The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 99

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 99

Chapter Title: Silver Lake Castle

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Nina's ability to dispatch an S-rank in an instant was astonishing.

S-ranks were supposed to take at least a month to subdue.

"Regular Rengshi steel probably wouldn't have worked on it either, and there's no way to physically contain it anywhere. That mist was an area-of-effect skill, after all."

Even splitting its head open wouldn't kill it. Physical attacks don't work unless you hit it at the exact right moment.

"If it hadn't been a spirit, it would've taken me quite a while to deal a decisive blow."

And that was only because it was made of namcheol. Rengshi steel would've been even tougher.

"How was the Shadow Spirit?"

"That faintly glowing mist made it hard to get close."

"Ah, because it's light and all. But couldn't you just swallow it up?"

"Probably."

"Hmm, we took it down so easily that the enemy must be shocked."

She'd thought it was hard mode, but the opponent had just been too much of a pushover.

"There's no way a report of us taking it down easily would get through anyway."

Adrian smirked wryly, and Nina smiled back with a "Good thing."

After stuffing themselves full, drowsiness set in.

"I'll head to bed first?"

"Yeah."

"Come here. Sit right here."

Pat pat. Nina patted the spot by her head, offering her lap as a pillow. Adrian chuckled and shifted over.

She let out a comfortable sigh as she rested her head on his thigh.

"There are so many stars."

"Yeah."

Adrian gently brushed her hair aside.

As if remembering, Nina slipped off her bracelet and handed it to him.

"Here, giving it back now."

"Keep it. You might need it again."

"Is that okay?"

"Of course."

Adrian took her hand and slipped the bracelet back on. But he didn't press the gem, so her hair remained silver.

Her disheveled silver locks shimmered faintly in the firelight over the blanket.

Adrian's own bracelet had also stopped working. Nina reached out and tickled his bangs.

"You know, Adrian could have any hair color and it'd be fine, but I still prefer black hair."

"I'll keep it that way."

"What about you? For me?"

"Nina's Nina, no matter the color."

"Saying it like that makes me sound superficial."

"Isn't having preferences just being human?"

Nina giggled at his words and closed her eyes.

"Hand, hand."

She held out her hand, and Adrian clasped it. She smiled contentedly and soon drifted off to sleep.

Her expression softened almost immediately, leaving only the steady rhythm of her healthy breathing.

Adrian gazed at her pale face.

Nina's silver lashes were neat, long, and beautiful.

Knowing what color eyes lay beneath those closed lids felt like peering into a treasure chest hiding something precious.

Slowly, his hand traced her smooth cheek. It slid down to her nape.

He felt her hot body heat and the strong pulse of blood beneath.

It strangely brought him comfort.

At the same time, his mouth went dry, so he lightly bit and released his lip.

The weight of her round head on his thigh somehow felt endearing.

Adrian leaned down slightly, pulling the blanket up to cover her.

His hand, stroking her hair softly, slowly delved into the strands.

As he caressed her, he thought blankly.

What do I want to do?

The cool hair wrapped pleasantly around his fingers, her skin warm and clinging softly.

Her refined face never grew boring, no matter how long he stared.

He wanted to be near her, to touch her.

"Mm..."

She murmured softly and rolled over. Adrian pulled his hand back.

But the hand she held yanked him forward, bending his body almost over hers.

"..."

How do I pull away without waking her?

Then Nina's eyes fluttered open.

Their gazes met too closely in the darkness. Adrian hadn't meant to, but he felt like a total pervert.

Nina blinked a few times, then beamed and reached out with her other hand.

She wrapped it around his neck, lifted her upper body slightly, and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Adrian froze solid. He'd been completely caught off guard.

Nina dropped her head back onto his thigh with a thud and mumbled.

"Good night, Adrian."

'Oh my god.'

His breath caught, and he pressed his hand to his cheek.

It was burning hot.

Only now did he realize what he wanted.

Not family.

Not just lovers.

The closest relationship.

That's what he'd thought it was. But now it wasn't...

He wanted to be the only one she wrapped her arms around and kissed on the neck.

The most special person.

Nina let out a gasp of admiration.

"Wow, it really hasn't changed a bit."

"Hasn't it?"

"Yeah. But maybe because my perspective's different now, it feels a little off."

As a child, she'd just thought of it as a grand, imposing house. Now, at her age, she could see the wear and tear everywhere.

Like it was struggling to maintain its size.

The sagging wooden roof, the neglected garden, statues overgrown with vines.

Since Nina and Adrian had arrived three days earlier than planned, the castle was bustling in preparation for its master's early return.

Still, thanks to the steward's oversight, the servants were sharp, and the rooms were spotless.

Nina tossed her luggage aside, stripped off her uniform, and headed out the back door of Silver Lake Castle in light clothes.

True to its name, the back door led straight to the lake.

A wide garden supported by sturdy stone pillars floated over the water, and farther out was a dock for boats.

But the wooden dock had black rot in spots, looking like it might plunge into the lake any moment.

The rectangular terrace over the water needed repairs in places but seemed sturdy as stonework.

Though she had to watch her step to avoid the gaping holes where entire marble slabs had fallen out.

Nina sprawled at the terrace edge and peered into the water.

'It's so clear.'

The lake was crystal clear, almost down to the bottom, and chillingly deep.

She could clearly see schools of fish darting between the stone pillars.

'We really need to make a ton of money.'

Remodeling this mansion would cost a fortune.

'Gotta expand the business in all directions.'

She'd teach Lorokomo how to do some product placement.

Royal.

Using royalty was the biggest product placement in a class-based society, but there were other ways.

Stimulate people's aesthetic desires.

'Bribe some bards to slip in lyrics about milk-white teeth.'

When describing a hero's sturdy build—firm jaw, straight nose, red lips, and pearl-white teeth.

Just tack that on at the end.

'Strong teeth are a good symbol anyway.'

Just plant the image of 'white teeth'.

'Then sell whitening products. "Get hero-white teeth."'

Don't forget to smear villains with 'yellowed teeth' infamy.

'Tell them to add mint flavor to the toothpaste too.'

His kiss had that gentlemanly mint scent.

Slip lines like that into bard songs.

Didn't toothpaste start selling well originally because of that refreshing mint?

Lost in her plans, Nina stared into the water, then fully flattened herself, rolled up her sleeves, and plunged her arm in.

'So cool.'

It felt great.

As she savored it, footsteps approached.

"What're you doing?"

"Impromptu water play."

Nina sat up and grinned at Adrian.

At her words, Adrian looked out over the vast lake.

True to its name of Silver Lake, the entire surface shimmered silver with countless ripples.

"When we have some leisure..."

"Let's play in the water together. Secretly, away from everyone."

He high-fived her raised palm and laced their fingers together.

Twisting their intertwined hands, he kissed the back of hers.

"Sure."