I'd like to rehire all of them into the Ducal House. Even without recommendation letters...”

“Young Master.”

At Nina's call, Adrian glanced at her before telling Rorokomo,

“I understand.”

Rorokomo brightened and bowed deeply.

“Thank you.”

“Finding skilled servants is no small task.”

“Understood. I'll see to it.”

Rorokomo went on to introduce the newly hired merchant guild members and suggested purchasing a building for the guild.

Once his sequential reports concluded, Adrian handed him Kiril's lengthy report.

Rorokomo practically leaped as he exclaimed,

“Tooth repair medicine?!”

“Yes.”

“This... this could be turned into something unobtainable even for money.”

Rorokomo's eyes gleamed.

“Daily dental care product sets... That's a good idea too.”

Rorokomo nodded. He cautiously inquired whether they should establish a workshop for production, and Adrian replied that he was granting him full authority.

I chose well with him.

With that thought, Rorokomo bowed and departed.

Once they were alone, Adrian asked Nina,

“You're free today, right?”

“I'm always available.”

Since it was about the ball, Nina grinned and replied,

“Vivian has to witness my debut, after all.”

Nina tilted her head and added,

“I hope there's someone decent out there.”

“Someone decent?”

“Court knights ought to have one or two lovers, so I was thinking of arranging one.”

“...You're my knight.”

“Well, yes, but.”

Nina shrugged.

“To thrive in the capital, don't you think a title or two like that is necessary?”

“Not yet, I think.”

Nina laughed at Adrian's childlike tone.

“True enough. Haven't even made my ball debut yet—getting ahead of myself.”

Nina shook her head. Adrian stared at her intently before saying,

“We leave this evening, so go rest.”

“Yes, sir.”

She saluted with crossed arms and withdrew obediently.

Upon entering her room, she found a box on the desk.

Opening it, Nina grinned.

Inside lay two long red ribbons, intricately embroidered with golden threads.

[To Nina.]

Even without a name on the brief card, she knew the sender.

As expected, Adrian.

A gift that said he already knew her hairstyle plans.

Pigtails were absolutely not ball-appropriate, but Nina intended to do them anyway—and Adrian had no plans to stop her.

Nina smiled brightly.

The Rubaenu Ducal Family's carriage briskly traversed the main avenue. Flanking it on either side, Nina and Jin rode their One-Horned Horses abreast.

Tailing them were Sharo and Kel.

They had selected two out of the three trained for escort duty—no difficulty there. Raja had been miffed but stayed behind with the others for mansion security.

Even at night, the capital glittered.

Bright lights abounded, people bustled about.

The summer night air mingled with the clop of hooves, murmurs of crowds, and sparkling shops like champagne bubbles—a perfect evening.

“So many people.”

Jin muttered in surprise, glancing around. Nina shrugged.

“Isn't it always like this? Never been to the capital myself, so who knows.”

“You—no, Captain—you're awfully calm for someone new to this. Most folks gawk at the lights and streets with mouths agape. Like that kid over there.”

Pointing at Sharo, who promptly clamped her mouth shut. Kel, riding opposite, smiled.

“Sightseeing later. Escort duty first.”

At Nina's words, Jin shook his head.

“Huh? Spouting such praiseworthy lines.”

“Always praiseworthy, aren't I? The eternally cool and cute Nina.”

“Of course.”

Jin chuckled.

In the throng, their conversation lapsed. Their One-Horned Horses instantly drew every eye.

A crowd of onlookers even trailed after the group.

Voices betting on whether the horns were real or fake drifted over.

The soldiers at the Imperial Palace entrance stared dumbfounded at the One-Horned Horses. Only after the carriage passed did they snap to and raise their spears to block the road.

The onlookers finally dispersed.

But now noble spectators appeared. Carriages queued long before the palace, and those alighting had already heard whispers: the Rubaenu Ducal Family's carriage had arrived.