The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 74

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 74

Chapter Title: Lingering Confessions

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His words grew even lighter, and Adrian replied with his usual demeanor.

“Then we’ll end up walking the same path.”

“I’d like to walk shoulder to shoulder, if possible.”

Naf had no idea what was going on, but he forced a smile, putting on a face that said he had everything perfectly under control.

“Then I’ll take my leave, Duke. And……”

Paradiv glanced subtly at Nina, who made a face as if she wouldn’t jump to conclusions if he left it unsaid.

“Could you spare a moment alone?”

“Of course.”

The two stepped three or four paces away from the group.

Paradiv cleared his throat and spoke.

“That was sudden earlier. I’m sorry for putting you in an awkward spot.”

“Not at all. It was a delightful experience.”

Relief washed over his face at Nina’s response.

“Please don’t think I’m the type to do that just anytime.”

Nina replied, “Of course not.” He continued.

“And don’t think this confession is something lighthearted, either.”

Nina immediately grew serious, responding in a thoughtful tone.

“I don’t see love at first sight as a fleeting emotion. And please don’t mistake my light reply for playful rejection.”

Paradiv smiled faintly.

“That answer made me think there’s still a chance. Lady Nina’s reputation will only rise higher, and someday, you might even surpass me.”

Nina’s eyes widened in surprise, and Paradiv asked cautiously.

“May I have a farewell kiss?”

“That might be a bit much.”

Seeing her troubled expression, Paradiv backed off gracefully.

“Understood. Just talking with you was more than enough enjoyment.”

They exchanged farewells, and Paradiv left the ducal residence with Naf.

As they climbed into the carriage, Naf raised his voice.

“What in the world are you doing? Brother, do you really want your head to roll?”

“Don’t ask. I’m reflecting on it right now.”

He covered his face with both hands and curled up. Even in the carriage’s dim light, his ears were bright red.

Naf stammered in bewilderment.

“D-Do you really like that woman so much?”

“Yeah, what about it? She’s completely my type. Why didn’t you warn me ahead of time? I could’ve prepared.”

“How would I know your tastes? More importantly, you went to all that trouble to meet the Rubaenu Duke, and that was the extent of your conversation? What happened? Were you just showing off to impress the girl you like?”

Paradiv swept his hands down his face and replied.

“We covered all the important points. There was nothing for me to add. And if I were showing off, I wouldn’t have made that confession.”

Thinking back made his face heat up again, so he fanned himself. Naf pressed on.

“You call that covering the important points? You just asked what she discussed with the Viarentil Princess and what you plan to do about it.”

Paradiv shot Naf a sullen look.

“Did you really not get it? Or do you want me to confirm your take?”

This time, Naf’s face turned red. As he hemmed and hawed, Paradiv chuckled.

“Viarentil started by saying she awakened patriotism at first. Love for the country. Does loyalty to the empire go hand in hand with loyalty to the imperial family?”

Naf thought it over, then replied smoothly.

“In Viarentil’s case, it’s the latter.”

“Exactly. And she sees loyalty to herself as loyalty to the empire. That’s why I asked what he plans to do.”

“So he said he’d do what’s required as duke.”

“No—as head of the Rubaenu family. The Rubaenu house comes first. In short, he won’t take the same path as Viarentil.”

Rather, they’ll likely end up hostile. Considering what the imperial family has put the Rubaenu family through so far.

Paradiv held back the rest and watched his youngest brother mull over the exchange again.

He recalled the Rubaenu Duke.

So refreshingly straightforward.

The answer was already plain as day inside him.

The Rubaenu Duke seemed a touch young for the role, utterly unlike his infamous reputation.

Dangerous?

His pale pink eyes looked so clear they might shatter, yet a profound darkness lurked within—something not quite human.

Darkness he kept tightly in check.

But humans have their limits eventually.

You can’t control every emotion forever.

He knew well how suffocating the strictures placed on imperial blood could be.

Unbidden, his thoughts turned to Nina.

Those bright golden eyes.

Her lively voice, her spirited gestures.

A smile that brushed off anything lightly, yet never dismissively.

“Oh dear.”

He muttered, drawing Naf’s gaze. Paradiv waved it off casually.

This rival might be more formidable than I thought.

He’d rather not make an enemy of him if he could help it. And with Viarentil in the picture, they’d likely end up allied anyway.

He didn’t think Viarentil’s plan was misguided.

Accelerate centralization, funnel everything into imperial authority to unify the realm.

Viarentil wanted to dye the empire in a single hue next.

But that wasn’t the path Paradiv envisioned.

The system needed unifying, certainly—but the empire was vast, its vassal states each with their own ways.

He wanted policies of respect and inclusion.

Perhaps that stemmed from his mother not being an imperial subject.

Besides, a sudden shift in course would spark fierce resistance.

What gives him such confidence?

That was Paradiv’s greatest curiosity.

The temple alone wouldn’t suffice, he suspected.

This much, at least, eludes me.

Paradiv closed his eyes.

Jin’s face was full of dissatisfaction.

He’d worn that expression nonstop since meeting the imperial prince.

Nina had asked “What’s wrong?” several times, but Jin only grunted “Nothing” or “It’s fine.”

Finally, she pouted with “Suit yourself” and left the room for break time.

Alone with Adrian now, Jin’s mouth itched to speak, but he held back.

Wait for Sir Lui.

Lui was the only one he could confide in about this.

The busy steward hadn’t joined them in the capital.

He’d wrap up at Black Shield Castle, stop by Silver Lake Castle, then arrive.

But then this happens!

He simply couldn’t fathom Nina’s attitude.

Lover? Please.

To him, she needed another decade of growing up before she could have a lover.

She’d goggle at him with “What’s that supposed to mean?” if he said it, but that was Jin’s honest view.

And besides...

How could she say that right in front of His Grace?

No—honestly, who looking at Nina and Adrian’s bond could even imagine such words?

They’d been inseparable since childhood.

Adrian turned at Jin’s brooding aura.

“Vice-Captain, if you have something to say, out with it.”

Jin hesitated, then replied.

“……Nothing.”

“Then stay quiet.”

“I was quiet.”

“Jin.”

The low call made Jin avert his eyes slightly.

“Understood.”

His presence faded even further, and only then did Adrian relax.

He lifted the glass of water at his side, then stared into it. Capital water carried an odd, fishy tang he disliked.

Noticing that, Nina had fashioned a simple purifier from charcoal and cloth, floating herbs in the jug.

And whenever she checked it, she summoned the Frost spirit, keeping his water always fresh and cold like just-drawn groundwater.

Always, everywhere, in every little thing around him—he sensed Nina.

She carved out space for him to breathe freely.

He tried to return the favor, but it always felt somehow lacking.