The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 91

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 91

Chapter Title: Viscount Chara's Servants

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Nina demanded an explanation, and Adrian gave a simple answer.

When the excellent servants of the Chara Viscountcy were largely dismissed en masse, the remaining people were swept up in anxiety.

Moreover, it was obvious that the idiot firstborn would be the next Chara Viscount.

Unless, that is, he broke his neck falling from a horse during one of his beloved hunts.

The dismissed people, without recommendation letters, lost their jobs and homes overnight. They had no choice but to become day laborers, unable to utilize their specialized skills.

At that moment, Rorokomo stepped forward. He approached the butler first and expressed his intent to rehire them.

The difference between a viscountcy and a ducal house is enormous.

Even if the Chara Viscountcy boasted a long family tradition and the Rubaenu Ducal Family carried a notorious reputation.

Moreover, nowadays, everyone knew the name "Nina la Del," didn't they?

The Empire's Greatest Sword.

A title she had proclaimed herself, met with no objections due to her arrogance and unparalleled skill.

Nina's mouth fell open wide.

"Wait, what? Why is my image like that?"

"Wasn't that why you fought Belak and held a public duel?"

"Well, yeah, but......"

Nina, still unaware that her portraits were selling, was shocked by the impact's greater reach than expected.

"Isn't Jack working too hard?"

"According to Jack, it was as easy as tossing a snowball from a mountaintop."

"Come to think of it, the kids fought today-. No, story later. So?"

"After much deliberation, the butler reached out and brought everyone who was willing to the ducal household. Of course, the salary Rorokomo offered likely played a big role."

"That makes sense."

"But they can still contact the people who stayed behind at the Chara Viscountcy, right?"

"Yeah?"

"They must be incredibly envious over there."

"Hmm."

"So the butler asked me."

"Not through Rorokomo?"

"I'm his master now."

"Ah, so straightforward."

Adrian had declared that he'd accept anyone willing to come, even without recommendation letters. As a result, most of the remaining servants from the Chara Viscountcy transferred to the ducal household.

"They're maintaining the status quo for now while trying to gauge my preferences."

Nina nodded at Adrian's words.

"Of course. They need to know the master's tastes to do anything right. I was worried they'd wholesale the Chara Viscountcy's customs, but he's truly capable."

"They seem pretty shocked by the free-spirited atmosphere."

"Haha, just looking at me and the Young Master would terrify plenty of people."

"Sometimes I wondered if you'd forgotten that. But you haven't."

"Of course not."

Nina's eyes rounded wide, and this time Adrian asked.

"The kids fought? Was that the commotion earlier?"

"Kell, Sharlo, and Raja."

As Nina explained the situation, Adrian's pale pink eyes narrowed slyly.

"Instigator."

"No matter how I think about it, nothing else fits. Excessively malicious rumors and the like. The problem is, I have no idea who's behind it."

"The knights you defeated are prime suspects. Losing a public duel is a massive humiliation."

"Hmm, their insults might be the seed, but there are people out there watering it, fertilizing it, and spreading it around."

It didn't feel like just their doing.

Nina shrugged her shoulders.

"Besides, at this point, those fools should consider crossing swords with me an honor."

Those worthless nobodies.

Hmph. Nina snorted.

Adrian nodded seriously. Sparring even once with someone of Nina's caliber was as rare as plucking stars from the sky.

And now, it was available without limit.

Those who didn't recognize its value would gain nothing from it, while those who did would be grateful just for the opportunity.

"Benzel even asked me for a spar."

Calling him so casually made Adrian momentarily wonder if there was an Ebony Knight Order member he didn't know about.

"The Lily Knight Order Captain?"

"Yes, on the terrace that day."

Did I not mention it? Nina tilted her head, and Adrian nodded.

"Come to think of it, I think I heard."

Adrian wondered what face the Lily Knight Order Captain would make upon learning Nina referred to him that way.

'He'd look displeased.'

But the fact that he probably wouldn't outright stop her annoyed Adrian all the same.

Adrian changed the subject.

"More importantly, Sir Sharlo smashing someone's head with a beer mug means we need to send someone over. Find out which tavern it was."

"Yes, I'll do that."

"Did you punish him?"

"Basement cleaning duty."

"Ambiguous."

"Isn't that ambiguity perfect?"

Adrian let out a soft chuckle at Nina's words. Coming from her, it sounded perfectly reasonable.

The two sat side by side at the edge of the restaurant chairs, tilting their heads close together as they laughed and talked. From the restaurant entrance, Jin watched them. Lui asked.

"What are you staring at?"

"Those two. Don't they look just like a pair of cats?"

A black cat and a white cat.

Lui made a peculiar face at Jin's words.

"I wouldn't know how to correct you for describing the lord you serve as cats."

Jin squinted his eyes.

"Well, the Duke's different. A little."

Lui looked at Jin with a worried expression.

"That's precisely what concerns me about you, Sir Jin."

Jin knew exactly what he meant and grinned.

"But at this point, it's too late to change."

It was closer to familial affection than lord-vassal loyalty.

Jin teased Lui.

"And the steward acts like he's above it all."

"Called out like that, I have nothing to say."

He chuckled softly, then Nina looked up and waved her hand.

"Is your body feeling better?"

Jin asked as he strode over. Nina nodded.

"So, what were you two talking about?"

Nina asked, looking at Jin and Lui. Jin replied teasingly.

"Secret."

"Aw."

Nina stretched her arms across the table, banging her palms on it in dissatisfaction.

Lui said, "Please refrain from such behavior where people can see." Nina obediently placed both hands on her lap.

Lui sat down with a gentle smile.

"Feels like the first time we've all gathered together in ages. I've heard various rumors from downstairs, but I'd like to verify them. Especially you, Lady Nina."

"Yes."

"Is it true you received a confession from Prince Paradive?"

Nina's eyes bulged wide in shock.

"That rumor spread too? Even here to Silver Lake Castle?"

Lui, who had exchanged letters with Jin on the matter, simply smiled without mentioning it. Nina's shoulders slumped.

But soon, she lifted her head proudly.

"As expected, I knew there'd be handsome guys in the capital who recognize me."

Jin wore an indescribable expression but held his tongue with Adrian present.

If anything escaped, it would probably be something like "Eek" or "Urk" rather than words.

Nina continued.

"But honestly, more memorable than that are things like clashing with Belak or the public duel....... Princess Biarentil......"

That dazzling appearance.

And extraordinarily beautiful, to boot.

An ambitious and beautiful princess—who wouldn't be drawn to that?

It was just that her ambitions aimed to crush them, so their paths never crossed.

A regrettable thought.

At Nina's words, Jin replied with a reluctant face.

"You like that sort of thing?"

"Why not?"

"I can't stand that vibe unique to people lording over others."

"Aw, Jin just hates all nobles anyway."

At Nina's point, Jin crossed his arms and nodded.

"True. Ah, of course, the Duke's an exception. You too, Viscount Del."

Nina laughed.

Arms bend inward, but no one wore it on their sleeve quite like Jin.

Adrian stood from his seat.

"I've got work, so I'll head out first."

Adrian said.

"Best to call it a night."

Lui rose with a soft smile, crossing his arms.

"Thank you for your consideration."

Adrian gave Lui a glance before departing.