The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 73

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 73

Chapter Title: The Clumsy Prince

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This meant the temple's forces weren't particularly large, but the temple knight order capable of facing Belak was formidable in its own right.

'Still, their numbers are few, aren't they?'

Even with the temple's backing, there didn't seem to be any reason for the princess to act so arrogantly.

"We'll stay cautious."

Nina nodded at Adrian's words. If Adrian was on guard, he wouldn't miss any hint of trouble.

"That's all I need."

Adrian, seated on the single-seater sofa, beckoned her over. Nina quietly rose and hurried to his side, perching on the armrest.

"Any injuries?"

"None. You think I'd let myself get hurt?"

Despite her words, Adrian took her arm and inspected it carefully from every angle.

"Benzel might challenge you to a duel."

"The day the Lily Knight Order Captain gets beaten by the Ebony Knight Order Captain."

Nina snorted in response. As Adrian released her, he whispered,

"I don't like that guy."

His blunt words made Nina's eyes widen. It was the first time he'd openly said he disliked someone—and after only meeting them once, no less.

"Why? What's wrong with him?"

"People like that always..."

Adrian trailed off. When Nina pressed, "What? Always what?", he added slowly,

"They don't know their place."

Nina burst out laughing. "What does that even mean?"

"Yeah, charging at me like that, he clearly doesn't."

As Nina nodded in agreement, Adrian lightly pulled her onto his lap.

She slipped from the armrest, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Adrian."

Nina gazed quietly into his eyes.

They were utterly different from the ones in her dream.

She loved the shadows in his eyes because of the unyielding light that shone within them.

There was an unshakable calm, a delicacy that never harmed others, a submerged melancholy.

She drew him close, pressing their foreheads together, and he narrowed his eyes as if tickled or dazzled.

"I'm glad you're Adrian."

In response, he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I'm glad you're Nina."

Nina smiled faintly, then grew serious.

"Even if you struck me down someday, I'd forgive you."

Adrian pulled back, his lips tightening in anger.

"What are you talking about?"

His sharp tone made Nina hesitate to mention the dream—it would only stoke his temper—so she deftly changed the subject.

"That I like you that much?"

Adrian released his hold, and Nina flinched, gauging his mood.

"Adrian, are you mad?"

"No. Even if you stabbed me, I wouldn't be."

Nina's golden eyes blinked a few times before curving into a smile.

"I really like you, Adrian."

"I like you too."

Adrian sighed as he replied, and Nina hopped off his lap.

She asked brightly,

"Young Master. Now that the princess is here, won't the prince come too?"

"A polite envoy already arrived. The meeting's set for a week from now."

Nina nodded.

"Understood. I hope the prince turns out to be a decent fellow."

As if her wish had been granted, the Paradive prince arrived at the ducal residence following proper protocol.

As they received him formally, Nina even felt a twinge of satisfaction.

'Vivian should see this.'

Then the Paradive prince's face took on a slightly dazed expression, and he spoke.

"Lady Nina?"

"Yes, that's me. Nina la Dell."

Noting how he ignored the duke right in front of him to address her directly, Nina replied, and he quickly continued.

"I think I've fallen in love with you at first sight."

What? Pardon?

Nina's well-trained polite expression—honed by Vivian—melted away involuntarily.

His water-colored hair, reminiscent of his sister Viaren til, gentle eyes befitting a prince, and a refined face.

His sparkling light eyes were fixed intently on her.

"I'd already heard the stories, of course. I thought you sounded impressive from the start, but I never imagined you'd be so perfectly to my taste. This is my sincerest confession from the heart."

Naph's face paled behind him. He glanced around before whispering softly,

"Brother, get a grip."

"I'm perfectly clear-headed. Lady Nina, what do you say?"

Nina tilted her head.

"Well, I am recruiting a lover at the moment..."

Jin's face drained of color as he stood at attention behind her.

He anxiously alternated glances between Adrian's and Nina's backs.

"Then—!"

Paradive's face lit up, but Nina shook her head.

"I'm sorry. I'm recruiting a lover for myself, not looking to become someone else's."

"No way!"

This status of prince standing between you and me... I wish I'd just been a knight...

Naph kicked Paradive in the shin.

"!!"

As Paradive doubled over without even crying out, Naph spoke for him.

"My apologies. It seems the prince is suffering from temporary delirium due to the ongoing fatigue from his travels."

Nina politely responded to Naph, who was wiping sweat with a handkerchief and making excuses.

"From the moment you enter the ducal residence, all matters fall to my lord. I am merely a single sword."

Naph sweated even more at her words and turned to Adrian. Adrian's gaze had already turned subtly askew, but he nodded back at the apology.

Paradive straightened up, enduring the pain, and smiled.

"I lost my composure for a moment. My apologies, Duke."

"No need."

Adrian smiled thinly, and Nina quietly stepped back.

She no longer felt like saying anything, perhaps due to his weary, salesman-like expression.

Unlike Viaren til's flashy attire, Paradive dressed simply. The only indicators of his royal status were the circlet exclusive to imperial family members and the signet ring on his ring finger.

And unlike Viaren til's crown-like ornate circlet, his was plain.

Frankly, it looked less humble and more impoverished.

Like a prince from a poor nation.

From a weak kingdom battered by diplomacy, at that.

Still, his refined features marked him as a prince.

"Shall we head inside, then."

The group was escorted to the finest guest rooms under Adrian's guidance.

Jin had been beside himself since the first meeting and barely restrained himself from saying something to Nina.

This wasn't the place for it.

As Jin held his tongue, a servant brought tea. Watching, Nina swallowed a sigh, thinking, 'No word from the Chara viscountcy yet.'

They observed decorum adequately, but it wasn't enough for attending royalty.

Paradive, however, seemed unconcerned as he lifted his cup.

Drinking his tea openly without a care, he cut straight to the chase.

"My sister stopped by, didn't she?"

"Yes, we were honored by Her Highness Princess Viaren til's visit."

Adrian's reply was smoothly aristocratic.

"What did she say?"

"She reminded me of my patriotic duty before leaving."

"Haha."

Paradive laughed out loud. Naph looked like he wanted to cry.

Royals didn't laugh aloud. They neither laughed nor cried nor raged—they simply maintained serene composure.

This was ingrained in every high noble from childhood, not just royals.

Showing emotions was purely for efficiency. Calculated emotions, yes—but genuine ones? Never.

Thus, from youth, they trained in private methods to vent feelings.

Royals took it further.

Even among calculated displays, royals never showed intense emotions.

Raised voices in anger, audible laughter, tears in sorrow.

These three were taboos for royals.

Yet here was Paradive laughing outright.

'Brother... please... You had tea, but you didn't lose your mind too, did you?'

As Naph prayed inwardly, Paradive continued,

"I'm relieved you know her well. So, what will you do?"

"As head of the Rubaenu family, I intend to do what must be done."

Paradive's smile faded at Adrian's words.

"I think the same. As an imperial prince, I must do my duty."

"Will our paths align?"

Paradive rose from his seat.

"We'll see."

He grinned, and for the first time, he looked like a young man his age.

"I think they will."