The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 85

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 85

Chapter Title: Balcony Hesitation

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I was so curious about what they were discussing that my ears felt like they were growing.

And weren't those two comrades-in-arms who had fought Belak together?

"I can't leave my post right now. I'm on guard duty."

Nina spoke up in Adrian's place. Benzel turned his gaze toward her.

"It'll only take a moment."

('This?')

Can't you see all these eyes converging on us?

"Nina, go ahead."

Adrian turned to her and spoke. Nina offered an elegant smile, crossed her arms in front of her, and bowed gracefully.

"Since Your Excellency commands it, I'll go. Sir Jin, take my place."

"As you command."

Jin replied and stepped into Nina's position. Nina turned to Benzel.

"Say what you need to."

"Let's step away for a moment."

Benzel took the lead, and Nina followed behind him with a crooked smile. The instant Benzel selected a suitable balcony and half-drew the curtains, Nina stomped hard on his foot.

It wasn't enough to break the bone on the top of his foot, but it was plenty to bring tears welling up. Holding back a scream was worthy of praise for the Lily Knight Order Captain.

Benzel had to clutch the balcony railing and stifle a groan for a moment.

"What the hell are you doing in a crowded place? If you want to talk, pick somewhere without people."

"I'm not doing anything wrong. Why should I?"

"Because of those people back there glaring daggers and straining their ears."

Nina crossed her arms and asked.

"So, what's this about?"

Benzel wore an incredibly complicated expression at her question.

His curly, honey-blond hair made him look just like a mongrel retriever lost in thought.

A face like a dog with a ball in its mouth, pondering how to pick up the one on the floor.

So Nina waited.

Benzel had spent his time fixated on the idea of meeting her, but now that Nina said, "Speak," he had no clue where to begin.

Opening his mouth felt like it would only spill stupid words. He hung his head, then sneaked a glance at Nina. Those golden eyes stared at him without the slightest flicker.

He'd expected her to snap at him irritably to spit it out, but surprisingly, she stayed quiet.

Benzel recalled that day.

After wrapping up the Belak incident and reporting to Princess Viarentil, he'd shown her the suspicious letter he'd received as well.

Viarentil paid little mind to the letter. She showed far more interest in Belak.

"How was it? Facing it in battle?"

"It wasn't me. Lady Nina took the lead."

"Lady Nina?"

Princess Viarentil's face hardened in an instant.

"Why did you let the Ebony Knight Order Captain charge ahead?"

"I was busy evacuating civilians..."

"That's not the point! Combat against Belak is something even capital knights rarely encounter. Such a golden opportunity."

Golden opportunity.

The words ricocheted in his ears.

Is that a golden opportunity?

Having seen Belak right before his eyes, he knew its emergence was no trivial matter.

Capitals and major cities had barriers for protection, but unprotected territories faced this as everyday life. The mere thought sent chills down his spine.

"So, how did Lady Nina fare?"

Benzel recounted the battle in dry detail, and Princess Viarentil muttered with a deflated expression.

"Belak is weaker than I'd imagined..."

Benzel nearly blurted out, "No, it's not," but he swallowed the retort.

The princess, lost in thought, soon addressed him.

"Don't miss chances like that in the future. Your reputation is vital to my plans."

"I'll keep it in mind."

"You may go."

"Your Highness, about this letter..."

"Don't worry about it. I'll handle it."

"Understood."

Even as he exited, Benzel felt a lingering unease. Yet she was his liege, the one he must serve until death.

"That day..."

He finally spoke.

Nina tilted her head.

Her expression urged him to continue, so he swallowed hard and pressed on.

"That day, witnessing your swordsmanship left me deeply impressed. I hoped to cross blades with you at least once..."

"You're bringing up a duel request like this? You could've just sent a formal challenge."

"It's not exactly a duel."

"Then what is it?"

"No, I just wanted to say your sword skills are outstanding."

"Thanks for the praise? That all?"

"And-"

Benzel voiced what had been nagging at him.

"How did you know it was a heretic back then?"

"Our knight order is the most attuned to heretics."

Benzel fell silent at Nina's words.

No high noble was ignorant of what had transpired in the Violet Forest two years prior.

It had simply been buried.

"So we're a bit sharp about it."

"If you have intel like that, share it with the temple-"

"What? The temple? You telling us to do that?"

Benzel faltered, then asked cautiously.

"Was that temple envoy really a heretic?"

"Would I bluff about something like that?"

Nina sighed, then eyed him.

"Benzel, your talk's been circling the outskirts since earlier. Don't you have something else you really want to say? Think it over."

It was a coaxing tone. Benzel wondered if he'd heard anything like it since he was five.

Suddenly, clarity struck.

This little escapade of his would ripple through the ballroom in under five minutes, and he'd have to explain it to Her Highness.

Was there truly important business warranting pulling aside Nina, who was guarding the duke?

No.

That realization flustered him.

He'd wanted to see her, to talk to her, but there was no real substance.

'Oh God.'

Sensing his distress, Nina asked gently.

"You okay? What's wrong?"

"No, it's... I..."

Benzel rubbed his face.

Nina stared at him intently, then asked.

"About the investigation that day—anything worth reporting?"

"Ah, right. Yeah."

Like a man spotting an escape route, Benzel looked up.

"There was venom, so disposing of the bodies was a hassle. Some were poisoned, but no fatalities. Contamination levels weren't high either."

"That's a relief."

"Far more people got hurt tripping over each other in the panic."

"Well, sure."

"The barrier was intact. The real headache is figuring out how Belak got in."

"I see."

Benzel narrowed his eyes slightly at Nina's half-hearted reply, then realized she'd tossed him the question deliberately.

She'd known he was flustered and given him a safe topic.

"Sorry."

He couldn't speak of Her Highness's peculiarities.

Nina arched one eyebrow at his apology.

His face was a tangle of emotions. Nina turned away and let out a heavy sigh.

"It's fine."

The unexpected response startled Benzel into flinching. Nina continued.

"I don't know what you're apologizing for. But whatever it is, I'm okay."

Benzel managed a wry smile.

"The empire's greatest swordswoman?"

"Even the Lily Knight Order Captain acknowledges it now?"

Nina let out a soft chuckle, closed her eyes, and murmured as if savoring it.

"Because I have the Young Master."

"......"

Benzel was at a loss for words.

"......I see."

That was all he could muster.

Whatever happened, it was fine. Because she had her lord.

He envied that certainty—and felt a twinge of jealousy.

"Then I'll be going."

He hurriedly blocked her path as she turned to leave.

"What now?"

Nina asked. Benzel nearly said he wanted to see her again but rephrased it.

"Could I request a spar sometime?"

Even with nothing more to say, it felt unfinished. He wanted to secure another meeting.

He was done lurking around these balls.

"Contact me."

With that, Nina nudged him aside with her chin and strode out onto the balcony—then whipped around.

She marched right up to him, and Benzel froze in surprise. But she brushed past, leaping off the balcony.

('Déjà vu.')

Benzel couldn't bring himself to jump after her, so he rushed around through the hall to the floor below.

('Where'd she go?')

Scanning about, he soon spotted the long twin tails.

A man lay splayed at her feet like a frog, and she was draping her coat over a standing young lady.

"What the-"

As Benzel struggled to make sense of it, Nina looked up.

Their eyes met, and she gave a soft smile.

"!"

He smiled back unwittingly, and Nina raised her hand.

"Your Excellency, over here."