The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 92

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 92

Chapter Title: Basement Bickering

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Nina and Jin shot up from their seats, startled.

They had been endlessly chattering with someone who had just arrived that day after a long carriage journey.

Lui turned to Nina.

"Lady Nina, considering today's events, it would be best if you retired to rest now."

Lui added gently.

"I don't know the details, but you collapsed from exhausting your energy on those spirits, right?"

"Yes. That's correct."

As soon as she answered, a wave of drowsiness suddenly washed over her.

She must not have realized how tired she was amid all the tension and excitement.

"Tell me about that."

Jin nudged Nina's elbow, and she nodded.

She needed to share the story with him anyway.

"But not today. I want to go sleep. I'm suddenly exhausted."

Even though she had replenished with food, her energy had dipped once before, leaving her craving sleep.

"You've got two days of vacation anyway."

Jin nodded casually, giving her permission to rest. As Adrian left first, Lui smiled and said,

"The Duke's consideration is still as hard to read as ever."

"It feels perfectly timed to seem rude, doesn't it?"

Nina replied with a laugh.

"Exactly."

Lui was impressed.

He seemed like the type to ruthlessly shatter a fun atmosphere late at night when everyone was tired.

How could he be like that? Yet at the same time, he made you think, 'I was tired anyway—good timing.'

What to call that deliberate consideration for others?

'Overly delicate, maybe. Others might see it as just doing whatever he wants, straightforwardly.'

Even now, he had broken up the conversation, which was flowing enjoyably, out of thoughtfulness for Lui and Nina, who were worn out from travel.

He hadn't even said something direct like, 'Sir Lui must be tired.'

That would have made Jin and Nina seem inconsiderate.

A consideration so subtle no one would suspect they were being accommodated.

"But Lady Nina always picks up on it without fail."

"Yes, of course."

Lui gave Nina an elegant smile.

"Then that's enough."

Nina thought that if Sir Lui had become a court knight, he would have been wildly popular, and replied,

"I think so too."

"I never thought we'd actually end up cleaning the basement."

Raja said as he wrung out the mop.

"Sorry..."

At Shallo's words, Raja's eyes widened as he vigorously wrung the mop.

"I'm not saying anything to you. If that idiot had just explained properly from the start, none of this would have happened."

Kel, who had been sweeping away dust and cobwebs, turned at the words.

"What story?"

"That he's an instigator. Then Shallo wouldn't have reacted like that—"

"Raja."

Shallo cut him off.

"If I'd known, I would've beaten him harder."

Her tone was firm and resolute, with no hint of regret. Raja flinched but didn't stop his attack on Kel.

"Honestly, I've never liked him from the start, strutting around with that pretty face."

"If my good looks bother you, maybe work on your attitude?"

"That tongue of yours bothers me too."

"I didn't know you were so interested in my tongue."

Shallo looked at Kel in surprise. Normally, Kel would have laughed it off, deflected with kind words, or sidestepped.

But to confront head-on like this?

Raja's face flushed red, unable to win with words.

"What? You bastard?"

"Starting with curses out of nowhere? Looks like you've got nothing to say. Isn't resorting to that a bit low-class?"

Raja let out a loud "Ha!" laughed heartily, and threw down the mop.

"Come outside."

"No thanks."

"Oh, really? Then just stand there."

Raja clenched his fist and charged, but Shallo stepped between them.

"Move."

"We're in the middle of disciplinary duty right now. You want to cause a scene?"

Raja gritted his teeth at Shallo's words. She was clearly right.

Kel said to such a Shallo,

"It's fine, Shallo. It's just us. And no one seems to come down here."

Kel shrugged, and Raja shoved Shallo's shoulder.

"You talk a good game."

But Shallo stood firm, not budging an inch. Raja's face twisted.

"You siding with him too?"

"This punishment is my fault. If you're angry, take it out on me."

Raja's indigo eyes distorted.

"Hey, you think I'm pissed because of this?"

"Then why?"

"He's the problem. No sense of camaraderie or anything."

Suddenly accused, Kel felt wronged and said,

"What are you talking about? How much have I—"

"If you saw us as equals, you would've said he's an instigator and planned countermeasures together. Not get beat up alone thinking that'll do and making everyone else look like idiots."

Raja's voice grew louder.

"You think I'm some fool who needs your protection? Don't make me laugh. I'm sick of that arrogant way you look down on everyone."

Kel was at a loss for words.

What he had done out of consideration for his comrades had turned into a complete mess.

He was angry and felt wronged, but there was some truth to it he couldn't deny.

Kel glanced at Shallo. She stood unmoving between them.

"Not discussing it first was my mistake. It's just... I've never had a relationship like this before."

Stumbling through his words embarrassed even him; he wanted to bolt from the spot.

Exposing his weakness like this dried his mouth.

"What? You seemed like you were born with perfect social skills."

Raja crossed his arms.

Kel laughed.

"Yeah, that's my strong suit. But I've never gone this deep before."

He had always been a conveniently likable person. Being convenient made people seek him out easily.

"Classic Kelloyan."

He didn't hate hearing that. It made him friendly with everyone, though he'd never formed a special bond with anyone.

Honestly, he wasn't even sure what that felt like.

Raja stared at Kel silently. He could hurl more insults or mercilessly tear him down for talking nonsense.

He glanced at Shallo.

Then looked at the ceiling, took a deep breath, and let out a long "Ha—."

"Sorry for blowing up over something stupid. I should've just said quietly that I didn't like it."

If Shallo hadn't intervened, they would have just fought over the wrong thing.

He knew he needed to fix his impulsive temper, but it never stuck.

As an awkward atmosphere unique to those who had just reconciled filled the air, Shallo said,

"Let's clean."

"Yeah."

"Right."

The three threw themselves back into cleaning.

"Leaving already?"

Benzel looked at Nina in surprise. A bruise swelled around his right eye, making him look like a raccoon with one black eye.

It was the spot he had taken a hit from their last sparring match—where Nina had gone somewhat easy on him.

After losing to Jin in the duel, and learning Nina was a baroness of higher rank than him, Benzel had started using honorifics.

"It's not 'already.' The ball is almost over anyway. I've been in the capital way too long."

Boringly so.

The temple had contested Avesa's death research, forcing Randell to come and go as a witness.

Nina had been assigned as Randell's guard. Sometimes the other sages had attacked Randell, necessitating protection.

Thanks to that, Nina had several chances to use her magic defense training with the Sun spirit in real combat.

After getting physically thrashed by Nina's "physical power" a few times, the sages no longer dared attack her directly, but they hurled curses at her loudly.

The Isle of Sages had announced the revocation of Randell's Grand Sage position.

Randell had told Nina with a refreshed face,

"Now I understand why Kiril left the Isle of Sages."

Thanks to frequenting the temple with him, Nina had hoped to run into the temple knight order captain, the high priestess, or perhaps Fiona, but nothing like that happened.